Featuring Lana Williams!!!

Lana Williams is an accomplished, young artist based right here in Norman! We had a chance to catch up with her a couple of weeks ago to interview her. 

Lana, in addition to her current studies at the University of Oklahoma, has also been a part of Studio Artists International in Florence, Italy. Lana's work can be seen in Lion's Park on Flood Street and in galleries on Main Street. Lana assists classes at the Firehouse Art Center here in Norman. 

Dustbowl: Why Dustbowl?

Lana Williams: First year isn't it? I know you're an artist and you want to do something for other artists - trying to do something for the community. It's a way to get artists together. 

DB: What will you be selling at Dustbowl?

LW: Well, I started some little paintings today. Handmade skirts and stuff.

DB: Where do/have you studied?

LW: I studied in the Studio Art Center International in Florence Italy and did some community work there. I worked in hospitals making them a little more humanized and less sterile. I was painting tiles to be placed in different wards in the hospital. 

I also went to Scottsdale to work with Malcolm Yim from Taiwan. He has 30 or 40 students that he teaches all the time. He teaches realism-that's what he does...

 

DB: What are some of your favorite things?

LW: Well obviously painting. I like ceramics, too. And ridin' bicycles. 

DB: What will you look for at the market?

LW: Definitely jewelry, handmade clothing, knit or crocheted stuff. People could tie-dye stuff...

DB: You like tie-dye?

LW: Yeah, I mean, in moderation. I'm looking forward to the music. 

DB: Who do you want to see play?

LW: The Workweek.  (Still Pending)

DB: Any place you could suggest to out-of-towners that are at the market?

LW: The Earth Cafe

For more information about Lana and her work, you can visit her websites here or here.

The Journal Record

'Dustbowl Gang' looks for Oklahoma artists

Dustbowl got its first print article in The Journal Record this week. Thanks to The Journal Record for featuring Dustbowl in their Section B and helping to spread the word! Click on the image to enlarge the story and learn more about Dustbowl!

Other exciting news coverage is starting to trickle in as well. Check us out at News OK and TravelOK!

Pamela Michelle

The work of Dallas artist, Pamela Michelle is today's feature.
She's one of our neighbors from the great state of Texas that will be making her way up I-35 to show at Dustbowl this year. We are so happy to have her as a participating artist as well as a sponsor!


Dustbowl: Tell us a little about your business.

Pamela Michelle: Located in a small studio in Dallas, TX, Pamela Michelle creates and designs original artwork in wood, on canvas and on paper that you can wear, hang, love and enjoy.

DB: How did you start Pamela Michelle?

PM: Pamela Michelle started in the mid '07s as a way for me to unleash my imagination on the world. With modern influences and a Scandinavian twist, I thought I'd start small by just making prints of my paintings and selling them here and there. After a few months of just that, I got an itch and moved on to include something I just can't live without....jewelry! That's when I picked up one of my favorite materials, wood, and started to create something I'd never seen anywhere before, ever. Thus, the birth of my handmade wooden necklaces and rings. This story has just begun. I have many many big plans in the future, and hope I can share all the special moments with all of you.

DB: What is unique about your business?

PM: I grew up spending most summers with my grandparents, who educated me often my rich and glorious Scandinavian heritage. It was very important to them to keep traditions and values strong in the family lines. I fell in love with the hand carved wooden horses, wooden shoes, Nordic ships and every bit of Scandinavian history I could find around their house. I also always admired my grandmother's love of being an avid bird watcher. I know I will never know as much as she did about birds, but I loved watching them and learning about them through her. With both these influences strong in my heart and mind, I find myself diving in and exploring these two topics in my artwork. This is what makes Pamela Michelle jewelry and artwork unique. I don't create random illustrations, but parts of my heart that will live on forever in my artwork.


DB: What motivates you in your work?

PM: I'm motivated by the encouraging words of my friends and family and the kind compliments of strangers and customers. It's always fantastic knowing that you're not the only one excited about your work.

DB: How long have you been creating original works and crafting?

PM: Ever since i was a wee girl I've been getting my hand on anything I could to create something new. My favorite thing to do was to convince my dad to let me run wild and create in his workshop where there was all kinds of hammers, saws, nails and glue. I loved it! I always got frustrated when it came to following directions or a pattern with crafts, so I always ended up doing my own thing. I guess that's the designer in me trying to change the visual world with each new project.

DB: What do you make?

PM: I make handmade wooden necklaces, wooden rings, original paintings and prints. In my free time, I love re-purposing furniture, building unique displays for my shows, updating my adorable 1960s home, building gardens, up-cycling old clothing, designing handbags and accessories....oh my, I could go on forever.

DB: What inspires you most?
PM: The number one greatest influence on my artwork is my grandmother, who was an award winning florist back in her glory days. I love her love for all things nature and I hope that she gets a chance to live on in each piece of artwork I create.

DB: Your favorite thing in the world?

PM: My favorite thing will always be my honey, Dylan, aka Dowdy Studio. He's been there to fully support all my crazy ideas and outlandish dreams. In fact, he's usually right there with me (well, most of the time). He's currently illustrating, designing and creating his own screen printed tees, and will be right along side me at the Dustbowl Arts Market. Like I said, "I have big plans for the future"...but I also meant "we" have big plans.


DB: Your favorite meal?

PM: Seriously feed me some yummy fresh sushi and I will be your friend forever and ever! Any takers?

DB: If you were a color, what color would you be?
PM: This answer can change a lot, as I love lots of colors. At this very moment, I'd say I'd be a dusty aged lime green, not too bright or citrusy, more like a bright 1950's summer lawn chair that's been surviving outside for many summers and winters, then was thrown in a garage to wait and wait. It's now sun bleached, covered in dust and a perfect color.

DB: Your favorite place in the world?
PM: In my studio working with music blasting and a bottomless cup of coffee.


DB: Why did you decide to support Dustbowl?

PM: The Dustbowl Arts Market seems just like my kind of party. You just can't go wrong with 75 other talented vendors and artists in Norman, Oklahoma. I love supporting indie artists, designers and the whole handmade movement just like Dustbowl. I'm so happy to be a part of it all and can't wait to see everyone there!

DB: Thank you for sharing with us. We can't wait to have you at the Dustbowl!

For more of Pamela Michelle's work you can visit:
Web

Shop
Be sure to check out her blog:
Blog

Here's Lindsay...

Presenting one of our wonderful sponsors and vendors the super cute Lindsay Zodrow of Collected Thread


Dustbowl: Tell us a little about your business.
Lindsay Zodrow: Collected Thread is a handmade boutique located in the Plaza District in Midtown Oklahoma City. This area was fairly unknown up to about a year ago but is changing like crazy now. My hope for the district is that it will be home to young artists, musicians, designers, and creative people who have not yet made a name for themselves

DB: How did you start Collected Thread?
LZ: My friend, Nora Bonnell, and I started a traveling sale for crafters called Housewares a little over a year and a half ago. Opening a store like this was never really on my radar, but the longer we did Housewares, the more that desire grew. I have not regretted it for a second.

DB: What is unique about your store?

LZ: Everything is handmade and most of it local. At this point we carry 18 local designers work as well as about 8 out of state designers.


DB: What motivates you in your work?
LZ: I love hearing a customer squeal with excitement over something they have found in the store. It is the biggest compliment ever. I feel like I am a part of something bigger than myself. I am able to help other people make a living and promote their talent. And then I get to make my own stuff for the store as well. I love my job.

DB: How long have you been creating original works and crafting?
LZ: For as long as i can remember i have been making things. I use to paint on the walls in my closet. I wasn't the coolest kid.


DB: What do you make?
LZ: I make hand bound journals from old books, re-purposed clothing, fabric flowers, knitted scarves, jewelry, sewn artwork, custom initial embroidery hoops, headbands, brooches, and whatever else pops into my head. I studied art in college, so when I have some real down time, I love to draw and paint the human form.

DB: What inspires you most?
LZ: Coffee, colors, Anthropologie's displays, conversations with people I love, the intricate shapes you find in nature, and probably a million other things.

DB: What is your favorite thing to create?
LZ: Anything new! I think I am only ADD when it comes to making things. I can't make the same thing for every long. I have to go back and forth.

DB: If you were a color, what color would you be?
LZ: Either olive green or mustard yellow.

DB: Your favorite thing in the world?
LZ: Coffee and my husband, Adam...... perhaps not in that order.


DB: Your favorite place in the world?
LZ: Manhattan

DB: Your favorite meal?
LZ: Sundried tomato and red pepper pasta with shrimp.

DB: Why did you decide to support Dustbowl?
LZ: My main purpose in opening the store was to create a place where local designers, artists, and crafters could expose their work and make a living. That is exactly what Dustbowl is doing. I am thrilled to be a part of it.

Visit Lindsay at Collected Thread at 1739 NW 16th Street in Oklahoma City.

Our first featured artist is...

When we needed help with our logo, we knew just the man to call. Sethy McCarroll is one of the coolest, creative and kindest people you will ever meet.

Sethy will be peddling his screen printed designs at Dustbowl. Here are some things you should know about him.

Dustbowl: What is your businesses name?

Sethy McCarroll: Hi, I'm Sethy.

DB: What do you make?

SM: I do print design, serigraphy, business identity and logo design.

DB: How did you get started?

SM: Well, as a child, I really liked drawing pictures of tanks and dinosaurs. I guess that's how it all really started.

DB: How long have you been creating?

SM: Since I was 15. My best friend Timothy and I found some rudimentary screen printing supplies in our high school art class' closet. The first thing we made was a print of a pretty tough looking skull.

DB: What inspires you most?

SM: Joy, peacefulness, my friends and family. Also, erudite babies.

DB: What is your favorite thing to create?

SM: Good conversation with good people.

DB: What is your day job?

SM: I work in a t-shirt print shop. I do a little bit of everything, and a whole lot of sweating.

DB: If you were a color, what color would you be?

SM: Fresh Avocado.

DB: What is your favorite thing in the world?

SM: Waking up and thinking it's monday but it's actually some other wonderful weekend day.

DB: Where is your favorite place in the world?

SM: In the presence of my family.

DB: What is your favorite meal?

SM: My mom's Lasagna paired with my sister's Salad.

DB: Why do you want to be a part of Dustbowl?

SM: I'm quite fond of the idea of getting to share my work in such close vicinity of other great artists. Frankly, I'm honored to be invited.

Thanks for sharing with us Sethy! You're awesome!

Dustbowl Presents: Our Host, Campus Corner

When visiting Norman, one must experience three different locations before leaving town; our beautiful downtown, the expansive and beloved OU campus and Historic Campus Corner.  Campus Corner has been the center for campus activities and Norman culture for nearly one hundred years.  With a diverse array of shops, the cozy nook, nestled just north of campus will be sure to tickle your fancy. 

If you're feeling hungry, you should look no further.  Campus Corner offers anything your heart (or stomach) desires, from homemade pasta to a create-your-own burrito to a sandwich made with donuts.  You can satisfy your breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert AND late-night snack urges on Campus Corner. 

To say the least, Campus Corner has a cache of varied choices, and attracts shoppers and gawkers, young and old.  Once the sun sets, however, the crowd turns to a more rowdy and ruckus environment.  The Corner offers a healthy nightlife for the more hedonistic crowd.  Whatever the adventure, quiet and cozy or glitzy and expansive, the Corner has you covered. 

Campus Corner buffers the excitement generated by the OU campus and mingles it with the slow pace of a growing town. It's history of being the center of college nightlife and activities is as rich as its culture.  Campus Corner lends this culture to anyone who ventures into the area. Scenic and quaint, yet groaning with the every present noise of growth, progress and enrichment, Campus Corner has it all!

Keep 'em coming!

WOW!

We are so excited about the response we are getting about Dustbowl. The applications and sponsorships are rollin in.

Keep 'em coming...

It's going to be oh so much fun!

-The Dustbowl Gang

Oh dang...we got a new logo and it's awesome!

Sethy McCarroll has done it again!
We are so excited.
Now we can start mailing out sponsorship packets and vendor applications!