Meet Artist Jerry De Garza, Ironstone Spring Obsession Theme Division Artist

jerry de garza

from las vegas nv. to ione ca

jerry de garza has been painting for 30 years, studied at berkley moved to las vegas doing shows and gallerys. then moved back to ione ca. and doing shows and gallerys

T-026  Boots by Jerry De Garza  oil  21x16  $500

to contact de garza

(209) 763- 2601

Meet Artist Gregory Gallardo, Ironstone's Spring Obsession OPEN Division accepted artist

O-047  Between Shadow And Soul  by Gregory E. Gallardo  collage  24x24 $1200

Gregory Gallardo

Artist Statement:

"I am an art school dropout"... Upon receiving a scholarship to attend art school, I did what any rational 17-years-old would do; I left home, left school and traveled the world as a musician. Music more than art encompassed my life for the following 10 years. Ironically, this journey influenced my visual arts in ways that no formal art education could have. One vital lesson I learned as a musician was that the space between the musical notes was just as important as the notes themselves. Visually this concept can be applied to the use of negative space by the strategic application of both color and texture to evoke a sense of motion, rhythm and tempo. In my most recent works my collage techniques emphasize this illusion. Sharp tears reveal white edges which add Rhythm. The magazine paper imagery is glued in patterns, moving the eye around the piece. Figure and background flow in balance. While on the surface this technique may appear academic, the underlying message mirrors my personal views on life and death; a seamless harmonious coexistence.

My journey for creating "art" is a selfish act. The process becomes all encompassing, with the outcome of a work of art often becoming inconsequential to the path that lead me to the final conclusion, i.e. "The point of the journey is not to arrive." When working with collage, Ideas unfold without any predetermined direction. Letting the magazine paper speak to me, a page is turned and textures, patterns and color are randomly discovered, altering the theme as each torn piece is glued into place. Building works in this manner becomes a spiritual experience; living in the moment and allowing chance to guide the eventual outcome. The organic imagery taken from the torn magazine paper which comprise my works speak of my link to nature. Found upon closer inspection a torn photograph of a purple sunset becomes the blush of a cheek, a birds nest and the needles of a cactus form hair. My hope is that this method of re-interpretation will give the viewer cause to reconsider their ideas of our own origin.

*40% of the proceeds on direct sales of Gregory’s art goes to local charities.

Gregory Gallardo

Email: gallardoart@me.com

Web: www.gregorygallardo.com

Meet Artist Ruth Burney, Spring Obsession OPEN Division accepted artist

O-108  School Privy Douglas Flat by Ruth Burney  oil  20x16  $450

C. Ruth Burney

BIOGRAPHY

Ruth Burney is a native Californian born in St. Helena.  Her family moved to Napa in her early years.  At age seven they moved to an eighteen section cattle ranch in New Mexico.  Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, France and Washington were home in the years that followed.  She returned to California

in 1964.

 Formal training in fine art began at Colorado Womans College in Denver and continues today.  Her recent trip to Sedona Arizona included painting with plein aire artist, Joshua Been.  "His presentation on perspective was the clearest and simplist that I have ever known" She credits, Kathleen Dunphy  with introducing her to the plein aire artist's limited palette.  "This was a big leap in my artistic growth . Using only the three primary colors, plus and extra yellow and white, to render all that the eye can perceive is magic. It also allows, or more accurately forces,keener observation."  Another prominent artist, Timothy J Clark was very influential.  "My studies with, Tim have taken me to Italy, Spain, Hawaii and California (Yosemite).  We worked in plein aire using watercolors.  What a joy."

Ruth has occupied both sides of the art scene having had an art gallery in Mariposa, California and Jackson, Wyoming.." Time spent in the gallery was an art education in itself.  Surrounded by incredible pieces or work each day and listening to the artists discuss their work..what a gift. Being part of placing a

fine piece of art into a collector's appreciative hand was frosting on the cake."

My goal as an artist is to translate what I see and feel at that moment.  To share the result with others in the hope that  they will appreciate the beauty that surrounds us each day.

Ruth Burney's art is in both private and corporate collections across the country.

O-111  Canyon Fall  by Ruth Burney  oil  10x8  $350

Meet Artist Melinda Shook, Spring Obsession Theme Division artist

T-002  Dutch Treat by Melinda Shook  watercolor  30x24  $990

Melinda J. Shook
Artist Statement

Born and raised in Southern California, Melinda received her B.A. in Fine Arts from the University of California at Los Angeles. A year later she earned a K-8 General Teaching Credential. Her teaching career spanned thirty-six years, retiring in 2002. Art was always an integral part of her curriculum.

In 2005 Melinda renewed her interest in watercolor and began her painting career. Nature has always been deeply appreciated and a source of inspiration. With a love of photography, capturing images is an important and useful tool she employs in the painting process.

Melinda is a member of Watercolor Artists of Sonoma County (WASCO) and was juried into the 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 Aqua Areas Exhibition in Santa Rosa.  Her painting, "Kyan," was awarded an honorable mention in '07. In '09 she received the People's Choice Award for her painting Pine Flat.  In 2010 her painting, Dutch Treat, was awarded the Glad Baker Memorial Association (CWA), Watercolor West (WW) and National Watercolor Society (NWS). In '07 and '08 she was accepted into the international transparent WW exhibitions.  In '07 and '09 she was an exhibitor in the national CWA showings. In the summer of '09 her image, San Zavier del Bac, was selected by the NEW jury to be three matted painting to apply for signature status. On October 10th she was presented at the Exhibition Awards Luncheon as a new signature member, a milestone in her career.  Being accepted into the 2010 CWA 41st national Exhibition, her third, made her eligible to apply for signature status.  On 5 May the CWA Board approved her application for signature membership.

Melinda is continually refining her skills through workshops, classes and employing new techniques in her painting. Several award winning artists have influenced her: Marge Gray, Judy Greenberg, Phyllis Rapp, Barbara Nechis, Joyce Faulknor, Tom Lynch, Jane Hofstetter, John Salminen, and Mike Bailey.

2011 thus far has been a truly rewarding year. I have been juried in to the NWS Member Show, the CWA 42nd National Exhibition, and the Rocky Mountain National Watermedia Exhibition, in its 38th year, presented by Foothills Art Center in Golden, Colorado. I was the top poster contest winner for the WASCO Aqua Areas upcoming show in Santa Rosa.

My painting, Crested Butte, was selected for the 2012 Rocky Mountain National Watermedia Exhibition from Sept. 14 - Oct. 28 at the Foothills Art Center in Golden, CO.

I was also accepted in the NWS 92nd Annual Exhibition Sept. 29 to Dec. 2 in San Pedro, CA. The juror of awards, Barbara Nechis, chose my painting, Artist's Row Mission Inn, for the 2013 Traveling Exhibition. It will be traveling in the U.S. for 12 months.

My landscape of Cathedral Rock, Sedona received an award in our annual Santa Rosa Aqua Areas Exhibition in Sept.

T-001  Cheaper by the Dozen  by Melinda Shook  watercolor  30x24  $990