folk art sewing

folk art sewing

Reinventing Myself with Art and Humor

“The cure for boredom is curiosity. But there is no cure for curiosity.” I’ve certainly lived this quote. I can say that I have never been bored because my curiosity has ridden over most all my other needs and emotions. I drove my parents crazy with the “What’s that? Where are we going? How was this made? Why do we do it this way?” questions; having to be quieted with the typical parental answer of, “Because.”

I have spent my whole life living outside of the box looking at things different from others, trying to figure out why things have been done one way and why couldn’t they be done another way. For instance, when I saw a rusty toaster in a garbage can I thought, “what a great body for a doll!” Another example was a carpenter friend of mine had collected a large bin of specialty wooden pencils from lumber yards. I asked him if I could have them and turned them into a unique rustic frame for a wall mirror.

Luckily I share my mother’s artistic gift and had my fingers in different mediums of art all my life, i.e. batiking, candle making, acrylic painting, murals, graphic design, folk art design, collage, furniture making and fauxing, and sewing. However, being a single mother of two boys, I had to work in the corporate world to bring in a stable paycheck. This kept me from taking my creative interests seriously.

In 2002, at the age of 50 years old, I had some personal tragedies that caused me to have a stroke. I had to relearn to read, write, talk and walk. This forced me to slow down and reevaluate my priorities. My boys were always my top priority but they no longer lived at home. I had recently divorced so it was important to finally focus on me. I asked myself, “What would make you happy? What is your passion?”

Being unable to work again in the stressful, fast paced lifestyle of corporate business the answer was immediate. Art. Design. Humor. My father gave me his twisted ‘humor’ gene and it is a big part of who I am. Laughter and whimsy has always helped me shine inside. So the answer became humorous art, Whimsical Curiosities.

My Whimsical Curiosities creations are now my passion. I love being in my studio, serendipitously putting together found items in unexpected ways. I find myself working alone (with my faithful dog Tank), laughing out loud often. My dolls are made from antique porcelain heads and arms, vintage kitchen appliances, vintage machine parts, junk drawer items and costume jewelry. My mosaics are made from vintage toys, broken ceramics, and vintage hardware.

My life no longer proceeds at a stressful pace and I am content and happy. I am also very proud of my curiosity and humor. Curiosity is the very basis of discovery, adventure and education, and if you tell me that curiosity killed the cat, I say the cat died gallantly!

About the Author

Raised in Japan and Hawaii, Lauretta Lowell, the daughter of an artist and professional coach, moved to Santa Barbara, CA in 1976. While in Santa Barbara she became a single parent of two boys and worked with several corporate businesses in Marketing and Office Management.
2004, after a divorce, the death of her father and two strokes, Lauretta decided to recover in Palm Desert, CA being available to her mother who is suffering with Alzheimer’s disease. While in the desert Lauretta managed the Wentworth Gallery in Indio, CA during 2006-2008.

2009 she started teaching collage and mixed media to locals and decided to participate twice in the juried Art Under the Umbrellas show in La Quinta, CA. Her success at these shows has put her in touch with her passion…design, art, and humor. Now she is selling her ‘Whimsical Curiosities’ creations on-line and in several art galleries and gift shops.

Folk Art Country Charm Jointed Squirrel Pattern from the USA

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where can i find some real moccasins?

Alright, moccasins arent exactly from my region, we ran around bare foot most of the time or wore slippers woven out of various plant fibers and lined with moss. BUT, I love moccasins, and love to wear them. But I can't find a real genuine pair anywhere except at pow wows (And I am lazy and would rather buy some online rather than drive to the next pow wow) the stuff form minnetoka looks like crap off an assembly line. I'm looking for some casual, not beaded, simple moccasins! Do any of my native contacts know where to find them??? Or how to make them? I am willing to barter if thats what folks prefer (around here, we're too poor to buy each others' art, we only sell to non-natives and trade with each other instead) so yeah, I can weave and sew, but thats about it, haha!...anyways, thanks for any help you can give...
I'm looking for something without rubber soles and no fur...just plain ol' deer skin. thanks though! I have a pair of uggs I bought for when it snows, I love them.

i can give you an easy pattern for center seam moccs if you want. i make my own. they are made from one single piece of deerskin. let me know and i'll do a photo of some sort to send you. or if you rather i'll just send you a pair. you can send me whatever you like from your region.

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