Experience Cortland will be featuring a Cortland County artist at the Visitors Center throughout the year. The program was developed to showcase local artwork and photography to travelers and locals in hopes of them taking a piece of Cortland County home. Feel free to stop by during regular business hours to view the work or at the shop, Dragonfyre Distillery, at 1062 Leonard Rd, Marathon, NY.
This month, life-long artist and crafter Donna Pedini has filled the Cortland Visitors Center with her whimsical and imaginative artworks. Inspired by the unusual, quirky, and charming, Donna creates her masterpieces using a wide variety of mediums. From cement mache to paper craft, jewelry, and everything in between, Donna credits creating art with helping her maintain her sanity in this crazy world. We asked Donna to share a little insight with us into her creative process and the county she calls home.
Where do you take your inspiration from?
I love to look at all the fantastic art on the internet. I get a lot of great ideas that way and am always in awe of what is being created out there.
Where do you create your art?
I am lucky enough to have a dedicated craft room, and I also spend a lot of time at my mom's house in her painting studio.
Who is your greatest influence?
My mom. She introduced me to arts and crafts at a young age and has been my partner in crafts ever since!
What is your favorite tool/material? What can you just not live without in your creative space?
My old Singer sewing machine. It is a cast iron, gear-driven machine that will sew through just about anything. My mom got it when she first got married in the 50s. She made a lot of our clothes on it when we were kids. I learned to sew on it, and I would be lost without it. I even bought one just like it as a backup!
What is your favorite color?
Anything in the aqua to teal family of colors.
What are your current/future projects?
Right now, I am gearing up to make items for my booth at Cinch Art Space for the holiday season. I am also going to try to create something for the Community Arts Challenge. This would be my first time participating in that.
If your art was a food, what would it be?
Pizza, nuff said!
What is your favorite fall activity in Cortland County?
Sitting on my porch watching the wildlife wander through our yard and enjoying the fall colors and cool breezes.
What do you feel is Cortland County’s best-kept secret?
A visit to Dragonfyre Distillery to see the fairy forest restroom.
Describe Cortland County in three words.
Home, sweet home!
Share your favorite Cortland County art with us for a chance to be featured!
Tag @experiencecortland and use hashtag #experiencecortland.