For more than 30 years, I've had the privilege of practicing Studio Arts.   When I'm in the art making energy field, I feel just like this simple sketch I did years ago - free and unencumbered!

I formally studied Textiles at UC Davis; however for years before I had studied fiber and how it relates to art in general and then specifically to women's art.  I taught wearable art design for a number of years; my lectures were laced with stories about women's history and fiber. 
    
Front and Back respectively of Joseph's Coat, exhibited at the International Quilt Festival, Den Haag Holland 2004.  Original Design and Made by Viktorya c.2007.  Composed of Joseph's Coat quilt blocks on the back and woven raw edge fabric strips on the front and sleeves, all applied onto striped silk duponi carrier.  The views you see are in my Napa Studio 2003 Open Studio.

I'm a Blogger so I set up the Art N Java Blog in 2006 as a calendar where artists could feature exhibitions, theater group performances, and art exhibitions at museums.  Beyond that, I write bits about process, materials, and influences.

About all my exploration with various mediums? PAINT WINS! 
In my heart and soul, I am a Painter.  Every one of my senses are enlivened while I paint - (rarely taste but even then, yum!).  I hear the brush slathering paint on the canvas. I feel the weight of it on my palette knife as I'm mixing colors.  At times, I rub my finger in the wet paint to get an effect that I want.  I smell the oils when I'm not working with acrylic, but even acrylic paint has a distinctive fragrance - yes it is like perfume to me.  But seeing how there is simultaneous contrast on the surface from those colors painted on, well, that among many other pieces, satisfy the visual artist in me. 




Time in the studio.  As mentioned before, I have explored Textile as Art for years; combining sewing and painting in the same space can be problematic.  However, this set-up works efficiently.  Of course for the sewing aspect, at times I spill over into my kitchen on an 8' x 3' island, perfect sized for cutting out large pieces of fabric.

The Art 'n Java name?  I've painted a favorite black coffee cup into my art, drawn coffee cups, have a series in the works called "Mug Shots" and on and on.   Sipping a cuppa java while I look at my work, before immersing myself into the paint, is part of my process.


  Bohemian Brew MugShot, 24" x 24" acrylic on canvas.  Homage to my Bohemian Heritage.

 
Poet's Brew MugShot, 24" x 24" acrylic on canvas.  Apollo and Java just seem to go together.
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