Our Favorite Girl Power Moments of 2016

1. The Women of Wild ‘N’ Woolly Rodeo Team

This rodeo team did not disappoint at the WRRA World Finals in Loveland, Colorado. The amazingly talented cowgirls dominated! Each one was study, sure, and confident. It’s invaluable to have trusted team members who are always looking out for you.

Way to go Rachel, Joette, Stormie, and Denise! Wild ‘N’ Wooly won 4th in the average at the 11th annual WRRA finals!

2. The Littlest Members of team Wild ‘N’ Wooly

Jessa (on the left) and Riggin (on the right) live for horses. These independent girls are fearless and hardworking–imitating all of their mothers’ movements.  Whether they’re on horseback or tending to chores around the ranch, they are happy and they are fierce.

3. Hunting Mom, Holly Cabana

Hunting for the Cabanas is a family affair. Holly, mother of 3, loves spending quality time with her children while enjoying the freedom the land provides. They hunt, fish, ride 4 wheelers, play games, and go for walks on the family ranch. Teaching her children the utmost of respect to the animals, and how to harvest our food in a humane way is paramount in their household.

Kylie (on the right) and Kendall (on the left) spend an immense amount of time, energy, commitment and learning proper, effective methods of hunting from their mom.

4. Hunter, Kylie Cabana

Kylie, the oldest of the Cabana kids has developed into a skilled hunter. She’s silent and confident in the deer stands. Whether Kylie’s using bow or gun, each lesson her parents have passed down sticks with her. Someday she hopes to pass on that same knowledge to her own children.

5. Michgan Farrier, Koren Knox

Koren has been a horse lover her entire life. About 10 years ago with 6 horses of her own, she decided she could be her own farrier. She went to school, got certified, and ended up teaching others the skill as well (including her own daughter, Nicole). Koren now cares for around 300 horses in the Michigan area.

It goes to show that determination will get you places. Koren saw a job, realized she could do it, went to school, and turned her new trade into a blossoming career. On top of that, she gets to work with the animals she loves most.

6. Rodeo Queen, Nicole Simmons

When Nicole graduated from high school, she trained as a farrier under her mother, Koren. Nicole then went on to earn her degree in Animal Science from Michigan State University. She was even crowned MSU Rodeo Queen. It turns out that love for horses runs in the family.

7. Metal Artist, Kate Silvio

Kate grew up playing in her father’s warehouse. Climbing around a world of palates and drawing on reams of paper, her creativity churned. At College for Creative Studies, she was interested in sculpture and welding. Kate also learned to be a metal fabricator. Throwing yourself into the craft helps you create a voice through your work. She now uses her conceptual art to process and better understand the world around her.

8. Painter, Michelle Tanguay

Michelle is crazy talented. She’s been in the art world since age 17, when she moved to Detroit on her own to pursue her talents. Day in and day out, she made art. As she painted, opportunities began to flow in. Now she is an established artist with an undeniable gift.

Take a closer look at the series of faces painted below. Each one is a Detroit native who wandered into her studio. They are all painted on up-cycled banners from the city’s Jazz Festival. Michelle composed over 40 portraits as an homage to the great community she’s grown to love.

9. Ceramic Artist, Elysia Vandenbussche Kelly

In the photos below, you’re getting a peek into Elysia’s studio. It’s an inspiring spot, even more so when she’s hard a work. Although Elysia may make it appear effortless, she’s accomplished a heck of a lot. She’s set up shop in downtown Detroit and keeps the art work flowing from her personal kiln.

Take a closer look into the ElysiaVK studio here.

10. Florists, Amanda Forgash and Natalie Pappas

Amanda and Natalie work as florists for the Chicago start-up, Flowers for Dreams. This amazing company donates one fourth of their profits to local charities. They are spearheading the movement of transparent pricing in the wedding market. You can now give back to your community as you plan your wedding. The Flowers for Dreams headquarters is a beautiful mess of vibrant flowers, creative folks, and spirit of philanthropic goodness.

11. Flower Truck Manager, Angelica Ruiz

Angelica also works for Flowers for Dreams. Much like a food truck, Angelica drives all over Chicago, selling bouquets at markets and various events. As with all other Flowers for Dreams sales, one fourth of the profits go to a local charity.

12. Michigan Artist, Monica Wilson

From fashion school to art school, Monica tried on many different materials. She welded and stitched, drew and plotted, but at the end of the day—clay turned out to be the best fit for her. The tactile nature and immediate response to touch that comes with every work day suited her creative mind.

Standing in a riverbed as a child, Monica spotted clay. The idea that the people who came long before us discovered this natural substance and put it use, forever changing the modern world, was enough to peak her interest then and still pushes her discover and learn to this day.

The ceramic community also played a big role in drawing her in. Monica found them to be great cooks and honest people who could solve just about any problem with their hands. To run a ceramic studio, you must have a wealth of knowledge. Mixing glazes, firing kilns, and all sorts of heavy lifting come into play on a daily basis.

Check out more of Monica’s pieces here.

13. Park City Outdoor Enthusiasts, Nicole and Tina

Climbers Nicole and Tina don’t allow the fading of warm weather to keep them indoors. The cold is an invitation to explore the mountains. After all, your sense of adventure isn’t seasonal. Get out there and challenge yourself!

14. Michigan Artist, Ellen Rutt

Ellen is based out of the ever offbeat Detroit. The murals and graffiti splashed around this colorful city filled her with a love for art that fully encompasses the viewer. Ellen works on a large scale quite often.

In the photos below, Ellen is standing in front of one of her masterpieces. Active lines dance around the surface with colors abuzz. This piece sits in the middle of the Eastern Market District, accompanied by many other murals and giants works.

Take a look at more of Ellen’s vibrant work here.

15. Iron Worker, Ana Lopez

Looking to incorporate welding into her personal artwork, Ana fell in love with the trade after attending a program at Jane Addams Resource Corporation. In no time, she got her Arc Welding Society Certification.

Ana also worked in several different shops and got involved with Chicago Women in Trades. In the photo below, she’s hanging from a scaffold on the side of skyscraper over Michigan Avenue as she installs windows. Despite her size and gender, she’s excelling in the iron working world.

Fear Is Just a Feeling, The Fact Is That You Can

“I wish people knew that unions protect fair wages/benefits/rights for the working class, for people trying to make an honest living.

And, if you’re a woman and like working with your hands, there’s only one thing that can stop you from joining the trades, the fear of thinking that you can’t, fear is just a feeling, the fact is that you CAN.”

–Chicago Ironworker, Ana Lopez

Q & A with Metal Worker Kate Silvio

Michigan metal worker, Kate Silvio, has appeared on the blog many times over the past few years. She’s a talented, strong, capable artist with a great outlook on life. It’s my hope to pass on a bit of her wisdom with you.

Q: What advice do you have for women looking to get into metal work?

A: Advice that I have to women who are looking to get into metal work is the same to that I would give to men looking to getting into metal. Every interaction with another artist/maker/welder is an opportunity to learn. Be prepared to spend a lot time in the studio and be open to critique and instruction from mentors as well as peers. Also, have heroes… you need to know what’s going on and what has gone on in the art world to be able to operate in it.

Advice I would give directly to women is to take as many precautions as you can to physically protect your body from any possible long-term side effects of welding and fabrication. As uncomfortable as some respirators, goggles, face shields, earmuffs etc. can be, it is extremely important that your first priority is personal safety. Unfortunately, there is very little, if any, research on long-term effects on breathing welding fumes and dust on women and you don’t want to be that statistic.

Q: What common misconceptions do people have about metal work?

A: The only common misconception that I can think of is that people assume that women aren’t interested in metalwork or can’t do what men can do in a shop. I taught students how to weld for 12 years and I often found that women picked up the skill quicker because they had a much more sensitive touch and were more conscious of technique. Not to say that I didn’t know a lot of great male welders!

Q: What is the best part of what you do?
A: The best part of what I do is the idea that someone would want to wake up everyday and look at something that I’ve created…

Q: What inspires you?

A: I draw a lot of inspiration from my girls… the freedom that my four year old has to create is astounding. She isn’t bound by material, technique, skill, or insecurities… she just makes. It’s good for me to remember to forget everything.

Want to see more? Take a look at Kate’s work here.

 

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Detroit artist Kate Silvio pictured above. Read more about her and her remarkable metalwork here.

Welder Ryn Adkins

You might notice the stark difference between a high tea time set and the creative alternative cup and saucer Ryn Adkins is working on the photos above. Crossing mediums and taking a twist on depth of field, this dinnerware pair is an imaginative spin for table settings. As a designer and craftsman, Ryn came up with the concept, threw the teacups from clay, and welded the pyramid-shaped coaster.

Ryn is a co-founder of pop-up restaurant, Roux, where food and design have been blended into a whole new type of dining experience. In years to come, she hopes to further include the source of the food into the mix— putting food, farm, and craftsmen together in the venture.

In my conversation with Ryn, the pursuance of passion in life is a crucial building block in her plans. Find the field you want to be in and dig as deep as you possibly can. If you’re focusing on Industrial and Interactive Design, learn about the properties of metal, the ins-and-outs of woodworking, and get a feel for ceramics. When you love what you do, it not work— it’s a way of life. What do you love doing? How do you spend your free time?

Ryn took a step back and saw how she combined skills she’s loved since childhood. If you’re still searching for your own path, give your memories a chance to guide you.

“Reflecting on my childhood, I think I’ve always had an interest in design and food, from making bon appétit mud patties in my back yard to building lego duplexes in my bedroom.” —Ryn Adkins

Ryn is wearing: Carhartt Women’s Sandstone Active Jacket, Clarksburg Quarter-Zip Sweatshirt, Series 1889 Slim Double Front Pants, & Soft Hands Glove.