Artist Bios for Gallery Show "Gardens of the Soul"

Aksana Zhurskovskaya Bio:

She is a recently arrived artist from Russia and Jamestown resident. "Art in Praise of the Creator" is the theme of the exhibition, with pieces reflecting Biblical scenes in addition to still lives, landscapes and portraits. Ms. Zhurskovskaya described her work saying, "Art is joy in my life. Through the process of creation, the Creator has set an imprint of life, which gratefully, He endows some to capture in representational art. It is in awe of what has been made that I attempt to fashion images and feelings which derive from His creation , and from His call in my life." Known for her descriptive Biblical imagery in oil, her works are on permanent display at various Christian institutions in Russia and the Ukraine, and can be found in private collections of individuals ranging from Moscow, and Kiev, to Seattle and Los Angles. Her first visit to the US found her painting at Bestor Plaza, in Chautauqua Institution, with a photo of Oksana later used by the institution in their national advertising campaign in 2003. Ms Z studied painting in Russia at the Academy of Art, Komi Republic, where she received highest honors; at the famous Surikov Academy of Art in Moscow; and had private studies with the Russian master, Sergery Minosyan-Peoples Artist of the USSR.

Stephanie Distler Bio:

Being born into a small family, small community and smaller town, emerging artist, Stephanie Distler, became self taught. She learnt from her environment, books and people closest to her. They educated her to enjoy the simplest of pleasures in ones day to day life.

Early on Stephanie loved texture, color and movement in the calico rich quilts of her Grandmother, the wood her Father hand crafted and the contents of her Mother's jewelry box. The jewelry stayed with her throughout her young life and was never forgotten.

The artist opened an herb shop and gardens in her early 20?s. This venture made her further realize where she should be in life with her work. She loved everything about the gardens and wanted them to carry that organic touch over into art. So, 5 years ago she began a more professional venue for her work and Moss Designs was started. The designs in the beginning developed around body ornaments and soon took on a life of their own into the beaded figure. Here is an excerpt taken from one of her class booklets:

"A Realization of Self"
All roads have lead to my love for beads, freestyle bead embroidery, painting with beads and bead weaving. What was started as a desire to create body ornaments has turned into a deep search and study of all facets of beads. I find myself wanting to know its origin, culture, and type as I go about my design. These little bits of history draw you in and ask to be made into something to please the eye and quiet spirit. As I start to build a piece, my mind contemplates where I will eventually end up, will I stay with my outline or surprise myself yet again with a fragment of my inner most self? What may start as one thought may turn into a journey of self-discovery and freestyle bead work is a wonderful way to express this.

Classes taught include:
The Beaded Brooch
The Beaded Figure "A Realization of Self"
Jewelry Designing Techniques
Wire working in Jewelry

The emerging artist, just in the last 2 years, has started to show at larger art venues throughout Pa. and New York. She received an 'Excellence in Jewelry Award' at Bellefonte, Pa. for their 2004 show. She hopes to continue building her show credits to include fine art shows across the US.

This year's show schedule includes:
~Fine Arts Fiesta in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Dates: May 19, 20, 21 and 22nd http://www.fineartsfiesta.org/
~Three Rivers Arts Festival in Pittsburgh, Pa. 9th-13th(I will be there) it runs 3rd-19th. They have 3 separate groups of days artists can display so, it is always new and fresh http://www.artsfestival.net/
~Manayunk Arts Festival in Philadelphia, Pa. Sponsored by Philadelphia Magazine June 25th and 26th

-This is just a sampling of some of the larger shows, please go to http://www.stephaniedistler.blogspot.com/ to stay current.

Board Member of Elk County Council of the Arts, ECCOTA

My Statement:

My love of nature inspired art overflows into my beaded ArtDolls with materials used, organic stylings of ‘Beaded Quilts on Nature’ and color choices, materials and flow of my jewelry designs. My Realizations in Texture, Color and Movement can be seen through each piece of my work as a ,work onto itself, for I do not generate multiple items of one thought. Semi-precious materials, artist cast face cabochons and beads, handmade fibers and beads purchased throughout the world are some of the elements fused in this very mixed media type of art.