Our New Member Spotlight

Welcome to another Paper Traders Member Spotlight.

 This month we are shining the light on

Sheryl Rubio

How did you find Paper Traders?
I thank the people that I have traded ATCs with in the past, for leading me to Paper Traders.
I really enjoy Paper Traders! I sometimes get so involved in looking for ideas, color trends
and techniques that I fail to save time for actually making something. Paper Traders gives me (much needed!) focus.

How long have you been a member?
Since March of 2012

Where do you live?
In the Beautiful city of Atlantic Beach, Florida!

How have your surroundings affected your art?
I truly believe that living in a place that has a longer 'summer' season has lightened up the mood, feel and colors of my creations.(I moved to the coast from a large city in another state)
My style has definitely changed in the last few years. I used to do a lot of pen and ink
 pieces that, in the end, took on a 'tattooish' look.

Please share a little about your own art experience.
I have gone from painting in my Grandmother's studio from the time I was old enough to hold a paintbrush - to designing posters, t-shirts and CD covers for bands - to
painting murals in homes and restaurants in Atlanta - to painting large pieces of decorative furniture for interior design stores. One of my creations is in a video
production from a large music festival. It has been fun!

What are some of your favorite techniques or genres?
I love doing faux finishes. Acrylics are my favorite to paint with. I have always been a paper addict!
 So now I am into mixed media collage.

What inspires you?
Wow, that one really makes me think! Sometimes I hear some good song lyrics that I can 'literally' see in my head, and I come up with a design. Sometimes my children will say something interesting that I turn into a 'visual'.  Lately I have been working with quotes from famous people and illustrating them - I like to play around with creative lettering techniques. I guess almost anything can get me in a creative mood!

Who are some famous artists whose work you admire and what especially appeals to you about this?
In the fine art world, I have, for many years, been a fan of the Wyeth family. Their New Englad scenery and life depiction has always attracted me.
As far as commercial art, I really like Susan Branch. I WISH I could watercolor just half as well as she!
And I am currently loving Christy Tomlinson, Seth Apter, Pam Carriker and a few other collage artists.

Describe your work area... Do you have your own studio or craft room?
I do have my own room, and it's a room full! I have a cabinet for my sewing machine, supplies and fabrics. The closet has my drawing table and supplies in it. I have another large armoire that has
scrapbooking supplies. I have a bazillion rubber stamps! and inks in pretty much every color available. And there'a a corner for jewelry making supplies, beads and tools. My
paper supply is huge! 12 x 12 paper packed in pizza boxes is in a stack approximately 4 feet high. There's bins with drawers that hold glue and templates and markers and crayons...
anyone who enters that room will come out with glitter on them. It's just a fact. That stuff never goes away!

Please share a little about your family and pets...
I have been blessed. I have fabulous parents that gave me years of praise and encouragement to do the things of my dreams. I am lucky enough to have the best, sweetest most kind, considerate and loving man
in the world who shares and backs me in my interests (mostly music), and raised four beautiful daughters that keep our lives together at 'full speed'.The girls are on their own now, so Kyle and I share our beach
home with a lovely 3 year old AmStaff. Her name is Shadow.

If you'd like, please share a little about your childhood, where you grew up, and when your creativity began.
I was born and raised in Atlanta. I spent summers (and pretty much every other holiday) with my Grandparents in Florida.
That's where I really got my culture - My Grandmother was a great artist, and musician.
 My best memories are of the two of us doing something artfully productive. Among soooo many other things, she taught me to crochet when I was 8.

Do you have any other hobbies or interests?
Yep! We are a musical family.
We plan vacations around music festivals. All of the daughters love to go! I started playing classical guitar when I was 12. Years later decided I wanted to play banjo. Between the two of us, Kyle and I have 5 guitars, the banjo and half a room full of amplifiers and other 'stuff' so that we/he (mostly he) can play music loudly!

The girls surf and Kyle likes that too, but I choose stand-up paddleboarding instead. Our outdoor shed looks like a surf shop!
Our home is a very fun place :-D