Check out Christy Ann Skuban’s Artwork

Today we’d like to introduce you to Christy Ann Skuban.

Christy Ann, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
My story begins in the Northwest suburb of Mount Prospect. Upon completion of high school at Prospect High it was on to Harper College in Palatine where I studied art and fashion design. After my 2-year enrollment there I went on to further my art and fashion design studies at The Art Institute of Chicago. During that time, I paid for my college education by making hand crocheted scarves and hats for the junior department at Marshall Fields & Co. During my senior year at the art institute I received a scholarship to Parsons School of Design in New York City to further my studies in fashion design. But during that time my career choice changed as I became more and more intrigued with visual merchandising and fashion styling for store windows.

I soon found myself employed by Saks Fifth Avenue as their fashion stylist for their windows….an employment that lasted for 12 years A highlight of that time was having a mannequin sculpted in my image. It was fun to watch the reaction of the people on the street as I stylized my own clone…. they were so startled when I moved! During my last 2 years at SFA I began to think more and more about abstract painting and wall sculpture and decided to go back to art school in New York at The School of Visual Arts and The Arts Student League of New York.

It was there that I developed a keen knowledge of art history and polished my skills in 3D wall sculpture. My sculptures were quite large and before I began construction I would make small models. Friends would ask me if they could purchase them to wear as brooches…and thus began my new career in jewelry making. After living in New York City for 20 years life events took me back to Illinois and then Wisconsin and it was there that I began doing art fairs and selling my abstract jewelry to galleries. And then the reverse happened…. clients and friends asked if I could make my jewelry large for the wall! And so that is what I did, that is where I am now, and it is my new passion again

We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
My art is colorful abstract wall constructions. They are made primarily from wood and found wooden objects. Sometimes I add interesting detail items such as old colorful telephone wire, bits and pieces of rubber tubing, thick rubber coated wire, and metal scraps. All of the wood I paint in bold bright colors with a slash of black and white stripes or spirals. My pieces are very dimensional and protrude out from the wall. My inspiration comes from my childhood favorite toys which has never left me. These toys were colorful wooden building blocks, tinker toys, and color forms. I have always liked to put things together and build with color. My message is that of childhood innocence and the happiness I felt while playing with my favorite toys. They just brought me so much joy and my hope are that my work will convey that feeling to the viewer.

Artists face many challenges, but what do you feel is the most pressing among them?
The biggest challenge is trying to make a living at being an artist. Also, in my case I know that my art does not appeal to everyone, so finding just the right client who understands and “gets it” can be difficult. Another challenge is finding “your signature” in your work and creating a style that when people see it they know exactly who the artist is! I have strived thru out my artistic career to achieve this.

Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
My work is on view at all times inside my studio/gallery at a place called Artisan Forge Studios located in Eau Claire, Wi. I am there almost daily. Most of my clients make appointments. I also still travel and do art fairs with my work. Many of my Chicago clients have vacation homes in Green Lake, Wi. and make a point to visit my display at The Green Lake Fine Arts Fair that is always held on the second weekend in August. I also have a Facebook business page that is called Christy Ann Skuban Studio. All of my events, including art fairs and gallery exhibits can be found there.

Contact Info:

• Address: My studio/gallery is located inside Artisan Forge Studios at 1106
• Mondovi Road in Eau Claire, Wi, 54701
• Website: www.artisanforgestudios.com
• Email: christy.skuban@yahoo.com
• Facebook: Christy Ann Skuban Studio

Image Credit:
Christy Ann Skuban

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