Meet Artist Linda Lawrence

Linda Lawrence

 

Always artistic by nature, Linda was constantly drawing as a child, and enjoyed art classes throughout her school years in Soquel and Fresno, California. As an adult, her love of design was explored through photography, homemade cards, sketches and interior decorating. 

Linda and her husband, Ron moved to Murphys in 1992, for its inherent natural beauty and small-town lifestyle. As her children grew more independent, Linda was thrilled to begin taking classes through Columbia Junior College, and first studied with Hermione Rios.

O-119 Wildflowers on Electra Road- by Linda Lawrence  noil 14x18  $195

Linda paints primarily in water-based oils, which she finds to be user-friendly and a bit healthier overall.  Through the years, she has developed a playful, colorful style, and had enjoyed and appreciated the influence of instructors Diana Boyd, Susie Hoffman, Sunny Sorenson, Eva Walker, and Judy Cain through Town Hall Arts in Copperopolis. She has also taken workshops from Murphys renowned plein air artist Kathleen Dunphy, and Colley Whisson of Australia at Coastal Maine Art Workshops in Rockport, Maine.

O-117 -Three Amigos-by  Linda Lawrence  oil 16x20  $275

Linda often shows her work was at the Calaveras County Arts Council and was chosen to present a painting in their 2017 show, AnimalScapes. She was also invited to show at the Studio 11 Gallery in Oakland, California in 2018. This is her first time participating in Ironstone Winery’s Spring Obsession Competition.

Linda is thoroughly enjoying the process of becoming an artist, and the self-expression, freedom, and mindfulness it provides. She considers her fellow artists soulmates and true inspirational treasures.

Meet Artist Renee Rondon

RENÉE RONDON

O-057  Mountain-Path by Renee Rondon  oil 14x18 $320

Renée is a 4th generation (of 5) Californian.  She moved to Calaveras County 12 years ago.  Her pastimes include camping, hiking and gardening.  Her passion is painting. 
Most of her experience is in oils, but she also enjoys using acrylic, watercolor, and pastel.  She is mostly self-taught, but has gained experience and knowledge from many respected instructors including Ed Garcia, VaLoyce Jensen, Gereon Rios, Gill Delinger, George Durkee, Diana Boyd, Judy Cain, Peggi Kroll-Roberts, Jim Toenjes, and Heinie Hartwig.
Renée enjoys the challenge of developing her paintings into a story that will touch someone’s heart, or remind them of something special that is part of their life.  Each painting is developed from a personal photo, sketch, travel, plein air painting, and even from her own backyard.      
Her art has won several awards, and her paintings have been in various galleries and venues including the Aloft Gallery, Calaveras Arts Council in San Andreas, Ironstone Winery, Lodi Community Art Center, Mistlin Gallery, Delicato Winery and Umpqua Bank.  

O-058  Jogger-on-Sonora-Path-by Renee Rondon  oil 14x18 $320

If you would like to contact Renée, please call (209)772-0287, or email her at paintinglady2012@gmail.com.  

Meet Artist Michelle Thornburg

Michelle Thornburg

Artist's Statement

My style of creating artwork is painting from the subconscious. There are no carefully planned sketches, no grids, and no paint brushes. It’s just me and my paint with no expectations of anything but painting. I use my hands to apply the paint directly onto my canvas, no rules, just whatever feels right. The key for me is to let go of the conscious world around me, and just paint, allowing my hands to take the lead. Eventually, the lines, drips, and shapes reveal themselves, and a picture begins to emerge, it’s like day dreaming on a canvas.

O-037 Emerald-Earth-by Michelle Thornburg  acrylic  24x36  $850

Artist's Biography

Michelle Thornburg is a California Artist and Art Teacher living and working in Lodi, CA. She creates dream like paintings from her subconscious using the Surrealist technique of automatism, or automatic painting. Her technique of using mainly her hands to apply acrylic or oil paints to the canvas allow her to connect with her artwork. Her paintings are created by applying paints onto the canvas in various colors, patterns, and movements. These colorful and expressive paintings are often reworked and go through many changes before they are completed. 

O-041 Earth and Ocean by Michelle Thornburg  acrylic  40x30  $800

Meet Artist George Haskell

George Haskell

Artist and Musician

George’s passion for painting started in college when he took an independent study in painting. After retiring from a forty year career in special education George returned to art.  Among his favorite topics are Yosemite, seashores, sunsets and animals.  What ever the subject is George focuses on capturing luminous, light color and mood of the subject at hand.

O-155 Leaf Master by George Haskell oil 10x10 $250

Besides art, George is also a musician.  He sings and plays both guitar and banjo at local wineries and restaurants.

George lives just outside of Murphys on the top of Treasure Mountain with his wife Patricia, two cats, two horses, and two corgis. 

O-156 Summer Halfdome by George Haskell oil 9x12 $290