While many of us artist folk hibernated the winter months away, a few die-hard artisans were interviewed for the Locals Guide. Marcus Scott, Carola Marashi, and Bill Francis received their moment in the spotlight in the January, February, and April editions of the local, monthly newspaper.
January edition of Locals Guide featuring an interview with Marcus Scott.
January, 2012 edition of Locals Guide featured native-Ashlander Marcus Scott. Born and raised in Ashland, Marcus is kind of a rarity in these parts. Most of Ashland’s current residents came from somewhere else. Most of you know Marcus as the stone bead creating jewelry artisan who has been part of Lithia Artisans Market since 1994 — 18 years. He is the father of two boys, Luke and Noah, an unabashed political junky, and a true believer in self-sufficiency, local commerce, and the important role the artisan model can play in shaping a more green, energy effecient future. Marcus has recently taken on the role of Lithia Artisans Market manager. His strong advocacy for supporting local micro-industry should bode well for the health of the market. To read the full interview, click the image of the paper to the left, or go to this link ashland.oregon.localsguide.com/marcus-scott-the-stone-bead.
February edition of Locals Guide featuring artisan interview with Carola Marashi. Click to read interview.
Many of our current family of artisans got their start by trying their out their marketing skills at one of the many Briscoe ArtWing shows that happen throughout the season. Holiday Market, HeartFest, and MidSummers Dream Art and Music Festival have acted as gateways into the Lithia Artisans Market. Newcomers who try the festivals at the ArtWing are made to feel part of a larger community. Our family embraces good-hearted, hard working artisans. We are a collective of eclectic individuals, so we attract like energy. This year is a perfect example. Artist Carola Marashi tried the local market at our Valentines event, HeartFest, showing her heart portraits, greeting cards, prints and originals. This last week she became a jury approved member of the Lithia Artisans Market. If I were attempting to define her style I would say abstract color sketches bordering on psychedelia. Hearts are often her muse so she was the perfect interview for February edition of Locals Guide. I sat with Carola and had a heart portrait done while conducting the interview. This was a unique moment captured well in the interview. To read the interview with Carola, click the image of the paper on the right, or go to the link at localsguide.com/carola-marashi. Please remember to welcome all of our new members when you see them. Remember how nervous you were the first time you showed at the market? I sure do…
April, 2012, edition of Locals Guide featuring artisan interview with Bill Francis. Click to read interview.
Finally, after a couple years of asking, my friend Bill Francis agreed to do an interview with me for the April edition of Locals Guide. This was a lot of fun. Bill is a true master of the clay medium and super knowledgeable about his craft. This comes through very clearly in the interview. Bill is also a very strong advocate for the concept of buying local. We discussed a little about why making, buying, and selling local are so important to our collective shared future. His perspective is really keen on this issue. To learn more about Bill Francis and what it takes to be a successful artisan, as well as artisan community, click the image of the paper to the left, or go to the link at localsguide.com/bill-francis-potter.
Lots of great energy to start the 2012 season. I feel we are on the verge of great advances in the collective consciousness of our community and the planet as a whole. I believe 2012 will be a year of growth, clarity, creativity, and prosperity. We open the day after tomorrow. Let the games begin.