Barbara please tell us about yourself:
I am Barbara Holt, and I don’t really classify myself as an artist. I say that because I have never taken a formal art class, and the things I can draw are very simple.
I am a native of North Carolina, USA, and a lifelong educator. I have an Ed.D. from Duke University. I retired in 1998 after 12 years of teaching math and 18 years as a college administrator. I live in Bristol, Tennessee with my husband of 52 years. We have one son, a beautiful daughter-in-law, and three beautiful granddaughters. My husband coached high school football for 43 years, and my son is a college football coach. In the fall my time used to be dominated by juggling three schedules: my husband’s, my son’s and the Carolina Panthers. Now it is my son’s team and the Panthers, as my husband is now retired. Occasionally we get to a Duke basketball game.
How do you use Brusho in your art:
A coach’s wife has to be independent and unafraid to tackle (pardon the pun) new things. I learned much more crafty rather than artistic things over the years, but basketry has been the craft that I have continued. My mother was a basket maker. When she got older and began to make fewer baskets, I took non-credit basketry classes at my college starting in the 1990’s. I felt that someone in the family needed to continue basket making. A few years ago I learned how to make watercolor paper baskets. Then I took three classes to perfect my work.
Can you explain how you use Brusho in the creation of your baskets:
I usually use reed, seagrass, wooden parts and cane to make baskets. A couple of years ago I discovered Brusho online when I saw some photos there. I was probably searching for examples of Zentangle. I am in a small group of friends who meet weekly to do Zentangle-type art. I have not mastered Brusho in the artist sense of creating a painting. I have mastered how to make beautiful paper with Brusho to weave into my baskets, and that has been very easy. For paper baskets I use 140 lb cold pressed watercolor paper; and one of or a combination of acrylic paint, Brusho, watercolors, and markers. I cut strips with a pasta cutter or a straight cut paper shredder. I secure the rims with waxed linen. I spray or brush on Polycrylic after baskets are completed to give strength. For Brusho, I spray the Polycrylic. |
Hello Barbara I have just discovered Brusho and realize what an amazing product it is . Like you I don’t consider myself an artist in the pure sense as I also do just zentangle and line drawings . Your work is amazing and each basket is a work of art and I love how you are carrying on what your mum did .
Thank you for your kind words. I am glad to find you do Zentangle and line work, and I look forward to seeing your creativity. I hope you will post some photos.