Artists at Ferndale’s DIY Street Fair Share Joy in their Own Ways

Artists at Ferndale’s DIY Street Fair Share Joy in their Own Ways
(Crystal A. Proxmire, Nov. 7, 2021)
Ferndale, MI – Art has many rewards, both for the creator and the admirer.  But for mixed media artist Chad Davis there are even more layers of joy.  Davis was one of dozens of local artists at the DIY Street Fair, an event that showcases local artists, musicians, performers, and food at the end of each summer in the heart of Downtown Ferndale.
Smith offered up pieces made of construction debris, reclaimed wood, architecture salvage and other items that might otherwise be considered rubble, along with pop culture images from the 1950s and 60s.
Beyond sharing his talent with the guests at festivals like DIY, Davis shares his passion with 9^th-12^th grade students in Garden City as an art teacher.
“Some kids tell me they can’t paint a stick figure, by the end they’re all doing something they can be proud of,” Davis said.  The kids learn sketching, painting, sculpture, collage and art appreciation.  But they also learn to take risks, to express themselves, and that “when they practice they get better.”
He said “It feels good helping students do things they never thought were possible.”

Davis fell in love thanks to his grandmother who loved painting and ceramics.  “In elementary school the arts were cut, and she saw the change in me,” Davis said.  “She signed me up for community college classes.  I’d be a little kid in these classes with college kids.  But that’s what I grew up doing.  Art was my thing, and it was taken away, so that was my focus.”
“When it came back,” Davis said.  “I got a good art teacher – Kae Paupore.  She was a great teacher and she inspired me to be a teacher, to give the kids a good experience because I knew how that felt, and how much it meant to me.”

Across the way from Davis was an artist who took the things he learned in high school to create his own artistic brand – Subversive Image.  With lots of dark black imagery and themes of goth, cults, tarot cards, skeletons, punk and metal,  along with a reverence for nature, Jeff Tiensivu’s work appeals to the part of souls that likes dark and stormy nights and macabre moods.
Tiensivu’s most popular prints are the tarot card series, with the Death Card being the most popular.  When asked why death, the artist replied “It has been a theme in art for a long time.  Think back to the art of the Middle Ages, death has always been something we think about.
“There was a time not that long ago when I had health problems and I thought I might die,” he added.  “When I started doing art, it felt very therapeutic.  I used to work in advertising and did a lot of digital work.  So this was something different, more personal.”

Another artist who thrives on repurposing is Rosmarie Hughes who came to DIY with a booth full of handmade jewelry and unusual wooden wall hangings that are actually made from pieces of old wine barrels.
Hughes has been to DIY four times.  “It’s my favorite fair to do, “ she said.  “I lose track of time.  I get so into it the hours just go by.”
The barrel art is new to her, as she saw the opportunity recently when friend was throwing away the barrels.  “It gave me something new to work with,” she said.  “I’m hoping people will like it because they’re unusual, and people who like wine should like them.”  She used painting as well as embedded stones to decorate the curved slabs.
For Ashley Crowley of Troy, this was the first DIY attending as an artist and not as a visitor.  “Everyone here is so talented.  I feel so lucky to be here,” she said.  “I’ve been coming since 2009, so I recognize other artists, and see friends coming through.  Everyone is really encouraging.  I’m so glad I made it.  It brings me so much joy to make the art, and to hear others come in and find joy in it is so cool,” she said.
Her prints, notebooks, and cards are adorned with bright floral and fruity images, with bright cheerful colors and clean, pretty patterns.  She sells her items online as well at the Anthos Inked Etsy Page.
To learn more about all the artists at DIY, and find info for future events, check out their website http://www.ferndalediy.com/.
Visit the Oakland County Times Event Page for other fun and educational things to do!
Thank you to Jim Shaffer & Associates Realtors for sponsoring this section!
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