Meet Artist Randy Klassen, OPEN Division accepted Artist

Meet Artist Randy Klassen.  Randy is our first OPEN Division Artist featured here on our blog.  Stay tuned for more...

O-040 Time to Retire by Randy Klassen  watercolor  26x35  $1100

Randy Klassen      Biography

Randy has been interested in art since he was a very young child.  His dad was a recognized artist in Canada and took Randy with him on many sketching trips.  Randy learned early how to use watercolors.  Since then he  has committed to using the highest quality of paint and paper in his work.

His earlist vocation was that of a minister with art being a constant avocation.

However, in 1981, he and his wife Joyce, also an artist,   took a ‘sabatical’ from ministry to concentrate full time on art.  They participated in many art and wine shows and other exhibits, mostly in California.  In 1984 they were selected as part of a month long cultural exchange to China where their work was exhibited in the Gallery of Guanghou Art Institute.

Various awards and honors came to Randy throughout the years of his career in art.  One award was having his depiction of the area of Palm Springs being made into a poster which was distributed throughout the city and beyond.

First place awards also came from the city of San Francisco and the Society of Western Artists.  One of Randy’s most popular paintings entitled, “To Such Belongs the Kingdom of God” has been published in several magazines, displayed on television and used as a cover for a National Advent Calendar.  It was also reproduced into an edition of lithographs, all of which are now sold.

Giving visual expression to the beauty of creation and the wonders of humanity have always fascinated Randy.  He is grateful to have two of his recent paintings on exhibit in the Ironstone Spring Obsession Show.

O-037  Almost Ready  by Randy Klassen  watercolor  21x25  $750

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