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Sarah Boyts Yoder is a contemporary mixed media painter living and working in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Since receiving her MFA in 2006 from James Madison University and moving to Charleston, SC, Sarah has participated in over 20 juried group exhibitions (local and national) and 10 solo shows. Her bold, abstract paintings and collages have been featured in Coastal Living Magazine, Studio Visit Magazine, the Charleston City Paper, ArtMag, and on www.buysomedamnart.com. She has collaborated with and been commissioned by select interior designers and an original work was commissioned last year by www.upclyclista.com for their logo and web identity.

Sarah was a fellow at Virginia Center for the Creative Arts in 2013 and will be included in Primary Urges, a group exhibition at Honfleur Gallery in Washington D.C. in March 2014. Select pieces will soon be available at www.gathered.com and www.showandtellartanddesign.com. You can see all of her available works at her website, www.sarahboytsyoder.com.

Since moving back to Virginia in 2013, Sarah maintains a studio in her home in Charlottesville, where she lives with her husband and two small children Sofie and Zeke.

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Is there anyone you credit with gifting you your artistic ability and/or teaching you your skills? Or did you just pick up a brush one day and get lucky? Teachers. I've always loved drawing since I was a little kid and my interest in making just grew and grew. Luckily I've had several GREAT teachers who encouraged me at every step -- elementary, middle, high school and then undergrad and graduate school too.

Since it varies for each artist, we want to know what inspires you? My kids, children's book illustrations, gooey paint, definitely a love for color. There is this really exciting moment when you're working on a painting---it'll either crash and burn or come together just right. That moment is just awesome and it inspires and drives you to keep going back in the studio. Oh, and stripes!!

Do you hang your own work in your home? I do. But I really like to constantly move things around and rearrange. The walls in my house are really storage space for my works, a temporary home for them before they find a permanent place to land. I also think it's important to get the work out of the studio and into a living space where you can experience it in lots of different moods and lighting. It reveals itself over and over again.

Is there a specific artist/work that you covet? Ky Anderson (www.kyanderson.com). I got to meet her in her studio in Brooklyn last time we were in NYC. We did a trade of small works but one day I want to have one of her large paintings in our home. Her work is spacious and has this light to it. She also uses these geometric lines and shapes which feel really dimensional and solid, yet they exist in this airy landscape...it's just good.

If you were not an artist, what career do you think you’d have? I'd want to be one of those art preservationists that restores old masterpiece paintings or books. That's civilization man!

Rapid fire…
Favorite city to travel to? New York. But when I eventually go to Florence, Italy, it'll probably be that.

Guilty pleasure? It's a toss up between about 5 cups of coffee in the morning or...peanut butter.

Favorite restaurant in Charleston? Xiao Bao or D'Als

Saturday activity: beach, festival, shopping, museum or sofa? Beach!! Station 26...

Or a festival. But not a concert...I'm thinking more of the vineyard variety.

Three words to describe yourself: Impatient, Caffeinated, Blessed.

Thanks so much Sarah! It was a pleasure getting to know you better!

Here is a lil' hint of her 'Suit Suite' Collection that she created exclusively for Eclectic...

All works are framed, 11x14 and $125.

Remember, you can come check out her 'Suit Suite' Collection on sale at Eclectic during the month of February! Or email me sidney@eclecticcharleston.com if you are interested in seeing the collection digitally. I will be posting the full collection on the blog tomorrow morning, February 5 at 10 am.

Eclectic is a Charleston, South Carolina based full-service boutique interior design firm in specializing in the design of residential projects including entire homes and the styling of individual rooms. We also offer virtual e-design services. Please email sidney@eclecticcharleston.com for additional information.

Eclectic is a retail shop/design studio located in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina (just over the bridge from downtown Charleston) selling an array of vintage mid-century pieces, repurposed items, new products and locally made creations with a fresh Modern meets Coastal aesthetic.

From The Front Porch of Shannon Smith
Artist

Join me as I sit down with local artist Shannon Smith and have a lil' chat...

So how did you get started painting? I was born and raised into a family of artists. My Mom, my twin sister, and I are all oil painters and my triplet brother is a photographer.

How has growing up in a family of artists shaped you as an artist? Life as a triplet and an artist have made to be a fun and interesting one! How unique to be able to share a close sibling bond as well as all sharing the same artistic talents. My Mom was a full time mother of three, but she started painting once we got out of the house and started going to school. I was exposed to art at a young age through her works, attending art shows, and our family travels almost always included visits to art museums. I have fond memories of dabbling in watercolors in Mom's studio.
1979, Age 7

So did you always know that you wanted to be an artist? Wanted to be an artist, yes. I always had a love of drawing and painting and grew up wishing to be an artist like my mom but didn't believe I could do it professionally. So I did not become serious about painting until college. I earned my Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Clemson University with my focus on oil painting. After graduating I was unsure about being able to support myself and making a career out of my art. While at Clemson, I broke my leg skiing and had to undergo knee surgery and months of physical therapy. That unfortunate experience sparked my interest in the field of health therapies, mostly physical and occupational therapy. I moved back to Charleston and went back to school for a year to fulfill the health and science prerequisites needed to apply to MUSC's graduate program of Occupational Therapy. However, I was not accepted and although disappointed at the time, I quickly realized it was a blessing in disguise!

Had you ever shown your work before? I had exhibited in Spoleto's outdoor art show in the past with my college art and decided to paint for that year's upcoming festival in May. I painted 25 oils for the show and sold over half! I was thrilled beyond words at my success. It was the boost of confidence that I needed to follow my passion as an artist! I also give tremendous credit to my mom and her artist friends, watching them achieve established roles in the art community, both locally and nationally, truly gave me the courage to follow my passion and follow in their footsteps! I am now a full time professional artist of 15 years, showing in galleries and museums, and have not looked back since that May of 1996!

Where do you show your work? This year we celebrate the 10 year Anniversary of the opening of our family gallery, Smith Killian Fine Art on 9 Queen St downtown Charleston. [Shannon also show's her work at the following galleries: The Well's Gallery at Kiawah Island, South Carolina; Anne Irwin Fine Art in Atlanta, Georgia; Parker Gallery in St. Simons Island, Georgia and the City Art Gallery in Greenville, North Carolina.

Where do you paint? My painting studio is in the upstairs of my home in Mount Pleasant, but I also take my "studio" outside and paint en plein-air when nice weather and great travel opportunities permit.

Shannon in her home studio.

Shannon plein-air painting in the misty rain on Shem Creek.

Also she is a Signature Member of the Plein-Air Painters of the Southeast.

How would you describe your paintings? My subject matter varies between landscape, still life, and figures while all sharing the common theme of dramatic use of light. I consider my style to be somewhat impressionistic and representational, with strong emphasis on color and light.

Here are some examples of her latest work.

"Cortona Light"
40x30 Oil on Linen

"Lowcountry Roots"
36x60 Oil on Linen

"Summer House II"
30x30 Oil on Linen

"The Waiter"
30x40 Oil on Linen

"Pink and Pewter"
16x20 Oil on Linen

Shannon has a wall in her studio she calls her "Travel Wall" where she creates paintings from all the places she travels. In the photo, you can see one of her two Himalayan cats, Ollie (other is Rufus). Ollie likes to sit on the sofa and watch Shannon paint. In fact, sometimes Ollie gets a little too close as he had green paint all over his beautiful white fur! Just one of the hazards of being the cat of an artist I suppose.

Shannon will be teaching a painting workshop along with fellow artist Laurie Meyer in Italy in April of 2012.

Since I am an interior designer, you know I am going to ask you about your home!

Your house is adorable! How long have you lived here? It will be 6 years this Thanksgiving. I bought it during the construction phase so I was able to customize some of the elements to my particular taste. What really drew me to it was the Nantucket cottage feel it had.

What is your favorite spot in your home and why? My back screened in porch without a doubt! I grew up always having a porch where our family shared meals and time together. It is my "happy place" where I unwind and truly relax, whether it be with my morning coffee or evening glass of wine. I just love being outside close to nature... watching the birds at my bird feeders and enjoying the critters that frequent the pond behind my backyard, ie. ducks, herons, egrets, turtles, snakes, and the occasional visiting gator! All while listening to water trickle from my fountain, I also take in the fast changing colors and clouds of evening light which soon become a beautiful night sky of moon and stars. I am also fortunate to have a front porch...now that is where I go to rock in my rockers and be more social with the close-by neighbors!

Name one item in your home that you are most proud of? I am most proud of my art collection...mostly oils and a few etchings and photographs. Of course they are all original pieces! While some are my own works, several pieces were traded with my family and artist friends, and some I have purchased through art galleries. I treasure each and every one for their meaning and inspiration to me and my life as an artist. I am out of wall space...time for a bigger house to continue my art collection!!

What is the first item you bought for your home? Afghan and Turkish hand made rugs from Zinn Rug Gallery. Most of my wall colors and furniture are shades of white and neutrals, therefore the rugs and artwork are a chance for a pop of color.

If you could update one aspect of your home what would it be and why? My light fixtures. When completing this house, I chose things that fit in with the traditional coastal cottage style. I now wish I had meshed more contemporary modern with the current cottage theme. I like the idea of new and modern mixed with antique and cottage...keeps it interesting! I am not at all a fan of "matching" decorating, color wise or furniture wise! I think changing out light fixtures, ie. my pendants over the kitchen bar and chandelier over the breakfast table, would be an easy way to update my home, giving it more of a modern twist without a lot of fuss.

It has been great getting to know you better, thanks for taking the time to sit with me Shannon!

[From The Front Porch Of ___ will become a regular post I will be doing for all of us to get to know local artists, business owners and craftsman in the Charleston area that are in some way "home" related. I hope you enjoy getting to know these folks as much I do!]

Update...Still Waiting For Our Little Grandbaby to make his debut. He is one week overdue and we are praying for his arrival in the next few days. Thank you for your prayers!

Welcome To Little Quilts Around The House...
My favorite quilt shop in the southeast is "Little Quilts" in Marietta, Georgia.
A favorite quilting book of mine is one of their delightful publications.

"By The Light Of The Silvery Moon"

I made this little quilt for my Mom for Christmas a few years ago...
Do you see the hand carved red cardinal perched in the antique bread making bowl?
It was crafted by my husband's Grandmother, Annie Grant Keeling.

"Little House In The Big Woods"For several years I taught classes at my local quilt shop.This is the sample from the first miniature quilt class I taught.

"Aunt Jenny and Uncle Pink"My sweet husband gave me this pair of hand carved, jointed wooden dolls.
They were made by Polly Page...a primitive artist from Pleasant Hill, Tennessee.
Polly was a school mate of my husband's grandmother, Annie Grant Keeling.
When they were little girls they were taught hand carving in their little country school in the early 1900s. Polly's dolls are sought after by collectors from around the world.
When my husband was a little boy he would sit and play in the woodshavings
while his Grandma and Polly spent hours together happily visiting and carving.

I love adding lame' to many of my miniatures. I think it adds a bit of warmth and interest.

"Christmas Kitties"The whispy whiskers are stitched with DMC floss.

Sorry...I'm a little late at sharing a few of my Santa Quilts...

I had so much fun making this Santa Quilt. It is one of my favorite little quilts.
The authors of the book "Little Quilts All Through The House" are
Mary Ellen Von Holt, Alice Berg & Sylvia Johnson.

Thank you for stopping by and visiting my home.

I love to quilt and find sewing miniatures right up my alley.
They are inexpensive and easy to finish.
I love sharing sewing projects and hope they serve to inspire you to create.

Blessings,
Carolynn xoxo

We're still waiting for our grandbaby boy to make his appearance...I will post when he arrives!

"Create in me a pure heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me."
Psalm 51:10

I'm linking to my favorite blog parties and giveaways this coming week.
I invite you to visit my sidebar and link up with each one.
I know they would love having you as their guest.

Yesterday I was working at a friend's farm. As I cleaned the horse stalls, I started thinking about my relationship to horses, about the enormous part they played in my childhood.

Growing up, I was a horse fanatic. It began when I was about two or three, when my mother told me about the horses she'd had as a child. From that moment, my passion for horses was ignited.

My first actual exposure to horses came when I was about five years old. My father took my brothers and me to the pony ride at the carnival. When I was asked which one I wanted to ride, I pointed. Not to the one standing directly in front of me, but to the very tallest horse standing just behind him. As I rode around the ring at a walk, I felt like the king of the world.

Unfortunately, for most of my growing-up years, my parents did not have the money for lessons. My longing for horses had to be confined to the realm of imagination. I checked out all the horse books in the library: Misty, Flicka, John Steinbeck's red pony, and the illustrated factual books about horses were my friends. I collected Breyer model horses and dreamed of a real stable full of such beauties as my friend and I acted out imaginary scenarios with our plastic steeds. I cut thousands of pictures of horses out of magazines and taped them all over my walls. I subscribed to Horse Illustrated. I read about riding techniques till I knew everything about how to handle a horse except the feel of one beneath me.

Finally when I was nearly twelve, a friend of my mother's mentioned a friend of hers who had a pony. He was rather old, but she thought the owner would be willing to let me ride. The answer came back: Sarah was glad to let me come over and give me a few pointers.

That was one of the most exciting days of my life. Finally! My mother's friend brought me and took along her camera: there are pictures of me, looking stiff and awkward, holding the horse's head and looking back over my shoulder as I ride him.

Sarah's pony was a good first taste, but ended up being unsatisfactory. It was a distance, I couldn't travel there myself, Sarah didn't have a lot of time to spend with me, and the pony was rather elderly and stiff. I never got beyond a trot and my legs swung wildly as I tried to post, far off the beat.

But it was a kind gesture and an opening to the world of horses.

For my twelfth birthday, my grandmother gave me the most priceless gift she could: a series of eight riding lessons at a local stable. My then-best friend Kathleen and I went together. Somewhere, I have pictures of us standing mounted in the middle of the ring, smiling triumphantly beneath our helmets as the rest of the class cantered around us. We were never deemed advanced enough to go faster than a trot.

That taste of riding was sweet but all-too-short. I begged for lessons but my parents couldn't afford either the money or the time. I contented myself again with reading, collecting, and dreaming. One day, I'd have my own horse. One day, I'd be able to ride as much as I wanted. I read tack catalogues obsessively and mentally outfitted my future horse in all his gear.

When I was fifteen, my younger sister began taking lessons with a friend who had a horse. That was the last straw. My younger sister, who had no real interest in horses except copying me, got to ride and I didn't! This time, I succeeded in being persuasive. I started lessons at Toraj Stables, the same place I'd gone when my best friend and I were twelve.

For four years, I rode at least once a week. When I got my own car, I was completely independent. I began working at the stable for a couple of hours early each morning before my "regular" job, mucking out stalls and feeding and watering to pay for lessons. In addition, it gave me a bit of extra income each month and meant that I could ride whenever I wanted.

I was a barn brat. I rode a lesson at least once a week; but at the end of the week, I'd take my favourite horse, Lucky, a big red chestnut Quarter Horse gelding, out on the trails for a wander. During lessons, I rode English. For trail rides, I slapped a big Western saddle on Lucky and took off. We'd roam the extensive acres of fields and orchards and watch wildlife and feel the sun on our backs. We'd ford streams and push through treelines and rocks. We'd climb hills, Lucky's back working hard. We'd pass migrant fruit pickers and wave hello.

And at the end of the ride, the biggest treat: a long, smooth, grassy stretch running along a field of apple trees. Lucky knew what this meant and became fidgety as soon as we reached it. I'd give him his head, kick his sides, and kiss. Off he'd tear, his Quarter Horse hindquarters working like pistons to thrust and drive, legs flashing, head down, mane and tail flying. I'd stand up in my saddle and lean forward as he sprinted at his fastest gallop, hooves thundering, grass whispering as we passed, again, feeling like king of the world. Finally at the end I'd slow him down gradually to a gentler canter, break him down to a trot, and as we reached the edge of the stable property, a slow walk to cool down. He loved it and so did I. I was free.

I groomed horses. I was the first to discover our broodmare's tiny chestnut baby standing in her stall the morning after she was born. I got kicked, bit, and stepped on. I fell in love and had my heart broken. I learned to communicate with horses and rode a mare named Suzy better than her owner did. I longed to buy King and was deeply saddened when he went away. I cried when a beautiful two-year-old that I'd been working, the first horse to ever buck me off, had such bad leg problems that she couldn't be ridden anymore. I loved my horses. They were the best part of my life, the ones who accepted me as I was, the ones who gave me a feeling of power and relationship.

When I went away to college, it spelled the end of my riding adventures. Toronto, like any big city, is not extraordinarily amenable to riding. I had no spare time as I threw myself into curricular and extra-curricular activities. Riding became something that happened, at best, once or twice a year. Something that had been an enormous part of my life passed away, just like that.

It's been seven years now since I left home, seven years since I have ridden regularly. The horse-bug has subsided. I doubt now I will ever own one of my own. Despite living with a horse-owning family for six months, I saddled up only a few times. Horses have become something I love but do not feel compelled to spend time with. When I visit the farm now, I nuzzle and pet and talk to them. They are my friends. But I don't need them anymore.

I still love to ride. One of my greatest pleasures is a leisurely trail ride through woods and fields. I love the beauty of horses. I still collect lovely photographs of horses, this time as desktop wallpapers or Flickr favourites, not tattered cutouts on my wall. Horses will always be a part of my past and a big element of who I was growing up. I will always appreciate them. But the horse-craziness has gone away. Maybe that's sad. Maybe, it's just part of growing up.