This week’s update is very exciting. This is where we share some of the finishing touches of our Podcast Studio re-design. Before we reveal the furniture and fabrics used in our studio, we’d like to share our “art gallery” with you. We are big fans of gallery walls and mixing in original art when possible. Thanks to Minted for being a sponsor as well as donations by original artists whose work we love!

Minted is an online marketplace of independent artists and designers. The company crowdsources art and graphic design through monthly design challenges. The public votes for the entries and Minted produces the winning work as stationary, wall art and decor. How cool is that?

Kandrac & Kole Podcast Studio Blog for the One Room Challenge Spring 2020

We knew when creating the gallery our goal was to 1) have all female artists, 2) have the art incorporate our brand colors (navy, pink and chartreuse) and 3) have a “happy” vibe.

Our first order of business when creating a gallery is to lay out the look we want and create a template of each piece using craft paper. We like to lay it all out on the floor first and then transfer the craft paper to the wall using blue painters tape.

Thanks to our awesome installation team at Hangman Installations for helping us with the “technical” part.

Hangman Installations never hangs art on a wire. You will notice that frames can move from side to side when they are installed that way (especially if a door slams). Chris and his team remove the wire, carefully measure and attach hooks on either side of the frame for a balanced installation.

Here is the amazing art we selected and a little information about each artist!

“Sweet Pea” by Laura Park

Laura Park intended to be an elementary school teach but her creative drive took over and she created Laura Park Interiors at Cotsold Marketplace in Charlotte, NC where she sold her paintings and interior decor. Eventually her paintings evolved into a line of textiles and in 2016 Laura Park Designs was born. Laura Park Designs provides wall coverings, home decor, bedding, personal accessories and face masks. You can see all of the items at lauraparkdesigns.com or via Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.

This lovely, feminine dress is by artist Pamela Copeman. Pamela is an interior designer in Boston. She began painting after her youngest son Freddy left for college. She started taking formal painting lessons while still working as an interior designer. One thing that remains constant in her art is color. She says “Color, it seems, is in my heart, my mind, my eyes. It is my soul and the very core of my being”. Pamela has traveled with us on mission trips to to Guatemala and is a dear, dear friend. See Pamela’s work at pamelacopemanart.com and via Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.

“Lasso the Rainbow” by Maja Cunningham via Minted

Maja Cunningham grew up in former Yugoslavia and moved to the United States as a war refugee. Here, she studied architecture, then recently began to create her own art while working as a full-time mother to her son Jack. She says she approaches her art with a story, a memory, or even a silly tune she sings to Jack. The characters emerge from their outdoor adventures, a cartoon, or a favorite toy. From there, she sketches an idea. Composition. Colors. Textures. All the elements move until everything is just right. See more of her work listed under the name of Llinella on her website, Facebook, and Instagram.

Windy O’Connor has a background in design as well as her skill as an abstract artist. Along with her beautiful abstract wall art, Windy creates fabric, pillows, wallpaper, accessories and stationary. She is well known for her “Chicas” and the one she created for our gallery is named “Designer Chica”. You can see all of her amazing work on windyoconnor.com . Not only is she beautiful, she is seriously one of the nicest people on the planet! To find out a little bit more about Windy, you can ready this great article from Charlotte Magazine and see her work on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.

Kate Roebuck is an artist living and working in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Drawing from nature and everyday life, Kate’s work is both bold and quirky. Kate has created textiles of 100% linen for pillows and upholstery. Along with fine art commissions, Kate is available for mural commissions and special textile projects and well as freelance design work. kateroebuckstudio.com See more of her work on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.

Taylor Cox is an artist living and working in Atlanta, Georgia. Her work has been exhibited across the country. Her use of thick paint in varying strokes incorporating beaches, surfers, and beachgoers is truly incredible. Check out her website taylorcoxart.com. One of my favorite pieces of hers is this beach scene in 2020. Zoom in to see the detail of all the people that she painted. You can see more of her work on Instagram and Pinterest.

“Clipping” by Monica Loos on minted.com

Monica Loos works from her small, home based studio in San Francisco. Mostly self-taught, her style is equal parts classic, understated and whimsical. She works primarily in watercolor and acrylics. She also has a small boxed card and paper goods collection labeled Fig and Tulip. monicaloos.com. See more on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest

Kandrac & Kole Podcast Studio Blog on the One Room Challenge

Gee Gee Collins was born in Atlanta, Georgia. She studied painting at the College of Charleston and received a bachelor’s degree in Fine Art from The University of Georgia. She also traveled and studied abroad at the Lamar Dodd School of Art in Corona, Italy. Gee Gee is best known for her abstract paintings exploring unique pallets with line and texture. See her work at geegeecollins.com and via Instagram and Pinterest.

“Behind the Blue Door” by Kathy Parvizian via Minted.com

Kathy Par is an abstract artist, graphic designer and photographer. She grew up under her mother’s artistic influence watching her draw, paint and sculpt. After trying a little bit of everything, Kathy decided to complete her bachelors in studio art, specializing in graphic design. See her work on on her website and on Instagram.

We are truly grateful to these artists and are thrilled to have their work gracing our gallery wall. A special thank you to Laura Park, Pamela Copeman, Windy O’Connor, Taylor Cox and Gee Gee Collins for donating original pieces! We will reveal the “finished” wall in an upcoming blog post.

We hope that all of you are staying healthy and safe and would like to share this quote by Maryanne Radmacher-Hershey: