Painting by African artist Tertia du Toit(57 PICS)

Straw Embroidery by Natalia Lashko

Straw Embroidery by Natalia Lashko. Talented Russian artist of applied art Natalia Lashko comes from the old Russian city of Voronezh. The girl grew in the family of an artist - her father was a painter and decorator. The first art education Natalia received at the Penza Art College. She had a great desire to continue art studies in high school in Moscow or Leningrad, but fate decided differently. Natalia entered the Kharkov Art and Industry Institute, where she met her future husband - Vladimir Lashko. Today he is an honored artist of Ukraine, the sculptor. Natalia Lashko is a Member of the National Union of Folk Art of Ukraine.

After graduation in 1984 spouses left for Kamenetz - Podolsk. In Kamenetz-Podolsk State Historical Museum Natalia started her career in arts and crafts. In 1995 Natalia Lashko began her teaching career. It was a school of aesthetic education, and after receiving a master's degree in 2004, became a teacher at Kamenetz - Podolsky National University, the department of Fine and decorative arts

Straw was used in Russia since the 16th century (according to some sources - even much earlier) as an imitation of gold embroidery. But it's just a fact, the technology was forgotten. Natalia had to develop her own technique through trial and error. Straw works of Natalia look both traditional and original, most important they look beautiful and alive.

She has mastered many different application techniques, including patchwork quilting. To have a basic knowledge and skills she travels the world, visiting exhibitions, helding courses and master classes with leading foreign masters of patchwork.

"Straw is a flexible material. Working with it is difficult and at the same time enjoyable. All embroidered with straw patterns exist in a single copy."

Painting By Richard Ramsey(19 PICS)

Richard is the owner/operator of Ramsey Photography. For over 35 years Richard has used his talents to produce some of the Mid-South’s finest portraiture. He is one of the highest awarded portrait photographers in the state of Tennessee and has been honored eleven times with the prestigious title of “Photographer of the Year”. Richard holds the Master of Photography and Photographic Craftsman degrees from the Professional Photographers of America and the Tennessee Certified and Tennessee Service Degrees from the Tennessee Professional Photographer Association.