Sok Kheng Martz New Director of Christmas in the Country llc
Sok Kheng Martz
A new future for Bainbridge Island’s Christmas in the Country
Things change. Times change. Currently with many of our old-time favorite stores closing, or companies merging, or services being cut-back or eliminated, we often ponder what “used to be” with melancholy causing us to hold on tightly to those traditions we practice that provide us with a sense of place and stability in the midst of change. Sometimes change comes as “passing the baton” or “changing the guard” which leaves the integrity of the activity in place under the care or watch or energy of a new person. This is positive change evoking excitement rather than regret. Now a new era has begun for a Bainbridge Island family tradition, a positive change. After sixteen years under the care and direction of creative director, Sharon Soames, the baton for Christmas in the Country has been passed. Personified as “bottled energy with an effervescent smile”, Sok Kheng Martz is off and running the next leg of the race to formulate plans for Christmas in the Country in the coming years, to keep this traditional community event a vibrant part of Bainbridge Island’s Christmas celebration.
Together with her husband, Tim, Sok Kheng, aka, “Soks”, will work closely with retiring Director Sharon Soames in 2010, for a smooth transition.Soames has high regard for Soks as a person, as a crafter, and as a business entrepreneur with polished leadership capabilities. Immigrating to the United States from Cambodia with her family when she was ten, Soks found herself in the land of opportunity in the State of North Carolina.There she learned English and fast-tracked her way to catch up with her undergraduate education. Throughout her life, she has capitalized on the opportunities afforded to her in this fine country.
In 1995 while waitressing, she dislocated her shoulder and was unable to continue her job. During convalescence, she tuned into HGTV and watched the process of making covered gift boxes out of cardboard. Using old cereal boxes and used clothing, she created a lovely gift box and took it down to the local craft store. The owner loved it, customers loved it, and soon she was engaged in making 20 boxes a week. Thus began her career in crafting. While shopping at estate and yard sales to get antique lace, silk ties, and unique fabric for the boxes, she discovered and acquired many very torn antique quilts and chenille blankets. It was then she began to create her own Santa and snowmen patterns using the antique quilts and chenille blankets to make their outfits.
Soks married and moved to Ft Huachuca, Arizona in 1992. While her then husband was station there, she became a member of the Military Wives Crafters Group and helped to organize, acquire sponsorships for, and promote their craft shows at the Officer’s Club.In 1997, she moved back to Hendersonville, N.Carolina where she was a member of the Henderson County Crafters and helped with recruiting new vendors, and helping to advertise and organize their craft shows, three a year in the local mall. Starting with 25 vendors, over 120 participated by 2001.While in N.Carolina, Soks was also a member of Dogwood Crafters, an artists’ cooperative that required shared time running the shop, managing and promoting it. It was one of the biggest attractions in Dillsboro, NC.
In 2001 Soks moved to Bainbridge Island and debuted her antique quilted Santas at the BI Chamber of Commerce 4th of July celebration in Winslow as an adjunct to her online store, Crafty Designs.It was there that Sharon discovered Soks’ skill and unique craft and invited her to participate as a vendor in Christmas in the Country at Sharon’s home-based floral design studio, Rose of Sharon’s.Unfortunately, because of her husband’s job and the tragic incidents of 911, Soks had tomoveagain all over the United States. Finally in 2005 they moved back to Bainbridge Island and eventually settled in Kingston in 2006. Since returning to the NW, she has been a constant favorite crafter in Christmas in the Country to date, as well as the NK Festival in Poulsbo, the Kitsap Fair, Hansville Crafters, Port Gamble Art Show, and Kingston Art Festival and filmed a craft show segment on HGTV's, That's Clever.
In 2009, Soks remarried to Timothy Martz. They make a great team. Together they run a five acre, self sustaining farm with a few livestock in Kingston. Individually Tim is a tile setter and Soks is a Branch Office Administrator for Edward Jones investment firm.They plan to keep Christmas in the Country a thriving part of Bainbridge Island’s culture.
Antique quilt Santas
HGTV features Soks' Chubby Snowman
Our 2011 Featured Poster Artist, Eileen Sorg
Eileen Sorg, Two Dog Studio
Eileen F. Sorg -
Two Dog Studio
Biography
Born in Seattle,
Washington, Eileen Sorg still lives and works overlooking the bountiful Hood
Canal. As with most Northwesterners, Eileen has a keen interest and respect for
the natural landscape and its wild inhabitants. With her degree in Wildlife
Science from the University of Washington and subsequent time spent studying
birds and mammals as a biologist for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, she
has now returned to art with a bit of the scientist still in tow.
Eileen enjoys exploring her
subjects and seeking out the minutest details to express in her work. Her
drawings have been likened to “photographs” but she is quick to point out that
her pieces are less about detail and more about the subject’s essence and
vitality. “With my current work I am seeking to capture the playful, sometimes
mischievous side of my subjects, catching them in the act of behaving
unexpectedly.”
Eileen’s primary medium is
currently colored pencil, with ink and watercolor underpaintings for added
depth. She has developed her own technique, which enables her to replicate the
image she has in her head onto the paper. The pencil is essential for breathing
life into her subjects and creating softness.
She is a Signature member
of the Colored Pencil Society of America, International Guild of Realism,
Society of Animal Artists, and Women Painters of Washington. Her work has been
featured in The Artist’s Magazine, American Artist, and her book, “Colored
Pencil Made Easy” published by Walter Foster, was released in 2009. Her new
book, “Colored Pencil Landscapes”, will be published in the fall of 2012.
Artist Statement
“I have chosen realism as
the manner in which to express my interpretations of the world around me.
Realism is not duplication; it is a process that involves intense study and
understanding of a subject, a strong sense of value and color, and the mastery
of a given medium. Within this realism, I experiment with color by making
choices that might not be expected for use in rendering certain subjects. In
this way I keep things fresh and interesting both for the viewer and myself.”
While living in Europe, Paul, the owner, learned from of the best crepe chefs in Paris and the Brittany region.
Savory crepes are made in the Brittany style using whole organic buckwheat. Gal, also known as Galettes, are one of many favorites in NW France.
Visit the quaint little shop in downtown Kingston and try some of the locals' favorites such as Grilled chicken with garlic and artichoke pesto, or the classic ham and Swiss cheese.
Some of the sweet crepes offered include Parisian favorites such as nutella, dark chocolate with fresh strawberries.
All crepes are made fresh to order!
Leslie Hassett
Leslie Hassett
Gourding is my passion!
I started making gourds over ten years ago when a friend had a
“gourd party” and provided gourds, tools, and embellishments for all of us to
use. I fell in love with gourds right then!For years I mainly made whimsical gourd birds
but more recently I began creating decorative gourd art using stone inlays,
wood burning, carving, and other embellishments. I am constantly learning
and the possibilities with gourds are never ending!
Gourds are unusual creatures and typically have a mind of their own.I’ve heard many other gourd artists say the
same thing.You can have a design or
idea in mind but sometimes the gourd “fights” with you; it just doesn’t want to
be that!So, it involves listening and
intuition.When it finally comes
together it is often a surprise, even to me! When it works out well, it is
a great joy to me and I hope to you, the people who choose adopt one of my
creations.
Deborah Milton
Deborah Milton
Mother
and grandmother, Deborah Milton used to be a psychotherapist but reclaimed her
childhood dream of being a painter by spending two months in solitude on Hornby Island in the Salish Sea
in 1992. She has been facilitating creative workshops for the past thirty years
and established her own Montana
creativity center, Athanor Arts, in 2000. She recently moved to Bainbridge and
is now teaching at Artists’ Edge in Poulsbo. Her artwork has been described
as whimsical, engaging, colorful, multi-textured and imaginative. She loves
commissions, painted murals for a hospital pediatric ward and illustrated Garden of the Spirit Bear - Life in the Great Northern Rainforest, an award winning book
written by Dorothy H. Patent.
Deborah
is a member of the Front Street Gallery in Poulsbo.
She
says, “I hope my work engages you, inspires love or reminds you of the
mystery that is life.
I feel very fortunate at
this time to introduce myself to you, my customers and potential
followers. This is just where I want to be in my life and I feel
extremely happy to be working as an artist making precious items for
you. You see, I’m absolutely in love with working with metals, precious
metal clay, natural specimens and any creation called a bead. The idea
of finding new materials and techniques to work with is a thrilling
process. I’m fond of the intricate details, the creative process, and
sharing what I’ve created with my customers. I love learning, growing
and creating as a life challenge.
Growing up in Seattle, I was
influenced by our local artists and the fabulous spread of nature we
inhale every day. Yes, even when it’s raining. As a child I was
fortunate enough to be introduced to art classes, museums and arboretums
as a part of my education. One of my favorite childhood memories is
going to the Bellevue Art Festival every year with my mother and
grandmother. They made sure I saw every performance that came to the
city and every Disney movie that opened at a downtown theater. I feel
very fortunate to have had that influence in my life and to have had a
mom and great uncle as jewelers.
In my first career I graduated
with a BFA in Interior Design, and lived and worked in almost every
corner of our country. I’ve had the opportunity to experience a wide
variety of our American Culture and travel overseas. Fifteen years ago I
returned to Washington State with my family and have been very pleased
to have settled in Gig Harbor. It is truly a unique and enjoyable place
to live.
About five years ago I decided that it was time to get
serious about turning my creative passion into my second career. So
here I am growing and expanding with excited anticipation about what
I’ll get to create next. I am a certified precious metal clay artist and
instructor and look forward to teaching in the near future. I formally
invite you to follow my progress and come along with me on my creative
journey.
