We spoke to four colorful artists whose vibrant creations take you on a journey of self-discovery, joy, and transformation. Embark on a ride with them at the 2024 One of a Kind Spring Show.
Julie Amlin
Artist, muralist, and writer, Julie Amlin is enamored with color. She aims to harness the power of color within her work to invite fun, ignite self-reflection and inspire a renewed experience of exploration and emotional well-being.
Tell us about your creative process.
Julie: My process is intuitive and “in the moment”, pulling inspiration from my ever-changing emotional environment. I paint with energy and urgency, applying acrylic to a canvas or wood panel with wild spontaneity, resulting in work that mirrors the enthusiasm of my spontaneous creative process.
What does your artwork embody?
Julie: Color, movement, and the nuance of life. There are also underlying themes of nature, sacred connectedness, and intentional joy. I lean toward creating large-scale paintings and murals because I believe this transforms my work from object to experience.
Can you cite an instance from your life that has sparked creativity?
Julie: I spent my early years living in an apartment over the local fire hall as my dad was a volunteer fire fighter and my mom, a dispatcher. I have been fascinated with the essence, power, and volatility of fire since then and you can see flame-like patterns in much of my work.
Designs by Uchita LLC
From Mumbai to Chicago, Uchita Shah pursued her dream of creating jewelry that is inspired by her love for color, heritage, and everyday delights. Each piece is handmade with love and reflects the beauty of life’s simple joys.
Why did you become an artist?
Uchita: My path to becoming an artist, maker, and designer stems from a love for finding beauty in life’s little things. Growing up immersed in my cultural traditions and inspired by Bollywood, I discovered a knack for translating these experiences into tangible creations and my passion for storytelling through art became undeniable.
What does your work represent?
Uchita: Designs by Uchita centers on personal identity and creativity and by incorporating my own name into the business title, I infuse it with authenticity and a personal touch. It speaks to the intimate connection between me and the jewelry I design. My work is a fusion of individuality, creativity, and my culture.
Is there an instance from your life that has influenced your artistry?
Uchita: One day, while enjoying my usual chai with spices like cardamom and star anise, I got curious. I wondered if I could use these real spices in my jewelry designs. So, I started sketching some ideas. After about 15 days, I had the first two prototypes ready, featuring cloves, star anise, and cardamom. It was just one of those moments where I found art in the everyday stuff.
Samantha DeCarlo
During the pandemic, painter Samantha DeCarlo switched from working with acrylic to oil paint after falling in love with the buttery feel of the paint and its ability to blend so smoothly. She creates with the goal of blending all her elements to coexist seamlessly on the panel.
What led you to become an artist?
Samantha: Since the age of 10 I knew I wanted to pursue art and my parents supported my passion without question. My dad in particular embraced my love for all things art and invested in every material any creator could want.
What does your artwork represent?
Samantha: My focus is on nature and humanity, I often touch on topics like beauty, death, growth, and transformation. At times, I pair news articles with my work, as I find that having a clear message helps connect the viewer to the painting. My most important work has a story behind it, which I include on my website.
What inspires you?
Samantha: My entire life is about creativity. From the moment I wake up until I lay down again, I am processing all the projects in my life, the paintings I want to create. I am inspired by my hundreds of plants, which I tend to in our little apartment. I am inspired by my friends who create and celebrate their work. I am inspired by the silence when I ‘m forced to think the hardest. The life of an artist is always about art.
Ferrocious Art
Amanda Ferro Delgado of Ferrocious Art is an abstract expressionist painter who loves to experiment with color and shape. Amanda moves through an intuitive process where moments of inspiration meet serendipity and flow until she reaches an “Aha this is it!” moment.
What led you to pursue a career as an artist?
Amanda: I’ve always wanted to be an artist and I always had a creative spirit, but when I was younger, I feared I wasn’t good enough or wouldn’t be successful. After spending a decade in the corporate world, I saw other artists out there doing their thing on social media and I was really inspired and motivated to take the leap of faith and start pursuing my dream of sharing my art with the world.
What is the inspiration behind your business name?
Amanda: My maiden name is Ferro and I’ve had friends tell me I was ferocious so the play on my last name stuck, creating Ferrocious Art.
What is a personal experience that has sparked creativity?
Amanda: Any moment in my life that has had an emotional charge sparks creativity for me. In my new series I am going to reflect on my time living in Cádiz, Spain, a beautiful coastal city. There, I spent many days walking the old cobblestone streets and evenings watching the sunset on the ocean.
Meet and shop from these artists and hundreds more, April 26 – 28!
