Megan Woodard Johnson Art

Meet Megan Woodard Johnson. We met years ago thru a mutual artist friend. Over the years, we gradually got to know each other bonding over art & life. I love her perspective on life. I feel like I've known her much longer then I have. Megan has a real depth as you can see in her work. Plus, she's lovely, inspiring, emphatic, has a good sense of humor and wonder.

My abstract mixed media work brings together collected materials like vintage school books, ledgers, and hand-written correspondence with expressive layers of colorful paint and drawn marks.This combination of found paper ephemera, which carries history of its own, with my intuitive use of color and abstract mark making creates contemporary paintings that celebrate the energy of the present as well as the nostalgia of the past. 

What inspires me? I'm inspired by the connections we make with one another, the idea of collective memory, and the history that builds in a place as people go about their days, experiencing their days there. I really love when you meet someone new, and suddenly find out you have something in common ( and I love that this realization doesn't generally take very long). 

How do I stay focused? I struggle with focus a lot, to be honest. I work pretty much solo in my studio - and have a tendency to let myself get distracted by putzing around at home before I head to the studio, or by scrolling social media once I'm there. But a deadline is a good motivator - even if it's one for a goal I've set myself. Music gets me going when I need to be in a creative mode, or podcasts or audio books when I'm working on more technical things. 

What's in my Fridge? There is SO much in my fridge at the moment (covid19 prepping), but in general there's a range of basic foods to feed a family of four. Always eggs, cheese, milk & bagels (we have 2 teen boys). We often try to prep basics on the weekend so it's easier to assemble decent lunches and dinner- so on a good week there are a few containers of roasted veggies, cooked grains, and some soup. 

Check out her art online and at upcoming shows (when we're back to normal).

http://www.meganwoodardjohnson.com/

https://www.instagram.com/meganwoodardjohnsonart/

Rox Art MKE

      This portrait is 4 friends ( Laura, Mary Beth, Rox, and myself) 
      A collaboration with Rox and I.

Meet Roxane Mayeur. She's a mixed media artist working in painting, printmaking, collage and encasutic. Oh and she can weld too! That's how I originally met this multi-talented, kind soul,witty humored, likable and lovable beautiful human being I now call friend. Oh right, back to the welding. I saw her metal sculptures (and bought one) at an Art Show in Bayview at a Bowling Alley. That's how we roll here in Wisconsin. 


The above are samples of her encaustic pieces (fused beeswax and resin). They're even more incredible in person. 

Questions I had recently asked her. 

What inspires me moment to moment? I can be inspired by a lyric in a song or a line in a poem, rust on the side of a building, an overheard conversation, a path in the woods, a memory or a dream... you get the idea. I find it easiest to stay inspired when I work outside in the open air and sunshine.

Winter is a bit of a challenge for me creatively and emotionally. During the "dark days" when my focus is limited. I tend to work more wit technique and experimentation until the images begin to appear.

As for what's in my fridge... I wound't advise looking in there.

Rox has her art hanging at The Muse Gallery Guesthouse in Bayview thru the end of the year.  We will be co-hosting an Art show in June at Gallery 2622 in Wauwatosa. 

In the meantime you can view her art here
https://www.roxartmke.com/

https://www.instagram.com/roxartmke/

A BIG thanks to Greyhouse Creative for use of their studio/work space.

Sasha Kinens

            From her Instagram page -Sasha Kinens- Smushyymushy
                         https://www.instagram.com/smushymushy/


I met Sasha years ago at a Beauty Art Show/Event. Beauty ( Hair Salon- MKE). They used to put on incredible artsy shows, bringing together local artists from all over Milwaukee. 

Her art totally BLOWS me AWAY! The best part though,she's a Sweetheart with a Capitol S!

Last year we reconnected, and have become friends that include mutual artsy friends. 💖 Still a sweetheart and as you can see incredibly talented! 

In her words "With a love of alluring anecdotes and capturing a thought provoking moment, Sasha's work is inspired by her models and who they become in costume. At times a collaborative effort,
between the subtle movements of the sitter and the setting, a narrative is infused with autobiographical memories, thoughts and visions of completed paintings. Informed by classical
realism and influenced by symbolism and admiration of haute couture, Sasha's work evokes a timelessness in today's modern society."

When I asked her what inspires her. "What inspires me... Hmm, Symbolists, Naturalists and Pre Raphealite artists throughout art history. Inspired by their tenacity. "

What's in your fridge? "Cheese, lots of colorful veggies, condiments and oat milk."

What keeps your focused or inspired? "Staying focused is rough, but reminding myself that I only have to do a little bit... Then it's easier to keep going. Getting started is the hardest part."

I hope you've read this far because she also has a cool art studio for kid's classes- Tiny Bird Art Studio.  https://tinybirdartstudio.com  in Thiensville.

When you buy some art from Sasha or want to commission a piece of art you get to meet her in her gorgeous studio! Eeeeeek! 

Oakley hearts Snow Days

Oakley is my spirit animal! She loves the snow as much as I do, I've asked her. Oakley likes, water, snow, treats, laps, walks, and kisses. She's got goo taste. 😁

This winter has given me some great opportunities to get some snow shoots in before Spring arrives. Thanks Mother Nature! 

Flannel Angel

This is a dear and wonderful friend of mine, Laura. She's an incredible, generous, and loving human being. She teaches Yoga (side hustle) in Milwaukee.

This is a personal project of mine.... More when all is said and done. 

I want to break it down for how timing, location, lighting, clothing/props, and a graceful subject comes into play. 
I wanted a Winter Wonderland. So not too much snow falling on subject or icy cold conditions, but ya know just right. Ha! I had my props and clothing for Laura at the ready. I scouted this area last summer. Remembering I saw this last year and knowing how beautiful the pine trees would look with snow I called my location to ask permission to shoot here. I happen to like winter and even enjoy it. Watching the weather that morning, we hoped in my car and drove out to this beautiful location. This one makes me smile BIG. I love everything about it. The lighting is soft, my subject is shining, the plaid pops from the background, and they are joyful photos.  💖💖💖

Ain't LOVE Grand!

What can I say ? These two, they melt my heart. I've had the honor of getting to know Madie over the last five years and then more recently got to know her sweetheart, Andrew. They're fun to be around, full of love, joy, some sass(ha!) and kindness. It fills me with joy to see them in a beautiful & loving relationship. Their friendship grew into a love relationship over the years. This year, in May they are to be husband and wife, partners for life! To say I'm excited for them and their families is an understatement. 💘

Here's a part of an article that  they are in M Magazine. There is also a GoFundMe page that friends and I set up for them. We all want them to have their fairy tale wedding! If you feel like donating that's great, or spreading the word helps too.



When Andrew Gerbitz first met Madie Ehlers at a Special Olympics basketball practice at the Pabst Farms YMCA in Oconomowoc 10 years ago, he believed his prayers for someone to love had been answered. Gerbitz, now 36, says, “I prayed about it and God brought me Madie.” 
Ehlers was just 16 at the time, though, so Gerbitz had no choice but to wait for her. And, like many romances, there would be obstacles to overcome. 
“Six years ago, Madie was diagnosed with a rare brain disease,” says her mother, Mary Beth Freckmann. “She had three brain surgeries, two in 2014 and another last October. Andrew’s been through a lot too. He lost his dad.”
Over the last several years, Gerbitz and Ehlers grew closer, taking classes together at the Y, dating to get to know each other better, and, at long last, finding love. Just thinking about that makes Ehlers dissolve into giggles.
“I just love him so much,” she says. “He’s so kind and he makes me laugh a lot. I just can’t take my eyes off of him. I can’t stop thinking about him.”
One year ago, Gerbitz surprised her when he got on his knees at their Zumba class and asked her to be his bride. Ehlers, without hesitation, said yes. The date is set for May 30. The bride and groom, both living with Down syndrome, are looking ahead to their big day with the same determination they’ve brought to every other milestone in their lives. 
“I am continually impressed with what Madie learns,” says Freckmann. Although experts told Freckmann early on that her daughter would likely be limited in her abilities, she is working at a local restaurant. Ehlers also wants to become a Zumba instructor and to take voice lessons. With help from her mom, she has also launched a chapter of People First, a self-advocacy organization for people with disabilities, in Lake Country.


GoFundMe
https://www.gofundme.com/f/cfunee-love-is-love

MKE Lifestyle
http://www.mkelifestyle.com/index.php?src=gendocs&ref=15MinutesWith%3AAndrewGerbitz%2CMadieEhlersAndMaryBethFreckmann&category=Milwaukee+Resources&fbclid=IwAR2kgLFz3At26IOQfGJ4JD1-IWpzZIRM13-Ne_cG7JiGTFNtWHvQAjtSX4g