In this installment of our • RE Idea Corner • video series, RE Blogger Chelsea Marcantel-Polaski shares information on how to make your own effective, economical cleaning products at home, with ingredients you probably already have on hand.

Need more information on WHY to make the switch from conventional products, or HOW to shop savvy on the cleaning aisle? Check out •Green Cleaners, Part 1•.

Have an question you’d like answered, or an idea for our Idea Corner?  Let us know on Facebook!

In this segment of our • RE Idea Corner • video series, HCM Blogger Chelsea Marcantel-Polaski takes us through the reasons why we should give up our conventional cleaners, and also tell us how to shop savvy for green alternatives in the grocery store.

Feeling more DIY?  Be sure to tune in for Green Cleaners, Part 2, when Chelsea will instruct us on making our own green cleaning products at home!

Have an question you’d like answered, or an idea for our Idea Corner?  Let us know on Facebook!

Thanks so much to everyone who came out to the RE Showroom last Thursday to support local Louisiana art!

We welcomed around 60 old and new friends and art-lovers to our showroom, and everyone had a ball meeting each other and chatting with the featured artists about their work and their inspirations.  This was our first art show to feature artistic face painting (by Lucia Algood-Marcìa) and live music — both were a huge success.  We can’t stop brainstorming more kinds of special offerings to enhance the show in the future!

We were so thrilled to feature the work of the following talented artists:

Ann & Eddie Palmer (Industrial Art)

Marietta Marceaux (Acrylics)

Marielle Myers (Pottery/Sculpture)

Shannon Bailey (Abstract Acrylic)

 Every time a GallaRE art show display comes down, we’re itching to get going on the next show!  Check the Website, as well as our Facebook page, for all the info on December’s GallaRE Art Show as we have it, and check out the gallery below for pictures from last week’s event.

Meet Lucia Algood-Marcìa.

Her business, Deco Details, will turn YOU into a vibrant, exotic walking work of art!  Read on to learn all about what drew Lucia to this very special kind of creativity.

Tools of the trade

HCM: Where did you grow up?
Lucia: I grew up in a small country called El Salvador, located in Central America. I moved to the US 5 years ago and I met my husband David Algood through my uncle and aunt, Dennis and Lilian Vega, who live here in Jennings.

HCM: How does living in Louisiana inspire your art?
Lucia: Louisiana definitely inspires me because I relate to the southern weather a lot. I come from a tropical country and all Louisiana’s landscapes remind me of the hot-humid weather where I come from. I love to see all the ‘water areas’ that this state offers.

HCM: How long have you been an artist? Have you always worked in the media you work in now?
Lucia: I think I was born with a very special love for arts. I had a natural inclination towards the art. I studied in a French school my whole life, that I graduated from, in my country. I’m fluent in 3 languages, Spanish (native) French and English. I always had that interest for Languages, Arts, History and Literature. I studied 6 years of Interior Design and I have a bachelors degree in that area. After that, I decided to keep on developing my passion for art, paint and design.

HCM: What other things or circumstances inspire you?
Lucia: I get a lot of inspiration from the kids and how little details can change their way of acting. I am very interested to keep on studying in how the power of drawings and expression through art can help to control a kid’s behavior.  My religious beliefs play a huge role on my inspiration.

HCM: Do you have a routine for making art: a certain time of day, or a favorite place to go?
Lucia: I prefer to paint in a quiet place, in the mornings/afternoons. I do not have my own place yet, but I’m working on it.

HCM: Are you inspired by the work of any other artists? If so, who?
Lucia: I do love the work of big artists like Gaudi or Claude Monet, Salvador Dali and Velasquez.

HCM: What do you hope viewers take away from your art?
Lucia: A little touch of creativity, in handmade art pieces.

HCM: What has been the highlight of your artistic career?
Lucia: My studies of French language, their culture, art and history. The fact of being able to study interior design and all the techniques for the presentation of different projects.

HCM: Are you interested in any other kinds of art besides visual art? If so, what?
Lucia: Yes, I would love to study a little bit more of music, such as Banjo, and hand drumming. Also I would love to study a little bit more of body healing modalities.

HCM: Do you have an artist’s statement, a mission statement, or a motto?
Lucia: Always believe in a pinch of creativity of your own.

Now you have one more reason to come to the GallaRE Art Show on Thursday — meet local artists, support Louisiana creativity, and try out a new look for yourself all in the same evening.  Hey, Halloween will be here before you know it!

All the details can be found here, and you can RSVP to the event on Facebook here.

Shannon Bailey!

Shannon grew up right here in Jennings, and she has some very interesting things to say about the inspiration for her creative projects.  Read on to learn more!

Nothing says "Louisiana" like seafood art!

HCM: Where did you grow up?
Shannon: Jennings, Louisiana.

HCM: How does living in Louisiana inspire your art?
Shannon: I love to use local material to paint on and turn into artwork! I am also especially inspired by the mystery found in the fleur-de-lis.

HCM: How long have you been an artist?  Have you always worked in the media you work in now?
Shannon: I’ve always been artistic….but I’m still not really an ARTIST….creating artwork is therapeutic for me……it’s all about your state of mind while creating each piece!  It’s peaceful and calming to create artwork pieces!

Upcycled piece made of canvases and a screen window

HCM:  What other things or circumstances inspire you?
Shannon: I’m inspired by people’s feedback to the art that I create…..I like to talk about what likes/dislikes people have and then I can grow from there.

HCM: Do you have a routine for making art: a certain time of day, or a favorite place to go?
Shannon: I just recently moved to a new house which has a “workshop” which i am so grateful for….its now my “art studio”…..but i still do most of my painting outside using natural light.

HCM: Are you inspired by the work of any other artists?  If so, who?
Shannon: I would have to say that Picasso is my fave!  I love the freedom allowed in abstract pieces!! I also find that when i have the opportunity to teach others about art, Picasso is a great place to start!  His styles are kind to many different tastes and his ability to communicate through his abstract shapes allows others to feel free to let go of the demands of “real life.”

HCM: What do you hope viewers take away from your art?
Shannon: I hope that viewers feel peace and beauty with my art….I like to create pieces that people could really have in their home.  I like people to feel the local flavor with an artistic twist…..and everyone deserves the opportunity to own an original piece of art…..even if it isn’t Picasso.

One of Shannon's many fleur-de-lis-inspired pieces

HCM: What has been the highlight of your artistic career?
Shannon: Everytime I create something new, I am shocked that I actually created the piece myself.  I am constantly surprised at my own ability!  It is also a great highlight when someone describes something to me and then I am able to create something new from their description.  So far, requests are inspiring!!!  and mostly, having the chance to be featured in the RE art gallery is a HUGE HIGHLIGHT for me! this is my first art gallery showing!

HCM: Are you interested in any other kinds of art besides visual art?  If so, what?
Shannon: Visual art is my main interest.  I prefer to create art on repurposed/recycled media.  I like to reuse anything that I can, and prefer using old house windows!  I like the challenge of turning something old into something new and artistic.  And, I’m also a makeup/cosmetics artist.

HCM: Do you have an artist’s statement, a mission statement, or a motto?
Shannon: I’ve always said that “Your Best is The Best”…..as a teacher, an artist, a mother, a human.

Now that you’ve heard from Shannon and seen pictures of her art, don’t you want to stop by the RE Showroom on September 6th to meet her and her pieces in person?  All the details can be found here, and you can RSVP to the event on Facebook here.

We’ll see you on the 6th!

Marietta Marceaux

Read on to learn about how living in Louisiana inspires Marietta, as well as which other artists influence her, and how she views each piece as an extension of herself.

"Lily Pond"

HCM: Where did you grow up?

Marietta: I grew up right here in Jennings.

HCM: How does living in Louisiana inspire your work?

Marietta: Living in Louisiana is a great advantage to an artist. Our state is so rich in color–the land, the culture and the people–both past and present,  provide endless sources of inspiration.

HCM: How long have you been an artist?  Have you always worked in the media you work in now?

Marietta: I have been an artist from the age of 9 when my mother had the wonderful insight to enroll me in Ms. Mae Davis’s Art class.  I  worked in oils for many years and now use acrylics.  I have also done stained glass art and linocut, but am presently concentrating on my painting.

"Rooster"

HCM: What inspires you?

Marietta: Scenes from nature are my greatest inspiration.

HCM: Do you have a routine for making art?

Marietta: I like to start the day with painting and just keep on going.

HCM: Are you inspired by the work of any other artists?

Marietta: Being an Art teacher, I love the Masters. My favorites include Matisse and  Van Gogh.  I am mostly drawn to the design aspect of art. I also like the work of Janet Fish and Walter Anderson.  My art is  probably most like the modern realist style.

HCM: What do you hope that viewers take away from your art?

Marietta: I would hope that viewers could sense the feeling of being drawn into my paintings and, for a moment, live in that place.

Barn with Old Truck

HCM: What has been the highlight of your artist career?

Marietta: Showing my work at this venue “is” the highlight of my artistic career.

HCM: Are you interested in other kinds of art besides visual art?

Marietta: Yes, I am interested is just about every kind of art and hope to expand myself to experience other forms, particularly, silkscreen , photography and pottery.

HCM: Do you have a motto or artist’s statement?

Marietta: I consider my art to be an extension of myself. I view each piece as a challenge and each successful outcome, an achievement. Being an artist is one facet of who God created me to be.  What else can I say? I love it- it’s definitely a passion.

Come by the GallaRE Art Show on September 6th to meet Marietta and see her stunning acrylics in person!  All the details can be found here, and you can also RSVP on Facebook.

Anne and Eddie Palmer own an antique store here in southwest Louisiana, and they often feature reclaimed foundry mold patterns and art deco accents.  We’re very excited to display some of these pieces September 6th.

Read on to discover what makes Anne and Eddie’s work equal parts art, artifact, and historical preservation.  You can also find out more about their work by visiting their website, www.antiquesontheavenue.com.

Refurbished History

HCM: Do you consider what you do to be art?

Eddie: I am not really an artist but I believe I do have an artist’s appreciation for certain kinds of industrial designs and am able to render industrial artifacts (in this case old wooden foundry mold patterns) into industrial art by sanding, shaping, combining, and presenting these old mold patterns as something new: wall hangings, center pieces, tables, mirrors, office décor, etc. REpurposing would be an apt description for this work.

HCM: What kind of items do you seek out for your shop?

Eddie: Ann and I like art deco designs and feature some of these in our shop (Antiques on the Avenue).  Ann has been creating and selling necklaces made from dominoes on which she paints art deco designs.  These have been some of the more popular jewelry items in our shop for the past five years.  She also has painted some of these designs on canvas using oil paints.  She is now working on several mold patterns which will contain art deco-inspired paintings.  A sample of these repurposed mold patterns and some of Ann’s necklaces and paintings would be what we feature at the September 6th GallaRE show.

Architectural Salvage and Foundry Mold Patters

HCM: Where did you grow up?

Eddie: Ann and I both grew up in northeastern Mississippi, close to Tupelo.

HCM: How does living in Louisiana inspire your work?

Eddie: The foundry mold patterns we have turned into ob’jets d’art were born in the 1800s and the 1900s in Louisiana foundries.  Three major industries fueled the need for foundries to cast new iron and metal parts for machinery.  They would also recast metal parts that would break or wear out during repeated use.  These industrial streams revolve/ed around the sugar cane industry, the shipping/ marine industries, and the petroleum industry.  Driving through Louisiana’s land, river, and coastal areas, one is constantly reminded of the rich history of Louisiana and the blending of these three major industries and the need for foundries to support them.  It is inspiring to make the connection between these flourishing industries and the early foundry workers, carpenters, and designers who made these patterns, leaving us with industrial artifacts we can now appreciate in a different light. These people literally created the cogs, gears, bearings, and machinery essential to the industrial growth of Louisiana.

HCM: What other things or circumstances inspire you?

Eddie: We are constantly inspired by the creativity and artistic works of others.  The dull, drab, and sometimes painful aspects of daily living are allayed by the beauty, brilliance, vividness, and provocative nature of artistic creations.  Such creations brighten our lives, show us the (sometimes) hidden beauty surrounding us, and fuel the desire to make connections not only with the physical aspects of our existence but also with artists, crafts persons, benefactors, and those making up the artistic “community.”  Human expression is elevated by artistic expression.  The whole of humanity is, thus, elevated by such expression.  Our capabilities for symbolic interface with our subject matter, the actual processes of manipulating various artistic media, and the mental recognition that as we manipulate our medium we are engaged in creation (getting “absorbed” in the creative moment)—this sets us apart from other species and establishes our place on the planet.  By seeing the artistic enterprise unfold, by studying the outcome of the expression of artistic talents and abilities, our perspectives and horizons are enlarged and enlightenment enhanced.  Learning about and experiencing something new produced by the artist allows us to transcend the mundane and move toward the sacred.

Hand-Painted Art Deco Necklaces

HCM: Are you inspired by the work of any other artists?  If so, who?

Eddie: We are inspired by all artists.  Our long-standing appreciation for all things art deco (from Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs et Industriels  Modernes) increases our appreciation of the work of Erte.  Our favorite southwestern artists are R. C. Gorman and Amado Pena.  Georgia O’Keefe’s whole body of work is inspiring.  A local artist we appreciate is Dusty Reed, the “Cajun Picasso.”

HCM: What do you hope viewers take away from your art?

Eddie: (1) An appreciation for the fact that art can be found where it is least expected.  (2) That we can be shown that art often lies hidden all around us, until unveiled by a discerning and connecting eye.  (3) Discernment can be taught, learned, and shared (the eye of the beholder can be molded).  (4)Transposing images to nontraditional canvases (e.g., mold patterns and dominoes) can be new, exciting, and fun.

HCM: Do you have an artist’s statement, mission statement, or a motto?

Eddie: As artists, we do not have a statement or a motto.   As owners of an antique shop, however, we strive to include unique art deco items in our inventory and to educate interested customers about art deco history, design, furniture, and artwork.  We also point out that the art deco influence can be seen in numerous places in southwest Louisiana, including the architecture of the state capitol building, the Crowley Courthouse, and in old main street vistas of many other towns close by.  Recognizing that we are all often “blind to the obvious,” we are proud to engage our customers in conversations about art deco and to share our passion and appreciation for the style with them.

Foundry Mold

Be sure to check out the GallaRE Art Show on September 6th to meet Eddie and Ann in person, and see their refurbished and art deco work for yourself!  All the details can be found here, and you can also RSVP on Facebook.

Today, we feature Marielle Myers

whose pottery and sculpture will be exhibited at the show.

Read on to learn about where Marielle grew up, what inspires her art, and some of her biggest influences.  You can also visit her website for more information:  www.mariellemyers.com

"Microcosm" -- Oil Paint (2010)

HCM: Where did you grow up?

Marielle: I grew up in Lake Charles, Louisiana on 80 acres of land. The property consisted mostly of trees in addition to a small family farm.

HCM: How long have you been an artist?

Marielle: I’m not sure if there is an exact moment that you can say “Now, I am an artist”. Is it when you obtain a degree, the moment you complete your first piece, or the first time you touch a pencil to paper and begin to draw? I guess it depends on your definition of what makes a person an artist. I can say, however, that I have been around and have made artwork ever since I can remember.

"Croissance (Development)" -- Stoneware, Saggar Fired, Oil Paint (2010)

HCM: Have you always worked in the media you work in now?

Marielle: No, I have not always worked in the media that I work in now. I started out like most with drawing and painting. College was great because it exposed me to a wide variety of mediums. I also had wonderful teachers who encouraged me to experiment and explore. When I am given that kind of freedom I tend to take it and run. I graduated in 2011 with concentrations in ceramics, painting, printmaking, and drawing. Majoring in multiple concentrations has shown me that every media relates to one another.  The skills from each area help to strengthen the skills of the others.

HCM: What other things or circumstances inspire you?

Marielle: My past, my experiences, and emotions are a huge source for inspiration. Creating and working on my pieces can also be very therapeutic. My immediate environment also inspires me. During the day, I work in the office of my Uncle’s fabrication shop. This allows me unlimited access to inspiration for my pieces; they even let me “borrow” parts to look at. I love to explore junkyards and rundown buildings. The forms of machine parts and the surfaces created by time and rust fascinate me. I am also drawn to the fact that these decaying objects become a cradle for new life when nature over takes them. The broken machines nurture and protect the new growth much like a mother does a child.

HCM: Do you have a routine for making art: a certain time of day, or a favorite place to go?

Marielle: I have always preferred to work at night. Time seems to stop; it’s somber, there is less going on which makes it is easier to get lost in my work and focus. However, with a day job and a child I am finding that night time is better used for sleeping.

"Prosperity" -- Stoneware, Soda Fired, Oil Paint (2010)

HCM: Are you inspired by the work of any other artists? If so, who?

Marielle: I am continuously inspired by other artist’s work and movements in art history. Research is a huge aspect to my creative process. And my research isn’t limited to any particular medium either. I believe current artist’s works are equally important to those of past artists. It is like the saying “You have to know where you have been to know where you are going”.

Some favorite artists that I look at are:  Auguste Rodin, Francis Bacon, Albrecht Dürer, Ivan Albright, Jack Orman, Rackstraw Downes, Tom French, Steven Montgomery, Lindsay Feuer, John Von Bergen, Sam Jinks, James Ehlers, Ron Mueck, Richard Hirsch, Kevin Llewellyn, Sarah Simblet, Paul Cadden, Armin Mersmann

HCM: What do you hope viewers take away from your art?

Marielle: Like many artists the goal of my work is to inspire a change within the viewer.  The change cannot be touched or seen, only felt in response to the work.  Whether the change is momentary or long term, the existence of it is what is important.

"Nadyah" -- Charcoal (Unfinished)

HCM: Do you have an artist’s statement, a mission statement, or a motto?

Marielle: The present is the way it is because the past happened precisely the way it did. Our way of life and our environment is built upon what happened before. The past is just as, if not more, important as the present. Nothing dies or disappears, it cannot be erased, it only transforms.

In my body of work I address time and the changes that can occur as time passes. Through the addition of layers I am able to visually represent this concept. Each time a plate is etched in acid it physically deteriorates the surface producing a sense of age. Layering paint on a ceramic surface creates a history from the first layer that seeps into the clay to last that completes the piece.

The inspiration for my work comes from forms that I have come into contact with in my immediate environment. There is a certain beauty in the transformation of aged objects. Old abandoned machines decay and evolve as time passes and they can even become habitats for plants and other natural life. Patches of grass or a flower in full bloom can portray stages of growth. Similar to deteriorating machines, bones can mark a death, an end, or a change to what once was. In a way death represents life as it becomes the structure upon which life grows. Time can even be expressed as coming into contact with something new, there is a growth in thought, and a conclusion with a memory.​

Now that you know more about Marielle, you should come out to the GallaRE Art Show on September 6th to see her work for yourself!  All of the event details are here, and you can RSVP on Facebook by clicking here.

Lanette explains the painting process step-by-step, and shows us examples of each stage.

You will need to start with:

• unpainted, unstained wood
• a sponge
• water
• three colors of water-based paint

For the finishing touches, you will need:

• sandpaper
• gel stain

If you’ve got a refurbishing question for Lanette that you’d like to see answered in a future video, head over to the Contact Page of the website and send us a message, or post it on our Facebook wall!

Todd also gives us suggestions of ideal project types for each species.

If you’ve got a woodworking question for Todd that you’d like to see answered in a future video, head over to the Contact Page of the website and send us a message, or post it on our Facebook wall!