S.J. Witte

"GLASS HARP"

mixed media/ gourds

S.J. Witte is a native Missourian.  She began freelance illustration at age fifteen with a restaurant menu for a family friend.  This lead to similar work throughout high school and college for printing companies and small ad agencies.  She has a lifetime teaching certificate from the University of Missouri, her alma mater for undergrad and graduate work.  After a period of teaching Art and English in public and private schools, she devoted full time to her art.  She illustrated confederate weaponry, uniforms, soldiers, etc., as well as wildlife and children's material.  Four different states used her work in their Conservation Education programs.  This work provided illustrations and three-dimensional science projects relating to fish, insects, wildflowers, and regional endangered species.

Like many artists, due to health concerns and other interests, she changed the focus of her art to different mediums.  It now includes textile arts (dolls and wall quilts) and gourds and the unique possibilities this sustainable/renewable medium is able to achieve.  The bulk of her work is in mixed media sculptural gourd creations.  Many pieces still under construction are large assemblages, some nearly six feet tall.  She has taken a common medium and raised it to uncommon standards.

"IF BUCKY WERE A CAT"

mixed media/ gourds

"EMERGE"

mixed media/ gourds

For more information about the artwork available at Taylor's Contemporanea, please email us at taylorsarts@cablelynx.com