Thursday, February 12, 2015

Meet Artist Andrea Morris, Ironstone Spring Obsession THEME Division accepted artist

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andrea morris                 
artist                                  



Andrea Morris was born in Karlsrhue Germany and spent much of her younger years in Montana and Arizona. She was exposed to art from an early age as her Mother was an artist and taught painting classes in their home.

She developed a love of wildlife and people and spent much of her time drawing and using pen and ink to capture her subject. It was not until the 1970's that she started to explore working with color in watercolor. Working in a local watercolor gallery in Tucson, Arizona she learned about building up her paintings through layers of transparent color.

She experimented in working in oils and immediately fell in love with the medium and has worked almost exclusively in this medium since. Although she does paint in Acrylics and watercolors at times.

Her main focus of subject still remains wildlife and people and she has been working towards representing her subjects in a colorful and expressive style.
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Being self taught she has learned most about her art by painting, experimenting and studying other works of art. She has made a living of painting murals in many home sin the northern California area and has worked with the Wall Dogs painting large murals in city downtown businesses.

She presently resides in Lodi California and teaches classes in her small studio.  She continues to paint and show her work in the surrounding areas art venues.

You can view a gallery of her art at www.andreamorrisart.com

Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Meet Artist Carol Leonti, Spring Obsesion THEME Division accepted artist

Carol Leonti

T-010  Afternoon  watercolor  15x22  $800

I've been interested in drawing and painting for many years but was able to devote only a little time to these while I was working and commuting. I am now able to paint regularly. I love to create and painting is a major challenge and outlet for me. I enjoy experimenting with many media but especially love working with transparent watercolor because of it's freedom, it's ability to capture light and to express emotion.

T-009  Morning  watercolor  12x12  $400

I love to learn ... I am greatly influenced by my current mentor Popi Tyler, who coaches me on composition, color and boldness. I have studied watercolor painting with Carl Miller AWS, Dale Laitenen, Ken Hosmer, and Tony Couch.

Meet Artist Lorna Ho, 18th Annual Spring Obsession THEME division accepted Artist

LORNA HO
T-012  Spring Things  watercolor  11x14  $250

I spent a number of years doing Chinese brush painting but have been studying watercolor for the past few years. As an evolving artist, I am also experimenting with collage using paper and acrylics.  I get inspiration from many sources in nature, music, dance, people, etc. Life itself is inspiration.

I feel that it is not as important where I end up with the final art project as the process that I experience. If I've gained satisfaction and enjoyment from the creative process I just hope that someone looking at my work can enjoy it too.

Education and Background:
Born in Honolulu, Hawaii
University of Hawaii, B.A. Asian Art History
T-011  Diamond Head  watercolor  11x14  $250

Art Awards and Exhibits:
Lane County Fair, Eugene, Oregon
Sonoma County Fair
Sonoma Harvest Fair
Marin-Sonoma County Fair
Watercolor Artists of Sonoman County
National Arts Program, City of Santa Rosa
Sebastopol Center of the Arts
Healdsburg Center for the arts
Occidental Center for the Arts
Graton Art Gallery
15th Annual Sonoma County Senior Art Show
B.R. Chon Winery Art Show


Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Meet Artist Carol Goff, Spring Obsession accepted artist


T-006  Tulipmania  watercolor  18x24  $450
Carol Goff

The watercolor medium has intrigued me since I first watched some artists painting on site in Murphys when I moved here several years ago. Through private lessons, workshops and community college classes I have learned the versatile aspects of this surprisingly forgiving but challenging medium.  I continue to strive to add new dimensions to my work, always exploring new ideas and techniques.
My inspirations come from being an  avid gardener and many of my paintings show my love of what is produced there. I also feel fortunate to live in such a beautiful area where I can share the delightful scenery and wildlife in the foothills and surrounding areas.

T-005  Lavender Ladies  watercolor  16x20  $375
I am an active member of Arts of Bear Valley, Golden Palette Art Association, Calaveras County Arts Council and the Gallery Group.  My paintings have won ribbons at the Calaveras County Fair and Lodi Grape Festival. I also received the third place award at Ironstone Vineyard's 2011 Spring Obsession Professional Art Show. My work can be seen at the Art on main Gallery in Murphys and at other local businesses and seasonal shows in the area.

Meet Artist Jan Freischlag

Jan Freischlag: A Biography

Janice began her fascination with art in Wiesbaden, Germany in 1989. She began with German fold art painting, Bauernmalerei. After five years in Germany, she returned to the U.S. and began to broaden her painting skills.  On returning, Janice and her husband moved to Lake Tahoe where she was fortunate enough to befriend Lola Owen, her mentor and owner of Lakeside Gallery. At Lake Tahoe, where she became more accomplished, she began painting in oils. To her surprise she started to get commissions for pet portraits and more. She is accomplished in a wide range of subjects as well as most painting mediums, i.e. acrylic, water, gouache and oil.

Janice and her husband now reside in Ione, California, at Lake Camanche, with a parrot and four cats. She has a very productive berry and vegetable garden, apple trees planted from seed, is an orchid enthusiast, gourmet cook and paints wherever possible.

Meet Artist Diana Eppler, Spring Obsession Theme Division accepted Artist

T-016  Daffy Kitty  oil  8x10  $150
"My painting subjects are varied as that is my nature. I will probably be perpetually in some period of transition with my art which, I hope, is a good thing.  I try to work towards a melding of classical, contemprary and my own style; always striving to share with the viewer a means of expression which is representational without being literal or prosaic.

I used to worry where was I going with my art? Was I a colorist, tonalist, impressionist, plein air or studio painter? I now know my art leads me. Each piece is individual and dictates how it should be painted. First comes what I feel, then what I see. When I paint it is me and it is my own. An idea for painting frequently comes from my emotional response to color and light. I build around that, often changing the subject matter partly or entirely until the color, light, and design meet to fit the mood.  This manner of creating a painting works well for the studio, which I very much enjoy, however, painting en plein air (outdoors in one sitting) is a good way to rejuvenate the very feeling that create the moods.

Born in Amador County, Diana lived at Lake Tahoe and in Nevada, Southern and Northern California before returning to the foothills in 1997. She new resides in Jamestown. She attended Western Nevada Community College and studied with Wellington Smith, noted artist, lecturer and teacher. Workshops over the years included Janet Tarjan Earl, Edgardo Garcia, Jeanette LeGrue, Kathleen Dunphy and Charles Waldman although she considers herself, basically, self taught. Past Board of Director of the Siskiyou Art Assoc., Creative Arts Guild and Mother Lode Art Assoc. Past member of the Lithia Artists Assoc., Ashland, Or.; Central Sierra Arts Council, Sonora and Central Calif. Art Assoc., Modesto, CA. Founding member of the Post Gallery and founding director of Aloft Art Gallery in Sonora. Currently her works can be seen locally at Ventana Gallery, Sonora and Galleria Copper, Copper Square, Copperopolis, CA.

She has been accepted in numerous juried shows and won many awards including First Place, Foothill Favorites MLAA Show. Top fifteen finalists in California Shines Statewide art show for the 2011 US Capitol Christmas Tree Celebration. Her works hang in homes and businesses across the country and can be seen on her website.






T-015  Through the Looking Glass  mix media  20x16  $650


Meet Artist Judy Day, Accepted THEME Division Spring Obsession Art Show

Meet Artist Judy Day.  Judy's painting "Daffodil Surprise" was the first painting submitted to Ironstone's 18th Spring Obsession Art Show, Theme Division. Kudos!  Read Judy's bio below.


Daffodil Surprise  watercolor collage  24x31  $350
Bio: Judy Day

Judy holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Graphic Design and a K-12 California Teaching Credential in Art Education and Math from Art Center School of Design and Cal State Northridge. She retired from 20+ years teaching at David Starr Jordan Middle School in Burbank, California. In April of 2010 she moved to Jackson, California. Although she works in many mediums, watercolor is her favorite.

Judy's Art credits include the following: illustrating three educational children's books, "My First Word Search", "Beginning Sounds Word Hunt", and "Fun Faces Fun Days"; numerous brochures, posters, paintings and cards, three foot by twelve foot long paper cut banners that hang seasonally in the First Christian Church of North Hollywood's Sanctuary, and directing a week long children's art camp each summer for children in 3rd through 8th grade, in Studio City, California. She is currently serving as the President of the Amador County Artists Association.

Her awards and honors are, 1993-94 Jordan Middle School Teacher of the Year Award, 1994 Burbank Woman of the Year, 1995 Disciples Christian Educator Award presented by Chapman University, 1996 Outstanding Teacher Award given by the LA Times and CSUN School of Education, and in 2002 the California League of Middle Schools Educator of the Year Nominee. She has received numerous awards and ribbons for her paintings at the Amador County Fair, Ironstone winery and the Lodi Art League Show.

Judy loves the outdoors and has hiked and sketched in the High Sierras most of her life. "My art is inspired by my trips into the Sierras, vacations around the world, majestic landscapes, historical site and almost everything in my neighorhood. You never know what will catch your eye and inspire you".

Judy's art work is displayed at the Sutter Creek Gallery in Sutter Creek, California


Monday, February 9, 2015

Meet Artist Connie Bowen, THEME Division accepted Artist

Accepted Artist, Connie Bowen has entered the THEME Division of Ironstone's 18th Annual Spring Obsession Art Show which will open March 7th, 2015 at Ironstone Vineyards.  Connie along with several other artists are competing for selection of their painting to become Series #18 poster of the year.  You may see each of the entries into this division as soon as Picasa's website allows the slide show to present itself just to the right of this blog. Check them out and see if you can pick the image that will become the finished poster of the year, unveiled on Saturday, March 7th.

Throughout the next several months, we will be featuring each of the accepted artists biographies along with images of the paintings that were accepted into this years show.  And now,

T-013  Tulips Galore!  watercolor  15x11  $360
Connie Bowen

I have always loved art and photography and have always dabbled. I had never tried watercolor before I took an ongoing class with *Popi Tyler. She is an excellent and patient teacher. It was Popi's idea that four of us all paint something for the show and we did and to our great delight we were all accepted.
I live in Forestville, CA with my two dogs and a cat, who sometimes become my muse.


Monday, February 2, 2015

We're BACK!

After our little sabbatical,  we are back in time to begin posting biographies of the wonderful artists that have been accepted into Ironstone's 18th Annual Spring Obsession Art Show & Sale.

As soon as work has gone out to all the accepted artists and their bios roll in, we will be posting here for you to enjoy along with images of the accepted art work. 

So, Stay tuned!

Friday, January 2, 2015

HAPPY NEW YEAR!




The New Year is a time of unfolding horizons and the realization of dreams! May you rediscover new strength and be able to rejoice in the simple pleasures that life has to offer! Wishing you a lovely New Year.

May it be a great one.

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Merry Christmas!

Wishing all our friends and neighbors a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Here at Ironstone, we will all be home with our families counting our blessings.

Thank you for a wonderful year. We are looking forward to a great 2015!

Friday, December 12, 2014

New Jewelry Designer!

New Artist!

Wired4Design
One of a kind hand knit wire jewelry creations using fresh water pearls and other genuine stones. Wired with 14kgold plated wire or anti-tarnish silver wire.

“Unique and stunning!” Stop by and take a look., I've not seen anything quite like this before. Beautiful."

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Art Exhibit

Now through January 7th, Ironstone's Galleria is pleased to present original paintings created during the Ironstone Concourse d'Elegance this past September. Coordinated by Chris Gomez and Artist Judie Cain, this exhibit features:


  • Linda Abbott
  • Judie Cain
  • Diana Eppler
  • Susie Hoffman
  • Lorna Hunt
  • Mary Ann Kash
  • Charlotte Mulcaster
  • Sherrie Palmer
  • Cathryn Strong


All work is available for sale or just drooling over. Either way, come by and take a look at some outstanding paintings. From serious to whimsical, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Just downstairs from the tasting room. Open from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm daily.

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Happy Holidays! Black Friday Specials at Ironstone

Happy Holidays!

Enjoy our Black Friday, Shop Local Saturday and Christmas Shopping Specials!

Ironstone Hours:
Thanksgiving Day CLOSED
Tasting Room Hours: 10 am - 5pm  7 days a week
Deli Hours: Monday - Sunday 11:00 am to 3:00 PM Jewelry Shoppe and Museum Hours:
11 am - 5pm  7 days a week

Friday Door Buster
Half Barrels $29.95

80 Available, first come first serve.
(no holding and no pre-sale.)

Tasting Room doors open at 10AM Friday

Grape Vine Wreaths All sizes $4.99

Sold naked so you can dress them up!

Small Business Saturday
10% OFF all local products

Support Small Business Saturday featuring Corto Olive Oil, Beaudoin's Olives, Murphys Mustard, and Papa Gomez Salsa.

Tasting Room doors open 10AM Saturday

Lots of great Holiday Decor, ornaments, decorations and wine themed gifts to stock up on!

Ironstone's Heritage Museum presents Black Friday, Shop Local Saturday and Christmas shopping Specials right up to 3:00PM De. 24th

30% OFF all estate jewelry, gift items & collectable Bells.

Special 50% OFF jewelry section presented by OROCAL, The Natural Gold Company.

30% OFF Case Special
Verdelho & Elevation White

Monday, November 24, 2014

Call to Artists! Spring Obsession Art Show, Competition & Sale.

Calling all artists! 

Ironstone's 18th. Annual Spring Obsession Art Show is now accepting entries.
Simply go to the above tabs for both the Theme Division and Open Division to download.

If you would prefer they be emailed to you in a jpg format, simply email cgomez@ironstonevineyards with your request for the jpg format entries. They will be forwarded to you.

Thursday, November 20, 2014

Ironstone's FARM to FORK Wine Club Dinner

Ironstone's Wine Club members enjoyed a very special treat last week at our FARM to FORK Dinner. Featuring fresh meats and vegetables from local farmers, the dinner was a huge success. Interested in joining the fun?  
Contact Mary in the Tasting Room for more information. 
209-728-1251               






Thursday, November 13, 2014

Call To Artists!

18th Annual Spring Obsession entry forms are now here!  Click on the pages above for either the THEME DIVISION or OPEN DIVISION and download. OR you may email cgomez@ironstonevineyards.com for a jpg copy of both prospectus.

Deadline for the Theme Division is fast approaching, so don't miss out. Jump now before you get caught up in the Holiday Hoopla and forget!  

Friday, October 24, 2014

Former Spring Obsession Winner Solo Show in Taipei

Received a wonderful email today from former, Spring Obsession 1st. Place Winner, LIU HSU-YUAN.   We have been following this talented artist's career from our first introduction in 2007.  



Liu Hsu-Yuan was studying here in the United States at that time and chose to enter Ironstone's 10th Annual Spring Obsession Art Show. His entry was a stunning painting titled "Sunflower".  Large, bold and full of energy, light and movement.  This painting grabbed the judges eyes and held them entranced with the colors and brush strokes.  


Here is the winning painting, however this image doesn't do the original justice.

On to the email,  Liu Hsu-Yuan is celebrating yet another solo art show!
Running from October to December at the Taipei Cultural Center, you may experience his most recent and contemporary pieces.


Should you be in the Taipei area, do stop in and support this outstanding artist.  


Share in Liu Hsu-Yuan's opening celebration through the photos below...







Thursday, October 9, 2014

The Original Big Tree of California!

Incoming!  Ironstone Heritage Museum is now featuring an incredible series of books on the Histories of The California Big Trees.  These 6 books by Historian Gary Lowe, are the most in-depth research documents on the Big Trees ever published.  Gary was able to update existing history utilizing the amazing document archive  from a Murphys Prospector in the late 1800's that was discovered and display here at Ironstone in 2009.  Stop by and take a peek.  


The Mammoth Tree is the tree in the North Grove at Calaveras Big Trees State Park that had its bark removed for exhibit world wide in 1854. You can still see the cut marks on that giant made in the 1850's.  I had never seen an image of the reconstructed tree so I was thrilled to see it on the cover of Volume 2!  Impressive research and images. Kudos to Gary Lowe for such an awesome endeavor.






Volume 1 – The Original Big Tree,  History of the Big Tree Exhibit of 1853-1855: The Exhibition of the Bark and Section of the Discovery Tree, known variously as The Mammoth Tree, The Giant Tree of The Great Tree and its wanton contender – 2012/2014.  Over 200 illustrations & 3 tables.                          $40.00




Volume 2 – The Mammoth Tree. – A Gold Rush Adventure: History of the Mother of the Forest Exhibit, 1854-1866.  Over 150 illustrations.                                          $30.00





Volume 3 – The Big Tree Exhibits of 1870-1871 and the Roots of the Giant Sequoia Preservation Movement. The Snediker & Stegman (Forest King) and the Jellerson & Ricker Big Tree Exhibits 1870-1871.   100 illustrations (30 in color) 1 table.                         $35.00





Volume 4 – Before The Works – The Bancroft-Pond-Houseworth Toursit Party Among the Big Trees, May 1871  180 illustrations, 2 tables.                       $25.00








Volume 5 – The Grant Grove Centennial Stump, Kings Canyon National Park and the Big Tree Exhibit of 1875 – 1876. 40 illustrations. $8.50






Geologic History of the Giant Sequoia and the Coast Redwood. 27 illustrations, 3 tables and 6 maps.                $17.50

Monday, October 6, 2014

Phantom of the Opera! New showing added

Due to popular Demand, a 3rd. showing of the Silent Movie, "Phantom of the Opera" has been added to the schedule!  

Sunday, October 26th. at 12:00 PM!  Sign up now, the other two seatings have been sold out!

Ironstone Concourse Foundation Art Exhibition

Ironstone Concourse Foundation Art Exhibition

Ironstone Vineyards and the Ironstone Concourse Foundation present the 1st. Annual Ironstone Concourse Foundation Art Exhibit.
Opening Tuesday, October 14th, this outstanding exhibit of Plein Air paintings will be available for you to see through Sunday, December 14th. 2014.

Located in the main Galleria just downstairs from the Tasting Room, this exhibit features original Plein Air paintings created during this years’ Ironstone Concours d’Elegance, Saturday, September 27th.

Artists present and painting at this years’ classic car show were:
Linda Abbott
Diana Boyd
Judie Cain
George Durkee
Diana Eppler
Susie Hoffman
Lorna Hunt
Mary Ann Kash
Valerie Kolakowski
Charlotte Mulcaster
Donna Nelson
Sherrie Palmer
Cathryn Strong
Eva Walker

Tasting Room hours are 10:00 am to 5:00 pm daily.



Should you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact me at cgomez@ironstonevineyards.com.

Monday, September 8, 2014

Historic Artifacts up for auction

Our Friend and adviser, Fred Holabird is having an outstanding auction Sept.    of American Artifacts and Documents.  The catalog is already available with such outstanding descriptions of each of the items going up for auction, that the catalog itself is a rich resource for everything Early Americana.


We have posted a few images of a few of the items, but there are so many more!  You can also go on line and place a bit now before the actual live auction starts.  Check out the link below that will take you to the online auction.  It is fun just to pa-ruse through the items.  I learn a great many things I didn't know within these awsome pages of history and photographs.

Take a peek...

Everything from Merced tokens, Giusippi silk prints to Longfellow registry books ... even a classic turn of the century automobile in cherry condition waiting to be purchased and entered into the Ironstone Concourse d'Elegance later this month!




Take a peek ....

 http://www.icollector.com/Great-American-Treasure-Hunt_as33528

Saturday, August 30, 2014

Own a piece of Sutter's Mill!

Own a piece of Sutter's Mill!
 

This historic Gold Rush Era woodblock will be on display in Murphys, California. TODAY ONLY!! Saturday, Aug. 30

Beautiful Ironstone Vineyards will play host for this perfect end of summer getaway.  Fred & Joe will be on hand representing Holabird's Auction House, and will have a select  group of  Western Americana Artifacts to show, such as a Henry Lever Action Repeating Rifle, Model 1860 on display!  As well as other related gun ephemera, Diamond Springs Archive (c1853), Utica Mine Find, plus a collection of watercolor's from the late California area  Artist,  Dorner T. Schueler (1904-1986).


























Actually,  just copy and paste this link for the full story!

http://www.icollector.com/Sutter-s-Mill-Woodblock-CA-Gold-Rush-Artifact_i20352211

Thursday, August 21, 2014

90 years young!


Meet Mr. OFarrell, one of our favorite vendors. Mr. OFarrell celebrated his 90th birthday this year!  Still taking care of us all, Sean delivers authentic Irish Whistles and Shamrock cards for us to sell for him.  These little treasures are direct from Ireland and give Mr. OFarrell a little spending money as well as something to keep him busy and active. His formula for a long life.


Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Vault Cover installed!

Larry & Sara hard at work placing a wonderful Plexiglas panel on the Door of the historic Wells Fargo Vault here in the Heritage Museum.  For years, customers have had to peer through double wrapped plastic in attempts to see the historic signatures on the inside of the vault door.  These signatures are from all the Wells Fargo agents that managed that station in Angels Camp.  The signatures begin with Scribbner who purchased the mercantile 
building from Henry Angel, co-founder of Historic Angels Camp and opened the first official Wells Fargo Office in that mercantile.



And here we have the finished door panel!  you can even see the signatures in this photo! Amazing!
Come by and see for yourself a great bit of Gold Country History!



If you really want to know why we had to do this, post the question. Otherwise, we can let it go.....

Saturday, August 9, 2014

New Pearls this week!

Just finishing up 3 stunning beaded necklaces.  One is Chilean Lapis Lazuli with three 14k gold accent beads. The second and third new pieces are fresh water baroque pearls. One is strung with 14k accent beads while the other also has a rare Gold in Quartz bead. These three pieces will be available this next week in our Museum. 


Thursday, August 7, 2014

One Day Only! Historic Document Preview

Holabird Western Americana Collections
Presents a preview of a recently discovered archive
of Calaveras County Historical Documents,

This fabulous archive was recently discovered.  It contains upwards of 10,000 documents from dozens  of the mining camps in and around Angles Camp, c 1880-1915. We were surprised to find illustrated letter sheets, a huge whiskey archive, a fantastic archive from Mitchler's Murphys Hotel, including colorful lithographed business cards.  A remarkable archive from the assay department of the Utica mine is accompanied by an excellent document record of the mine's activities.

 This fabulous collection will go up for auction later this year, so don’t miss your chance to

stop by and see these outstanding historic artifacts for yourself.


One day only,   Saturday, August 30th.  


10:00 am – 4:00 pm,  Heritage Museum

Friday, August 1, 2014

Bells, Bells and more Bells!

The Bells are in!


Yes, we have a collection of bells in that Mr. Kautz found at an estate sale. They are all for sale with prices ranging from $5 - $25.

I was going to do a nice short little history of Bells ... but, going back to the beginning around 4000 BC in China and ending up here at Ironstone with a room full of little china, glass & pottery bells doesn't make for a short story!

Besides, these don't really fit the search engine's descriptors of musical instruments as they are nice but not fine tuned enough for the orchestra, nor do they lend themselves to the "calling workers from the field to meals" category as I doubt anyone can hear them even from the next room.  

However, they are quite nice little bells with cheery sounds that can remind someone you are stuck in your room in a full lower body cast and need a drink of water or they would fit nicely in someone's bell collection.

In any case, they are charming with nice sounds and great prices.  Come check them out. 

If they are still here in December, you may be subject to a complimentary tasting concert featuring our very own bell choir!  (Save us all and come buy some now!)