Wednesday, January 25, 2017

Meet Artist Ann Nall theme Division accepted artist

Ann Nall
T-018  A Spring Hue By Ann Nall  wc  16x20  $250
Ann started painting in 1985 as a way to escape the pressures of work. Her first art teacher was in the basement of a small community center in Virginia.

Over time her hobby became her focus. On retirement, art became her career. She has been exhibited in many juried and one person shows throughout the country.

Painting primarily in watercolor, her work is characterized by soft, gentle colors. She has specialized in animal portraits and has been praised for infusing her animal paintings with life.

Ann says her art gives her life energy, focus and a sense of well-being. It is a gift she does not take for granted. 



Tuesday, January 24, 2017

Meet Accepted Theme Division Artist Sue Smith

Sue Smith

T-011  Paperwhites by Susan Smith  oil 12x16 $250
  

T-010  Tulips & Daffys  by Susan Smith  oil 12x12 $200
I was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, received a great primary school art education and majored in Art at Ohio Wesleyan University. I moved to New York City after college and was surrounded by the "beat" scene. Lots of gallery shows, happenings, off off broadway shows, a rich time. Married and divorced with 2 young sons, I moved to California and lived on a commune. I always worked at my art projects. I moved to the Sierra foothills in 1976 and became an architectural drafter. I have concentrated much more on my drawing and painting after retiring from architecture. I am inspired by our beautiful Sierra foothills and the natural world around us.

Meet Accepted Theme Division Artist Sandra Campbell

SANDRA CAMPBELL

T-016 Purple Parrots  by Sandra Campbell  pastel 9x15  $200


I love color and experimentation.  My subjects include landscapes, florals, still life and animals.  Initially, I worked only with soft pastels but since have branched out into collage and acrylics, often combining these into mixed media pieces.  Lately, I’ve created some abstract works, a complete departure for someone who used to produce only realistic art. 

For pastels, I like to work on sanded surfaces, which allow for more layers of color.  When people hear the word ‘pastel,’ they may think of soft colors.  But what attracts me to this medium is the possibility for vibrant oranges, brilliant yellows, and intense purples and reds.” 

T-015  Planting Time  by Sandra Campbell  pastel 12x15  $250
Mixed media pieces utilize traditional canvasses, canvas panels or illustration board.  Most of my collage pieces are fabricated from rice or similar-type papers, which come in a variety of textures.  Most recently, I’ve been working on 6 x 6-inch surfaces for both collage and acrylics. 

Landscapes are created both from my own photographs and by working plein air with fellow artists in an American Association of University Women’s art group.  Many of the finished products are featured at the art show during the AAUW annual home tour.  I also show my work during the local studio tour. 


Amador County is alive with artists who inspire me and support my efforts.  Periodically, I take a college class or an artist’s workshop which may send me in a new direction.  Membership in the Sierra Pastel Society, the Amador County Artists Association and Arts Council provides collegial support as does my AAUW art group.  My work is on display at the Sutter Creek Gallery at 35 Main Street, Sutter Creek.  

Meet Theme Division Accepted Artist Mary Ann Kash

Mary Ann Kash

T-006  Friends  by Mary Ann Kash  pencil  11x14  $450
I have enjoyed drawing from childhood to the present.  The intricacies of line and detail fascinate me and I have always been partial nature, trees and bark specifically.  One of my first accepted showings, as an art student, was a rendering of the bark of a section of a California Redwood.  I realized then that I was hooked on trees, vines and fence posts.
Drawing from nature is daunting, thus, I normally use photographs as my inspiration in order to capture the complexity my subject.  Photography is a hobby of mine which often turns into an art project.
Preparing my submission for the Ironstone 2017 Spring Obsession was great fun, although, it was hard to stop and call the drawing finished.  Working on vines or tree trunks can be addictive.   To me grape vines are masterpieces of design, swirls and curlicues, divots and flat planes.  
My favorite medium is graphite combined with colored pencil and water color.  I sell copies of my work at Farmers Markets in Tuolumne County.
Thank you for viewing my art, it has been my pleasure.
Mary Ann Kash

domedwellers3945@gmail.com

Tuesday, January 17, 2017

Meet Theme Division Accepted Artist Deborah Wright

Deborah Wright

View from the rabbit hole by Deborah Wright  acrylic 24x30 $1475  

I’m Deborah Wright and live in the beautiful mountains of northern California.  Nature has inspired my life and influences my art.  I'm a textile, mixed media and acrylic artist who loves bold, bright colors and texture.  Favorite mediums include acrylic paint, India ink and graphite pencil.
My work is abstract, non-objective and organic in style, as my approach is intuitive, loose and unstructured. I have received multiple awards at exhibits in Tuolumne and Amador counties.
Artists that have influenced my work include Alan Powell and Robert Burridge, both of California and Jane Davies of Vermont.
I have been blessed with space for painting, collage, assemblage art and workshops.  My studio encompasses an eclectic gallery and is featured on the Amador County Art Association annual open studio tour in September.

Sunday, January 15, 2017

Meet THEME Division Accepted Artist Vickie Chew

Ironstone presents our first Theme Division artist of 2017 ...
Sunset Dills by Vickie Chew  oil  12x16  $300  T-009
Vickie Chew Art
Painting for me is a joy, challenge and mental escape all in one. Most of us Artists fall in love with a scene for variety of reasons just as you may fall in love with a particular surrounding or place. The scene usually has some type of emotional connection that originally attracts you to it, maybe you spent time there as a child, a first kiss, family outings or you are just attracted to the beauty of the area. I love the challenge of trying to capture the essence of what is before me, whether it be a barn, trees, lakes or ocean, ther
e is something special that attracted me to the scene. It is all about recreating the image before me and capturing the light, character and personality of the scene, nothing else exists, as I lose myself to the painting zone, as the “zone” is total captivation!


I do Impressionistic paintings in Plein Air, Studio, Murals and Commissioned pieces. I use brush and palette knife and rarely use or mix my oils with other mediums. My work is always sealed with a varnish finish, signed and numbered on the back of the canvas. I can be contacted at 209-743-4126