Meet Spring Obsession 2024 Artist Stephen Testa

 Artist Stephen M. Testa

19736 Jesus Maria Road

Mokelumne Hill,  CA 95245

Cell: (209) 402-6574

Email: stesta@goldrush.com

O-044 Among the Geyser Mist by Stephen Testa wc 12x16 $450

Stephen Testa is a geologist whose interests 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 hemmer. Some of Stephen's earliest paintings were displayed at The Prince and Pauper Gallery in Seattle. During this time, he also become a member of the Northwest Watercolor society and participated in workshops. 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 artist's 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 its 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 several Ironstone Vineyard's Annual Spring Art Exhibitions, among others.

O-042 John Teo White Calf by Stephen Testa wc 16x12 $450

O-043 Chief Turtle by Stephen Testa wc 16x12 $450

O-045 Woman Drying Meat with Dog by Stephen Testa wc 12x16 $450

Meet Spring Obsession 2024 artist Bradford Stone

 Bradford L Stone

Valley Spring, California

O-073 First Love by Brad Stone acrylic 18x24 $450

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

(209) 581 2047

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

O-074 Dream Beauty by Brad Stone acrylic 24x36 $550

I studied at Delta College exploring the arts and ceramics. I also minored in Art at Sacramento State College studied art and figure drawing, along with earning my BA degree. I finished my education at Stockton UOP earning teaching credentials and Education of Master of Arts.

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

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

My achievement in art goes back to winning the Bank of America Pop Art in Hight School. Calaveras County Fair (Best of Show and first in Fine Art) 2017.  Participated in California State Fair Expo Plein Air Exhibit. Not winning but selling my painting that day. Also, participated in the Plein Air painting with the Concourse D'Elegance Car Show. Participation in Ironstone Winery Fine Art Obsession Art Show. I've been recognized in the Ironstone Family Merit Awards, 2003/2020. I won the Plein Air competition at the Amador and Honorable Mention at the Delicato Vineyard Art Competition 2023. Over the years selling some of my art, hoping they bring joy in their homes.

Meet Spring Obsession 2024 artist Tracy Stone

 Tracy Stone

T-021 First Bloom by Tracy Stone oil 14x18 $400

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 Spring Obsession 2024 artist Jo Silva

    My name is Jo Silva. I live in Arnold, CA. with my husband. We moved from San Carolos and retir4ed in a mountain community. I joi8ned independence Hall Quilters i8n 2001, made new friends and learned to quilt. After many classes and mentors, I switched over from traditional to art quilts.

O-081 Creek's Eye View by Jo Silva fabric 25.5x55 $2800

    Landscape wall hangings inspire my work, places I have visited and enjoyed.

    The "sunflowers" wall hanging was inspired by bisditing the immersive Van Gogh exhibit.

O-082 Sunflowers by Jo Silva fabric 33x42 $1550

    The "Creek's Eye View" is a true sierra view, loved putting it together!

Meet Spring Obsession 2024 Artist Terri Schumann

Terri Schumann 

T-013 Hill Top Trumpets by Terri Schumann acrylic 20x16 $250

Biography

Terri Schumann is a residential drafter located in Nevada County, CA. She discovered her love for drafting at an eraly age using her imagination to layout floor plans for fantastic round houses, houses with swimming pools in the middle of the plan with a second story diving board and other such exaggerations. After attending the John Herron School of Art and the University of Cincinnati's Interior Design School, she moved to California and worked for Intel as an interior space designer. She has enjoyed a broad range of opportunities of work and service while being married and raising her children.

Artist Statement

Creating art is a way of experiencing a subject matter more deeply and my time spent sketching, journaling, painting, making collages or embroidering affords me the experience of more fully appreciating nature's details.

As I began to make my home in the Sierra Foothills, not only were my senses being immersed into the wonder of a ponderosa pine forest, but I also was introduced to the beauty of daffodils by visiting Ironstone Vineyards in Murphy's, CA. For some years I would make an annual pilgrimage to partake of the verdant, rolling green hills come alive with thousands of daffodils on their beautiful estate. Now, having planted my own daffodils as well, it thrills my soul each spring to see that beautiful yellow trumpet against a vibrant blue sky, thus - the inspiration for my painting, "Hill Top Trumpets"! This painting is an effort to express that beautiful contrast of blue and yellow on a little patch of green hill.

As a residential draftsman drawing technical drawings on AutoCAD, painting or other art forms for me, is a great departure from the constraints of straight line and building codes and a way to enjoy curved lines and the joy of color!

Meet Spring Obsession 2024 Artist Judy Ryder

 Judy Ryder

ARTIST'S STATEMENT

__________________________________________________________________________________

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. 

O-036 Windigo by Judy Ryder wc 15x2.5 $1200

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.

O-037 Song Dog by Judy Ryder wc 11x15 $800

My home is in Sebastop0ol, California, where my husband and I raised our family and continue to reside.

Judy Ryder

judyryder42@icloud.com

707-888-8501

Meet Spring Obsession 2024 Artist Jan Atwood Ramey

 Jan Atwood Ramey

2/4/24

T-002 Blue Jar by Janice Ramey pastel 12x15 $650

    I live in the beautiful small town of Sutter Creek. Our area is blessed with many talented artists so I have had many wonderful teachers close by including Jeannie Vodden and Sabina Turner.

    My first love is portraits but I try to stretch a little bit and do some landscapes of flowers once in a while.

    I use both watercolor and pastels and dabble a little in oils and a acrylic, whatever works best for the subject.

    I have been drawing and painting most of my life but have had more time after retirement from nursing. I remember drawing faces over and over as a child. My mother was an artist and did some beautiful portraits so I think that is where I developed my interest.

                                                                                    Jan

Contact Info

janicerae@comcast.net

209 257-1207

Meet Spring Obsession 2024 artist Ron Miranda

RON MIRANDA

714-323-5990

www.artofronmiranda.com 

artbyronmiranda@gmail.co

O-014 Nishikigoi by Ron Miranda oil 36x24 $2400

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 Dunbar Way by Ron Miranda oil 18x24 $1500

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. 

O-016 Covers on Ice by Ron Miranda oil 24x18 $1500

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.