A Watercolor Girl and Her Glass

Algoma native, Corie Farley has always had a connection to the outdoors and a talent for creativity. As an artist, there are limitless possibilities to draw inspiration from, yet Corie has always found hers in nature and the beach.

Collecting beach glass has been one of her hobbies since she was a little girl. She regretfully sold her childhood collection at a relative’s garage sale many years ago, but since then, she’s gathered herself a huge trove containing hues of blues, aquas, greens, browns, whites and even rare glass shades like red, violet, orange and pale pinks. Hag stones, those with a natural hole, heart-shaped rocks and beach metals are also among her collection.

All the pieces are unique, and Corie studies each glass specimen, masterfully planning how the wire will encase it.

Patience is required anytime you work with something so delicate and intricate. It takes someone with the right eye to craft something so beautiful where the wire and glass work together without overpowering the other. Yet, isn’t that what art is? Combining and balancing different elements to create something marvelous?

Watercolor painting is no different. With the paint pigments - mixing them to form a new color, adding just the right amount of water to blend a sky, or making the perfect brush strokes on the texture of paper chose, each component impacts the others to produce what the artist is envisioning.

For about the past decade, Corie has focused on realism, down to each snowflake physically popping off the painting or the shadow and light dancing together to make each scene, tree or bird seem lifelike. This year, she has embraced an old approach of "letting go" a little and trusting the paint and her brush will flow more freely and still produce a magical, yet realistic world which draws you into her masterpieces.

Today, I'm proud to say you can find her beautiful watercolor art and beach glass pendants at Lynn Truckey's shop: Steele Street Trading Co and Gallery, in downtown Algoma, Wisconsin. Lynn and her daughter, Ileen, have created an amazing space that has become an art scene where local talents can showcase and sell their art. They also have other local goodies and florals available in their flower and gift shop.

Algoma has become well-known for their "First Friday Art Walk", held on the first Friday of each month - many of the galleries and shops have their opening art receptions for their featured artists. Check out First Friday Art Walk's Facebook page for more details: https://www.facebook.com/algomahistoricsteelestreetart/

After you're done looking at art, explore the beautiful Algoma Crescent Beach and lighthouse. Stay and have a bite to eat at one of Algoma's wonderful food establishments like Red's Pub & Grill - the food is amazing - the view is dessert! Relax at Caffé Tlazo with a delicious wrap and a hot beverage. If you've already eaten there's Von Stiehl's Winery or Ahnapee Brewery if you're in the mood for a drink!

Shopping at small businesses doesn't stop on Saturday. Shop local year round and support your community!