Meet Artist Vickie Chew

Vickie Chew 

T-005 Incipient-Bloom-by Vickie-Chew oil 16x20 $600

Painting for me is a joy, challenge and mental escape all in one. Most of us Artists fall in love with a scene for variety of reasons just as you may fall in love with a particular surrounding or place. I love the challenge of trying to capture the essence of what is before me, whether it be a barn, trees, lakes or ocean. It is all about recreating and capturing the light, character and personality of the scene, nothing else exists when I paint, as I lose myself to the painting “zone.” I began painting over twenty years ago so that I could escape to the zone from work but found my passion in the process. I am mostly self-taught along with many hours spent at workshops, video’s and outings with my favorite mentors. 

O-032 The Italian Store by Vickie Chew oil 12x16 $600

I do Impressionistic oil paintings in Plein Air, Studio, Murals and Commissioned pieces. I use brush and palette knife and very minimum mediums. My work is always sealed, signed and numbered on the back of the canvas. 

 Juried member of: 

California Art Club Oil Painters of America

American Impressionist Society

American Women Artist's

Meet Artist Susan King

 Artist Biography: Susan King

T-022  Spiral into Spring by Susan King wc 11x18 $425

Susan King is a 32-year resident of the Murphys and Arnold areas. Now retired from full-time teaching, she has realized this exciting new time to focus on her exploration of the visual arts. The wonder of the natural world, which surrounds the sierra foothills and beyond, is her inspiration.

Susan uses a variety of mediums and techniques to create unique emotional connections within her work. Water color, acrylics, hand-made papers and altered papers are some of the essential components of her pieces. "Every painting is a continual learning experience for me. I'm constantly considering the interaction of composition, design, color and materials. This process is both humbling and exhilarating."

Currently, Susan displays and markets her work at Art on Main in Murphys. She was awarded Ironstone Vineyards annual theme division winner of the Obsession art show for two years, and featured on their vineyard poster each year. In addition, she was accepted into the Yosemite Renaissance show in Yosemite Valley and the traveling show thereafter.

Comminity outreach of th eArts to children of the Vallecito Unified School District and MarkTwain Unified School disctict has included lessons for students K-6. Her strong connection to children encouraged the desire to write and illustrate a children's book entitled Copper Girl: A True Story of a Therapy Dog.

Susan has studied with local and national artists, Martha Wallace, Cheng Kee Chee, and Jill Figler.

Additional artwork can be seen on the following websites:

skingartist@weebly.com

http://www.artonmainmurphys.com

Email: kingmail1@comcast.net

cell: 209 470 1855

Meet Artist Linda Lawrence

 

   

   Linda Lawrence

Always artistic by nature, Linda was constantly drawing as a child, and enjoyed art classes throughout her school years in Soquel and Fresno, California. As an adult, her love of design was explored and expressed through photography, homemade cards, sketches and interior decorating. 

 

O-064 Without a Paddle by Linda Lawrence oil 9x12 $185

Linda and her husband, Ron moved to Murphys in 1992, for its inherent natural beauty and small-town lifestyle. As her children grew more independent, Linda was thrilled to begin taking classes through Columbia Junior College around 2000, and first studied with Hermione Rios.

 

Linda paints primarily in water-based oils, which she finds to be user-friendly and a bit healthier overall.  Through the years, she has developed a playful, colorful style, and had enjoyed and appreciated the influence of instructors Diana Boyd, Susie Hoffman, Sunny Sorenson, Eva Walker, and Judy Cain through Town Hall Arts in Copperopolis. She has also taken workshops from Murphys renowned plein air artist Kathleen Dunphy, and Colley Whisson of Australia at Coastal Maine Art Workshops in Rockport, Maine.

O-065 Comb and Wattle by Linda Lawrence oil 10x14  $195

 

Linda often shows her work was at the Calaveras County Arts Council and was accepted to present a painting in their 2017 show, AnimalScapes. She was also invited to show at the Studio 11 Gallery in Oakland, California in 2018, and had her first show at Hovey Winery in early 2020.

 

Linda is thoroughly enjoying the evolving process of becoming an artist, and the self-expression, freedom, and mindfulness it provides. She considers her fellow artists soulmates and true inspirational treasures.

T-023 Pots of Gold by Linda Lawrence  oil 11x14 $225

T-024 White Beauties by Linda Lawrence  oil 12x16 $250

Meet Artist Kim Vagt

 

Kim Vagt lives in our wonderous Sierra Nevada Foothills!

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.

O-077 Estuary-in-Spring by Kim Vagt mm 10x10 $435

O-078 Wildflower-in-Spring-Air-by Kim Vagt mm 8x10 $335

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

O-079 Peonies-in-Blue-Vase by Kim Vagt mm 8x10 $375

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 Spring-Buds by Kim Vagt mm 10x10 $335

Her recent judged art pieces showcased at:

·        Amador County Fair, 1^st & 2^nd place in Fine Arts, Mixed Media, 2019

·        Crocker Art Museum, Wonderous Wax Exhibit 2020

·        Sacramento Fine Arts Center 54^th National Motherlode Art Exhibit 2020

·        The Gallery 48 at Natomas, Movement, Mastery and Medium Sierra Wax Artists Exhibit, which opens January 22, 2021

·        Ironstone Vineyard, 24^th Annual Spring Obsession Art Competition, opens March 6, 2021

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

T-011 Spring Glory at Ironstone by Kim Vagt acry. 16x20 $435

T-012 Daffodils in the Light by Kim Vagt mm. 8x10 $335

Meet Artist Brad Stone

 Brad Stone

T-020 Golden Celebration by Brad Stone acrylic 16x20 $600

Art is not a reality but a personal perspective of what you see. O-063 First Summer by Brad Stone oil 18x24 $1000 O-062 Faitful and True by Brad Stone acrylic 30x40 $650

Delta College Ceramic and painting Classes Sacramento State College, Minored in Art (Art Education & figured drawing) School of Light and Color (Susan Sarback, seeing and painting approaches based on light) Experiences: Award winner of Bank of America (Pop Art) Calaveras County Fair (Best of Show and first in fine art category) California State Fair Cal-Expo Plein-Air painting participate and exhibit. Ironstone Winery Fine Annual Spring Obsession Arts Competition and Plein-Air Painting with Concourse De’Elegance Car Show. Ironstone Vineyard 21st. Annual Spring Obsession Art Show Family Merit Award. Calaveras County Arts Council Member

Meet Artist Ann Nall

T-001 Decoupaged Daffs by Ann Nall  decoupage 16x20  $475

 Ann Nall

1212 Shell Ave, Pacific Grove, CA 93950

web: annnall.com

email: nall8900@comcast.net

Statement

I have been an avid watercolor artist for many years, capturing an animal's personality in detailed portraits. While I love it, and it will always have a place in my heart, a couple of years ago I felt the need to express myself more boldly, with an almost "devil may care' attitude.  This attitude has led me to experiment, first with acrylic paint, then mixed media collage and now to decoupaging glass. The detailed cutting of paper, bluing hundreds of pieces into place and having glue and paper waft all over the studio is joyful.  As I work on each piece, I combine the joy of childhood play with my learned knowledge of composition, balance and color.

O-001 Passing Storm by Ann Nall  acrylic 24x36 $600

 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.

Next came acrylics, applying paint directly from the tube onto canvas.  Again, this was a challenge and she created some dramatic pieces of which she is proud.

In 2019 she saw someone decoupage an object and her energy, enthusiasm and interest sparked. Her first piece of used glass, combined with paper and glue and varnish turned that spark into a passion. Each new piece she creates stokes her creative energy, bringing joy and fulfillment.

O-002 Last Tuesday in P. G. by Ann Nall  acrulic 36x36 $600

She now uses decoupage regularly on glass and canvases. It is challenging and joyful.

Her work is currently on display at the Carmel Valley Art Association in Carmel Valley, California. She is also a Board Member of the organization.

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)

Lapis Lazuli pendant Weekly Special

The semi precious stone, Lapis lazuli, is well known for its intense blue color.  In Ancient Egypt Lapis was celebrated as being The Wisdom Stone and can be seen in paintings and scrolls adorning the Pharaohs. 

"The Crystal Bible, A Definitive Guide to Crystals", by Judy Hall claims the following....

"Attributes Lapis Lazuli stimulates enlightenment and enhances dream work and psychic abilities. ... It possesses enormous serenity and is the key to spiritual attainment." She adds, "Lapis Lazuli is a powerful thought amplifier. It stimulates the higher faculties of the mind, ringing objectivity and clarity." 

Ironstone's Heritage Museum & Jewelry Shoppe makes no claims to the above. We are in love with this stone however and decided to make this our first of many Special Blog Sale pieces.  This one of a kind pendant is set in Sterling Silver with a stunning Afghanistan Lapis cabochon surrounded by inlayed lapis chips creating a beautiful contemporary design. With the wider bail, this piece may be set on a large chain or neck collar.  This piece is one of several designs custom made for Ironstone.  These pieces sell for $450.

As our Special from Thursday, January 14th through Sunday, January 17th, you may purchase this piece for $225.  Give us a call at 209-728-1251 extension #47.  This is a one of a kind piece, so there is only 1 available at this price.  You may also stop in to see the other pieces in this collection, mention you saw this blog post and we will honor a 30% discount on any pieces in this collection through Sunday, January 17th.

 

Scarce Agates just in!

 Ironstone's Heritage Museum has just received a nice little collection of scarce Puma Agates.  These little lovelies show a great range of color and patterns. They are being listed at $10 - $15 each.  They range in size from 3 cm - 5 cm.

If you are not familiar with Agates they are common rock formations primarily consisting of chalcedony and quartz. They are primarily formed within volcanic and metamorphic rocks.  The Puma agates of Argentina claim their discovery date in the late 1990's although agates in general date back to ancient Greece where they were used in jewelry and in the seal stones of Greek warriors. Our rock expert, Mr. Mike Hunerlach, has told us that Puma agates are becoming quite scarce pushing the prices up significantly.  

Here are a few photos of some of the little lovelies that now grace our shelves. If you see one that interests you, give us a call for more information.