Peaceful Power in Sculpture

Stepping into the front room at Stephanie Revennaugh‘s house, I knew I had happened upon a tremendous artist. Her work thoughtfully placed among her beautifully Montana inspired living space played a melody between rich colors, textures, and elements of nature. Different projects were sprawled out, not quite finished, but still breathtaking. She captures a perfect moment of movement in her sculptures, full of life and resounding with a peaceful power.

Stephanie began her career as an artist in oil painting. After a few years, she took a sculpture workshop and felt she’d finally found her native medium. In the thick of the thrill of starting a new piece loaded with endless possibilities, she relishes the challenge of embodying the clay with a spirit all it’s own. Then in turn, seeing the finished work speak to and affect others.

Stephanie’s advice for other women hoping to get into the arts as a full time career is to “start right now clarifying your desires and acting on them consistently.  The road is guaranteed to be full of challenges. Keep showing up through them. Build the best support network around you that you can (which often starts with family) and stay dedicated. The most challenging part for me is balancing creating work with running the business end of an art career. My Mom has stepped into a business manager position for me, which has been wonderful. I’m all about hiring people who have skills in areas I don’t. It relieves frustration, saves time and usually money as well. “

That being said, if you’re dreaming of it now, get after it! There’s no sense delaying when you could be finding your way and building skills as you go. Focus and hard work can get you places. Take it from Stephanie and “trust your creative instincts and passionately create what is in your heart.”

Stephanie’s workwear: Carhartt Women’s Hayward Henley, Carhartt Women’s Sandstone Mock-Neck Vest/Sherpa-Lined, & Carhartt Women’s 1889 Slim Double Front Dungaree

DIY: Mossy Bookend

If there’s a word that epitomizes Portland, it’s green. There are so many different shades everywhere: in the tree line, on mossy rocks, bushes, grass, and natural growth.  That’s only heightened by the human eye’s ability to differentiate shades of green more than any other color. I got back from my week long trip to Portland, and I found myself missing the intensity of the hues I saw in Oregon. I challenged myself to bring back the moss from last week’s very Portland-esque DIY and incorporate into my own home. I loved the sharp contrast of the marshmallow colored Carhartt Women’s Minot Shirt and the ever vibrant greens, so I carried the theme even further and let them play off one another once again.

I’ll walk to you though the steps to make your own mossy bookend. You’ll need a cross section of a tree, self-adhesive moss paper, clumps of moss, baby’s breath, mini diorama trees, hot glue gun, scissors, and a pencil. Take the tree section and trace the top of it on the back of the moss paper. Cut the circle out and stick it to the top of the wood. Then glue the trees and little clumps of moss in the center. Cut off little bits of baby’s breath and add it in where you think a pop of buds is needed. You’re ready to use it! Enjoy the feeling of mother nature while you’re hanging in your home.