Art A La Carte
MEET OUR MIXED MEDIA ARTISTS
Tara
Shimberg
Born and raised in the US Virgin Islands, I currently live in Bethesda, MD where I keep my home studio. I have always found ways to express myself creatively through various hobbies like scrapbooking, sewing, repurposing furniture, and interior design. After being introduced to Mixed Media and Assemblage Art, I knew I had found my ultimate creative passion and the doorway to letting my imagination soar. My studio overflows with materials I have collected from nature, flea markets, antique shops, thrift stores, and garage sales.
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Particularly drawn to vintage and time-worn items, I thrill at the hunt for treasures, picking up objects and pondering what they might become. I enjoy finding opportunities to expand my work by studying new techniques and staying connected with my very inspirational art community. Rarely do I start a project with a particular design in mind. Instead, my approach is organic and primarily spontaneous. It begins with rummaging through my studio for inspiration. The real fun begins as I play with various ideas, adding and rearranging materials while solving construction challenges. The final assemblage invites the viewer to consider everyday objects with a new perspective and hopefully results in a smile.
Email me if you’d like to discuss a custom project.
Olga Reghay
OREGHAMI, LLC
As a mixed-media artist, my work draws deeply from my multicultural heritage and my love for antiques. OREGHAMI is my creative vision where dry batik artistry and handcrafted washi paper origami accessories come to life. Picasso once said, “Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life,” and this resonates profoundly with me. Through my art, I aim to create pieces that evoke timelessness, soulfulness, and connection.
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I graduated with a major in Applied Arts and Ceramics, and in 2012, I completed additional pottery and digital art coursework at the Corcoran College of Art + Design in Washington, DC. Over the years, I’ve showcased my work in international and local solo exhibitions and participated in juried art exhibits across New York, Baltimore, Richmond, and Charlottesville.
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My signature style is reflected in my dry batiks, a unique process where I age fabric to give it an antique look and feel, creating art that bridges the past and the present. Perhaps the most meaningful compliment I’ve received was from a framing shop customer who asked, “What century is this piece from?” This sense of timelessness is the essence I strive to imbue in every piece I create.
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In 2020, during the pandemic, I realized a long-held dream and opened my home art studio in Woodbridge, VA. Equipped with a kiln and a wide variety of supplies for new projects, I am constantly exploring various materials and techniques, always seeking new ways to expand my creativity and push the boundaries of my craft.
Maritza
Maxwell
I am Maritza Maxwell and I founded Hatch in 2012. I am the daughter of crafters: my father, a woodworker and my mother a fiber artist. I grew up around creative people and it was no surprise when I graduated from Amherst College with a Fine Arts degree. After years of working at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, I needed to get back to my creative roots.
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In 2017, I fulfilled a years-old desire and bought myself a lathe. My turned work and my stitched Temari both combine an eye for traditionally beautiful patterns, contours, and proportions with a bold sense of color. I channel that into making useful household items that offer a ray of sunshine to our everyday activities.
Jackie
Liedl
I sold my first painting at my first art show in 1971 on the lawn of the Old Courthouse in Fairfax City. Each artist was allowed to hang a maximum of three paintings on snow fencing provided by the show promoters (George Mason University Women). I was hooked.
After some trial and error, I found my niche in local scenes. Not the usual historic landmarks so abundant in Northern Virginia, but “personally historic” scenes. Schools, bars, stores and restaurants - places where life is lived, and memories are made.
Constant renovations of my subjects keep me busy and I’m always up for suggestions. At Art a la Carte I have over 400 scenes that cover Northern Virginia and the Outer Banks.
I veer out of my lane occasionally to do found object jewelry, irreverent pillows and large typographic canvases. My favorite artists are the Hennessys (father and son), Basquiat, Banksy and Gemma Correll.
Melanie
Barry
I love creating all kinds of art. In 2001, I began working with glass, crystal and natural stone beads, transforming everyday glassware and tableware into unique creations using shimmering silver wire. My first design was a set of wine glasses with built-in color beads, identifiers for easy recognition at social gatherings. Now I have 25+ different designs of glassware, tableware, and wine accessories in over 12 color combinations.
I'm an Artist at the Art a la Carte gallery and an active member of the Northern Virginia Handcrafter’s Guild. Often, I display my work at juried art and craft shows in Northern Virginia.
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In 2002, I won the ‘Best in Show Award’ at the Burke Centre Autumn Festival. This led to starting my business Entertaining Designs LLC. I Founded and served as Show Chairman for the South Run RECenter Autumn Arts and Crafts Show, and I'm proud to say it's in its twelfth year.
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I feel fortunate to have turned my artwork into a profession and business. I stay home with three children, work from my home studio, and volunteer in my community and church. Since I am an advocate of learning through artistic expression, I volunteered as an art assistant giving art demonstrations at local schools and youth events.
Karen
Schmitt
“If one is lucky, a solitary fantasy can totally transform one million realities.”
Maya Angelou Angels, fairies, mermaids and the moon.... I've never grown up. Since retiring as a senior designer for a woman's clothing catalog, I've had the luxury of returning to that child within. Creating little “realities”: Magical places and things that speak to my inner child.. I have a repertoire of fine art paintings: canvases covered with figurative expressionistic art, mysterious abstracts and whimsical miniatures. Then! I decided to have fun on bottles, boxes and clay. Creating is my zen.
I hope one of these can capture and release your fantastical child. Karen
