Monday, December 13, 2010
Colesville painter and high school art teacher discusses inspiration.
Some people excel at their profession, while others excel in their craft. Local resident Alexandra, or Alex, Michaels, has been living, teaching and creating paintings in Montgomery County for almost 40 years. Art is her passion and something she believes is necessary to her existence. "You do not decide to become an artist. It is what you are," she said. "You feel a passion to create, a belief in what you have to say, a need to express that belief to others, a desire to communicate visually." Patch caught up with Alex Michaels to talk more about her passion for all things art. Colesville Patch: When did you realize and discover your love of art? Alex Michaels: When I was a young child, my peers always complimented me on my drawing …
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Despite an arthritis diagnosis, Zilliacus creates, teaches and inspires through unique painting and beading style.
When you first walk into the Paint Branch Studio, you have to remind yourself that you are not in a trendy artist garret in Greenwich Village, but rather in a suburban home in Colesville. The small rooms are packed with an eclectic collection of artist materials and projects--colorful beads, rainbows of paint containers and other materials carefully housed in see through plastic containers or hung about the room. Artistic creativity is literally and figuratively flowing in a sea of colors throughout the studio. Enter the creative and exciting world of Carol Zilliacus, an artist extraordinaire. Although art, dance and music were very influential in Zilliacus's childhood, it was not something she focused on for many years. As an Early …
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Local painter and sculptor finds inspiration in the beautiful flora and fauna of Paint Branch Park.
For over 40 years, Joan Novell has been looking out of her Colesville home into Paint Branch Park. Whether a goldfinch changing to bright yellow in the spring or a cardinal perched on a snowy evergreen branch, the sights, sounds and colors in her extended backyard have all contributed to Novell's art as a local painter and sculptor. Her work has been seen locally at several exhibits including the Washington Studio School in Bethesda and National Gallery Staff Art Show in the District. "One reason we moved to Colesville, and this house in particular, was the Paint Branch Park," Novell explained. "It was a very strong draw for me. I just love to walk in the park along the stream. It has inspired me to draw and paint and sculpt what is …
