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The New Emerging Art Entrepreneurs Meet Allyson Kilbride

photo provided Focusing on the beauty of Vermont and her creativity as an artist, Allyson Kilbride branches out to both local and global markets.

photo provided The geese flying, and the soybean field on a delightfully crooked antique breadboard, and the Oreo Cookie Cow are but some of the pieces of photographic art to be found with Allyson Kilbride.

photo provided Black Cats and all things nature are part of what Allyson Kilbride uses to create her products.

Tuesday November 12, 2013

By Cookie Steponaitis

Vermont farmers are not the only ones involved in an evolution or revolution of sorts. The creation of the Internet and the World Wide Web is bringing the talents of Vermont artists to new audiences and venues. Once a part time vocation many artists are now finding ways to link to larger markets and turn their passion for art into their own business. One of these new art entrepreneurs is Addison County resident Allyson Kilbride.
Allyson was raised with parents who were artists and grew up making the circuit of fairs, shows and art exhibits with them. Her exposure to a diverse number of art mediums allowed her to develop her talents in pencil, wood, paint and photography. While Allyson has always been involved with art it was not until she was a student at the University of Vermont that she found her direction. “I went to school at the University of Vermont and graduated a year early with a dual degree,” shared Allyson. “I studied Studio Art and Political Science. Studio Art was actually my back up at the time; I didn’t have any idea how to make my passion into a career at the time.” Since her graduation Allyson has not only worked at her craft but has been developing a wide range of offerings for clients and with a growing photography business has been asked to shoot family sessions, engagements, corporate events, weddings and also does photo transfers. “I transfer them onto pine that is roughhewn on one side to conserve energy,” shared Allyson. “I also use cycle panel doors found in older houses. The colors found on them are so beautiful; they tell a story with every crack, cobweb and smudge. Adding a photo that fits the aged wood and colors in the paint is an extra challenge but I choose carefully to make sure the beauty of the panel can shine through the photo.”
Whether it is showcasing her own work of taking custom orders, Allyson is reaching out not only here in Addison County but through the World Wide Web to link with markets at home and abroad. If you would like to see more of Allyson’s work or talk with her about a custom project, she can reached at www.etsy.com/shop/AkilbrideArtwork or additional information can be found at www.facebook.com/allysonkilbrideartwork. Allyson is also available at (802) 377-9999 and through email at [email protected]. While each piece is a challenge Allyson shares that her favorite work involves transferring photos onto wood. “It is such a challenge to capture the right moment sometimes in a photograph,” shared Allyson, “but if you manage to do it there is such a ‘wow’ factor. Working with wood is really fun for me too. I work between developing my photos to fit the wooden shape or panel and working the opposite way finding the wood to fit the photo. I’ve found it is much easier to mold the photograph to the wood because I never know what I will find for wood. Through art my mission is to remind people of the amazing natural scenery we have in Vermont and also to remember the little things. Often times we are all too busy to stop and smell the roses. I hope when someone sees a photograph I’ve taken of a happy family, a moment of celebration, an old barn or the wildlife in Vermont, they have a moment of tranquility and peace. Life never moves too fast to take a minute to enjoy! I would like to encourage young people to always follow their dreams. Starting a business is not easy by any means; I am still in the beginning stages. Whatever it is you want to do in life, push yourself to get there. Nothing is more satisfying than reaching a goal you’ve set for yourself.”
The Valley Voice salutes Allyson and all who are finding ways to merge their passions, talents and new ways to market them to a world curious and knowledgeable about the Vermont level of ingenuity and quality. The Valley Voice celebrates with Allyson Kilbride, another young Vermont artist who joins the ranks of those reaching out and all like her to blend the traditional arts of the Green Mountain State with a way to reach beyond and secure their niche.

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