North Georgia Arts Guild

Nicole Tomaszewski’s Alcohol Ink and Resin Creations

By Tricia Moore

he use of alcohol inks is relatively new in the creation of fine art and is a medium that can be difficult to control. But Nicole Tomaszewski is an artist who has mastered this medium. The fast-drying, highly pigmented, alcohol based inks can be used on any non-porous surface, and Nicole has used these inks on many of them. Yupo paper, photo paper, Ceramic tiles, which Nicole uses to create colorful trivets and coasters, and glass are some of the surfaces used for the application of these inks.

A native of Michigan, having been born and raised in Flushing, Michigan, Nicole worked at an auto dealership as a teenager doing bodywork, including the painting of cars. This sparked her interest in paint and color. However, her first creative art form was floral design. She states that she lived in an area where hunting was popular and many people had parts of animals such as bones, antlers and pelts. She used many of these items and other objects from nature to create unique wreaths in the late ‘90s and early ‘20s. She also “dabbled in watercolor and acrylics.” Still, her true passion for art did not come into play until four years ago when she discovered alcohol inks.

In 1996, Nicole moved to Georgia, where her aunt and uncle lived, to escape the cold and snow of Michigan winters. She had trained as a Medical Transcriptionist, and was able to secure a job at a local hospital. She met Median Von Thorne, her life partner and fellow artist six years ago. Together, they decided they would like to bring back the “true art store” and began the search for a place nearby to do just that. The Von Thorne Art Emporium opened its doors for business on April 16, 2022 in Clermont, Georgia. The building had previously housed a rock shop for many years and was ideal for their vision for a gallery.

In addition to their own work, the gallery carries the work of other artists and craftsmen, and they even carry handmade soap, cheese and honey! Nicole considers the making of cheese and harvesting honey to be art forms in their own right and they represent some of the diverse crafts in the area. Various classes are taught in the workroom/studio adjoining the gallery including alcohol ink, resin, mozzarella cheese making, and soap-making workshops.

Tricia Moore is a retired teacher, having taught both English and Art in public and private school settings. She is currently an active member of the NGAG and has held several positions on the board. With her background in both art and writing, she feels that writing the NGAG featured artist article in the Laurel of Northeast Georgia is a good fit and something that she will greatly enjoy doing.

Nicole’s journey with alcohol ink started when she attended an alcohol ink demonstration at the Dahlonega Science Club Festival. She was so drawn to the medium that she took workshops in it at the Canvas and Cork Art Gallery in Dahlonega and found that she absolutely loved working with the inks. When asked what she loves best about them, she replied without hesitation that it was the vibrant color of the inks and the many different surfaces that can be used with them. Nicole loves to experiment and push the limits of the medium and has created many of her own techniques. One particularly notable technique is using fire on the inks to create interesting patterns. Adding glitter to the process makes it even more striking. She uses resin to coat the tops of the tiles she has painted, giving her work a sophisticated, polished look as well as a durable surface. It took one and half years of “blood, sweat and tears” and much trial and error for her to develop the beautifully unique sculptures she now creates using alcohol inks and resin. She state’s that these sculptures are her “pride and joy.”

Nicole says that she has found that people tend to like “functional art” and are more likely to purchase a piece if it is something that is useful as well as beautiful. Most of her sculptures also incorporate this functionality in the form of vases or containers.

The Von Thorne Art Emporium is located on North Highway 129 in Clermont, Georgia. It is well worth the trip to Clermont to visit the gallery, meet the owners and find out what classes they offer that you would love to

Sassafras Artisan Market – April 29 & 30

Introducing the ART Treasures Raffle!

Our 2023 show features the ART Treasures Raffle. Two lucky winners will receive an LL Bean, zippered canvas tote filled to brimming with Art Treasures. The totes are beautifully hand painted by our excellent NGAG artists, Penny Bradley and Kathy Beehler. Each contains 20+ pieces of original art with a total value over $600. Art pieces are created and donated by talented NGAG painters, clay artists, jewelers, woodworkers and more! To see the list of artists and artisans who have donated their work, go to SassarasArtisanMarket. com

Be sure to purchase tickets to win! Raffle tickets are $20 each, or 3 for $50 and can be purchased before the show on Saturdays from 10am to 2pm in front of Butler Galleries, Main Street, Clayton. Tickets will also be available during the 2 day festival. Two winning tickets will be drawn on Sunday, April 30. You do not need to be present to win. Delivery is available to winners in Rabun and adjacent counties.

After purchasing your coveted raffle tickets, shop the juried Artisan Market, where an array of 90+ artists and artisans will exhibit their original art and artisan-made crafts. You’ll find their booths in the Civic Center Ballroom, the open-air pavilions and on the lawn. You’ll find whimsical and functional pottery, art glass, jewelry, hand dyed and hand-woven clothing, leather goods, turned wood, bath & body, artisan made foods, and much, much more! Remember, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and graduation is just around the corner. Pick up the perfect gift, or a “happy” for yourself. Visit SassafrasArtisanMarket.com for the complete list of 2023 exhibiting artists.

Be sure to visit the Central Information Pavilion. Purchase T-Shirts and Art Treasures raffle tickets. Sign up for a workshop to learn a new art or craft taught by NGAG artists in a variety of mediums. Admire the art of future “Picassos” in the high school student art exhibit. And learn about upcoming North Georgia Art Guild activities and the benefits of membership.

The North Georgia Arts Guild is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Proceeds from the Sassafras Artisan Market and ART Treasures raffle fund our art scholarship, community outreach, and other NGAG programs. All donations are tax-deductible.

Contact us at SasassafrasArtisanMarket.com, or SAM Chairman, Kathy Ford 706-212-9958.