Artistic Encounters -Meet the Artist essentially takes the artist from behind the camera and welcomes them into the Blue Ridge PBS studio. This provides our arts loving audience the opportunity to meet the featured artist while they introduce their works one on one. Specially curated pieces from their collection will be on display during the reception and for several weeks afterwards with many available to take home by making a donation to Blue Ridge PBS. Additionally, each artist will donate one piece to Blue Ridge PBS which will then be auctioned the night of the artist’s reception. Proceeds benefit the artist and Blue Ridge PBS so it may continue its mission of enriching people’s lives by providing educational, informational, and cultural programming that fills a unique role as a positive and lifelong resource for the communities we serve.
Our Featured Artist: Raven Skye McDonough
The spirit of an artist is said to be exquisitely captured within their body of work through many dynamic elements. Medium alone can say so much about the energy and nature of an artist. In the case of Virginia based artist Raven Skye McDonough, her personality is one eclectic, vivacious presence seen in her vibrant mixed media, non-traditional collage work. Employing layer upon layer of different patterned papers, Raven Skye combines intense color, texture, and pattern to create glorious scenes from nature, drawing the viewer in to explore the vibrant tapestry of her art.
“The unique patterned paper collage and mixed media collage techniques that I use and developed over the last several years, is the result of my extensive experimentation,” explains Raven Skye of her process. “The patterned paper collage technique is labor intensive and utilizes bits of paper that are ‘collaged’ (glued) and layered on the canvas to create the image or picture. You could say that I ‘paint’ with paper! There are multiple layers to create the effect I want.”
The inspiration behind her art primarily comes from her love of nature and wildlife. During her 12 years spent living in Florida, Raven spent time exploring the Gulf coast and landscapes. After moving to Roanoke Virginia in late 2022, Raven Skye is now having fun exploring her new home in the mountains . Along with her passion for nature, Raven Skye is inspired by fellow artists, and teachers such as Stan Moeller, Martina Hoffman, Ellen Rolli, Tonja Sell and Anne Bagby. She also draws inspiration from the works of Mary Cassatt, Henri Matisse, Vincent Van Gogh, Sarasota artist Craig Rubadoux and the Bauhaus movement.
Excerpted from an article by Chelsea Koressel
Reception:
Thursday, July 24 from 4 – 7 pm
Exhibit & Sale:
Weekdays, July 28 – August 8 from 1 – 4 pm
And by appointment.
Admission is free.
Blue Ridge PBS: 1215 McNeil Drive, Roanoke, VA 24015
In order for the series to continue we need funding and artists! Please reach out to ArtisticEncounters@BlueRidgePBS.org
Artistic Encounters - Visionaries
Recognizing and supporting Blue Ridge PBS’ artist series, Meet the Artist
- Brenda Barksdale
- Anne and Curt Steele
- Ann Martyn
- David-Charles Campbell