Penny Russell, local Tacoma artist, has been creating unique works of art throughout her entire life. Penny, a Texas native, moved to the Pacific Northwest in 1978 and began producing art inspired by the natural beauty surrounding her new home. While she produces pieces that are sophisticatedly painted with acrylic enamels, she is a self-taught artist who has perfected her skills and has an eye for elegance.
Penny’s business, Cosmic Spark Designs, focuses on painting on porcelain, ceramic, glass and glassware, evolving each piece into a work of fine art. Each of Penny’s items are hand painted, cured and layered to create a 3-D effect, bringing each curve and stroke to life. “I am inspired by bold colors and textures, and am drawn to nature and all the beauty it provides,” she says. “I love to paint what touches me emotionally like the night sky, starkness of contrasting colors and textures to create the whole. Light can’t be without darkness, we need our shadow to show our light in the world.”
Through a review of Cosmic Spark Design’s online presence via her website, social media and Etsy page, Penny was invited to participate in an upcoming premier art show by the highly profiled RAW Natural Born Artists organization. RAW Artists is an independent arts organization “for artists, by artists.” The organization’s mission is to better expose and promote talented local artists such as Penny. “I am most excited and grateful to be hand selected by a nationally recognized company to showcase my artwork that I have created, and for the opportunity to springboard to a larger audience to possibly show in many more galleries and exhibits around the country,” she says.
This June, RAW Artists presents Magnify. The show will support and feature local artists of all varieties from fashion and film to music, visual and performing arts. Penny Russell will be one of 34 different participants chosen to showcase their unique skills and trades. “I will be displaying a bit of everything,” she tells us. “Hand-painted unique glassware, porcelain and ceramic pieces, as well as prints and canvas paintings.”
“One of my specialties is to paint beverage glasses in a very creative way,” Penny explains. “What is unique about the ‘Flower in Bloom’ series is all that the paint is on the outside. The beverage glasses are painted in layers to create an illusion of a flower. When looking inside, it is revealed how beautifully mastered and crafted each one is. It looks as though you are drinking from a flower in nature.” Each Flower in Bloom piece can feature other natural designs such as butterflies, dragonflies, bees and ladybugs. Each piece’s stem is painted either in a solid color or with leaves wrapping their way around the glass.
Aside from her Flower in Bloom series, Penny also creates different designs inspired by nature on beautiful margarita and martini glasses, pilsner mugs, champagne flutes, wine glasses and coffee cups. She paints one of-a-kind sets including drink pitchers and glass sets, teapots and tea sets, among other household decor items like custom display plates, garden lanterns and hummingbird feeders. Lose yourself in one of her striking canvas paintings that reflect natural settings such as seasonal landscapes, sunsets, night skies and more.
Penny is hopeful that local art lovers of the Puget Sound and Pacific Northwest will show up to support her by purchasing a $22 presale ticket. These tickets to the art show will help cover the cost of her sponsorship to attend this elite event that she is so excited and grateful to participate in.
Each month, RAW Artists hosts a number diverse showcases featuring independent artists from local communities across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, as well as Australia. The RAW Artist’s Magnify event is recognized internationally and will take place at Studio Seven in Seattle on June 20 and 21. Penny will exhibit her works of art on Wednesday, June 20. at 7:00 p.m. Stop by to enjoy an evening of creativity and inspiration.
Learn more about Penny Russell and her beautiful works of art by visiting her RAW artist profile, website or Etsy page. Tickets to Magnify are available online now.
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