Meet Artist George Haskell

 George Haskell

Oil Painter

T-038 Frog;s delima by George Haskell oil 11x14 $400

    George Haskell's first artistic love has always been landscape painting. He has always been captivated by the grandeur of the mountains of California. Whether it is the ever changing views of Yosemite or the shifting seasons of his mountain home outside of Murphys, it is never the same view twice. Since retiring from a career teaching special education George has focused on creating paintings that evoke a feeling of the time place and season for the observer. He also enjoys painting pets and other animals, tame or wild.

O-142 Tahoe Beauty by George Haskell oil 11x14 $400

    George began oil painting when he took a semi independent studies class in painting in college during the seventies. He has worked for the past twenty years to sharpen his skills. Teachers Judy Cain, Susan Sarback, Heinie Hartwig and Susie Hoffman have all provided skills and insights into the artistic process.

O-141 Michief by George Haskell oil 8x10 $300

    George is also a skilled musician. He is a singer songwriter playing both banjo and guitar.

    George lives on the top of just outside of Murphys on Treasure Mountain with his wife Patricia, four cats, two horses, and a pair of corgis.

Meet Artist Chella Gonsalves

 CHELLA'S 2022 BIO

1349 Crawford Road, Modesto, Ca 95357-0906

cgonsalv@ix.netcom.com

www.chellaartist.com

www.fineartamerica.com

O-149 garden gate by Chella Gonsalves

Born in Indiana and a graduate of Ball State University with a BS in Art Education, Chella came to California in September 1956. For 27 years she taught art in Modesto City School District, when there were five high schools, gaining advancement each time to teach. At the same time, she taught at Delta Junior College adult extension painting classes, and privately. Through California Art Education Association and the Stanislaus County Commission for Women honors she was given outstanding art education and outstanding woman respectively. At this time she is retired and pursuing a career in the professional visual art world, doing non-objective works, including mixed media, drawing and "en plein aire" genre.

O-087 delta bridge by Chella Gonsalves oil 11x14 $454

Chella has had work exhibited exclusively with solo shows. Acceptances/awards on the nationa/regiona/local level exhibitions are part of her resume. In 2008 two of her small 8" x 10" en plein aire works and one large non-objective pieces were awarded prizes in the Yosemite Renaissance International Exhibition. Corporations such as Fireman's Fund, Kaiser Permanente, Lodi Memorial Hospital and private art collectors have acquired her works.

O-150 gathering by Chella Gonsalves

Her serious consideration in painting is recording the Central Valley landscapes and vanishing farmland and crops, done in the "en plein aire" style. The highlight of her art career is a 6 ft by 8 ft oil painting hanging in the boardroom of the Beckwith Animal Hospital of Beckwith Court, off Highway 99. It's a view of our Central Valley imagined in the late 1800's from the coastal range to the Sierra Mountains.

Meet Artist Judy Day

 Judy Day,

T-006 Daffodils in Wine by Judy Day wc 16x16 $200

I attended Art Center School of Design and CSUN and have a VA in Graphic Design and a teaching credential in Art education. I taught middle school art for over 25 years in Southern California. I've worked in all media, but watercolor is my passion.

T-007 Again by Judy Day wc 11x14 $150

I moved to the Sierra Foothill Country following my retirement, and began studying with several local artists. I love learning new techniques and using new color combinations. I paint every day from only a few minutes to 8 hours, if I am really inspired. I paint because I simply love to.

I am inspired by humm... almost anything and everything. Landscapes or seascapes, anywhere in the world, Norway, Germany, Italy, Greece, or around the corner on China Graveyard, or up on Electra Road. I see a combination of colors, shapes or textures and they reach out and grab me. sometimes animals do, like the elephants in Shi Lanka or the Koala in Australia, portraits of my grandchildren are always fun. Flowers in my yard or on the road side. Like I said almost anything.

I like to paint plein air, but that is not always possible, so I have hundreds of photographs of my travels and the nearby areas. I can pull out the photos and there it is my inspiration. I like to paint on 140lb. or 300lb. Arches cold pressed paper and I use Daniel Smith Watercolors.

O-027 Aftermath by Judy Day wc 12x16 $180

I co-own the Sutter Creek Gallery on Main Street in the Gold Country town of Sutter Creek, California. This is a co-op gallery which hosts 20 local artists. Our motto is "Art should be for Everyone". We have a wide variety of styles and media represented, from pottery and gourds to jewelry and paintings in every creative style you can think of. We also do custom framing for our members and the community.

O-028 The Rain Storm by Judy Day wc 12x16 $180

Website: judyaday.com and, suttercreekgallery.com

Facebook: watercolors by Judy

Please enjoy a piece of my passion.  Judy Day

Meet Artist Judie Cain

 JUDIE CAIN

A Colorist's Impressions from life

O-161 Bottle Collection by Judie Cain oil 11x14 $700

Oil painter and instructor

A native of Burlingame, CA Judie studied at California College of Arts, after high school. Family responsibilities behind herm, and taking early retirement from the business world, Cain returned to painting by attending college, numerous workshops and taking private lessons.

Painting from life as much as possible, or from her own reference photos, Ms. Cain strives to caputre the light and mood of the moment using brush and/or palette knife. "My wish is for my paintings to capture the light and life of the moment in an uplifting or inspiring way.  The fleeting moments of light on a magnificent natural vista or of the petal of a rose; a simple smile, the still reflections on a pond. The joy of life".

She has taught her workshops, "Basic Nuts & Bolts of Oil Painting" and "Color Demystified" in the western states as well as other local venues. She currently teaches adult summer classes and private lessons covering painting fundamentals and color. Primarily and oil painter, Judie has begun also to use guache, an opaque watercolor.

An award winning artist, Ms. Cain has been represented in galleries in Washington, Oregon, New Mexico and California, including Murphys, Sonora, Copperopolis and Carmel. She has several works in print, Giclee and on home products and is collected world wide.

Judie lives in Murphys, CA where she has a working studio, "The Art Studio", which is open by appointment, classes and special events.

For information about her paintings, gallery representation, classes, please go to www.cainart.com or call 209 559-3345. Email:cainart@goldrush.com

Meet Artist Ron Butler

 Bio for Ron Butler

Ron Butler enjoys the outdoors, cold weather and Ironstone Old Vine Zinfandel. He currently resides in Lodi, CA and is always ready for a day trip to Murphys.

O-053 Landscape by Ron Butler oil 12x16 $2500

Ron enjoys dabbling with watercolors, acrylics, and pencil and shade. He has an eye for watching colors flow through art to invoke peace and calm in nature.

Meet Artist Rita Barbano

O-156 Woman by Rita Barbano mm 40x40 $1000

 My artistic development began when I was a teenager in Brazil. I graduated from Escola Panamericana de Arte Sao Paulo. I studied architecture at FAU Farias Brito Guarulhos in Sao Paulo where I would transform my projects into art. I began painting as my primary medium. Upon graduation, my father encouraged me to get a "real job" and to stop painting, so I became an architect in Sao Paulo and Joinville, Brazil. But, my interest in painting always remained.

After I moved to the United States in 2004, I started taking classes in art and began to paint again. I paint in oil, acrylic, water color, encaustic (bee wax), and I do mixed media using digital art.

My art lets me escape to a secret world filled with fantasy and delightful colors, where even accidents are fun and whimsical. Coincidence, irony and dreams are incorporated into my work. I try to inform, but not in an academic way - through visual presentations that explore the subconscious mind. My younger years were spent during the Brazilian dictatorship, so, to this day, I trust my art more than my works to reveal my perceptions and to reveal my experiences.

In my past, I was always trying to find subject that would allow me to go further into my subconscious. Now, I allow my art to find me. In this chapter of my life, my art has chosen for me to represent women's feelings. I juse many different techniques to achieve the representations of these emotions.

Life is here now; everything else is fiction.

Rita Barbano

650-288-8788

Oakdale, California

www.facebook.com/rmbarbano

rmbarbano@yahoo.com

Meet Artist Bradford Stone

Bradford L Stone 

 Valley Springs, California 

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

(209) 581 2047 

O-060 Classic Trio by Brad Stone acr 38x40 $450

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. 

O-062 Mestengo by Brad Stone acr 30x15 $250

 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. Not wining, but selling my painting that day. Also, participated in the Plein Air painting with Con’Course De'Elegance Car Show. Participated in Ironstone Winery Fine Arts Obsession art competition. Also, Ironstone Vineyard 21st Annual Spring Obsession Art Show and recognize in their Family Merit Award. Over the years selling some of my pieces, hoping they bring joy in their homes.

O-061 Innocences us a bless by Brad Stone acr 24x18 $250

Meet Artist Popi Tyler

 Santa Rosa 

Artist

Popi Tyler

T-036 hey_big_spender by Popi Tyler wc 22x15 $980

Popi Tyler is the honored recipient of two Ironstone Spring Obsession Awards:

The 18th Annual Ironstone Vineyards Family Choice Award in 2015,

And a First Place Blue Ribbon in the Open Division last year, 2021.

You can find her poster of yellow of yellow daffodils titled Garden District, here in the Ironstone Vineyards gift shop.

O-139 wild_honey  by Popi Tyler wc 10x22 $730

The most wonderful experience happened to me in kindergarten when my teacher handed me jars of finger paints and paper ... I've never looked back!

I've been fortunate to be able to study watercolor here in the US, in California, Nevada and Hawai'i, and in Mexico.

The fluid medium of watercolor always brings me surprises and joy.

Seeing myself as a perpetual student forever learning, my studies continue under two great friends and master watercolorists, Dale Laitinen of Pioneer, CA and Christopher Schink of Santa Rosa, CA.

The happiest part of my artist life, is a dozen-year tradition of getting together with my group of 8 treasured artist friends on Fridays for art mischief & Laughter.

O-137 warthog_blues by Popi Tyler wc 10x10 $500

Happy Trails!

Popi Tyler

808.220.7452

Popi@popityler.com  

Meet Artist Judy Ryder

 Judy Ryder 

ARTIST’S STATEMENT ____________________________________________________________________________ 

T-017 Kinda Daffy by_Judy Ryder wc 13x5 $200

I stepped into the world of art seven years ago when I took my first photography class. Taking photos opened my eyes in a new, inquisitive and expansive way to what was around me. 

As one thing often leads to another, a photographer friend encouraged me to join Popi Tyler’s watercolor class. This was an invitation to learn something new. Her weekly class provided an opportunity to sink into the study and practice of painting while observing my emerging style and expression. Popi has been a wonderful teacher. 

When I paint, I open to my evolving creative process, and I love how it offers an element of surprise between intention and what is finally captured on paper. As I was drawn to the abstract in photography, I also enjoy combining realism and abstract in my paintings. 

My home is in Sebastopol, California, where my husband and I raised our    family and continue to reside. 

Judy Ryder

judyryder43@icloud.com 

707-888-850

Meet Artist Robin Mooney

 

Robin Mooney - Cupertino, California 

Nearing the end of a 36-year career as a Civil Engineer and worried about what trouble I might get myself into in my retirement, my wife and sister-in-law conspired. For a birthday, they surprised me with paints, brushes, paper and a week-long watercolor workshop with Dale Laitinen. While I was obviously in way over my head, I greatly enjoyed that workshop. I return most years to Dale’s Virginia City workshops to paint and reconnect with friends. 

 After using up my allotment of classes in furniture design and sculpture at De Anza College, my artistic endeavors now focus on watercolor. I especially enjoy painting with my friends, Ron and Popi Tyler in Santa Rosa. It was with Popi’s encouragement and support that I entered this show. 

T-008 Three Amigos by Robin Mooney wc 21x17 $500

T-009 It is what it is by Robin Mooney wc 26x21 $600

O-031 Virginia City #3 by Robin Mooney wc 29x23 $700

O-032 Virginia City Mine Shafts by Robin Mooney wc 29x23 $7003

Meet Artist Shauna Rae Engbrecht

 SHAUNA RAE ENGBRECHT

 “ART BY SHAUNA” 

O-158 At the Beach by Shauna Engbrecht oil 20x27 $950.

As a young girl growing up in Klamath Falls, I rode horses and learned to love landscapes painted by God and the beauty in His sky. 

 I always had a desire to create, and as a child my grandmother saw my passion for art and ordered the “Fad of the Month” club for me. It cemented my love of anything artistic. 

I married in 1975 and was widowed in 1986 with four children under 10 to raise, and now have nine grandchildren. I worked as a baker and managed a bakery in the Rogue Valley. In 1993, my sister and I opened a bakery/deli of our own. After 28 years, we sold it in 2021. So now, it’s my turn to be able to pursue my love of art! 

O-160 Paradise Beach by Shauna Engbrecht oil 24x48 $1500

EDUCATION: 

Rogue River High School graduate, Rogue River, Oregon 

Bassist Fashion Institute, Portland, Oregon— studied fashion and window display. 

 I currently teach art at a Christian school. 

ART: 

As an adult, I studied one-stroke painting with Donna Dewberry. Moved on to a pastel painting group in the Rogue Valley. 

 I’ve completed online classes with Scott Christenson. 

 I’ve been fortunate enough to sell several of my pieces and now with more free time, I’m ready to see what else can be done to market, display and sell my art.

Meet Artist Paula Gale Tooman

O-026 Hope by Paula Tooman wc 24x20 $300

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 apple wine and 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 year has been very busy and very strange because of Covid-19 and many new commitments. I would really like this coming year to spend more time in my studio. There is always so much to learn as a watercolor painter. There are new colors, new subjects, and new technologies; sometimes it’s overwhelming. For instance there are proportions, reflections and perspective – I thought I knew them, then I looked again at the subjects. Really it’s all a great challenge and such great fun!

 

Meet Artist Holly Johbnston

O-033 minstrel_life by Holly Johnston acr 12x9 $175

             Holly Johnston is a local artist living in Murphys. She is excited to share her painting “Minstrel Life” which is an homage to the other art forms she draws inspiration from. In this piece she wanted to challenge herself to explore realism and still life while incorporating her personality and passions. The mandolin represents her love for music and the three knives her passion for juggling and living life to the fullest – and slightly on the edge. 

            As a child Holly always loved to draw. She took classes in watercolors for several years from Martha Wallace. Since then she has been primarily self-taught with the occasional class and input from her artistic brother Jesse. Holly decided to branch out into acrylics in her 20’s.Not long after, her aunt was kind enough to give her a massive set of paints and brushes for Christmas which inspired her to further develop herself as a painter. 

             She enjoys exploring different subjects and challenging herself to make each piece unique and beautiful. The last couple of years she has been working on collaborative pieces with her fiancée Jeremiah Heath, one of which is featured in this year’s Daffodil art display. 

             Besides painting Holly loves to garden and spend time outdoors. She finds joy in bringing beauty and abundance from the earth. She also has a passion for the performance arts. A juggler, she has performed across the globe from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland to the local Black Bart Playhouse. Holly may also be seen in the local theater community, most recently with Shakespeare on the Vine. She also loves to play and listen to music, and enjoys exploring a wide variety of styles and genres. 

             Holly hopes to express in her art the passion that she feels for what she loves.

Meet Artist Ann Nall

 

T-002 In the Wind by Ann Nall wc 11x14 $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. 

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.

Her work is currently on display at the Carmel Valley Art Association and Avant Garden, both in Carmel Valley, California. 

 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 Collaborating Artists, Holly Johnston and Jeremiah Heath

    

T-018 dolce_primavera by Holly-Jeremiah Johnston-Heath mm 30x15 $500

        Holly Johnston and Jeremiah Heath are a local artistic couple living in Murphys. They have done many collaborative art projects both visual and musical. Holly has been painting since she was a child and taking watercolor classes with Martha Wallace. Her work a local nursery helped to inspire this series. Jeremiah has been drawing fantasy–adventure pencil and ink for approximately ten years, taking inspiration for this latest series from equal parts Arthur Rackham and Alberto Vargas. Together they have been developing their mixed-media style, Jeremiah drawing the figure with pencil and ink on paper and Holly painting the scenery with acrylic on canvas. Their first series is sci-fi inspired and nearly complete, their second series centers around fantasy flower fairies. “Dolce Primavera” is their second piece in this series. This is their first public presentation of their collaborative art. 

  

   Holly started doing acrylic paintings around eight years ago, drawing inspiration from the great outdoors. In her art she seeks to capture the awe that she feels in experiencing the pinnacles of natural beauty. Besides painting, Holly also has a passion for the performance arts. She has been in a number of local plays, juggling shows and is excited about she and Jeremiah’s budding musical project “BlackGrass” in which she plays mandolin.

    Jeremiah started drawing approximately ten years ago as an escape from the performing arts, in order to develop something for himself. He slowly realized that visual mediums are also a performing art if you keep showing them to people. The first art book he bought was “How to Draw Dragons”, from there he started drawing Manga inspired by the Greek myths. He is inspired in his art by craggy mountain ranges and lonely landscapes. In this latest series, he is trying to bring out a bit of whimsy in defiance of a merciless world. He also has a diverse artistic background in music and drama, he plays guitar in their musical duo. 

     Holly and Jeremiah hope that their audience enjoys the playful and lighthearted aspect that they seek to share.

Meet Artist Stephanie Rose Long

 Stephanie Rose Long 707-694-0367 

O-120 scotts_horse by Stephanie Long pastel 18x24 $1850

 Stephanie grew up in Florida and Vermont riding, drawing, and loving horses. She started art classes at age 8 and horses were always her favorite subject. Graduating from the University of Hawaii in 1982 with a Bachelor of Fine Art in Design and Photography, and from there moved to San Francisco to freelance. Her love of horses kept calling her back and in 1992 she moved to Nevada where she met her husband, performance horse trainer Gary Long. Since then, her life has revolved around horses and art. Helping train cutting and cow horses, has been a major inspiration for her. 

O-117 zack_by Stephanie Long pastel 14x20 $1100

 A bold use of color and shallow depth of field is reminiscent of Stephanie’s work in design and photography. While working mainly in soft pastel, her lifelong love of horses and daily interaction are evident in the intimate details she portrays in her paintings. She enjoys making a bold statement of a subtle point, bringing attention to the littlest things which evoke the essence and energy of the subject matter. 

 Now living in Tuolumne, CA. Stephanie continues to make western art, enjoys pet portraiture and also paints her original designs on leather purses, and makes one-of-a kind beaded jewelry. She has won numerous awards and is a Signature Member of Pastel Society of the West Coast, Associate member of the Pastel Society of America. 

O-118 downtown_tuolumne by Stephanie Long pastel 20x16 $950
JUDGES MERIT AWARD

Currently showing work at Aloft Gallery in Sonora and Art on Main in Murphys, CA 

To see more of her work go to www.wildrosewesternart.com or www.facebook.com/stephanieroselong at Wild Rose Western Art 

COMMISSIONS ARE GLADLY ACCEPTED

Meet Artist Twyla Olsen

 Twyla Olsen – Artist Biography

T-019 Daffodil joy by Twyla Olsen acr 30x20 $700

Artist, 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 believes her creativity and artistic expression thrives on frequent exploration and travels to New Mexico, Arizona, the Sierra Nevada Mountains and beyond to source inspiration in nature.

Currently, Twyla is a member of Art on Main in Murphy’s, CA. She was a member of Studio B for five years 2009 - 2014, located in downtown Sonora. She shared the space with five other working artists who exhibit art in this historic building and airy gallery space. 

T-020 Spring in the Gold Country by Twyla Olsen acr 20x20 $600

 Twyla has shown in regional galleries in Healdsburg, Jamestown, Modesto, and Merced. Her work has been shown at Ventana Gallery on Washington St. in downtown Sonora for over 3 years. Her work has been exhibited in 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 from only painting. 

 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

Twylaolsen@gmail.com 

P.O. Box 2091 

 Columbia, CA 95310

Meet Artist Myra Steward

 

“EVERY PAINTING TELLS A STORY AND CAPTURES A SINGLE MOMENT OR THOUGHT IN TIME.” - Myra Steward

 

O-024 Transitions by Myra Steward wc 12x12 $250

From the artist, "Art is an essential part of my everyday life, trying to incorporate it in all that I do. I had dreamed of painting since I was a little girl. After reading the book, The Artist's Way, I finally gave myself permission to try painting. It is now my passion!"

Myra is a Master Painter member of NCA, Northern California Artists, and she has been accepted into juried art shows throughout California and has won multiple prizes including being the featured artist for the 2015/2016 Lodi Sandhill Crane Festival.  She is also a member of Santa Clara Watercolor society, and she has also contributed numerous volunteer and served on the NCA board as the courtesy chair.

The mediums and subject matter Myra uses are varied.  She works primarily in watercolor and mixed media. Myra's favorite new method of watercolor is using handmade papers and canvases to paint on; she also enjoys painting a variety of subject matters, but she especially likes to paint birds and animals.  Myra's style is to always paint with a limited palette of just one blue, one yellow and one red, keeping herself challenged to create as many shades of color as possible!

The pandemic has brought a lot of change to Myra’s life; she and her husband Steve moved from the Sacramento area to the Bay Area to be closer to their son and his family of four. “It’s been an adjustment moving away from friends, but the huge bonus is living down the block from our son and his family. My art is changing as I live my new life. It's very exciting to feel as if I’m experiencing life through the eyes of my grandsons.”

 

www.myrasteward.com

 

Meet Artist Sharon Moore

O-106 Path by Sharon Moore acr 30x20 $850

 

O-107 Cliff on the Beach by Sharon Moore acr 30x20 $650

Meet Artist Cristy Bright

 

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

Meet Artist John Tullis

 

O-089 Head, Heart, Hands and Health by John Tullis oil 14x18 $675

John Tullis

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.johntullisfinearts.com

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.

 

 Katherine Plumer 

Artist Statement 

T-013 Daffodil Sunset by Katherine Plumer pencil 7x10 $2100
THEME WINNER

When you were a child, what did you want to do when you grew up? For me, the dream of being an artist has been unwavering, blossoming and growing ever since my little hands could use a crayon. I create art because I feel like it’s something I need to do, and because I love it more than anything else, and because of the indescribable joy of the moment when a piece that I created I resonates with someone else, and becomes something that they treasure for the rest of their life. 

For most of my life, I have lived in the town of Wilton, California, a rural area south of Sacramento. I was raised on a farm and have always had a passion for nature and animals. The creatures that surround and inhabit my life have a strong influence on the artwork that I create, and in the last few years I’ve taken an interest in growing flowers. Last fall I planted hundreds of daffodils all throughout the yard, and as I write this the first ones are just about to bloom! 

The drawing you see here in the show is done with colored pencil, which is perhaps my very favorite art medium. Over the years I have explored many ways of creating art, and currently focus on engraving, drawing, and a mixed media style that combines elements of painting and drawing. This piece is based on my own reference materials, and flowers that I have grown. 

I invite you to follow me on social media, where you will see “behind the scenes” as I create new custom art pieces. 

Facebook: KatherinePlumerFineArt 

Instagram: katherineplumer