PAFA Monday Merchant Circle

Hello folks! My featured artist this Monday is my friend and Primitive and Folk Artist Etsy teammate Barb of Barb's Heartstrokes. I want to share Barb's wonderful personality and talents, which are visible in her artwork available in her Etsy shoppe. So without further ado...

1. How did you choose the name of your business?

"Heartstrokes" came about because I was an Intensive Care Cardiac nurse and was learning to paint. So between my job and learning to paint they were both quite a challenge. But anything that is a challenge usually is worth it. So when I started a business it seemed natural to combine the two.

2. How long have you been in business?

I have been painting for about 15 years. My husband was in the Air force and was deployed overseas so I took an acrylic painting class at a local craft store and loved it! It has now become my therapy. I have been on Etsy going on two years. I still do local craft shows here in Utah and occasionally back in Las Vegas.

3. Who or what inspires you?

Many artists of the painting and stitchery world inspire me: fun, folk art, primitive, whimsical patterns and COLORS!

4. What is your creative style, primitive, country, folk art?

My style is a mix of primitive, country, folk art and a bit of whimsy basically anything that catches my eye!

5. What mediums do you use in creating?

I love painting on black screen because there is little to no prep! I love working with acrylic paints due to the fact that it dries fast and is fairly forgiving if you make a mistake. I also love to paint on….everything! (If you have no paint on your clothes they are not worth wearing!) I hand paint everyday and seasonal designs on framed fiberglass black screen with acrylic paint. My style has a flair of folk art, primitive, and whimsy. I also paint ornaments, magnets, and any surface that looks interesting to me weather it be wood, tin, rusty tin, fabric, or paper. I have lucked out in the fact that my dad makes the frames from reclaimed barn wood or plain wood and my husband will cut wood for me if I need something cutout. I have also branched out and designed some of my own designs as well and sale the patterns in my shop.

6. What are your links where our readers can find you?

http://www.etsy.com/shop/barbsheartstrokes
http://barbsheartstrokes.blogspot.com/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Barbsheartstrokes/305129222867386

http://twitter.com/#!/BsHeartstrokes

Of course Barb has other talents besides painting. Visit her links for more about her and more of her incredible creations.
Thank you Barb!