Meet Artist Viviana Leija-Sysak

O-109 Confused Balero by Viviana Leija-Sysak mm 27x22 $800

 Viviana Leija-Sysak is a visual artist working the the Bay Area. She holds a Masters in Fine Arts from the University of California in Santa Barbara (UCSB). Viviana has experimented with many materials and techniques, creating a strong body of work in traditional and digital strategies. Her recent artwork emphasizes her passion for drawing, using a mixed-media approach based mostly on watercolors and pastels. She has also served as an art educator teaching traditional and digital drawing, digital animation and art experimentation to a variety of schools and organizations. Additionally, Viviana has worked as video producer for several TV stations and production companies creating mostly education TV series for local communities. She also volunteers at her kids' schools being an active member of their Parent-Teacher Association.

You can contact her or find out more of her artwork by visiting her online portfolio at https://Viviana.work or on Instagram @vivi_LeijaSysak

O-110 Precise Piece by Viviana Leija-Sysak mm 29x24 $1000e

Statement:

As a visual artist, I like to explore different mediums to express my ideas. I have worked in photography, video, animation, drawing, oils, acrylics, and lately, I came back to mixed-media and digital illustration. I normallay challenge myself questioning how an idea that I want to represent will look like in another medium, or which title would I give it if it was a book. This helps me clarify the essence of my concepts, and get to my point using the needed structure to open a clean dialog between me and my audience.

The art pieces I'm presenting are part of a larger series called "Games and Toys" where I compose artwork based on a specific item of this nature, adding some characteristics, situations or emotions that describe or mirror a bigger and more realistic world. I also think about the memories that some toys can bring to adults, and how they would look embedded, not in a play area, but in a daily adult life. I try giving each item a "personality" to compose it with a new view and perspective.

Meet Artist Katy Kelley

 Katy Kelley

Artist Statement

O-095 Freedom by Katy Kelley acr 20x16 $150
JUDGES MERIT AWARD

Formally trained as a registered nurse, and actively working as an intensive care RN.

Raised by an amazing single mom who was an exceptionally gifted artist, I was told "please do not become an artist, for it is a very difficult way to make a living."

I must say I have not received any formal training in the arts.

I first picked up a paint brush during covid.

I love art and music and can not imagine a world without, they are a true blessing in our lives.

As a nurse I have seen more than I often know how to emotionally process, a tremendous amount of pain and suffering. Times I can not, "un-see."

Picking up a paint brush has given me a way to let out some of the stress and passion I feel in life.

Acrylics have made me feel like I am free to create movement, expression, freedom, arts are a language of the soul.

My only hope is that my work may provide a glimpse of joy in our troubled world.

Thank you for your time.

Gratefully, Katy

209-743-3500

morrisonsonora@yahoo.com

Meet Artist Janette Jones

 Janette Jones Fine Art

O-038 Bright Garden by Janette Jones oil 30x40 $1200
3RD PLACE OPEN DIVISION AWARD

The comments heard most often about her paintings are "they make me fell joyful", "lift my spirits", and "they are filled with a sense of light and lightness". As an artist who is constantly looking for the beauty of light in every subject, this is music to her ears. As a person who is wildly optimist about life an positive about the future, she is thrilled her paintings reflect this "joie de vivre" attitude and bring joy to her collector. Janette uses a strong sense of design, personal color mixes and an intimate point of view to create her distinct style.

Born in California and majored in art while attending California State University, and studied watercolor for five years with Virginia Jentoft in Davis, Ca.  Her watercolor images were successfully marketed and licensed with Daisy Kingdom, Naturally, Springs Mills and Prints Plus (among others) between 1988-2002. She has been painting outdoors in oils after a workshop in 2003, hooked by the challenge of capturing the truth on canvas.

O-039 Violets and Geraniums by Janette Jones oil 12x16 $350

Recent Selected Exhibitions & Events

2015, 2014 Napa Valley Art Festival invited Artist

2015, 2014 Workshop in the garden at Milfiori ... instruction and group paint out

2015, 2014 Los Altos Rotary Fine Art in the Park

2015, 2014 Palo Alto Festival of the Arts

2013 State of Gold, "California Impressionism" Group Show Roger's Gardens, Newport Beach, Ca.

2013 Napa Valley Art Festival, Invited Artist

2012 Napa Valley Art Festival, Invited Artist

2011 Juried into SLO Plein Air & Napa Valley Art Festival

2011 Laguna Plein Air Painters Association "Less Is More" EXhibit May 21st - June

2011 Plein Air Painting in the Garden Workshp at Milfiori, Murphys, CA. April 22,23,24

2011 Plein Air Demo & Workshop Tulare Palette Club, Tulare Museum - Feb. 17 & 18

2011 Group Exhibit Knowlton Gallery ... "Wildflowers West" March & April

Meet Artist Ross Halfacree

 Ross Halfacree

Artist Biography

SOLD T-001 daffodil_sunrise by Ross Halfacree mm 30x30 $1200
FAMILY MERIT AWARD

I am a full-time practicing artist and a member of the Eramboo Artist Environment in the northern suburbs of Sydney since 2019. I am a painter and collector, and a member of the Art Gallery of NSW.

Using acrylic and mixed media, I work mainly with Geometric and Landscape Abstractions as well as creating Social Messaging artworks. I look to re-express both mundane and complex concepts to create images that will have viewers linger, explore and debate.

I am curious, often experimenting with non-traditional materials and methods. Using acrylic and enamel with the latter sometimes in aerosol form. I intertwine pen, ink and pencil where this adds detail, clarity or another layer for viewer speculation I work on canvas, linen, board and different types of paper and usually work on 2 or 3 pieces at the same time.

My work is currently included in Australian private collections in NSW, Victoria and South Australia as well as Murphys, California.

Recent Recognition

2018 - Winner Clyde Oakley Memorial Prize (NSW-Gulgong Arts Council)

2020 - finalist Collie Art Prize (WA)

2020 - Finalist Southern Buoys Studio Portrait Prize (VIC)

2020 - Finalist (2 works) FACE Unframed Exhibition (ACT-Belconnen Art Center)

2020 - Finalist in Royal Queensland Art Society's initial on-line Exhibition

2020 - Finalist (2 works) Royal Queensland Art Society "Abstration 2020" Exhibition

2020 - Finalist Lethbridge Small Scale Art Award (NSW)

2020 - On-Line Finalist Drummoyne Art Society Art Award (NSW)

2020- Finalist Art Room Gallery "Nature" theme (USA)

2020 - Finalist (2 works) Prisma Art Prize (Italy)

2020 - Finalist (2 works) Lab. 16 Art Competition (Italy).

2020 - Selected for Contemporary Art Gallery[s 2020 All Water/Seascape on-line Art Exhibition. (USA)

2021 - Merit Award 2021 Open on-line Art Show - Grey Cube Gallery (USA)

2021 - Finalist Aspire Gallery - "Petite Pieces"exhibition (QLD)

2021 - Finalist Art room Gallery "Black and White" Theme 2021 (USA)

2021 - Gallery Finalist Lethbridge Landscape Prize (QLD)

2021 - On-line Finalist Lethbridge 20000 Small Scale Art Prize (QLD)

2021 - Selected for inclusion in the d'Darcy Doyle Art Awards (QLS)

2021 - Finalist Art Room Gallery "Textures and Patterns" International Art Exhibit (USA)

2021 - Finalist Grey Cube 2021 landscape on-line Art Show (USA)

2021 - Finalist Bowral "Waterbrook Drawing Prize" (NSW)

2021 - Selected for inclusion in the Strathnairn Arts "Squares 2021 exhibition" (ACT)

2021 - Finalist Biblio Art Prize (VIC)

2022 - Selected for inclusion in the Mornington Art Show (VIC)

2022 - Accepted into Ironstone Vineyards 25th Annual Spring Obsession Art Competition (California USA)

2022 - Finalist Adelaide Perry Drawing Prize (NSW)

www.linkedin.com/in/rosshalfacree

www.instagram.com/rosshalfacree

www.rosshalfacree.com

4 February 2022 

Meet Artist Judith Bosies

 Judith Bosies Wicked Glass Art, Keene, NH 03431

SOLD   T-040 Daffodil by Judith Bosies glass 6x12 $30

A glass artist located on the east coast in Keene, NH. She utilizes recycled glass, picture frames and windows to create one of a kind art pieces that dazzle in the sunlight. She was born and raised in New Hampshire and draws her inspiration from the natural beauty of her surroundings in New England. In addition she holds classes in her studio to teach others her techniques. For more information she can be followed on Facebook@Wickedglassart.

Meet Artist Scott Jenkins

SCOTT

JENKINS

PAINTING SCULPTURE WOODWORKING

O-132 Beachfront Property by Scott Jenkins oil 56x56 $6000

Born 1969 in Albuquerque, New Mexico

He creates inspired art that promote the feeling of intrique and

invites each individual to interpret them as they wish.

An innovator at heart, he allows paint, found objects, and wood grains

to find their own way and become something new by the force of

nature. His inspired concepts are a the root of it all, yet the

haphazard finding along the way are what make the end results so

astounding. Each piece of art has layers that build upon one another.

The use of weather, soil earlhly byproducts and recycled items are

found in each piece he designs. Scott's absurd sense of jumor is not

obvious, but is a subtle detail that plays out with his use of texture, 

Irregular strokes and subject matter.

He is the co-owner of the dhyana Center and currently also makes

wood Gua Sha-a health tool for massage. He believes ar tis a healing modality all of its own.

O-133 Spring Chicken by Scott Jenkins oil 30x22 $2600

Contact:

707-486-1814

stknkns@gmail.com

or

dhyanaEssentials.com

Meet Artist Virginia Haynes

 Virginia Haynes

O-115 losthills by Virginia Haynes oil 24x30 $400

Having been born and raised in Oakland, California, Virginia was close to Tahoe National Forest, Yosemite National Park and many other State and national parks where she found her love of the outdoors and nature. Early in life, she was influenced by her father's love of art. He was a sculptor, stained glass lamp maker and craftsman. At the age of 11, while her dad taught stained glass classes at the U C Berkeley extension, she would help him setup for class and wander the halls of the Art department smelling the oils from painting classes in session. Although she was always very curious, she didn't try her hand at oil painting until 2009. With her very first brush stroke, she knew she had found her passion! For the next 12 years she focused on learning everything she could about drawing and oil painting. Loving nature as she does, she has found the perfect subject matter to paint all around her. Today, Virginia live near Mt. Diablo where she continually strives to express her love of the outdoo0rs and nature through her oil painting.

O-116 sunflowers by Virginia Haynes oil 22x18 $350

Exhibitions:

• 2017 IAA Cross Currents exhibit: Sunflowers
• 2016 IAA Cross Currents exhibit: Man on Chair
• 2015 IAA Cross Currents exhibit: Yellow Roses

• 2015 Crocker - Kingsley Show at Blue Line Arts: Yellow Roses
• 2015 Twin Pines Art Show Exhibit:Pears
• 2014 IAA Cross Currents Exhibit:Pears
• 2014 San Mateo County Fair: Horses
• 2014 Twin Pines Art Show Exhibit: Yellow Roses and Sequim

Education:

BA-CSUEB

MBA-CSUEB

Artist Statement:

My whole life, I have tried to treat people the way I would like to be treated. In doing so, I paint in a way that I think will please others. I choose to paint nature in a real and present way and paint with color that pleases the senses. I have been influenced by Sargent, who paints with motion and Ander Zorn, who paints with a limited pallet. Incorporation these styles enables me to express the movement and brilliance of what I see in life.

Email: virginialh61805@yahoo.com

Website: VLHaynes.com

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.