Camp Fire An Artists’ Christmas celebrates 31 years of art and elegance on Saturday, November 14, 2015. An eclectic collection of works donated by regionally recognized artists will inspire creativity as you peruse the more than 80 pieces up for auction. While art is the main attraction, this exciting evening also features a gourmet dinner, dancing, luxury packages and prizes, and much more. The event provides an opportunity for patrons to socialize and expand their collection all while supporting our community’s youth.
If you’ve seen one of Stormie Parkers pieces, chances are – you haven’t forgotten. Whether it’s the gleaming teeth of a giant jackrabbit or the delicate details of her functional ware, Stormie has a style that cannot be rivaled.
Stormie Parker grew up in Northern Arizona in a family full of artists who made Indian-style jewelry. It wasn’t until she was a teenager at a craft fair when she stumbled upon a potter demonstrating on a wheel that she realized the magic of pottery. Her love for clay evolved through the years and led her studies in the ceramics department at Northern Arizona University. As a once-painter-turned-ceramic-artist, she knew she had found the path she was always meant to travel on.
Her passion for ceramics was further refined as she experienced life outside of the United States. An Army wife, Stormie quickly became used to moving every three years – with seven years spent in Germany. The traditional styles and shapes used by German artists captured her attention. She began teaching her own classes on post, and was soon exhibiting at various international shows.
It wasn’t until she returned to the United States when she began evolving her style into what you see today – her most popular work being her jackrabbits. An avid nature-seeker, Stormie spent a large amount of time hiking. On her hikes, she would frequently run into giant jackrabbits.
“I was hiking and came across an arrow,” Stormie said. “I thought, ‘I should use this for inspiration’.”
Together with the arrow inspiration and her jackrabbit experiences, Stormie created her first jackrabbit – with an arrow shooting down, narrowly missing his legs. Throughout the years, Stormie’s rabbits have taken on lives of their own. Each come with a name and a whole lot of personality.
“I don’t really plan each one. I just start making them and they turn out to be whoever they are.”
Her piece in An Artists’ Christmas goes by the name ‘Calypso‘. 
He’s a tan, large jackrabbit with a granite finish and smile full of teeth from ear to ear. Stormie is always a hit with children at art exhibits, further confirming that her mission as an artist aligns with Camp Fire’s mission to the community. When she lived in Flagstaff, Arizona, her father helped build the first Camp Fire building in that region, just down the street from her house. Being able to give back to Camp Fire as an adult has helped her work come full-circle.
“Camp Fire was a part of my life when I was really young – and it’s always been there. My father donated his time and helped erect a building, and now I’m able to donate my work.”
Each rabbit takes anywhere from eight to ten hours to make. Until recently, Stormie was working out of her garage (or, ‘garagio’, as she calls it). After 30 years of working with clay, it still feels like magic every time she opens a kiln or takes a piece of hot raku from the fire. Stormie has passed on her love of art to her grandson, who spent an entire summer creating small bowls using clay and leaves found around her home in the Fort Worth Nature Center.
While Stormie produces much more than just jackrabbits, it’s hard to pass over the gleaming smile of a rabbit with a tattoo on his arm, or overlook the humor of a rabbit stroking and checking his ears in a mirror. To contact Stormie about her work, visit her website, Windstorm Studio. From functional ware to rabbits, Stormie will transform clay into a true work of art.
What’s Stormie’s spirit animal?
An Elephant: “I really love elephants even though I do mostly rabbits. I just really have an affinity for them. They are just the coolest animals.”
How can I attend An Artists’ Christmas?
Tickets can be purchased online, or by calling 817.831.2111. Can’t attend the event? View the online art gallery and place a bid before November 12.
Since 1984, An Artists’ Christmas art auction and gala has contributed more than $3.5 million to Camp Fire First Texas programs, helping youth in North Texas find their spark, lift their voice and discover who they are.
