I have been a freelance artist for over 40 years and have a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, CA. with a duel focus on advertising/illustration. While attending Art Center I was honored to have my first piece published in Emmy Magazine. I have created logo designs and illustration work for numerous companies including Laura Scudders, 7up, and Susan Rahn Marketing (painting a line of greeting cards that sold at Disneyland).  

 

Since childhood I have loved drawing, painting, and creating, and holidays were the perfect time to put those activities to use. To say that I LOVE Christmas and absolutely everything that surrounds it, starting with the reason we celebrate it, is quite an understatement. God’s love is ever present, but especially at this time of year. My parents made it a very magical time and family was always involved in all the details ~ making ornaments, stringing popcorn to trim our tree, putting tinsel on two strands at a time, decorating the house inside and out, baking dozens upon dozens of cookies, and eagerly looking through the Sears Wish Book before writing my Christmas List for Santa.

 

Over the years, my art has been influenced by not only Christmas but through specific periods of time. I like the aesthetic feel of Steampunk & the Victorian period, Art Nouveau and Art Deco periods, as well as having a love for the 1920s. Connecting the past to the present, I work to create a feeling of whimsy and nostalgia in my work. With a keen eye for detail I jokingly call myself a “recovering perfectionist” as each of my pieces have been given the attention to detail that one looks for in a one-of-a-kind item. 

 

A variety of items are used to create my art pieces ~ old photos, antique hardware and gears, vintage rhinestone jewelry, 1940’s musical powder boxes, German bisque dolls, old clocks, Victorian glass garlands, and bottle brush trees to name a few. 

 

I couldn’t be happier to have my dreams of becoming an “artist” unfold throughout my life. How could one not want to live in this wonderful state of make-believe? As I have matured, I now see the word ‘artist’ as much more of a compliment than a job description. To have others enjoy your work is such a blessing.

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I hope my work may inspire you to daydream, smile, and reminisce of days gone by.

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~Ramona Relock-Lazaris