Meet 2023 Spring Obsession Artist William (Bill) Wittmer

 

   William (Bill) Wittmer

 

O-074 Three Persimmons-on-a Green Plate by William Wittmer pastel 16x20 $290

 I started painting in the ‘90’s using my father’s oil paints and easel. He was a doctor, but a lifelong artist. I retired from the Oakland Fire Dept after a 30-year career responding to thousands of events including the Cypress Freeway collapse and leading a Search & Rescue Team to New York for 9-11.

I studied portrait painting with Beth Batchelor in Danville; landscape and still life with Victoria Brooks in Sacramento. In the Motherlode, I have attended plein aire workshops with Chuck Waldman and Kathleen Dunphy; landscape classes with Heine Hardwig; and figurative and portrait painting with Peggi Kroll Roberts.

O-075 Poppies-on-Wittmer Ridge by William Wittmer pastel 16x20 $200.

My wife and I share a studio in our home in Angels Camp.

I now work primarily in oil and pastel; but, have worked in watercolor, acrylic and gouache. I use photos as reference for many of my paintings – easy to have beautiful photos with the Central Sierra landscape.  These days, I am interested in returning to plein aire painting and look forward to spending more time outdoors.

Painting is a love and passion for me. I hope you enjoy my work.

wcwittmer@caltel.com

 

Meet 2023 Spring Obsession Artist Connie Holt-Warner

 Artist: Connie Holt-Warner

O-036 Gazing in a Coy Pond by Connie Warner oil 16x20 $2500

I am an emerging artist. This is the first show I have entered and I am so delighted to be accepted. I started painting in 2007, but set down painting for many years to focus on my family and career. I picked up my paintbrush back up later in life and enjoy it very much.

I was born and raised in Norwalk, Connecticut, but have lived in the West Coast most of my adult life. I currently live in Brentwood, California with my husband.

I love the oil on oil technique of painting. I am currently exploring watercolors. I get my inspiration from nature. I love seeing all of the shades of color and how the light and shadows hit a subject.

My other passion is Seascapes. I am mesmerized by the waves and seeing what veins each wave forms.

Painting puts my mind and spirit in a very peaceful and quiet place and I love getting lost there.

Meet 2023 Spring Obsession Artist Sharon Moore

 Sharon Moore

T-018 Dancing Daffodils by Sharon Moore acryli 16x20 $600

About the Artist

Sharon Moore, ASID, is an award-winning Interior Designer and Artist. As owner of a San Ramon Interior Design firm, her work has wone numerous national and local Design awards. Sharon is a graduate of The University of Florida College of Fine Arts and Architecture and a member of the Alamo/Danville Art Society. Sharon has studied under artists Lynne Sheppard, Bob Burridge, Alex Powers, Christopher Schink, Fran Larsen and Skip Lawrence.

T-019 Daffodil Maze  by Sharon Moore acryli 10x30 $500

About the Art

Sharon works primarily with acrylic and mixed media. Her contemporary approach and evocative use of color has been widely accepted and honored at juried show in Danville, San Ramon, and Murphys, CA.

Meet 2023 Spring Obsession Artist Peggy Brennan-Wagner

 PEGGY BRENNAN-WAGNER

As a Native Californian, Peggy has lived most of her life coastal adjacent while enjoying recreational time in and around all the mountains, lakes and rivers this beautiful state has to offer. Peggy developed a deep connection with nature early in life, surfing the southern California coast, an avid camper and backpacker, fishing and floating rivers. Today, Peggy finds herself in Gold Country in the shadows of the lower Sierra foothills. Her artist vision fully captured with the dip of her brush into lots and lots of water, and color too.

Peggy's art reflect her love of nature and water, focusing primarily on landscapes finding inspiration while traveling. With the nest empty, Peggy and her husband find themselves often on the go, both Son's living out of state there is always a new National Park, Coastal Preserve of breathtaking vista waiting to be captured in watercolor.

O-039 Tunnel Vision by Peggy Wagner wc 11x14 $100

Peggy began her artistic practice coloring in the bathroom wallpaper flowers with her box of crayons, evolving to watercolors on seashells and then to acrylic landscapes, having only minimal secondary school educational experience in Art it wasn't until well after her collegiate years she began to study fine art watercolor under accomplished instructor Wendy Soneson and truly found her pallet.

Statement from the Artist: No truer are the words of Renoir, and my hope is you fell this in my paintings. "I'm in love with the sun and with the reflections in the water and to paint them I would go around the world"

Meet 2023 Spring Obsession Artist Bonnie Mae Waldon

 About the Artist Bonnie Mae Waldon

O-042 French Country Harvest by Bonnie Waldon $1200

        Born and raised in Oakland, California, Bonnie Waldon spent many years living in the Bay Area but has spend the last 40 years calling Murphys her home. Bonnie moved to Murphys long before the graceful buildings that line the main street were even a sketch, when the only grocery store was Davie's and Michelson Elementary received all four of her children, who were at the time, in grades K through 8. She and her husband wanted their children to grow up in a place that was safe and the schools in the  city were experiencing problems that she was not going to accept. Bonnie spent the next fifteen years raising all of her kids with her husband Jerry. I was only when her last child went off to college that Bonnie found herself with time to explore a long-ignored creative side. As a young woman she liked to draw, but opportunities to pursue art for as woman in East Oakland in the 1960's were scarce. Now, children grown, Bonnie took an art class with Harrion Rios that immediately awakened her love of painting, specifically with oil paints, as the texture and feel are what really inspire her as she works. Primarily self-taught, Bonnie loves the social connection that can be found when chatting with other artists, and the happiness her work brings to those who receive it.

Meet 2023 Spring Obsession Artist Kim Vagt

 

Kim Vagt Artist:

 

Kim Vagt lives in our wonderous Sierra Nevada Foothills!

O-079 Estuary-in-the Bay by Kim Vagt mm 12x12 $225

Recently retired in 2020 from a career in healthcare, Kim lives in the countryside near Mokelumne Hill in our pristine Sierra Nevada foothills of Northern California where she has her art studio.

Kim gains inspiration from the wonder of local landscapes and florals, abstract art compositions, and her true love for color.

She enjoys various mediums and techniques using Acrylic, Watercolor, Alcohol Ink, Oil Pastels, and Encaustic Wax. Every painting elicits pure creative energy for her with a desire to create a unique emotional connection for the viewer. “One piece leads me into the next and brings an exhilarating sense of joy, wonder, and learning”.  

O-080 Alyssum-Fields-of-Glory by Kim Vagt mm 12x12 $325

Her recent judged art pieces showcased at:

·        Crocker Art Museum, Wonderous Wax Exhibit 2020

·        Sacramento Fine Arts Center 54 and 55th National Motherlode Art Exhibit 2020-2021

·        The Gallery 48 at Natomas, Movement, Mastery and Medium Sierra Wax Artists Exhibit, 2021

·        Ironstone Vineyard, 24^th and 25^th Spring Obsession Art Competitions, 2021 and 2022

·        Calaveras Art Council Gallery, A Few of My Favorite Things, Exhibit, 2021

·        Propeller Art Gallery, Layers of Meaning International Encaustic Exhibit, October 2021

·        Roseville Blueline Arts Gallery, California Encaustic Artists Exhibit,  March, 2023

Check out Kim’s website: https://www.kimvagt.com/

Meet 2023 Spring Obsession Artist Paula Tooman

 

O-045 Blue on Blue by Paula Tooman wc 16x20 $250

Paula Gale Tooman Bio

 

I feel like I am coming home when I enter the art show at Ironstone Vineyards. The Gold Country has always been special to me. My husband and I love sitting on the Ironstone patio outside the wine tasting room having a glass of wine and some sandwiches. It’s a privilege to return as a painter to one of my favorite places.

I am Paula Gale Tooman and I’ve been painting since my mid-twenties. I first got interested in water color when I took a class from Muriel Doggett in adult education in Pleasanton, California. It only took six weeks to fall in love with the fluid surprises of painting with water colors. I’ve never been able to pry myself away from this medium – it’s exciting, vibrant, unpredictable, and just plain fun. A friend and I would try to go plein-air painting every few weeks. Sometimes we went to the Sacramento Delta but mainly we painted in the Gold Country. Dogs loved us, and people would meander by to see what we were doing. The spectators seemed to be kind and somewhat envious of the fun we were having.

When I had my first two children I felt I was too busy to paint. But I didn’t know what busy really was until my husband and I adopted twelve Ethiopians between 1994 and 1996. I was too busy to do much of anything. Our last adoption was in 1999 of a handicapped Down’s syndrome baby girl. But … I still dreamed of those days of painting in the Gold Country and wanted to try again. When I was in my late fifties I had only three kids at home – it felt like a vacation.

This last year has been very busy and quite strange because of Covid-19 and many new commitments. But, “God willing and the creek don’t rise”, I’ll be spending much more time in my studio this coming year, and I’m really looking forward taking on new challenges of in my water color painting.

 

O-046 Sunflowers in the Alley by Paula Tooman wc 23x18 $225

Meet 2023 Spring Obsession Artist Michelle Thornburg

T-024 Spring Flowers by Michelle Thornburg acrylic 30x40 $850

 Michelle Thornburg - Artist's Statement

My style of creating artwork is painting from the subconscious. There are no carefully planned sketches, no grids, it is just me and my paint with no expectations of anything but painting. I use my hands to apply the paint directly onto my canvas, no rules, just whatever feels right. The key for me is to let go of the conscious world around me, and just paint, allowing my hands to take the lead. Eventually the painting reveals itself. It's like daydreaming on a canvas.

T-025 Mother Nature by Michelle Thornburg acrylic 36x36 $850

Artist's Biography

Michelle Thornburg is a  California Artist and Art Techer living and working in the Central Valley. She creates dream like paintings from her subconscious using the Surrealist technique of automatism, or automatic painting. Her technique of using mainly her hands to apply acrylic or oil paints to the canvas allow her to connect with her artwork. Her paintings are created by applying paints onto the canvas in various c9olors, patterns, and movements. Her paintings are often reworked and go through many changes before they are completed. These expressive paintings are full of fanciful images and colorful landscapes.

Meet 2023 Spring Obsession Artist Stephen Testa

 

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-082 Pepper-by Stephen Testa wc 114x16 $350

 

Stephen Testa is a geologist whose interests are in painting landscapes of geological interest, 19^th and early 20^th Century 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, and the Linda Dirkx Brown Art Gallery in San Ramon, CA, among others.

O-083 Old-Faithfulby the Inn by Stephen Testa wc 12x16 $550

O-081 Blake by Stephen Testa wc 12x10 $350

 

Meet 2023 Spring Obsession Artist JC Strote

 

O-047 Blue Geormetric by JC Strote glass fusion 16x8 $350

About JC Strote:

 

JC has been practicing and developing her passion for fused glass art for over 20 years. She is also an art educator and leads private fused glass classes by appointment. Her gallery affiliations include the Lodi Community Art Center, Blue Line Arts in Roseville, the Stockton Art League Goodwin Gallery, and Archival Gallery in Sacramento. JC serves as the Awards Juror for the Sculpture category in the 2019 KVIE Art Auction.

 

Meet 2023 Spring Obsession Artist Tracy Stone

 Tracy Stone

O-035 Panting Luke by Tracy Stone oil 12x12 $500

About me, I am originally from the Bay Area and currently live in Valley Springs CA. I recently retired this year, and am looking forward to spending more time learning and perfecting my art abilities, as this is one of my passions.

My hobbies other than art are horseback riding, and spending time with my labrador retrievers and my Dockies. Pastimes are boating and traveling.  Of course my most favorite times are with my 13 grandchildren.

I have watched my husband Bradford Stone create wonderful art creations. I finally have time to join him and create some of my own, although we have very different techniques. We always critique each other and also give each other encouragement

Meet 2023 Spring Obsession Artist Brad Stone

T-022 Trumpets by Brad Stone ac 10x20 $350

 Bradford L Stone 

Valley Springs, California 

 Bradfordlstone.com (gpa.bradford53@gmail.com) 

(209) 581 2047 

I always had an interest in Art and Painting I enjoy playing with light and color and capturing the beauty that life has to offer us. 

 I studied at Delta College exploring the arts and ceramics. I also minored in art at Sacramento State College learning about art and figure drawing, along with earning my degree, and my teacher’s credentials. 

 After college I explored my art interest under Susan Sarback at her School of light and Color. 

As I am retired now from teaching High School my goal is to become a Master Artist. 

 My achievements in art, going back to winning The Bank America Pop Art in High School. Calaveras County Fair (Best of Show and first in fine art) 2017. Participated in California State Fair Expo Plein Air exhibit. Sold my painting that day. Participated in the Plein Air painting with Con’Course De'Elegance Car Show. Participated in Ironstone Winery Fine Arts Obsession art competition. In the Ironstone Vineyard 21st Annual Spring Obsession Art Show I was recognized in their Family Merit Award. 2022 first place award in the Plein Air painting with Alameda County art fair. 2023 won Honorary mention in the Delicato Winery Show. Look forward many years selling some of my pieces, hoping they bring joy in their homes.

Meet 2023 Spring Obsession Artist Renee Rondon

 RENEE RONDON

O-037 Trio of Sunflowers by Renee Rondon wc 13x17 $275

Renee is a 4th generation (of 5) Californian. She moved to Calaveras County 12 years ago. Her pastimes include camping, hiking and gardening. Her passion is painting.

O-038 Shades of a Sunset by Renee Rondon oil 18x22 $425

Most of her experience is in oils, but she also enjoys using acrylic, watercolor, and pastel. She is mostly self-taught, but has gained experience and knowledge from many respected intsructors including Ed Garcia, VaLoyce Jensen, Gereon Rios, Gill Delinger, George Durkee, Diana Boyd, Judy Cain, Peggi Kroll-Roberts, Jim Toenjes, and Heinie Hartwig.

Renee enjoys the challenge of developing her paintings into a story that will touch someone's heart, or remind them of something special that is part of their life. Each painting is developed from a personal photo, sketch, travel, plein air painting, and even from her own backyard.

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

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

Meet 2023 Spring Obsession Artist Terry Richardson

O-058 Northern California Sunset by Terry Richardson- 24-x 24-  Oil $625

I began doing art at an early age while in grade school. I  an remember spending hours in my room drawing, and copying other artist's work. I studied it formally in high school and college but abandoned it to pursue a career in Occupational Therapy and to raise my two girls. At some point in my adulthood I mentioned to my husband that I would like to start painting again and that year, for my birthday, he bought me an easel, paints and paint brushes. There was no turning back now! I needed to refresh my skills so I enrolled in an art class taught by Gereon Rios, I was hooked! I have also studied with Judy Cain. My work has received awards at Ironstone Spring Obsession Art Show.

O-059 Breakfast View, Albion River Inn-by Terry Richardson 10-x 10-  Oil $495

I believe when you  view art, it should evoke an emotion or a memory or tell a story. I hope when you view my work you experience that.

O-060 Peaceful Pond-by Terry Richardson 11-x 12-  Oil $550

I continue to be inspired by the beautiful world around us and other artists.

Terry D. Richardson

Meet 2023 Spring Obsession Artist MarySue Palmquist

 Mary Sue Palmquist 

T-008 After the Rain by Mary Sue Palmquist wc 27x19 $380

 Mary Sue discovered a love of artistic expression in high school when her art teacher’s lesson was a portrait drawing every day. She chose Art as her major and attended Ripon College and Minneapolis College of Art and Design where she studied printmaking, graphic arts and typography (before the advent of computers). 

T-009 Sumi Daffodils by Mary Sue Palmquist wc  14x11  $110

 Graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Art from Rockford College in 1983 with a focus on watercolor, life had a way of taking her in other directions, and Mary Sue found herself managing her family’s business, a historic theatre in Rockford, Illinois used for performing arts performances. She kept her art passion alive by taking evening painting and calligraphy classes. After 18 years in the performing arts management field she went on to pursue the study of Art Therapy in a Masters program in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, which led her into teaching art in an afterschool program for three years until she moved to California in 2005. 

O-043 Good Morning Sunshine by Mary Sue Palmquist wc 21x19 $320

 In 2014, she took up her paint brushes again and began studying watercolor and entering art competitions, shows and the local fair. In 2018 she attended an international calligraphy conference where she rekindled her love of script, brushstroke and modern calligraphy. Mary Sue enjoys a variety of subject matter - from sea creatures inspired by visits to the Monterey Bay Aquarium to old buildings and photographs. Living in the Sierra foothills (Lake Camanche), she’s intrigued by the stories of the Gold Rush and the beauty of the light and nature in this part of the world.

O-044 Coleus by Mary Sue Palmquist wc 22x18 $260

 “Art is a natural way for me to connect with my soul and convey the often mysterious feeling of a sunrise, sunset, flower, animal or person. There’s a story in everything and interpreting that inspiration is my goal. 

 Mary Sue has been a member of the Sutter Creek Gallery in Sutter Creek, California since 2016 and displays her art locally through “Art in Public Places” and is a member of the Amador County Artists Association.

Meet 2023 Spring Obsession Artist Twyla Olsen

 

T-014 Unique Spring #1 by Twyla Olsen mm 20x16 $475

Twyla Olsen 

 Artist Biography

Twyla Olsen is inspired by the beauty of nature and seeks the intersection of spirituality, color, and artistic expression. Olsen paints landscapes, abstracts, and nature scenes from this source. She follows her creativity and artistic expression inspired by the beauty of nature and thrives on frequent exploration and travels to the Sierra Nevada Mountains and beyond to source inspiration. 

T-015 Unique Spring #2 by Twyla Olsen mm 16x12  $350

Currently, Twyla is a member of Art on Main in Murphy’s, CA. She was also member of Studio B for five years 2009 - 2014, located in downtown Sonora. She has shown in regional shows and galleries in: Angel’s Camp, Healdsburg, Jamestown, Modesto, and Merced. Her work was exhibited at the Ventana Gallery on Washington St. in downtown Sonora for over 3 years. She has also shown in a show at the Arizona State University Gallery in Phoenix, Arizona and was a member of the artist co-op in Mesa, Arizona from 2014 to 2016. 

When attending classes at Scottsdale Art School in Arizona she was fortunate to work with national and internationally known instructors. She has studied with local artists in the Mother Lode area. Twyla enjoys working with collage and multiple medias to create whimsical pieces and a variation that adds depth and character to her work. 

Twyla says, “I follow the advice of the late Danny Kaye ~

“Life is a great big canvas; throw all the paint you can on it!” 

 Contact Info: (209) 617-6899 or Twylaolsen@gmail.com

Meet 2023 Spring Obsession Artist Ann Nall

 

T-003 Stained Glass by Ann Nall wc 15x12 $250

Ann Nall

1212 Shell Ave, Pacific Grove, CA 93950 

web: annnall.com 

email: nall8900@comcast.net

Statement 

I have been a watercolor artist for many years. I love deciding what to paint, where to place my brush and color, and watching the water take my idea in a completely different direction. Yes, my skill lets me have the water and color remain in my chosen place, but transience and imperfection lead to magic. Watercolor is about magic. 

O-001 Bull by Ann Nall 9x12 acrylic $250

 Biography

 Ann started painting in 1985 to escape the pressure of work. Her first lesson was in the basement of a community center in Virginia, just outside Washington DC. Her teacher taught her how to hold a brush, mix colors, and put what she saw onto paper. Watercolor landscapes and still life slowly evolved into a love of painting animals and finally hundreds of detailed, realistic pet portraits. She has experimented with acrylics, applying paint directly from the tube onto canvas. She is also an enthusiast for decoupaged glass. While she has created some dramatic pieces of which she is proud, she always returns to paper and water. 

O-002 Moody by Ann Nall acrylic 13x13 $250

 Past Juried Shows and Awards Include: 

Ironstone Winery, Murphys, CA (1st place winner of Themed competition

Pacific Grove Public Library, CA (one of 12 for their 105th anniversary, national competition) 

San Luis Obispo Art Museum, CA (Art of Fine Craftsmanship) 

Northern California Arts Association, Sacramento, CA (Award of Excellence) 

Fusion Art Gallery, Palm Springs, CA (juried in 5 different competitions & honorable mention) 

Pacific Art League, Palo Alto, CA (Awarded Honorable Mention) 

Carmel, CA (Carmel By the Sea Holiday Banner, one of 20 winners) 

Museum of Fine Arts, Montgomery, AL (benefit auction) 

WGBH Boston, MA (auctioned poster design) Artists Group of Charlestown, Charlestown, MA (founding member)

Meet 2023 Spring Obsession Artist Shalaka Mulherkar

 Shalaka Mulherkar

T0012 Spring Forth by Shalaka Mulherkur wc 14x11 $480

 ABOUT ME

I am Shalaka Mulherkar and I reside in the charming East Bay city of Danville in the foothills of Mt. Diablo. I moved to California from India 20 years ago and have been living in the San Francisco Bay area ever since. I studied Architecture in India and have worked as a UI designer. Along with my husband, I have travelled across the country and hiked in many national and state parks, where I have seen awe inspiring landscapes and breathtaking color palettes of the changing seasons.

ABOUT MY ART

Growing up I was always fascinated by the patterns, textures and colors that surrounded me, and sought to capture them through paintings. Visiting all the art fairs in our area and seeing the work of wonderful artists inspired me to begin my own journey as an artist. I have found true expression in watercolors, a medium that is dynamic yet lucid, able to exhibit both transparency and texture. I find joy and peace in seeing the beauty in nature come to life on paper and I hope to inspire those same feelings in my viewers. I have been featured in competitions by International Watercolor Society, with one of my paintings recently exhibited by IWS India and another currently on tour by IWS Bulgaria.

408-334-4915                SHALAKASDESIGN@GMAIL.COM        @SHALAKA_MULHERKAR

PHONE                           EMAIL                                                        INSTAGRAM

Meet 2023 Spring Obsession Artist Ron Miranda

RON MIRANDA

714-323-5990

www.artofronmiranda.com

artbyronmiranda@gmail.com

O-014 Ballarina en Azul by Ron Miranda oil 24x30 $2200.

Ron was born in the island of Guam, an unincorporated and organized territory of the United States in Micronesia in the western Pacific Ocean. His parents are of Chamorro and Filipino descent. Ron currently resides in Southern California where he studied art at the California State University, Long Beach, earning a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts degree graduating with honors.

O-015 Lonesome Dear by Ron Miranda oil 36x24 $2600

Ron began working as a graphic artist receiving state and national awards and accolades for his work. As a graphic artist, it had set him up on his lifelong journey to find his own unique style and language, to create amazing paintings pulsating with the light and energy that emanates from his heart and soul. Now his focus is as a full-time fine art painter to grow and discovery new visual boundaries.

Most of Ron’s inspirations and influences are from fond memories of Guam; romanticizing visions and memories of the rich tropical vegetation, fauna and some of the amazing color, textures and patterns that channel their way into his paintings. Heightened color is paramount in Ron’s paintings with exaggerated hues to push boundaries and strike a chord with the viewers. 

Many of Ron’s works range from realism to abstract. The concepts for his abstract works run deep from his island culture and music. Ron finds incentive for his representational pieces from a collection of images via his personal digital library that he photographed throughout his life. 

Very well versed in computer graphics design programs, Ron applies his computer skills to conjure up his painting compositions. He works mainly with oils and sometimes uses acrylic, charcoal, color pencil, gouache and pencil.

Ron hopes his paintings resonate with a broad spectrum of people, engaging the viewer in present time with a modern beauty created through his imagination and life experiences.

Meet 2023 Spring Obsession Artist Lisa Livingston

 LISA LIVINGSTON: ARTIST BIOGRAPHY

Lisa Livingston is an artist from California's Central Valley, an area distinguished by beautiful gardens, abundant farmlands and flourishing orchards which have deeply influenced her work. An avid gardener, her paintings are often inspired by bountiful flowers, trees and colors found in nature throughout the year.

T-016 Pink Charms by Lisa Livingston acrylic 8x10 $300

The art she creates features complex patterns of shape and color presenting a unique vision of the natural world. Her acrylic, watercolor and mixed media paintings portray flowers, landscapes and abstract nature forms that reflect the temporal beauty of the seasons and cycles of nature. She often captures a poetic, transcendent quality in her subjects.

T-017 Trumpets of Spring by Lisa Livingston acrylic 8x10 $350

Lisa's work has been shown in exhibitions at Filoli, the Carnegie Art Center, and Ironstone Vineyards among other regional venues and is included in private collections.

A Former Art History instructor at both Modesto Junior College and CSU Stanislaus, she now devotes her time to research, painting, photography, and other creative endeavors.

A portfolio of current work is available at www.lisalivingstonart.com

Meet 2023 Spring Obsession Artist Stacy Lindsey

 

O-071 Falling by Stacy Lindsey oil 14x11 $200

Stacy Lindsey is a visual artist that works with collage, acrylics, oils and anything else she can get her hands on. Her work often reflects deep feelings that she’s unable to explain until the work is complete. She uses composition, poses, bold colors and subtle iconography to convey meaning. The piece submitted to this show was created in remembrance of the Atlanta spa shootings in 2021.

When she’s not using art to process her emotions, she’s using it to experiment with materials and colors. Learning new skills is half the fun. She strives to use recycled materials whenever possible. Her closet is filled with old books, magazines, broken jewelry and vintage frames.

Stacy is an early childhood educator and teaches art classes through Tuolumne County Arts and at local schools. She aims to use her skills as an artist and teacher to create connections and build communities. In a world where we are all separated and living individualistic lives, she believes that creativity can bring people together.

Stacy grew up in Tuolumne County and attended Columbia Community College. She graduated with an A.S. in Early Childhood Education and hopes to someday be a therapist where her skills can be put to even greater use.  She lives in Columbia with her two preteen sons, cat and copious house plants.