Welcome
“Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.”
Pablo Picasso
Hello. I am Joni Van Dyke, and I am proud to finally call myself an artist.
I have been described as a “prickly purple bull thistle blooming splendidly in the quiet green of our family farm.” Yes, I was born on farm in the quiet town of Humphrey, NE, where the green of growing things translated into the green of financial security for a practical family of nine. For as long as I remember, I saw the world in colors, pictures, decorations, and accessories, while my family focused on the necessities for financial security. As a child I begged my mother to send in my drawing to the magazine advertisement which would tell me if I had potential in art. She never did. When I was in middle school, I said I wanted to go to art school. I was told that I couldn’t make a living in art. After irritating my family with foolish dreams throughout high school, I gave in and went to college to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in home economics, so I would have a practical subject to teach in school. I even made it half way to a Master of Science degree in guidance and counseling to secure my position as a teacher and have a career “to fall back on.” All the while the heart of an artist beat inside me.
As an adult today, I look back, only to appreciate my past. I realize now that my family's practical values are the rock-solid foundation on which I can build my career as an artist. In 2008, together with my daughters Molly and Rachel, I opened The Arbor, a wedding and special event facility with an outdoor garden. Arbor Hall specializes in flowers, cakes, banquet food and drinks, and any accessories required for weddings and important events. At he Arbor we are able make an adequate living while creating an artistic experience with food, flowers, music, and photography to delight our guests. Recently my daughters have taken over the management of The Arbor, and I am free to develop my skills as an artist.
I fell in love with porcelain art when my first teacher opened my eyes to the beauty of painted flowers. I was instantly addicted to painting. I wanted to learn more and more and more. As I attended more classes, I discovered that porcelain painters belong to organizations through which members can meet other student artists like me and also learn from talented teachers from across the country and around the world. I joined the Omaha China Painters in Nebraska, the Brush and Palette Club in Iowa, the World Organization of China Painters in Nebraska and Iowa, and the International Porcelain Artists and Teachers organization.
I found such a joy in the world of porcelain art, that I committed myself completely in an effort to make up for all the years I had longed to paint. In 2012, I attended my first art school at the World Organization of China Painters Art Institute in Oklahoma City where I met Artist, Cindy Warren. Also in 2012, I attended the Midwest Porcelain Art School in Independence, MO, and studied with Ellen Wilson Pruitt. In 2013, I increased my artistic endeavors, taking classes with Alzora Zaremba at the Midwest Porcelain Art School in Independence, MO; Andrew Orr at the Upper Midwest Porcelain Art School in Galena, IL; San Do at the Peggy Adams Studio in Hamilton, MO; and Mary Ashcroft at the Indiana Porcelain Art School in Indianapolis, IN. During my travels, I realized that there is a great demand among painters for classes that help artists improve their skills and learn new techniques in porcelain painting as well as watercolor painting, pastel painting, oil and acrylic painting, and more.
In 2013, I launched my web site. I also created and held my first porcelain art school, which I call the APC Artist Retreat at The Arbor, here in Omaha. The completion of the 2013 Artist Retreat was a success. I then went on to schedule another Artist Retreat during the first week of November in 2014, my life as an artist has come full circle. For the 2013 Artist Retreat, I booked such famous artists as Mary Ashcroft (MI), Stephen Hayes (FL), Cookie Barton (OR), Nancy Fisher (FL), and Nancy Bergman (MN). For the 2014 Artist Retreat, I booked nationally renowned artists Randy Wollet (WI), Thelma Ingram (OK), Marty Hill (MO), and Nancy Fisher (FL), as well as world renowned painters Mary Gosden (NY), and Paula Collins (FL). The painters who attended the Artist Retreats responded favorably and still keep in contact. Today,I am hosting my thirteenth APC Artist Retreat at The Arbor. Alongg the years, I have included classes in glass, watercolor, pastels and mixed media. The retreat has grown considerably and welcomes all creative painters, beginners to advanced. My web site at www.apainterscollection.com lists those who will teach in the coming year.
In 2014, I added on to my home here in Omaha and I have opened my own art studio, A Painter’s Collection Studio. Here at A Painter’s Collection Studio, porcelain painters can find the supplies they need. At my studio, I am constantly practicing and experimenting with different art media to broaden my creativity. I am still focusing on the art of porcelain painting and added 2-D pastel art in the last 8 years. Today, I am a member of local artist organizations here in Omaha. I show my work in competitions and sell my creations in local galleries such as The Passageway Gallery in Omaha's Old Market.
Today from their vantage point in heaven, my parents are most likely affirming that they knew best all along. They prepared me to establish The Arbor so that I would have a place to conduct The Artist Retreat, and they prepared me to establish A Painter’s Collection Studio where I can develop with my friends as an artist. Today I have come to the conclusion that I will always live in a world of green, but I will always sprout up purple, and my parents will still be looking down and guiding me on. . . . in art.
Joni VanDyke
I have been described as a “prickly purple bull thistle blooming splendidly in the quiet green of our family farm.” Yes, I was born on farm in the quiet town of Humphrey, NE, where the green of growing things translated into the green of financial security for a practical family of nine. For as long as I remember, I saw the world in colors, pictures, decorations, and accessories, while my family focused on the necessities for financial security. As a child I begged my mother to send in my drawing to the magazine advertisement which would tell me if I had potential in art. She never did. When I was in middle school, I said I wanted to go to art school. I was told that I couldn’t make a living in art. After irritating my family with foolish dreams throughout high school, I gave in and went to college to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in home economics, so I would have a practical subject to teach in school. I even made it half way to a Master of Science degree in guidance and counseling to secure my position as a teacher and have a career “to fall back on.” All the while the heart of an artist beat inside me.
As an adult today, I look back, only to appreciate my past. I realize now that my family's practical values are the rock-solid foundation on which I can build my career as an artist. In 2008, together with my daughters Molly and Rachel, I opened The Arbor, a wedding and special event facility with an outdoor garden. Arbor Hall specializes in flowers, cakes, banquet food and drinks, and any accessories required for weddings and important events. At he Arbor we are able make an adequate living while creating an artistic experience with food, flowers, music, and photography to delight our guests. Recently my daughters have taken over the management of The Arbor, and I am free to develop my skills as an artist.
I fell in love with porcelain art when my first teacher opened my eyes to the beauty of painted flowers. I was instantly addicted to painting. I wanted to learn more and more and more. As I attended more classes, I discovered that porcelain painters belong to organizations through which members can meet other student artists like me and also learn from talented teachers from across the country and around the world. I joined the Omaha China Painters in Nebraska, the Brush and Palette Club in Iowa, the World Organization of China Painters in Nebraska and Iowa, and the International Porcelain Artists and Teachers organization.
I found such a joy in the world of porcelain art, that I committed myself completely in an effort to make up for all the years I had longed to paint. In 2012, I attended my first art school at the World Organization of China Painters Art Institute in Oklahoma City where I met Artist, Cindy Warren. Also in 2012, I attended the Midwest Porcelain Art School in Independence, MO, and studied with Ellen Wilson Pruitt. In 2013, I increased my artistic endeavors, taking classes with Alzora Zaremba at the Midwest Porcelain Art School in Independence, MO; Andrew Orr at the Upper Midwest Porcelain Art School in Galena, IL; San Do at the Peggy Adams Studio in Hamilton, MO; and Mary Ashcroft at the Indiana Porcelain Art School in Indianapolis, IN. During my travels, I realized that there is a great demand among painters for classes that help artists improve their skills and learn new techniques in porcelain painting as well as watercolor painting, pastel painting, oil and acrylic painting, and more.
In 2013, I launched my web site. I also created and held my first porcelain art school, which I call the APC Artist Retreat at The Arbor, here in Omaha. The completion of the 2013 Artist Retreat was a success. I then went on to schedule another Artist Retreat during the first week of November in 2014, my life as an artist has come full circle. For the 2013 Artist Retreat, I booked such famous artists as Mary Ashcroft (MI), Stephen Hayes (FL), Cookie Barton (OR), Nancy Fisher (FL), and Nancy Bergman (MN). For the 2014 Artist Retreat, I booked nationally renowned artists Randy Wollet (WI), Thelma Ingram (OK), Marty Hill (MO), and Nancy Fisher (FL), as well as world renowned painters Mary Gosden (NY), and Paula Collins (FL). The painters who attended the Artist Retreats responded favorably and still keep in contact. Today,I am hosting my thirteenth APC Artist Retreat at The Arbor. Alongg the years, I have included classes in glass, watercolor, pastels and mixed media. The retreat has grown considerably and welcomes all creative painters, beginners to advanced. My web site at www.apainterscollection.com lists those who will teach in the coming year.
In 2014, I added on to my home here in Omaha and I have opened my own art studio, A Painter’s Collection Studio. Here at A Painter’s Collection Studio, porcelain painters can find the supplies they need. At my studio, I am constantly practicing and experimenting with different art media to broaden my creativity. I am still focusing on the art of porcelain painting and added 2-D pastel art in the last 8 years. Today, I am a member of local artist organizations here in Omaha. I show my work in competitions and sell my creations in local galleries such as The Passageway Gallery in Omaha's Old Market.
Today from their vantage point in heaven, my parents are most likely affirming that they knew best all along. They prepared me to establish The Arbor so that I would have a place to conduct The Artist Retreat, and they prepared me to establish A Painter’s Collection Studio where I can develop with my friends as an artist. Today I have come to the conclusion that I will always live in a world of green, but I will always sprout up purple, and my parents will still be looking down and guiding me on. . . . in art.
Joni VanDyke