Artist Eva Galant

Artist - Eva Gallant

Originally from Germany, Eva has always been creative, starting from childhood. Following a more traditional career path, she decided in her late 30s to start her own company, Y-Knot-Creations, LLC after much encouragement from others to pursue her creativity professionally. Y-Knot-Creations, LLC, has now been in business for twelve years.

Cave Painting Mural

Eva creates artistic finishes on walls and furniture or objects that are aesthetically pleasing. For example, she can make kitchen cabinets look like they're covered in ostrich leather or any other fancy finish. "I can transform a plain column into a marbled column by applying a specific painting technique," Eva says. The list of techniques she works with is long, including gilding, plastering and painting along with many other techniques.

"I love the reaction of the customer when they see the end result," she says. She especially likes a kitchen make-over, where an outdated kitchen began as dull and now is transformed into something fresh and unique. "Sky ceilings, where I create clouds, are a close runner-up; however, my neck does not agree," Eva muses.

Lincrusta Accent Wall

Lincrusta is a deeply embossed wall covering, invented by Frederick Walton, who in 1860, patented linoleum floor covering. Lincrusta was launched in 1877 and was used in a host of applications from royal homes to railway carriages. Many examples over a hundred years old can still be found throughout the world.

Lewis & Clark Themed Master Bath

"I love being creative in all its senses," Eva says. "Just because something is old and outdated doesn’t mean it has to be discarded. I have an ability to see new life for it and execute ideas, whether those are from the clients or are my own."

Self-taught initially, and then by taking many classes from renowned masters, Eva attempts to create entire environments with the artistic finishes. Something outdated can be made to look new and fresh with any of the finishes. If it can be imagined, she probably can create it.

Out of Africa Project - Acacia Tree

Eva pulls her creative and career inspiration from the likes ofPierre Finkelstein, MatsCarlson, JacekProwinski, Helen Morris and many esteemed colleagues of the International Decorative Artisan League —of which she is a member.

Her own advice to other aspiring artists is this: "Follow your heart, be true to yourself, … and as one of my favorite mentors, Pierre Finkelstein, says, 'It’s 5 % talent and 95 % practice.'"

Everest Mural

And practice she has, leading Eva to all types of projects, including her favorite at Everest Cuisine in Rapid City. "My mural reflects their name and allows their customers to enjoy their delicious food in a much more reflecting surrounding." The smile Eva observed on the owner was "beyond measure and ever so rewarding for any artist, such as [herself]."

You can learn more about Eva's work at y-knotcreations.com . BHW