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    Local Artist Spotlight: Sharon Dorsey

    This week’s featured artist on Columbus Underground is Sharon Dorsey. Sharon has blurred the lines between artist, toymaker and crafter and has launched a new venture focusing on the creation of puppets.

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    We caught up with Sharon recently to talk about new beginnings, the state of the Columbus crafting community and to find out about some great upcoming art events.

    Q: Tell us a little bit about your new Yay Sock Puppet venture.

    A: This is funny. Kind of. So, like a week after painstakingly designing my new Sharon H. Bell logo/biz cards, etc., my marriage, after much sputtering, took a nose dive and crashed (it’s cool though, still friends and all…). I was like, screw this, I’m going back to my maiden name. So I had to think of a whole new “identity”. One night after much drinking, I became obsessed with the idea of puppets, and I thought that puppets HAD to be a part of the new whole deal. I love puppets. I plan to make puppets. Other stuff still too, but there will be LOTS of puppets in the near future, a show too! (see below) I’m in the process of re-designing the blog, but it will be very puppet-y.

    Q: In addition to puppets, your artwork spans from painting to toymaking to crafting. Is there any specific art form that you find most enjoyable to create?

    A: It really depends on what day it is. Mostly I like 3-D stuff. Lately it’s been plush but with vinyl toys a close second. Right now I’m working on a painting because I hadn’t done one in a while and I really missed it. It’s just with the 3-D stuff, you get a little of “The Creator” vibe going on. It’s a bit of a rush to breathe life into a thing that takes up space in such a way, especially if it’s a humanoid piece. Oh, man, that’s why I really can’t wait to start on the puppets. TALKING humanoids!

    Q: You have a very specific style that shine through in all of your work. How do you describe your style?

    A: That’s kind of hard. I’ve always thought my stuff was pretty dark, but it seems whenever I say that out loud, someone responds, “I don’t think your work is dark at all!” I guess when you look at it, you see humor and maybe hope. I think a common theme for a lot of the work is redemption, especially the paintings. As far as “calling” it something, I just have no idea… Darkish Surrealish?

    Q: Where do you draw inspiration from when working?

    A: I have a hard time communicating in an intelligent way with words sometimes. I feel like there’s so much going on in my head, and I don’t always know how to get that out, so sometimes I just say nothing. Or sometimes I draw or paint or make an object. Making things is a little like talking and sharing a little piece of my insides. I HAVE to get things out or I feel like exploding. I’m inspired by spiritual ideas a lot and also by the symbolism of an image. I love the idea of recycling as it pertains to people, in an “ashes to ashes” kind of way, and I tend to work that into a lot of my work. Right now I’m inspired by deadlines, which doesn’t always feel great, but I love to keep working so the deadlines are my friends.

    Q: Where do you currently see the state of the local crafting community? Are things still growing and evolving and are people finding new ways to stand out?

    A: Oh, man, I LOVE the crafting community in Columbus! There’s a couple of craft groups in Columbus, and there’s some overlap between the groups, but I’m involved with Columbus Crafty Cotillion. I guess they’re more the red-headed step child craft group. But there are some SERIOUSLY talented people involved. I really feel since it’s started there has been some little rockets that have gone off in the business of many of the folks. And guess what? There’s a superfantastic cool-ass event coming up that you MUST go to at Studio 35. It’s on May 8th and HERE‘s the link. So basically I see the current state of the crafting community as being AWESOME!

    Q: Do you have any other cool shows coming up where people can see some of your new work?

    A: Mother Artists at Work (a group without whom I’d surely be dead, or at least not making art) is having a show called “Hard Labor” opening at Sean Christopher Gallery on May 1st for Gallery Hop. PLEASE go to that. Everyone in this group has worked so hard and each one of these moms are AMAZING! On June 5th, Creative Arts of Women is having a Sadie Hawkins show at Junctionview. Each lady has invited a dude to collaborate with. My “date” is Daniel Elson. This will be so fun. On a yet-to-be-determined date in September, Columbus Cowtown Lowbrow presents “Hot As Hell” at Gallery 831. I’m sure Coreroc will bug everyone about that when the time comes. And in September at Wholly Craft is the puppet show with me and Kelson Barber and Paul May. As I said, I’m suuuuuper stoked about this show. More info on that TBA as well. And don’t forget about all the other fun stuff too like OAL’s Absolutely Absurd event and of course, Agora. I’m sure I’m forgetting something else!

    More information about Sharon Dorsey can be found at yaysockpuppet.blogspot.com.

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    Walker Evans
    Walker Evanshttps://columbusunderground.com
    Walker Evans is the co-founder of Columbus Underground, along with his wife and business partner Anne Evans. Walker has turned local media into a full time career over the past decade and serves on multiple boards and committees throughout the community.
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