Living, Breathing and Doing Art in Pittsburgh
by Philip A. Hough
While the rest of the world hustles about, anxiously weaving through busy streets and traffic just north of Pittsburgh in Brackenridge, Jade DeRose can be found sitting quietly in her home, hovering over her latest craft project. DeRose is attempting to make her art her livelihood. It is an endeavor that has its ups and downs.
DeRose moved to Brackenridge from Uniontown a few months ago. She has taken it upon herself to create and promote her art in the hopes of becoming more recognizable and independent as an artist.
"It's my escape from the world and it's my chance to express my feelings, my thoughts, just me," DeRose said.
DeRose has started her own fan page on Facebook, Hearts in Half Gallery, to solicit support for her work.
"I created the page with a compilation of my arts, crafts, paintings and anything I can think of that I have fun doing," she says.
DeRose creates art. She has designed and painted everything from teacups and mason jars, to picture frames and mailboxes. Her art consists of quaint, antique-style, hand-painted items.
Most of the pieces are seasonally inspired designs and painted in an authentic folk art manner. DeRose says she often starts one project before finishing another, and inspiration might strike her at any time.
"When I think of something awesome, I just drop everything and start something new," DeRose says. "At times, I lose the inspiration on a few things, but in a couple months, I finish it."
She has appreciated art -- and using art as a means to express one's self -- since she was a child.
"I saw that my brother and dad were really good at it so I wanted to see if I was any good. I've tried playing the piano and the guitar, sports, but none of that gave me any sort of excitement," DeRose says.
She crafts because it is soothing and also to help support her mother.
DeRose's mother was recently diagnosed with lupus, and DeRose uses the proceeds from her artwork to benefit her mom.
"All funds are going to a great cause, to my mother, Candice," DeRose says. "She is my inspiration and she needs me right now more than ever."
DeRose moved to Pittsburgh after leaving a job in telecommunications in Uniontown. She is originally from the Pittsburgh area, and says she moved back home to be closer to her family.
DeRose says she left a lot behind when she moved to Pittsburgh late last year. She had spent time decorating and had her house to her liking. She also left behind quite a few of her friends, whom she says she doesn't see as much as she'd like after the move to her new home.
"I live with my brother," DeRose says. "I just really miss my home, my friends, it was so perfect."
Lauren Oszust, a 19-year-old college student at Ohio University Eastern, has known DeRose for about seven months and says DeRose is her best friend.
"Art is Jade's way of escaping into her own world. It's like a break from the real world. It keeps her staying positive," Oszust said.
Nicole Maloney, 23, and a food service associate, believes DeRose's style appeals to all ages, and says DeRose's art has a positive impact on her.
"She has a vintage style and really takes pride in her work," Maloney says.
DeRose spends her days building her gallery in a mild form of isolation. This may also help her concentration on her art.
"I don't have many friends here (since moving)," DeRose says. "I have like two that I text, but that's it."
Kasie Beers, a long-time friend and neighbor of DeRose, put the level of craftsmanship of DeRose's work into perspective.
"Art is like the air she breathes; like, if I draw something and I know she likes it, I know
it's good," Beers says. "I think her art is one of the most important things to her, well, other than family and friends."
DeRose doesn't intend on stopping -- or slowing down -- her art output.
"Art is a passion worth sharing," DeRose says. "If you have a dream or a goal, all that matters is that you're having fun and doing something you love."
Philip A. Hough is a California University of Pennsylvania English major. See his website here.
While the rest of the world hustles about, anxiously weaving through busy streets and traffic just north of Pittsburgh in Brackenridge, Jade DeRose can be found sitting quietly in her home, hovering over her latest craft project. DeRose is attempting to make her art her livelihood. It is an endeavor that has its ups and downs.
DeRose moved to Brackenridge from Uniontown a few months ago. She has taken it upon herself to create and promote her art in the hopes of becoming more recognizable and independent as an artist.
"It's my escape from the world and it's my chance to express my feelings, my thoughts, just me," DeRose said.
DeRose has started her own fan page on Facebook, Hearts in Half Gallery, to solicit support for her work.
"I created the page with a compilation of my arts, crafts, paintings and anything I can think of that I have fun doing," she says.
DeRose creates art. She has designed and painted everything from teacups and mason jars, to picture frames and mailboxes. Her art consists of quaint, antique-style, hand-painted items.
Most of the pieces are seasonally inspired designs and painted in an authentic folk art manner. DeRose says she often starts one project before finishing another, and inspiration might strike her at any time.
"When I think of something awesome, I just drop everything and start something new," DeRose says. "At times, I lose the inspiration on a few things, but in a couple months, I finish it."
She has appreciated art -- and using art as a means to express one's self -- since she was a child.
"I saw that my brother and dad were really good at it so I wanted to see if I was any good. I've tried playing the piano and the guitar, sports, but none of that gave me any sort of excitement," DeRose says.
She crafts because it is soothing and also to help support her mother.
DeRose's mother was recently diagnosed with lupus, and DeRose uses the proceeds from her artwork to benefit her mom.
"All funds are going to a great cause, to my mother, Candice," DeRose says. "She is my inspiration and she needs me right now more than ever."
DeRose moved to Pittsburgh after leaving a job in telecommunications in Uniontown. She is originally from the Pittsburgh area, and says she moved back home to be closer to her family.
DeRose says she left a lot behind when she moved to Pittsburgh late last year. She had spent time decorating and had her house to her liking. She also left behind quite a few of her friends, whom she says she doesn't see as much as she'd like after the move to her new home.
"I live with my brother," DeRose says. "I just really miss my home, my friends, it was so perfect."
Lauren Oszust, a 19-year-old college student at Ohio University Eastern, has known DeRose for about seven months and says DeRose is her best friend.
"Art is Jade's way of escaping into her own world. It's like a break from the real world. It keeps her staying positive," Oszust said.
Nicole Maloney, 23, and a food service associate, believes DeRose's style appeals to all ages, and says DeRose's art has a positive impact on her.
"She has a vintage style and really takes pride in her work," Maloney says.
DeRose spends her days building her gallery in a mild form of isolation. This may also help her concentration on her art.
"I don't have many friends here (since moving)," DeRose says. "I have like two that I text, but that's it."
Kasie Beers, a long-time friend and neighbor of DeRose, put the level of craftsmanship of DeRose's work into perspective.
"Art is like the air she breathes; like, if I draw something and I know she likes it, I know
it's good," Beers says. "I think her art is one of the most important things to her, well, other than family and friends."
DeRose doesn't intend on stopping -- or slowing down -- her art output.
"Art is a passion worth sharing," DeRose says. "If you have a dream or a goal, all that matters is that you're having fun and doing something you love."
Philip A. Hough is a California University of Pennsylvania English major. See his website here.