Like many writers, I do lots of other creative things.
I’m a gluten-free cook always looking for the best and most affordable ingredients (there will be posts on that later, I promise). I’m a costume and props maker. As a fiber artist, I’m under contract to provide award ribbons for a major twice-yearly regional art fair. I use bits of a bead collection gathered over 32 years to make interesting bead-woven and sterling silver jewelry, some of which has shown up in national exhibits and magazines. I’m a recognized and studied book artist, with works cited in WorldCat.org and carried by over ten university special collections libraries.
And for the last 17 years, off and on, I’ve been a commercial and fine artist working in the home-decor trade. I studied, worked, and designed with one of the strongest companies in the business. I’m still amazed that they paid me to learn artistic tips and tricks that I would probably never have seen at a traditional art school. I branched off to do freelance and gallery work of my own. I know how to make acrylic paint and gels mimic everything from oil paint, to watercolor, to wax encaustic – and much more.
I tool copper and brass sheets with intricate designs, and use acrylics to apply faux patinas for contrast.
Since 2006, I’ve been developing an environmentally-safe method for reproducing the look of some cast glass at a fraction of the cost. My work has been shown in local and regional galleries, and to-the-trade showrooms.
Unlike a lot of commercial decor artists who focus on ‘big art for big houses’, I go the opposite route. Most of my pieces are under 12″ x 12″. Though I have some larger pieces planned or in inventory, I like smaller art – it’s more affordable for me and my clients. Easier to make, store, and ship. Much easier to show, either by the single piece or as a group. It also invites longer scrutiny, as viewers come close enough to get lost in the details.
Since much of it right now is Southwest-themed, it makes great impulse buys, suitcase stuffers, and life-celebration gifts for SW visitors. I certainly plan to branch out to other regional landscapes and themes, as well as abstract pieces.
Not all of it is online, but you can check out my available work here.
– Crane Hana