'Artful' couple host acclaimed artist to benefit cancer walk

Talk about it

A Hudson couple, who oversee a nationwide network of home-based art sales consultants, will host an event at their Brakke Drive studio Friday evening to help raise funds and awareness for the upcoming Susan G. Komen Foundation 3-day walk to fight breast cancer.

Artful Decor Inc. founders Stephanie and Steve Weber invite the public to meet Maplewood, Minn., artist Ann Tristani from 7 to 9 p.m., Friday, June 20th at their showroom, located at 651 Brakke Drive.

Stephanie Weber is in training to walk 60 miles in three days during the Sept. 19-21, "Breast Cancer 3 Day benefiting Susan G. Komen Foundation for the Cure."

Tristani says "becoming an oil painter is my response to a lifetime of exploring and appreciating creation. After a childhood of romping in a ravine and climbing trees, a college career majoring in art and biology, and more recently, studying with nationally recognized artists, it is with great passion that I respond to all this on canvas.

"Although my oil paintings vary greatly in subject, they all exude a sense of comfort and hope. Whether I paint the shadows in a landscape, the radiance of a flower, or the nostalgia an object evokes, my images satisfy a longing for truth and beauty, and often reflect the values and simplicity of days gone by."

Tristani paints and teaches in a home studio at Maplewood, where she resides with husband Mark and four children.

Tristani will share her creative inspiration and her technique for creating beautiful oil paintings using actual works of art in progress. Her original works and prints will be available for purchase with 10 percent of the total sales of originals and 20 percent of reproductions from the event to be donated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

The Webers founded Artful Décor in 2000 after achieving success with a well-known direct selling company that sold fine art through in-home shows nationwide. Their 13-year career of sharing art and helping others do the same earned them the company's highest awards. In 1999, Stephanie became the national sales trainer for a direct sales art company.

In 2000, the couple established their own company dedicated to offering quality fine art at affordable prices.

For more information, call 715.381.5090.

Tags: croix, hudson, art, cancer, fundraiser