Featured at West + Main Louisville: Lilianna Story

Please join us in Louisville for First Friday, featuring photographer Lilianna Story

Old Mexico

920 Main Street
12.06.2024, 6-9pm

Meet Lilianna

Lilianna Story is a photographer from Texas, specializing in fine art photography from different parts of the world.

Lilianna started photographing professionally over 20 years ago. She was mostly influenced by her father, who was also a photographer.  He taught her how to photograph with heart.  He photographed presidents and celebrities, including John Kennedy, Jacquelin Onassis and Lyndon B. Johnson.  His favorite work involved human interest stories and this taught Lilianna how to capture life through the lens.

"My goal is to capture people and places which evoke emotion and help tell a story."

MAESTRO DE SOGA

Learn more about Lilianna in our Q+A!

How did your business come to exist?

I never set out to be a photographer. I started photographing with my father‘s camera.  Then someone asked me to photograph professionally. I was fearful, but then I said yes. I’ve enjoyed it ever since.

What are you known for?

Many people will say my work is known for capturing light and giving importance to negative space in a photograph.  But ultimately, the observer defines that.

What are you currently working on?

I recently returned from India, so I am working on a series for exhibition.

CHARRA

What is your favorite part of your job?

Being able to give and serve this way is humbling and makes me happy.

What is the best piece of advice that you have ever gotten?

My father always says, “enjoy it, share it, and remember that it does not come from you.”

What do you like to do when you are not working?

I love family. Being around them, re-energizes my soul.

CHARRO

What is your biggest challenge?

My biggest challenge is promoting my work. It feels awkward to self promote.

Who/What are your biggest influences?

My parents are a big influence to me. They are honest and loving and very nurturing.  Above all, God steers me.

What is your dream project?

My dream project would be to photograph a unique culture that no one really knows about. And working with children, I love working with children.

Get in touch with Lilianna

Website: https://www.liliannastory.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liliannastoryphotography

If you are a local artist/crafter/maker/indie business owner and would like to be featured on our blog, please fill out this form or contact Ashley at ashley@westandmainhomes.com with questions...we can't wait to learn all about you!

Featured at West + Main Littleton: Traci Zajaczkowski

Join us for First Friday in Littleton, featuring Traci Zajaczkowski

Life in Color

2590 W Main St
011.01.2024, 6-9pm

Meet Traci

Traci’s art focuses on colorful and detailed animal portraits. She loves the animals that roam in the beautiful state of Colorado and strives to bring their personalities out with vibrant colors and stylized details. Animals are magical. Traci wants to bring a little bit of that magic and joy back to the viewer. Her most recent works focus on fusing the beauty of nature within the beauty of the animals themselves, emphasizing the importance of our natural surroundings. Traci works in mixed media, with a combination of colored pencils, markers, watercolor, and acrylic paints. She has an MA in illustration from Syracuse University.

Traci believes that whatever you do in the world, you should find a way to make the world a better place, and you should do it with passion. Traci is passionate about kids, art, animals, and the mountains. She strives to use her art and skills to partner with like minded organizations, to provide leadership and growth opportunities for kids, and to help keep the animals that she loves safe for generations.

Learn more about Traci Zajaczkowski in our Q & A!

How did your business come to exist?

When I was in 9th grade, I made the decision to drop band and take an art class. Within a week of being in that class, I knew I wanted to be an artist. I decided to go to school to be an art teacher and create art on the side, which was a great path for me, as I loved teaching art, and did so for 19 years. While I never stopped creating and growing as an artist all those years, I didn't have the confidence to put myself out in the world as an artist, but I always knew that I would at some point. In 2021, I took the plunge and resigned from teaching, and diving into not only making my art, but making a point to get it out there.

What are you currently working on?

I am currently finishing a piece I started quite a while ago and got stuck on. It is a porcupine whose quills turn into flowers. I am currently working my way through problem solving the background, which stumped me.

What is the best piece of advice that you ever received?

A piece of advice that I have found to be my mantra lately is "be brave, Flora" and it comes from the book "The One memory of Flora Banks", by Emily Barr. It is about a 17 year old who suffers from short term memory loss and goes on an adventure. She "wakes up" every few minutes to find that she has no memory of where she is or how she got there except a tattoo on her hand that says "be brave". Since reading this book, it has become my mantra, reminding me to take risks and intentionally do things that scare me or take me out of my comfort zone. It is part of the reason why I am on this adventure of being solely an artist today.

What is your dream project?

I recently did an artists residency at the children's museum in Denver where I created a small scavenger hunt of my artwork through a section of the museum. I loved not only working with the kids there, but the process of making art for a public space. I want to do more of this! This experience really made me realize that I want to move into doing public art - especially in kid friendly spaces.

Where do you find inspiration?

I find inspiration in nature. I love to be outdoors, and I love experiences with animals, especially in the wild. I want to translate that experience through my work.

If you had a choice between two superpowers, being invisible or flying, which would you choose??

Defginitely flying. First, the whole point of getting my work out there is NOT to be invisible anymore. Secondly, I used to be a skydiver.I have made 550 jumps. I love the feeling of being in the sky and have always wished that I could fly.

• Get in touch with Traci Zajaczkowski

Website: https://tracizart.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tracizart/#

If you are a local artist/crafter/maker/indie business owner and would like to be featured on our blog, please fill out this form or contact Ashley at ashley@westandmainhomes.com with questions...we can't wait to learn all about you!

Featured at West + Main RiNo: Jini Kim Veenker

Please join us in RiNo for First Friday, featuring artist Jini Kim Veenker

Printmakers Exhibition

2632 Blake Street, Denver
10.4.2024, 6-9pm

Meet Jini

Jini Veenker (Jini Kimchi) is a printmaker originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts at Oklahoma State University and her Master of Fine Arts at The University of Tulsa.

Jini is inspired by her spirituality, dark nature, and her Korean heritage.

Learn more about Jini in our Q & A!

Where do you find inspiration?

My work is deeply inspired by Korean resilience and heavy metal. I love alternative culture and don't see enough Korean representation, so I like to think I'm a positive addition to that conversation.

What is your dream project?

My dream project would be creating album art for a band that I love.

What do you like to do outside of work?

Karaoke and food.

What are your thoughts about your city's creative scene for artists, designers, crafters, makers, and/or small businesses?

 Denver is such a colorful, unique, eclectic place for artists. This place has all the potential and resources for us.

What is the best piece of advice you ever received?

Walk the walk. Don't talk the talk.

If you had a choice between two superpowers, being invisible or flying, which would you choose?

I'd rather fly than be invisible because I like the idea of being able to remove myself from any situation.

Get in touch with Jini

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jini.kimchis.printing/
Website: https://linktr.ee/jinikimveenker

If you are a local artist/crafter/maker/indie business owner and would like to be featured on our blog, please fill out this form or contact Ashley at ashley@westandmainhomes.com with questions...we can't wait to learn all about you!

Featured at West + Main RiNo: Leilani Nobuko Derr

Please join us in RiNo for First Friday, featuring artist Leilani Nobuko Derr

Printmakers Exhibition

2632 Blake Street, Denver
10.4.2024, 6-9pm

Meet Leilani

Leilani Nobuko Derr (she/her) is a visual artist and designer who explores thought-provoking themes through whimsical illustrations. In her work, she often incorporates mythologies, symbols, and superstitions from her multi-cultural “hapa” upbringing and finds inspiration through shared experiences, relentless curiosity, and community connections.

She received her BA at Coastal Carolina University where she pursued graphic design and printmaking. Since moving to Colorado in 2010, Leilani has spent much of her creative career designing in branding agencies and marketing departments for which she has been the recipient of multiple ADDY and SPJ awards.

Her passion for public art expanded during her decade of work as Creative Lead of Art and Design in Adams County, Colo. public libraries. While working as a designer for the seven branch district north of Denver, she specialized in art direction and helped to launch community art initiatives, partnering with local artists and organizations.

Learn more about Leilani in our Q & A!

Where do you find inspiration?

Literally everywhere. My camera roll is full of photo-notes just from weird patterns, bugs, interesting shadows and lighting I find just in my house. Everything is a shiny object to me. I’m easily distractible and amazed by the most mundane things. My partner refers to me as a puppy sometimes.

What are you working on right now?

Lately, I’ve been leaning into these surreal depictions of what intense emotions manifest for me and often mixing them with cryptids and themes from Japanese folklore. It’s been work that I’ve been the most hesitant to share because of the vulnerability component, but they’ve often been the most well received because they are of a relatable emotional foundation.

What do you like to do outside of work?

Rhythm rollerskating! When I am able to roll to the beat of a song I love, the worst parts of my brain shut off for a moment and the world feels okay.

What are your thoughts about your city's creative scene for artists, designers, crafters, makers, and/or small businesses?

 It’s beautiful and growing! I’ve lived in and around Denver for 14 years now and I’m only just beginning to dip my toe into our arts community. Mostly because I felt intimidated. I came from a smaller town and wasn’t sure how to find or be a part of a community that seemed overwhelmingly large in comparison. And honestly, I was feeling terrified of rejection. Pushing past those fears and putting in the effort to seek out those friendships, supports, and communities in the Denver arts scene has been the most personally rewarding and fruitful work I’ve done in my young artistic career. We have this incredible community of diverse, loving, and helpful people who do not hesitate to support one another. I’m grateful to become a part of it.

What is the best piece of advice you ever received?

“Beating yourself up doesn’t make you stronger - it leaves you bruised.” Adam Grant
I’ve sunk so much precious time and energy into a practice of self-flagellation, that did way more harm to myself and artistic practice, than good. It resulted in higher levels of anxiety, fear of failure/rejection, and self sabotage. I would become creatively paralyzed. How could I possibly be good or helpful for others if I couldn’t even be good to myself? It was a realizations that lead me to finally be able to embrace self-compassion in a way that didn’t feel overly narcissistic or woo woo.

Get in touch with Leilani

Website: https://leilaniderr.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leilani.nobuko.derr

If you are a local artist/crafter/maker/indie business owner and would like to be featured on our blog, please fill out this form or contact Ashley at ashley@westandmainhomes.com with questions...we can't wait to learn all about you!

Featured at West + Main Highlands Square: Bart Hartman

Join us for First Friday in Highlands Square, featuring Bart Hartman

UNEARTHED

3442 W 32nd Avenue
9.6.2024, 6-9pm

Meet Bridget (Bart) Hartman

My sculptures evolve from a curiosity about how the languages of music and woodworking can intersect. By exploring common concepts from each practice, such as - shape, texture, timbre, and movement - the process of creating provides an ability to engage and heighten the space it occupies. When true intention lies behind the product's curation, a hidden language comes through and speaks to the viewer- designing a memory that will live with them. 

As I start my practice, I focus on material, movement, and shape. Each piece is crafted from upcycled wood, which determines the shape based on the amount of material available, its color, and how it can be cut. The shapes remain simple yet symbolic within these limitations, revealing repetitions and patterns in my subconscious language. From here, each piece provides me with curves and offcuts to start the next, connecting each sculpture like a string of words. It is my belief that over time, these words will grow into their own language, pulling the viewer into a greater conversation they, too, design when engaging with the work.

Learn more about Bart in our Q+A!

How did your business come to exist?

From 2017-2020, I started to grow my first business ~ Orpheus Music and Arts Festival. As a musician in school, I was exposed to a unique underground music scene just starting out, and by hosting house shows and line-ups at different DIY venues, I saw the community grow. In return, my shows started to grow, and it turned into a festival my friends and I hosted in Glenwood Springs at Sunlight Mountain. COVID ended this endeavor, and upon reflection, I realized my favorite role in hosting the festival was building the stage design and being a participating artist. I then got a job at a start-up fabrication shop,  where I learned more about business and the craft of woodworking and design. After spending the last few years there, I pulled back my hours and became a contract worker. This has given me time to work on pieces that are true to my voice. These pieces are the beginning of “Bart Designs” - a gallery of original art pieces. This business will be a lifelong project for me, and I hope to see my craft grow in a way that creates community the way Orpheus did.

What are you known for?

Currently, I think I am better known for being a member of Denver's local band, Barbara. This project started a couple of years ago and has been an amazing musical outlet for me. Writing and performing with my best friends provides constant inspiration and keeps me grounded.

What are you currently working on?

The series I created for this show is called "UNEARTHED." It is my first attempt at bringing a fictional world I've slowly created with my sister to life. These pieces are mainly inspired by symbolic forms similar to hieroglyphs, creating a baseline of language and imagery for our world. It's been fun to excavate the aesthetics and primal language for a place we've named "Zarritva," its meaning - repetition and passion. 

If you had a choice between two superpowers, being invisible or flying, which would you choose??

I would choose invisibility. I’m your classic people watcher - I love observing my surroundings, especially in chaotic settings such as restaurants or concerts. Active observation has taught me that boring doesn’t exist. It teaches your mind to slow down, revealing beauty in the banal. Being invisible would allow me to explore more moments like this without people wondering why this girl by them has completely zoned out and has a blank look to her face. Also, the thought of completely blending in with your surroundings gives me a sense of peace.

What are your thoughts about your city’s creative scene for artists, designers, crafters, makers and/or small businesses?

I’ve been in Denver for the past 8 years, and I have thoroughly enjoyed growing as an artist here. I’ve had this thought that Denver is entering its golden age as a city. It’s a very young city and somewhat small when compared to the cultures and populations of LA/NY. But it’s growing fast. This is amazing for young artists and creatives because it has an infrastructure that is accessible to creatives just starting out, giving them the ability to learn and grow their foundation. But its constant growth also allows for them to keep growing and meeting people that will challenge them. It's a tight-knit community without there being a glass ceiling when someone starts to itch for more.

Get in touch with Bart Hartman

Email: barthartmandesigns@gmail.com
Instagram: @bart_hartman_

If you are a local artist/crafter/maker/indie business owner and would like to be featured on our blog, please fill out this form or contact Ashley at ashley@westandmainhomes.com with questions...we can't wait to learn all about you!