Linda Yurasevecz
Medium: pottery
Email: lgwhy@aol.com
Member of Granby Artists since: 2005
Member of other art organizations: Expressions Pottery Workshop in East Granby
What made you choose your primary medium? Do you work in other mediums?
My daughter wanted to take pottery lessons and they needed another person in order to hold the class. I joined and fell in love with making pottery. I try many techniques for making functional pottery, but I most enjoy making Raku fired pieces. When my children were young, I also did quite a bit of oil painting.
Does Granby have an influence on your art?
Granby is a very supportive community. I have met so many really nice people through my activities with the Granby Artists Association.
What is your most exciting aspect of being an artist?
It’s such a great feeling when people tell me how much they enjoy using and displaying my pieces. It’s really inspiring.
Do you take art classes, workshops and/or do you teach your craft?
I took classes for about three years before I became a member of Expressions. It’s a continuous learning process and I attend many workshops each year. I joined a group called Clay Share where they have hundreds of tutorials and where artists share all kinds of information and advice.
Joy A. Marx
Medium: oil painting
Address: 270 Simsbury Road, West Granby, CT
Phone: 413-977-6306
Email: jmarx@lmtours.com
Member of Granby Artists since: 2019, also member of the Painting Study Group of Granby
What inspired you to become an artist? And/or what inspires your art?
I love to paint landscapes and my “artist eye” is constantly on the lookout for subjects to paint. We are fortunate to live in such a beautiful area and although I haven’t painted a Granby scene yet, it is one of my goals to do so. In addition to landscapes, I have also painted many still-lifes, animals, and even a few portrait subjects.
What made you choose your primary medium? And do you work in other mediums?
Painting has become my favorite pastime. I not only produce paintings that I actually like, but I’ve found many new friends who share the love of painting as much as I do. Most of my work has been given to members of my family. And they always put their order in when they see my next project. I may never win an award, but the peace and comfort that painting affords me does not carry a price tag.
I consider oils to be my primary choice of medium. But I also work in colored pencil. Although not as forgiving as oils, it is a totally different experience which presents its own challenges. That work is easy to take with me when we travel. I find both mediums to be incredibly relaxing and rewarding.
Do you take art classes, workshops and or do you teach your craft?
My first taste of painting in oils began in the early ‘70s in a “Mom’s” afternoon class. I began an oil painting and was transported into the “o-zone,” totally astonished when class was over three hours later—I was hooked. Over the years, I attended an assortment of classes, not quite finding what I was looking for: a teacher who would provide a learning experience that would broaden my knowledge in all aspects of art and enhance my technical skills. In 2009, I found such a class with my current teacher, Lynda Montafusco. Her studio, A Touch of Color, is located in Suffield. I discovered that if I worked hard, attended workshops and seminars, exposed myself to the different styles of a variety of teachers and other artists, listened carefully and applied what I learned, I could continue to improve and develop as an artist.
Do you have any specific goals for your art in the next few years?
My goals are modest; I want to continue to paint and take as many classes and workshops as I can to hone my skills and be the best artist I can be.