Life

Dragonfly Art Gallery to host artists’ reception Aug. 12

HARRISVILLE -- Isaura Hastings is being featured as the August artist of the month at Dragonfly Art Gallery in Harrisville.

Hastings does wood burning and is a talented wood carver.

In addition to Hastings, three visiting artists will be featured in August: Vanessa Jeffery, Dorothea Sandra, and Beverly Chase.

The gallery will be hosting an artists' reception from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 12 at the Dragonfly, 116 E. Main St., Harrisville. For more information, call the gallery at 989-820-9614.

About Isa Hastings

Hastings was born in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and now lives in Black River.

"I am a mixed media artist and find it to be the best therapy for any kind of illness," Hastings said in a written bio. She added she is "mostly self-taught, but I was lucky to have my husband Bill as my mentor in business, art and life."

She explained the development of her art.

"While living in Brazil, I used to draw in pencils and pen and ink," Hastings said.

She met and married Bill in England. Being that he worked and she was in school all day, they needed some relaxing project for the evenings, so Hastings enrolled them both in a drawing class at Camden School of Art.

"My English was very poor at the time, so I had no idea what kind of class we were getting into," Hastings recalled. "Only in the first class I realized that the model would be completely nude. As shy as I was, needless to say, I did not do well, but Bill, as usual, aced it. Bill was the best student of the semester."

Hastings also spent time in Iran.

"In Iran, I worked with Iranian dyes and produced a large amount of batiks," she said in her bio. "In Dubai, I taught batiks, water colors and oils at the Art Society of Dubai."

She worked in batiks while living in Damam, Saudi Arabia, but went back to working on oils because of the difficulty of getting supplies.

Back in the U.S., they bough the sewing center and embroidery and added screen printing to the business.

"The following year, we moved the business to U.S.-23 South, Alpena and added printed sign and awnings to it," Hastings said. "In 2007, we sold the business in Alpena and moved to the farm in Black River where we had vinyl signs, hand-painted signs, and carved signs. The carving then became my main hobby, along with the woodburning."

About Vanessa Jeffery

"I am a mostly self-taught photographer who enjoys finding beauty in nature and celebrating it by giving glory to God through my photographs," Jeffery said in her written bio. "I believe He has blessed us with wonders in nature -- sometimes small, sometimes hidden or overlooked, and I find pleasure in seeking them out and sharing it with others. The majority of my photography reflects that, although I do love to photograph many things -- one of my favorites is my son!"

Jeffery is married and the mother of one 4-year-old boy.

"When COVID hit, I lost my job as a caregiver in a daycare, and the one safe option at that time for educating my son and getting us out of the house, was to go outside and explore nature," Jeffery said. "We would take long walks and trips to up north Michigan. I was able to slow down and see the world through my child's eyes and what I discovered was beauty all around me."

Jeffery has always had a creative side.

"I've always considered myself somewhat of an artist -- pencil or charcoal drawings, refurbishing furniture to bring new life into something old, but this is the first time I am truly proud of what I have to offer," she said. "That is because I recognize that it is not mine, but God's, and He gave it to us all to enjoy!"

She named her photography business after a Bible verse.

"I have named my photography RO120 after the Bible verse found in Romans 1:20 -- "For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and the sky. Through everything God made they can clearly see His invisible qualities -- His eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God." I pray that more of the world will come to the same conclusion I have; that there is a God and He is a wonderful Creator! I hope to help accomplish that by sharing His beauty in my photography."

About Dorothea Sandra

Sandra, BA, EDAC, is an international and national commissioned artist. Her art has appeared in House & Garden, The World Of Interiors, and Tatler magazines. Her work is known for its powerful abstract movements and for its lovely evidence-based floral and landscape designs. She is also author of "100 Days Of Happy Happy Art."

She is a minimalist who enjoys nature, walking, and rowing.

About Beverly Chase

Chase is an accomplished watercolor artist. She has been watercolor painting for 50 years and has won numerous awards, both local and national to include: Tom Lynch (2nd place); Michigan Sesquicentennial Living Legends (4th place); Cover of Michigan Magazine and featured on the show.