| O-106 Path by Sharon Moore acr 30x20 $850 |
| O-107 Cliff on the Beach by Sharon Moore acr 30x20 $650 |
Ironstone Vineyard Heritage Museum presents news, updates, exhibit info and insights on wine, gold, food, art and anything else that strikes a cord.
Artist
Statement
Cristy
Bright / cab
ART
Mixed-Media
Artist
| O-102 double_frame_circle_with_flowers by Cristy Bright mm 12x12 $160 |
The
mixed-media art I create is a process of experimentation, influenced by my
personal creative journey through
fiber arts, painting, calligraphy, ceramics, and flower arranging. I have no template or design-ideas beforehand
and simply start the process on a wood or cloth canvas by layering paint, paper
I create, paper from books and magazines, stamps, stencils, ink, and markers.
With no defined artistic endpoint in mind, I stop after about 3 to 8 layers
when I feel that the colors and textures are right, and I’ve created a pleasing
and interesting background.
Although
again experimental, the colors and textures in a background do influence the
design of the foreground artwork and appearance of the completed art piece. I
often join or weave together materials found in nature (dried flowers and pods,
sticks, moss, shells, and stones) with yarns, fabrics, or strings to create a
3-dimensional, nature-inspired image. My hope for every piece is that neither
the background or foreground overpowers, but compliments, to create a single
connected image with independent details that the eye continues to find fresh
and new with each look.
Allowing
the piece to unfold as I progress through each stage is both inspiring and
motivating. The process creates art that simply can’t be duplicated - each
piece is truly one of a kind.
| O-103 container_with_flowers by Cristy Bright mm 14x14 $200 |
| O-104 weaving_with_flowers.by Cristy Bright mm 10x20 $200 FAMILY MERIT AWARD |
Artist Stephen M. Testa
19736 Jesus Maria Road
Mokelumne Hill, CA 95245
Cell: (209) 402-6574
Office: (209) 754-1422
Email: stesta@goldrush.com
| O-130 rusty_old_soul by Stephen Testa wc 16x14 $200 |
Stephen Testa is a geologist whose subjects are in painting landscapes of geological interest,...
, black and white images of iconic geological figures and
landscapes from the great surveys of the 19th Century, and wildlife (including
domestic pets). For Stephen, the media of choice is watercolor and the
transformation from an historic dark black and white photo to watercolor
brings out a fresh perspective on such iconic individuals and images. Stephen's
other interests are in the painting of animal portraits and wildlife. His initial inspiration for
watercolors began in the early 1980s when he was working in the North Cascades. It was there
that he met Dr. Peter Misch, an iconic pioneering geologist of the North Cascades and professor
at the University of Washington. Dr. Misch was also an accomplished mountain climber and
during his many geological excursions would take his watercolor set with him as he explored the
North Cascades. It was at his home where Peter first showed Stephen his watercolors and
encouraged him to pick up the brush along with a rock hammer. Some of Stephen's earliest
paintings were displayed at The Prince and Pauper Gallery in Seattle. During this time, he also
became a member of the Northwest Watercolor Society. After a hiatus from painting in the late
1980s until 2017, Stephen resumed his desire to paint in watercolor. Stephen is self-taught, and
has developed his style from books on technique, observation of other artists' works, especially
that of John Hunt and Robert Bateman, and workshops, albeit his geologic training is an
advantage in sketching and 3-D visualization. He prefers watercolor for the spontaneity and
many challenges this media presents. His works have been shown at several exhibitions
throughout California. Stephen lives in Mokelumne Hill and is a member of the California
Watercolor Association and Mother Lode Art Association. Stephen’s works have been recently
exhibited at the Aloff Gallery, Sonora, CA, the Linda Dirkx Brown Art Gallery in San Ramon, CA,
and Ironstone Vineyard’s Annual Spring Art Exhibition, among others.
| O-131 up_the_creek by Stephen Testa wc 14x18 $300 |
| O-129 spring_thaw_at_hidden_lake by Stephen Testa wc 16x20 $350 |
| O-089 Head, Heart, Hands and Health by John Tullis oil 14x18 $675 |
Instructor
at the Lynn House Gallery in Antioch
Member, Jade Fon
Saturday Painters
Member, Contra
Costa Plein Air Painters
Member, The
Healing Pen Writers
www.johntullis.com
Instagram:
@jaycangram
I’ve been drawing
and painting all my life. I majored in art and graphic design at California
State University, Long Beach and did graphic design, production management and
sales in the printing industry for 40 years.
O-090 Ghost Herd by John Tullis oil 16x20 $750
About 15 years
ago I picked up my brushes again and began my second career as an oil painter.
I currently have a solo show at Ironstone Vineyard and I’ve participated
in many group shows at venues including the Lynn House Gallery, the Valley Art
Gallery in Walnut Creek, and the Arts Benicia Gallery. I recently was asked by the Pleasanton Art
League to judge an open art exhibit, “Imagination Expressed” at the Museum on
Main in Pleasanton, CA.
O-091 1940s Farm-all Tractor by John Tullis oil 11x14 $475
Since 2020 I’ve
been enjoying my third phase as an instructor of basic drawing and design
principles at the Lynn House Gallery in Antioch. Finally, I’ve just published my first novel,
a film-noir inspired mystery, with my own illustrations.