Joann Wheeler

I want to feature one of our artists. Her name is Joann Wheeler and she does alot of beautiful Porcelain painting, which totally intriques me.

Here's the interview with her,

1) Tell us about yourself.

My name is Joann Wheeler from Pasadena, Maryland. I love to paint and have been doing so since I was a child. I have taken classes from time to time at art shops, etc. but basically I'm pretty much self trained. I would describe myself as a porcelain and miniature artist.

2) What are your preferred mediums and art scale (miniature, large art, etc)?

My first love is porcelain art (china painting), however I also love to paint watercolors, pastel & colored pencil. I prefer miniature art (ACEO's). Since I am a prolific painter keeping it small doesn't cause me storage issues.

3) What are your inspirations?

I am inspired by God and nature. I love to paint flowers particularly and religious art.

4) Describe your art style.

My daughter describes it as realistic, but I don't think my paintings are realism. I personally dont think I have a particular style as some painters do. It depends on the mood I'm in as to how I paint.

5) Do you do anything other than painting?

I like to take recycled old jewelry and restructure it into one of a kind pieces. I wish I had more time for it because you can come up with some pretty interesting things. Periodically I will do some decorative painting on wood or glass.

6) Do you Blog, and what is your link?

I do blog. you can find my blog at http://jywheeler.blogspot.com

You can also find me on facebook

7) Where do you sell online?

http://jywheeler.etsy.com

http://bonanzle.com/electicspirit

http://www.artfire.com/users/ArtByJYWheeler

And sometimes I'm on Ebay

8) Are you opened to commission work?

Yes

9) What was your favorite piece of work?

I have so many pieces of work that I absolutely love. I couldn't choose just one.

10) Do you sell in a brick and mortar shop? If so, where?

No, just online and occasionally an art/craft show in the area.

I hope you enjoyed our interview with Joann Wheeler. Be sure to check out her shops and links.

I picked a few of my favorites of Joann's to show you. This cutting board is my absolute favorite, one side has this beautiful painting, and the other side is left unfinished so you can actually use it as a cutting board, functional art.

Tea

"The tea party is a spa for the soul.
You leave your cares and work behind.
Busy people forget their business.
Your stress melts away, your senses awaken . . ."
Alexandra Stoddard

Having a tea party? Are you a tea drinker? I am. Nothing better than brewing tea from loose tea. I like to experiment mixing a little of this and a little of that. How about you?

This tea trivet is available in my Etsy shop. It's handpainted kiln fired porcelain. Dishwasher safe. Here's the link: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=26449720

Father's Day is coming....

I was thinking the other day. I am so darn lucky to have my father. He's 82 years young. He's been such an important part of my life. I am truly a Daddy's girl. What do I like about my Dad? He was always a very good provider for our family. He insisted my Mom never work so he had it all on his shoulders.

He always showed us lots of love. He would take us fishing and call it bonding. When we were kids, we weren't always happy to go at the crack of dawn to get the fish (cause fish like to get up early). But now I look back at those times with fondness. Especially when we would go to the Eastern Shore of Maryland and dip for crabs and seine for fish and then cook some of them right on the beach as we spent the day there. What memories!

Speaking of memories. How Dad loves to dance. My daughter says he looks like he's stomping bugs but I love to watch him and Mom do their version of jitterbug. So what wonderful memories do you have of your Dad...

The dresser box is faux leather painted on porcelain available in my Etsy shop (JYWheeler)
Here's the Link: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=8381740

Spring Sale on Bonanzle - No April Fool's!

Twenty percent off anything in my Bonanzle shop....just use the coupon code: spring

For painted porcelain, glass, decorative painting, miniature art (ACEO's) and jewelry drop by my shop. Here's some of the things available.

Http://thebonz.com/eclecticspirit

Happy November!

Today is my day. Hi, I'm Joann Y Wheeler of http://jywheeler.etsy.com

Since it's fall, I will feature one of my favorite pieces. It is 4 1/2 x 4 inches x 1/2 inches high. A porcelain box painted to look like faux leather.

This primitive design consists of 2 oak leaves and 3 acorns. Nice dresser box for rings, pins, change, whatever.

Each piece of handpainted porcelain is a piece of art to treasure. Time has been taken to carefully design this piece. It has been handpainted and fired many times in a kiln to an approximate temperature of 1400 degrees to obtain the beautiful finished product. Because each piece of porcelain is handpainted, no two pieces are exactly alike. Click here to go to my listing.

Welcome Fall

Welcome Fall, the earthen smells, the fallen leaves, the chill in the air. Today I feature one of my china painted pieces of porcelain. Painted in a faux leather design.

The size is 4 1/2 x 4 inches x 1/2 inches high. Porcelain box which is painted to look like leather.

Primitive design consists of 2 oak leaves and 3 acorns. Nice dresser box for rings, pins, change, whatever.

Painted by Porcelain Artist, Joann Y Wheeler, this piece of porcelain is a piece of art to treasure. Time has been taken to carefully design this piece. It has been handpainted and fired many times in a kiln to an approximate temperature of 1400 degrees to obtain the beautiful finished product. Because each piece of porcelain is handpainted, no two pieces are exactly alike.

Paints are an overglaze so they are permanent and dishwasher safe. Click here for the listing in my Etsy Store.

A Bit About China Painting

China or porcelain painting is an ancient art. Like any other piece of art, composition, color, design, perspective, etc. all apply. The process which was developed in 1400 AD in China. In the late 16th century Europe was introduced to the process, however, it was not introduced to the United States until 1769. Groups of women would come together in a painting circle to paint tea or chocolate sets.

China Painting is a method of painting on white glazed porcelain. Glazed porcelain comes in many forms, the traditional teacups, teapots and plates, You can also find porcelain pieces suitable for painting in jewelry, thimbles, coffee mugs, even tape dispensers! China paints are an overglaze paint. Overglaze paints are painted on top of the glaze and then the piece is fired in a kiln multiple times. Most china requires 3 fires, some may require up to 10 firings.

Paints are in powder form and mixed with a special oil medium. Each porcelain piece is painted multiple times. Paint is applied very lightly on the piece. The piece is then fired fired. Another coat of paint is applied and the piece is fired again. This goes on, painting and firing, until the colors are vivid enough for the artist. During the firing process the glaze actually opens up to receive the paint. It becomes part of the finish. Additional firing could be required if the artist applies lusters, gold or platinum which are fired on top of the glaze.

Because the paint becomes part of the glaze is the reason china painted pieces will never wear off and are dishwasher and microwave safe (unless they have gold or lusters applied) Many of the china painted pieces resemble watercolors in their translucence. There is no white on the porcelain artist palette. The white showing through is actually the porcelain.
Today because of the time involved to paint a single piece of china and the necessary to have a kiln for firing, not to mention the lack of teachers passing along the art, there are very few china painters. Visit me at:
Http://jywheeler.etsy.com