Spotlight on Teresa Kolar (Part 2) Plus Some Announcements

Sunday I posted a portion of my interview with Twin Ports painter Teresa Kolar, which currently appears in this week's Reader. There was more to be shared, however, and here's the second portion of that interview.

EN: How long have you been selling work on Etsy, and what have you learned from this experience?

TK: I have had my work on Etsy for less than a year. I am still in the learning stages with it.

EN: What kind of training have you had?

TK: I have taken classes from many people, one of the best known being Cheng Kee Chee. I attended two Golden Paints lectures/demonstrations by Bonnie Cutts. That is when I fell in love with acrylics.

EN: Where else can people see more of your work?

TK: I have original paintings and cards at Lizzard's Art Gallery and Framing. The Glensheen Museum Shop carries my cards and prints. Duluth Pack and all four Bibelot stores in The Twin Cities carry my notecards. I have a Facebook page, Purple Sun Studio. My work is also for sale on Etsy... and I have a web page at mnartists.org.

EN: Have you had mentors along the way who especially helped you? Who, and in what way?

TK: Mentors? Hmmm... I would have to say my first mentor was my mother, Marlene Cox. My mom is a painter. She has been since I was a little girl. She took college art courses while raising five small children. One of her assignments was a study of Van Gogh and his sunflowers. It hung on our wall. It was an inspiration to me in so many ways. It symbolized my mother's love for art, an open door for me into the arts, hard work and dedication in the midst of chaos. Mom was a volunteer at the Duluth Art Institute. These memories help me to feel "at home" with the arts. My mother never pushed me in any way. She just lead by example.

As a young adult I admired Jan Wise. Her watercolor and mixed media pieces had strong spiritual elements. I was so intrigued by her creativity. Watercolor was such a challenging medium. Jan's work and teachings were so inspirational while I "made my way" with watercolors.

Now, I would have to say I am continually inspired by my close friend, Lori Franklin. Her attitude about life and art is something that I aspire to. She is so kind, positive and creative. We often paint together and every time we part I have something new and wonderful to think about. It might be a story of every day life or a new art material tip. We are attracted to opposite colors in our work and our subject matter appears to be different but, we respond to the same things as if we were sisters. We have been friends for well over 20 years. I am always so thankful for her friendship. I admire her and her family. They are role models for me.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

1) Tonight Black Umbrella Books is hosting a Re-Launch Party @ the Underground, on the first floor of the Duluth Depot. If you bring a used book you can purchase Jeffrey Woolf's Apples of Arcadia for half price. The used books will be donated to Life House, where the author helps homeless and troubled youth get off the streets and back into life.  7:00-9:00 p.m.

2) Next Tuesday the Superior Library will be hosting a book signing for my book Unremembered Histories. Details here. More about the book soon at Ennyman's Territory.

3) It's never too early start getting events marked on your calendar as we head into spring. Saturday May 17 at the Sacred Heart there will be A Salute to the Music of Bob Dylan. This year's event will be the biggest and boldest ever. The list of musicians signing on to make this the music night of a lifetime will knock your socks off, which is what happens when you are hit by a car. Scarlet Rivera, Geno Lafond and Courtney Yasmineh will be back, but there's a whole host of others wanting to pay tribute and help raise funding for the Duluth Armory restoration. This undertaking is sponsored by the Armory Arts and Music Center along with Magic Marc Productions. Yes, not only will it be a magical night of music, but also a pair of live magicians will be performing. You might as well start buying tickets now. Proceeds will go to the AAMC Fund. More info will be forthcoming. I promise, you will be impressed.

Meantime, life goes on all around you. Embrace it.