Stephanie Colabianchi
Countryside Folk Art Studio
17154 Turkey Meadow Lane
Strongsville, OH 44136
phone: (440) 572-4659
stephanie@countrysidefolkart.com
www.counrtysidefolkart.com

Art has always played a part in my life.  I fondly remember painting the "cloakroom" doors with a mural of Snow White when I was in the 5th grade.  In my earlier years, I always had a love of working with arts and crafts.  During the first years of our marriage, I was always creating things for our home.  I even hand-painted 100 wooden ornaments for our first Christmas tree.

      Yearning for knowledge, I finally signed up for a Tole Painting class in the '80's.  My children were grown and I was looking for a hobby.  Well, needless to say, I have been hooked ever since.  My painting has gone from painting for pleasure and family gifts to a business.  I participate in a number of juried art shows, teach at seminars, local community art centers, mini retreats, as well as at NSDP chapter meetings, and have a shop, which offers classes and supplies.

      I always loved doing pen and ink work.  I started out doing the projects from the Pipsqueaks books.  After someone saw one of my pieces which I had donated to a reverse raffle, I was commissioned to do a pen and ink drawing of a local landmark for the Strongsville Women's Club.  The original was framed and given to the local outgoing president as a gift, and prints were made for each member!

     One of the teachers at my shop was Dee Cochran.  Dee taught classes in Mary Owens' technique as well as Kathy George's technique of watercolor batik.  So, naturally I carried Mary's pattern packets and the necessary supplies to complete the projects.  One day I sat in on one of Dee's pen and ink classes,  I loved Mary's technique using the oil rouging and knew that I had to take more classes.

      Shortly after I painted my first Mary Owens design I learned that Mary was teaching at a mini-retreat I was planning on attending.  I signed up for Mary's class immediately.  The rest is history- I attended the certification class in Jordan, Ontario in September 2001 and completed the certification process shortly thereafter.

      The technique can be enjoyed by beginner and advanced students.  You do not need to know how to draw.  You do not need to know how to paint.  The students in my classes always leave with a project they are proud of.  My beginning students have told me that their family and friends can't believe they did it!  My classes are filled with return students and new ones each and every month.  Most of them leave asking me "when is the next class?"

      I am so proud to be a certified Mary Owens teacher.  Mary is a great teacher and shares so much of her talent and knowledge.  Thanks to Mary I am designing my own pattern packets which is something I had always wanted to do!  Using the KopyArt projector makes it so easy!

      I have been blessed to have the opportunity to study with many fine artists.  I want to thank my wonderful husband Jim for all of his support and understanding as I travel the country taking various seminars.

      If you are interested in learning this fabulous technique, please call me!  I offer classes in my studio and will travel to teach and share my knowledge. I offer art supplies which include all of Mary's pattern packets, brushes, and paints.  I also carry brushes, books, patterns packets, wood, and paints including the full line of Jo Sonja, Delta, and Americana.