Meet Artist Ruth Morrow, Theme Division Accepted Artist

T-015  Gold in the Garden  mm 30x24  $500

Ruth Morrow

For the past thirty plus years, Ruth Morrow has interpreted the beauties of the Mother Lode in watercolor, collage, oil, acrylic and 3-dimensional pieces.

The artist was the first to win the Ironstone Obsession poster contest twice and her pieces have been selected for the KVIE art auction for the past eleven years.  She has also garnered prizes at Sacramento Fine Arts Gallery and Calaveras Fair.

Her vibrant watercolor "Striking Gold on the Mokelume" appeared in the recent Moke River traveling show.

Ruth is a member of the Arts of Bear Valley, Golden Palette, Sacramento Fine Arts Gallery, Watercolor Artists of Sacramento and Northern California Artists and Mother Lode Art Association.

Examples of her work may be seen in Murphys at Art on Main, and Murphy's Grill, Town Hall arts/Galerie Copper, and Calaveras Arts Council Store, San Andreas, and her studio in Arnold.

Her "Mountain Motion II" piece, a dramatic watercolor of up-country beauty, will grace the Bear Valley Music Festival's 2015 poster.

Meet Artist Deborah Marlene, Theme Division Accepted Artist

T-016  Stained Glass Daffs  wc 21x27  $450

Deborah Marlene
Watercolor Artist & Teacher
Mountain Ranch
& Mokelumne Hill, Ca.

I was born in Modesto, CA and migrated to Calaveras County 20 years ago. An artistic interest has always been part of my life. I can still recall the first day that they brought out the poster paints in Kindergarten.

I started with Acrylics in 1967, in a Saturday Honors Class. In High School, I studied oil painting and even landed a commissioned piece as a Senior.

Child rearing took a bit of time out of this lifelong passion, but did seem to pass rather quickly. I did manage one lass in oils, at Yuba Collage in the early 1990's.

In 1996, when my oldest Son left the nest, m urge to create an Art Room became a reality. Since I did have a younger Son in the home, I decided to try watercolors, because of the toxic fumes that oil paints involve.

It was the, that I began studying Watercolors with Lura Francis of Murphys. Besides 3 years with Lura, I attended quite a few Workshops with many talented local artists, in the late'90's and early 2000's.

I owned my own Gallery called Deborah Marlene's in Mokelumne Hill from August 1, 2014 to December 31, 2015. You may see more of my work on my website: deborahmarlenes.com.

I am a member of the Arts of Bear Valley, and actively participate in our show at the Bear Valley Music Festival and Big Trees State Park show. I began my professional career by showing at the Calaveras County Fair and try to make that a regular venue, too.

Now, after 20 years, Watercolors are my preferred medium. I am finding that with this experience, teaching some of my methods is a great way to imporve my own Artistic Path. I now am an Associate of Acme Art Moke Hill. In this "Creative Playground" of Anne Cook and Will Mosgrove, I have been offering an introduction to Watercolors class and will soon be offering an introduction to Feng Shui.

Feng Shui is one of my other passions. I received my Certification from the Western School of Feng Shui in Solano Beach, CA in 2007. This has propelled my Artistic Path in another direction. I often use my knowledge of the five elements of wood, water, fire, metal and earth when doing paintings. I once added a waterfall to a painting because of the practice and it sold quickly.

I love calling Calaveras County, HOME; and hope to use my talents to help people heal during the recovery from the Butte Fire.

Spreading the joy of Artistic Expression in my soul felt contribution to this life.

T-017   Along the way ...   wc  27x21  $3785

Meet Artist Connie Bowen, Ironstone Spring Obsession Theme Division accepted Artist

T-025 Daffo-Dilly  wc 17x21  $300

                                   

Connie Bowen

I have always loved art and photography and have experimented 

with both over the years. I have been taking watercolor classes

from Popi Tyler for a few years. She is an excellent and patient

teacher.  She continues to teach me how to see. I love the

process of creating with watercolor. I feel everything else

slip away except being in the moment of that creation,

which keeps me coming back to this beautiful medium.

I live in Forestville, CA with my two dogs and a cat, 

who sometimes become my muses.

Meet Artist Janice Freischlag, Spring Art Theme Division accepted artist

Janice Freischlag:  A Biography

Janice began her fascination with art in Wiesbaden, Germany in 1989.  She began with German folk 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 whenever possible.  

Meet Artist Carol Leonti, Spring Obsession Theme Division Artist

Bio - Carol Leonti

2515 Fulton Place

Santa Rosa, Ca. 95401

c.leonti@me.com

T-024  My Mother's Garden wc 30x24  $600

I have been painting for pleasure for over 15 years, continuously learning in workshops with well known transparent watercolor painters: Tony Couch, Dale Laitenen, Ken Hosmer, and more.  My most important teachers were Carl Miller, AWS, with whom I painted for many years, and my current mentor, Popi Tyler, who encourages me and coaches me on all aspects of my work.  I love transparent watercolor because of it’s challenges and its broad ability to express feeling for the subject.

Open Division entry O-141 Seaport wc 15x20  $600

My work has been shown at the Sebastopol Center for the Arts, the Watercolor Society of Sonoma County annual exhibit, at Ironstone Winery, and at the Russian Hill Winery. I currently participate in an exhibit at Empire College in Santa Rosa.

Open Division entry  O-142  Wild Garden  wc  13x15  $500

My technical skills and ability to paint expressively have steadily grown over the years.  I plan to never stop painting.

Meet Artist Andrea Morris, Spring Obsession Theme Division 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 acrylics and immediately fell in love with the mediums and has worked almost exclusively in these two.  A new passion for mixed media has begun to be represented in her recent works.

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.

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 homes in the northern California area and has worked with the Wall Dogs painting large murals in city downtown businesses.  She also has an extensive collection of commissioned work that is in many homes around the world.

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. 

Meet Artist Amber Palmer, Theme Division accepted Artist

T-019  My First Love  wc  16x20  $350

T-018  Sally's Garden  wc 16x20  $350

Amber Palmer Art Biography

Amber Palmer has lived in the Northern California Valley since birth.  Images of expansive skies, rivers, tall grass, symmetrically planted orchards and rice marshes are living memories.  As an artist, her paintings and photography are influenced by the mood and atmosphere of the changing seasons.  She continues to find her personal creative voice through watercolor media and photography.  Her work has been exhibited in national juried exhibitions, invitational shows, museums, and commercial galleries.  Amber states: “I find a state of reverie and focused meditation while in the creative process.”

While obtaining her Bachelor of Arts at California State University, Chico, Amber studied under Ann Pierce and Sal Casa and continues to utilize them as her mentors.  Amber obtained a Master’s degree in counseling, psychology from the University of San Francisco and is a licensed marriage family therapist.  She has been working in private practice for the past 30 years counseling individuals and groups and uses the creative arts and art therapy as a major role in the healing process.  She continues to conduct conferences utilizing art therapy and creative expression. 

Amber’s contributions and recognitions include but are not limited to the following:

·        Volunteered as the fine art consultant for Patrick Ranch Museum: coordinating art shows, children’s activities and fundraisers in the museum

·        Fine Arts Consulting Business – Coordinates art workshops for local and national artists and teach individual lessons and group workshops on water media techniques.  Mind Vacations through Watercolor.

·        Coordinated the Gateway Museum’s community garden: art show and a children’s art program in coordination with the nutrition program through CSUC.

·        Past Chairperson of the Butte County Water Color Society.

·        Past regional and state director for Very Special Arts.

·        Past chairperson of the Chico Arts Center.

·        Curated art exhibitions at the Ronald Regan Library Gallery, Children's Gallery in the California State Capital, California Governor’s Chambers and several private galleries.

·        Local Awards: 6 time recipient of the Chico Mayor’s Award, Chico Art Council Annie Award

·        Exhibited work – Many local and national juried exhibitions and galleries.  Currently: paintings and photography on exhibit at Chico Museum, Sally Dimas Gallery, Patrick Ranch Museum, and Amber Palmer Gallery.

·        Chico News & Review “Voice of Visual Arts” for Artober 2010.

Meet Artist Juliana Tillman, Theme Division accepted artist

T-013  Love in Bloom  by Juliana Tillman  wc  15x23  $500

Juliana Tillman was born and raised in Vacaville, California. In 2003 she moved with her family to the small town of Twain Harte in the Sierra Nevada's, whereupon she changed direction from working to raising her family and pursuing art. An interest in art and design has been there since her late teens though she was unable to make it a priority. Growing up in a family of antique and art collectors fostered her appreciation for fine arts. In the past five years she has increased her focus on art and the dream of being a professional painter. She is primarily self taught, with the exception of studying with local & nationally known artist through workshops and private classes. Juliana is an oil and watercolor painter with special focus in plein air and has won many awards in local art competitions. Juliana is a current member of the Mother Lode Arts Association.

"My goal is to create a lasting impact through art that survives generations with the hope that it will evoke reminiscent feelings of moments captured in time."

Meet Artist Carol Clark, Theme Division accepted artist

Artist:  Carol Clark

Date:  March, 2016

Address:  2342 Partridge Court, Valley Springs, CA. 95252

E-mail:  c14rogercarol@goldrush.com

                  

Carol is a refugee from the rust belt and her husband is a hillbilly from the Ozarks. They came to California to make their fortune.

Now that I have your attention, Carol graduated from CSC Long Beach where she majored in Art.

“I love to paint and make things beautiful!  This year I’m trying some watercolors and acrylics.  I usually prefer oils.  I like all kinds of color and enjoy quilts, stain glass windows, and anything that has beautiful colors.”

Come on up to Ironstone, have lunch, and see my artwork.  “I can’t think of anything I enjoy doing more than painting . . . well, I also enjoy cross country skiing.  Another beautiful thing.”          

T-008  Spring Dewdrops  by Carol Clark  wc  11x14  $350

Meet Ironstone's Spring Obsession Theme Division accepted artist, Renee Rondon

T-002  Tulips  oil  16x20  $295

RENÉE RONDON

Renée is a 4^th generation (of 5) Californian.  She moved to Calaveras County almost 9 years ago.  Her pastimes include camping, hiking and gardening.  Her passion is oil painting.   She is mostly self-taught, but has had lessons with many wonderful and respected instructors including Ed Garcia, VaLoyce Jensen, Gereon Rios, Gill Delinger, George Durkee, Diana Boyd, Judy Cain, and Peggi Kroll-Roberts.    

Renée welcomes the challenge of developing her paintings into a story that will touch someone’s heart, or remind them of an event that is a special part of their life.  Each painting is developed from a personal photo, sketch, or idea from various trips, other outings and even from her own backyard.      

Her art has won several awards, and her paintings have been in various galleries including the Aloft Gallery in Sonora, Mistlin Gallery in Modesto, Calaveras Arts Council in San Andreas, Lodi Community Art Center, and Delicato Winery in Manteca. 

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

Meet Ironstone's Spring Obsession Theme Division accepted artist, Kathleen Wolf

Meet Artist Lynn Takacs, Ironstone's Spring Obsession accepted artist

Lynn Takacs

1820 Scenic Drive, Modesto, CA 95355

(209) 872-4418

www.lynntakacs.com

Lynn was born and raised in Humboldt County and currently resides in Modesto, California. She took art classes in high school. Having earned her AA degree in business from College of the Redwoods in Eureka, she went on to take coursework in fine arts and graphic design at College of San Mateo and Academy of Art University in San Francisco.

She is a member of several art associations.

Lynn’s art has been exhibited in the 2^nd Annual Central California Arts Showcase (2015), Central California Art Association member shows, the Annual Exhibit of Fine Arts at the Tracy Art League Gallery, and in 2015 she participated in the Stanislaus Artist Open Studio Tour. She’s a 5^th year participant in the Annual Art of Justice fund raising event sponsored by the Stanislaus Family Justice Center, Modesto.

Her hope is to be an inspiration to art lovers around the world with her art.

I paint because it makes my heart sing.

FIrst THEME Division entry is in!

We are very excited here at Ironstone.The first entry into the THEME Division for the 19th Annual Spring Obsession Art show is IN! Artist Connie McLennan has submitted her entry, "Daffodil Cheer".  As the very first entry submitted, Connie's painting bypasses the Theme Division review committee - directly to GO!
Read more about Connie McLennan and her entry here:

http://www.conniemclennan.com/2015/12/daffodil-cheer.html

T-001  Daffodil Cheer  by Connie McLennan  18x14  $400

Do remember the Theme Division entries are due January 15th. and the OPEN Division entries are due February 12th. with the Exhibit Open to the public starting March 19 & 20. Stay tuned for more information.