We are starting up our member spotlights again. As we have so many new
members to Paper_Traders we thought we would start with our Group Moderators.
This month the highlight is on Cathy L.Calamas
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Cathy L. Calamas
How did you find Paper Traders? I was in a Barnes and Noble in Asheville , NC reading a magazine
on mixed media art and they had a link to Yahoo Art groups. I explored
the different groups until I came upon PT and thought that this was
a perfect fit for me. And it has been!
How long have you been a member?
I joined in the summer of 2009 and became a Moderator in the summer of
2010 when Keron Lee resigned.
Where do you live?
I live in Columbia , South Carolina where our city slogan is “ Famously Hot!”
(Tomorrow it will be 100 degrees and it is not even summer yet.)
We have a beautiful zoo and botanical gardens where I take pictures
very frequently. I moved here from Charleston , SC five years ago,
which is home,but the place is growing on me.
They do have a very good Art Museum, I should add.
How have your surroundings affected your art?
I have always been a beach person so I love anything ocean/sea related.
I tend to be drawn to whites, creams, blues, soft greens which
is a beach color theme. I think I am probably all over the place
when it comes to color in my art but
my favorites are always the monochromatic pieces.
Please share a little about your own art experience.
I decided that I was an “ artist” in high school and have dabbled
in just about everything. I was into quilting and embroidery arts first.
Then raising a family took over and I mainly sewed for
my home and kids. I started back into drawing and painting
when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. It was my wake-up call
to get back a part of me that had been locked away. I had my
own greeting card company for awhile but really disliked
the “production” side of the business. Now, I do some free-lance work
but I mainly create to fulfill my “bent” and to share and swap.
What are some of your favourite techniques or genres?
This changes all the time as I see and learn and experience new things.
Right now I ‘m into beeswax, distressed inks, mini-book making.
I love pretty much everything in the vintage altered arts area.
I love old photos and learning how to create great backgrounds
(something I need work on)!
What inspires you?
Right now what inspires me is seeing how a swap theme can translate
into such a myriad of different expressions .
I am inspired by the creativity of others.
Who are some famous artists whose work you admire and what
especially appeals to you about this?
I have always been an Impressionism nut. I love Monet and Mary Cassatt.
I remember the first time I saw my first real Monet and Cassatt at the
National Gallery in DC. I couldn’t move, I was so amazed by their
brush work and use of light.
Describe your work area... Do you have your own studio or craft room?
I just, this spring, got my own craft room. As my kids are growing up and
moving out, I took over a bedroom. It’s been wonderful. I have my
computer and scanner in here as well as a closet full of
craft supplies (just recently organized!). The best part about it is
to be able to walk out and close the door to my mess.
Or to walk in and close the door to the world! That might actually be better J)
What tips or tricks have you found to help carve out a niche
for your supplies and art?
Plastic shelving units from Staples and Walmart ,
couldn’t live without them. And I label everything!
Please share a little about your family and pets...
I have been married to my high school sweetheart for 28 years.
I have 3 grown children and one 13 year old still at home. They are all so different and unique and I wonder sometimes how they all grew up in the same family.
One recently married and another to be married next Spring. Life is good.
I have a Mini-Daschund named “Leo”, a 14lbs. Maine Coon cat
named “Rusty” and a gold fish named “Spartacus”.
If you'd like, please share a little about your childhood, where you grew up,
and when your creativity began.
I was born in Spain and then moved to Northern Minnesota
where my father’s family was from. (Yes, quite a culture shock for my mom!)
From then on , we moved about every 3 years and I have lived all over the US as well as Puerto Rico . I have lived in the south since I was 15,
so I consider myself a “Southener”.
I really can't remember when my creativity began.
For many, many years my favorite thing was a new box of crayons.
I even wanted to keep them when I bought them for my kids for the new school year :))
Do you have any other hobbies or interests?
I love to read, especially southern authors like
Fanny Flagg, Dorothea Benton Frank, and Sue Monk Kidd.
I’m an American Idol fanatic although not a singer myself.
My husband I are very involved in a local Special Needs Baseball League.
I am a big supporter of the Special Olympics.
