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Hi, Readers and Members!
I am constantly working at the things I love, from slate paintings of colorful American birds and other wildlife to the amusing and well-crafted signs cleverly burned in different types of wood.
I can also be called the 'one-stop shopping' artist because I design my own frames to go along with my paintings. And not just any old frames, my friends. These frames are specifically designed to complement each picture I paint.
Please visit my website at: http://cortesecreations.com
And always attuned to the needs of my community, I make custom rustic signs for any business or home.
Here is some information on my background.
I went to Carrick High School in Pittsburgh from 1972 - 1976 and took art as my elective. I had no other formal art training and am fully self-taught. I strive to learn new mediums and find new challenges rewarding.
My uncle "Lee Hartman" was an artist who worked as an animator for the Walt Disney Co. in California, and Tiny Toons Warner Brothers, he also taught art at the Ivy School of Art in Pittsburgh, PA. Natural artistic ability is in the blood and is a natural genetic characteristic.
I was a small child when I started dabbling in art. If I had a piece of chalk, the road outside our house became my canvas until the chalk ran out. When that happened in the middle of a picture, I would find a soft rock to finish. Any paper in our house was drawn upon. I continued my creative interest throughout my life. However, due to life’s complications, there was a period of 20 years that I did not create any artwork at all.
My love for animals (even reptiles and rodents) and nature continues to inspire my creativity of rustic art. I am a self-taught artist with no formal training, who will sometimes struggle with
a new medium. I am not afraid to try something new, I even tried my hand at wood carving and made a couple of clocks all of which were sold.
Each time I pick up a brush I learn and gain a new technique. I never know what projects will develop each day when I wake up. An idea will pop into my head, and I go with it. Some projects workout and some don't. I work from home, and NEVER get bored!
Everyone who knows me think I'm a hermit, or unsociable, but, I'm very busy making art items. My days are completely full and go by very fast. Sometimes I get lonely working from my home, but when I go to an event to sell, it is very rewarding to have created something that will make another person happy.
I have even given away a few items to a people who had no money, but were touched by something in my booth. I will get a big hug, and sometimes a customer and I will break into tears. It makes me feel good when I can make a person happy, if even for a few minutes. I make small military signs and give them to any war veteran who visits my booth. I hand it to them and say, “Thank you for defending our freedom”. Then the tears start. I have received thank you cards from their family members.
I love nature and wildlife and have been a horse lover since birth. Animals and the beauty of nature continue to inspire me to create art. I want people see through my eyes what they may be missing and appreciate the natural world around us.
Thank you for reading my bio, and have a good day.
Karen M. Cortese
Cortese Creations
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