Spring Obsession Art Show Open Division Award Winners

1st Place Winner  
"All Aflutter"  
31 x 24 Watercolor Collage $2000


by Artist Lynn Slade


My paintings are a combination of watercolor and handmade rice papers known as "Washi". I work with this combination to capture both the color and texture of my subjects and to recreate the mood that these subjects inspired in me.  I am drawn to bold, dramatic shapes and color and I love the color intensity that the layering of papers and paint provides.  Both the creation as well as the finished piece becomes a tactile experience as well as a visual one.  Looking closely at one of my paintings, you'll find multiple layers of color enhanced by the unique qualities of the washi itself: small pieces of newsprint; gold threads; bits of bark or leaves; various textures and patterns that draw you into the image.


I received my BFA in Design from the University of Southern California.  My graduate work in Graphic Design was done at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena.  for over 20 years, I owned the Alyson Design Group, a graphic design company specializing in corporate advertising, magazine and marketing design as well as direct mail advertising.


Since beginning my painting career, my paintings have won numerous awards in both local and national shows and I have been published in Watercolor Artist Magazine, in the North Light book, Splash 12, Celebrating Artistic Vision, and in the upcoming Eyes On: Landscape from Blaze Hill Press.  I am currently represented by Gallery 10 in Sutter Creek, Ca.


Quarterly, I give 3-day workshops at my studio in Pioneer as well as carious artist associations.  The classes introduce the student to my painting techniques and include the review of design concepts teaching ways for the painter to direct the viewer's eye through a painting.  The classes are for both beginners and more advanced painters.


I am available for demonstrations, critique sessions, workshops and show judging.  I also accept commission work.

2nd Place Winner
"Last Light"
11 x 14  Pastel
SOLD


by Artist Geneva Davis


Over twenty five years ago Geneva's creative art journey began. Her work may be characterized as realism to impressionism, but as variety of subject matter a distinctive style has evolved which can vary depending on the subject matter and medium.


The variety of subjects has included animals, birds, rich and lively florals and gardens that evoke color and mood.  Others might consider the sentimental renderings of children to romantic figures the most moving to the imagination ... In any case, the journey continues and might include almost any subject, but be assured it will have warmth and emotion as a constant.  the ability to create art comes to her as an unexpected surprise and a gift from God.  Her paintings are in many private collections.

3rd Place Winner
"Green River Sunset"
36 x 51  Fiber
$5400


by Artist Patricia Gould


"With a BA in Fine Arts/Art History, and sewing since the age of eight, it's no surprise that I chose fiber art as my passion in life.  A True fabric addict, many different types of fabrics find their way into my artwork and I never met a color I didn't like.  Travel was a very important part of my upbringing and my family visited almost all the National Parks in the US and Canada before I was out of school which gave me a deep appreciation for our precious Mother Earth and her creatures.  Since 1993, I have been creating mixed media fiber landscapes, drawing inspiration from trips to China, East Africa, Russia, Antarctica, and extensive travel throughout North America and Europe.


I'm drawn to a few subjects in nature that I find perpetually intriguing and my voice is whispering a tribute to the incredible beauty in both the subtle and violent forces of nature, only touched by the hand of humans on rare occasions.  I'm obsessively drawn to trees, rocks, all forms of water and animals; I portray these subjects as if they were asking to me to reveal their messages to the world.  My fiber pieces are dramatic portraits of Earth and I hope to draw the viewers into these scenes to share the exhilaration I feel and to cherish the wonders of the place we call home."


Patricia's art quilts and wearable art creations have won both national and international awards and are in private collections worldwide.  In 2009, she was honored to exhibit her work at the Florence Biennale.  Patricia won a Niche Award in 2008 and was chosen as an Artist-in-Residence for a month in Hungary in 2005.  The State of New Mexico has purchased and installed eight of Patricia's landscapes as part of the Art in Public Places Program.

Water Fountain Prices Slashed!

Water Fountain Artist Mark Bergstrom has slashed prices on his spectacular water fountains!  On display at Ironstone Vineyards ... come take a look.

"Cowhide Cauldron"  originally priced at $3600. SLASHED TO $1600

"Big Pappa" originally priced at $3800. SLASHED TO $1700

"Melones" originally priced at $3600. SLASHED TO $1600

"BIG PAPPA"

"Gatesman" originally priced at $3900.  SLASHED TO $1800

Spring Obsession Art Show Family Merit Award Winners

J.D. Anderson

"Castle"
Watercolor 39x24
$250
J.D. Anderson




J.D. Anderson earned a B.A. degree at San Jose State University in 1972, where he studied under professors Eric Oback and Richard Sorby, well know artists and teachers.  Anderson's interest in art was encouraged by his high school art teacher, Bob Nelson, who after a career as head of the art department at Monterey Peninsula College retired to Sonora and ran the senior citizen's program at Columbia College.


Anderson also holds an A.A. degree in Commercial Art from San Jose City College and was active with the San Jose Art League before moving to Sonora in 1976 where he joined the Mother Lode Art Association and the Central Sierra Arts Council.


He has participated in many art shows and won numerous awards for his work.  A number of his paintings and watercolors are owned by private collectors. He has also done some commissioned portraiture work and large murals.  Working in acrylics and watercolors, his preferred style is realism.




Carol Clark

Carol Clark's favorite medium is oil paint. She paints a variety of subjects including local landscapes and historic buildings, large florals and still life of interesting objects. She enjoys painting light and shadows as they fall on objects. Her style is between realistic and impressionistic.

Carol currently displays her work once a year at Sonora Joe's in Sonora, CA. and at the Ironstone Vineyards Spring Obsession Show in Murphys, CA. In the past she taught art in Southern California, Utah and Pennsylvania. She completed her formal education at California State University at Long Beach and took informal lessions from Mary Ellen Christ in Birdsboro, PA.


Today she lives in Valley Springs with her husband Roger and two cats. Her current work is sold as originals. These pieces are one of a kind not one of many copies! Any changes in  this policy will be made clear at the time of your purchase.
"The Miners Garden of Daffodils and Tulips"
Oil  24x30  $500
Carol Clark




Karen O'Neill


Karen O'Neill has been painting and winning awards since her college days. Her challenge and her passion is to keep exploring new ways of expressing traditional subjects. Karen mainly paints in watercolors and fluid acrylics.  She often starts her paintings with a spontaneous abstract background on very wet paper or canvas. Then, after studying the diffused background from many angles, she starts to visualize areas that could become locations to place her subject - whether it be floral or landscape. She often likes her paintings to have a touch of abstract to them.  Recently she has concentrated on painting aspen trees in their full autumn colors and calla lily floral paintings.


Some of her many honors include being asked to paint the poster painting for the 2005 and 2007 Bear Valley Music Festival. Twice her paintings have been on the cover of the Harbinger magazine. In 2003 her painting "Symphony of Koi" was awarded first place in watercolors and was pictured on the cover of KVIE's "OnSix"  September program guide. In 2004 she again took a first place in watercolors from KVIE on her donated painting. These awards were give during KVIE"s live on aire art auction. One of her great joys was being one of the founding artists of the Iron Door Gallery in Murphys. In 2011 her painting "Grand Opening" was awarded Best of Show at the Arts of Bear Valley summer show.


Karen has exhibited in galleries locally as well as in Carmel and Taos. She was with the Harbinger Gallery for over 20 years. During the summer months her work is on display at Arts of Bear Valley's two summer shows. All Karen's paintings are professionally framed with archival materials. For more information on Karen and her work, log on to her website: karenoneillart.com.  Here you will find copies of many of her Giclee Fine art prints and some of her recent paintings.


Karen lives in Angels Camp with her Husband Michael.

"Calla Garden at Dusk"
Acrylic  30x13.5
$1275
Karen O'Neill




















Patricia Rohovit


Intuitive Painting describes Patricia's large watercolor pieces. The design come purely from her imagination as she watches the paints flow across a blank piece of paper. Several hours of thought and layers of watercolor take place until a pleasing image suddenly appears. This process is the challenge and freedom that Patricia has grown to love. 


Huge flowers, big bursts of color or whimsical figures make for good conversation as she shows her work or places her art work in patron's homes. Everyone enjoys her use of bold contrasts of darks and lights and thoughtful composition.


Patricia resides in the picturesque mountain of Arnold, CA. the beauty of this Sierra setting attracts many artists and has become a learning center. Summer and fall found Patricia running workshops with major artists. She became president of Arts of Bear Valley for 3 years and also ran the summer show during that time.


Her works have been seen at the Town Hall Arts in Copperopolis, The Chartreuse Muse in Modesto, Bear Valley Summer Show, Bear Valley and Calaveras Big Trees State Park, Arnold as well as in Sunset Magazine.

"On the Edge of Abstrativity"
Watercolor  29x38
$800
Patricia Rohovit




















Marti Walker

After living and studying abroad prior to her high school years, Marti Walker spent many years on the East Coast of the United States (Virginia & Boston). She attended University of Colorado where she majored in Languages & Anthropology. She flew for TWA and Pan Am Airlines for seven years after college. In 1978, she settled in Sacramento, California.

Initially, her pursuit of art was an antidote to the rigors of corporate life. Her passion for painting landscapes grew as she devoted her recreational time to exploring and painting the surrounding wetlands, rivers, and mountains, and traveling throughout the world.

Studying with carefully selected artists over the years, she has learned her craft from such notables as Gregory Kondos, Lady Jill Mueller, Ning Hou, Susan Sarback, Gary Pruner, Zoltan Svabo and Calvin Liang, among others.

“My art combines my passions for painting and travel. A holiday in Tuscany or a weekend trip to Sonoma County inspire me to capture the essence of a locale. I paint to record the sensation of a moment in time, to create in the viewer a palpable feeling of being transported experientially into the scene. The challenge is to translate the full power of the senses engaged onto a two-dimensional surface. Using vivid colors and contrast to push beyond the image, I attempt to evoke the vibrancy and immediacy that comes from being in that place and time. I endeavor to capture the serenity that being in nature gives me. Each scene is carefully chosen to evoke a silent rhythm designed to transport one to a place of quiet meditation. I want the viewer to have the reverential sense of being along in the scene and at peace with themselves. ”

“Marti Walker is a listener. Her close observation of nature advances her capacity of doing paintings of great interest.” -- Gregory Kondos 

"Survivor"

Pastel  12x16 

$450

Marti Walker

It's official! Concerts!

We’re proud to announce our Summer Concert Series: 
July 21 - Reba
August 3 - John Fogerty
August 11- Heart
September 8 - Jeff Foxworthy 
And more to come! 

Pre-sales for Wine Club Members will begin on Tuesday, April 3, at 9am Pacific Time. Menus are available here:http://bit.ly/H6utSv

Be the first to know as the schedule is finalized on our facebook page!
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ironstone-Vineyards/76641156601

Boots Update

For all of you "Mr. Boots" fans out there, we just received an update!  Mr. Boots has kindly agreed to a one on one interview with us at a later date... In the meantime, here is his latest photo relaxing after a rather large and tasty meal. 

Spring Obsession Art Show Judges Merit Award Winners

Constance           
McLennan        
Statement                      


"For me, Painting must be more than the technical exercise of rendering what can be seen or photographed. Whereas a detailed rendering is finite and  limited in what it offers, a more impressionistic work embodies the spirit of the artist and reveals new aspects the longer one looks" 




"Echo of Eternity"  
oil  24x24  $1200

This painting may be seen along with Connie's other entries at Ironstone's Gallerias through May 6, 2012.









Beth           
Winfield
Statement  

       Beth has always viewed the outdoors as a picture waiting to be painted and yearned to express that fleeting moment which captures ones heart and takes the breath away.   Beth wants to be inspired and to inspire others, hopefully recreating the feeling from that past moment in time. She loves how the light reflects off of objects during different times of day, with varying weather and circumstances. Capturing that light and the movement she feels in landscapes is her passion.  Even when she sleeps,  she is often painting in her dreams.

"Donkey Ride at Dusk II"  
oil  16x12  $750

This painting may be seen along with Beth's other entries at Ironstone's Gallerias through May 6, 2012.













Jane           
Lucas
Statement  


Jane Lucas began her adult tango with creative expression as a water colorist and became a signature member of the California Watercolor Association (formerly known as the Eastbay Watercolor Society). Though the fluidity of a water cased medium and the surprises it affords remain very attractive to her, the rich color and immediacy of pastels currently claim the top spot in her studio.  In the future, however, she plans to combine the two and have fun experimenting with the results: pastels and watercolor will hopefully choreograph a surprising dance of their own.

"Carmel Mission Ranch"  
Pastel  20x13  $400

This painting may be seen along with Jane's other entries at Ironstone's Gallerias through May 6, 2012.

Reserve Chard Trim Time

 Today the Reserve Chardonnay vineyards are getting a trim. A bit behind this year to avoid fresh buds getting hit by the late frost (SNOW!) we had this past weekend.

Now they are all neat and tidy!

Concert Ticket Update!

To all our friends out there anxious to buy tickets for Ironstone's 2012 Concert Season, the actual schedule has not been finalized at this time.  Tentative date for release & general public ticket sales is scheduled for April 12, pending final approval of the actual schedule. Ironstone's ticketing service for the 2012 Season is www.etix.com.  You can check back with www.ironstonevineyards.com for the actual release of the finalized schedule and a direct link to Etix to purchase your tickets.

You may see other websites claiming to have tickets for sale...those sites are not authorized by Ironstone Vineyards to sell tickets to our 2012 Concert Season. Please be aware that should you choose to purchase from a site other than www.etix.com or www.ironstonevineyards.com, those tickets may or may not be honored at the gates. It is a chance you are taking by not purchasing from the authorized ticket agent.  Many of those tickets currently being offered are also over priced to the extreme. So buyer, beware!

We want all our Concert Friends to have a great season! So stay tuned to www.ironstonevineyards.com for the actual release date and ticket links.

New Wedding Site!

Check out our new Wedding site!  Great photos with informative site information. Sign up to receive a packet with complete wedding information as well..Ironstone Wedding site - click here!

Get Your Green!

It's Irish Days in Murphys! Come get your green at Ironstone! 
From Ireland to you, we have authentic Irish Shamrock lapel pins in case you have no green to wear, original Irish Whistles with finger charts and a few songs that are very easy to learn to add a little music to your jig, and most certainly, MURPHYS LAW postcards, should you ever forget where you are and why all this is happening! While supply lasts... 


And, in honor of our own "Garden Guy", a little Irish proverb about rainy days and gardeners.... Come see the Daffodil Show Saturday & Sunday as well as the Mother Lode Garden Club arrangement competition, both with free admittance...

Free Parking at Ironstone Saturday!

What's Happening In Murphys, CA Irish Day is Happening! March 17th from 10 am to 5 pm Free Admission - Rain or Shine

Murphys Irish Day, our annual celebration of all things Irish always attracts a large crowd of tourists and local residents, but it will be extra special this year because it falls on St. Patrick’s Day, Saturday March 17.  The celebration that pays tribute to the town’s Celtic heritage, always held on the third Saturday of March, rarely coincides with the date that honors the patron saint of Ireland but this is our year.   The day will begin with a pancake breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m. at the Congregational Church on the corner of Church and Algiers Streets.  Enjoy breakfast at the Church or slip into one of our local restaurants or just grab a quick treat at the Aria Bakery on Main Street.  Just make sure you get here early so you can grab a good parade watching spot.   Presented by the Murphys Business Association, the Main St. festivities will start at 10 a.m. and continue until 5 p.m.  There is no admission charge and we plan to celebrate come rain, snow or even a little sunshine.   More than 100 vendors offering fine arts and crafts, home-baked delicacies, Irish Day t-shirts, souvenirs and many tasty things to eat and drink will line the street.     Among the items available for purchase will be handmade jewelry, wood and metal art objects, pottery, glasswork, sculpture, paintings, photographic prints, clothing, and antiques.   Local churches and community organizations will have baked goods, including Irish soda bread and several kinds of cookies, ready to purchase and take home.   There will be lots of food, including corned beef sandwiches, Greek gyros, pretzel dogs, pulled pork sandwiches, pizza, French fried artichokes, and hamburgers will be available when hunger sets in.  There will be items to satisfy the sweet tooth such as kettlecorn, funnel cakes, frozen cheesecake on a stick, and green cotton candy. Beverages on sale will include fresh lemonade, Irish coffee, and beer.  The Calaveras Winegrape Alliance will be selling a selection of fine local wines and the tasting rooms on Main Street will be pouring their finest.   Weather permitting, there will be pony rides and face painting to entertain the young folk.  In addition, all the shops on Main St. will be open to explore and appreciate. Live Entertainment Live entertainment with a decidedly Irish theme will be presented throughout the day on two stages and along Main Street.  Bagpipe music by the White Hackle Pipe & Drums and the Ripon Police & Fire Pipe Band will fill the air. The Tommyknocker Cloggers will set everyone’s feet a tapping and you'll even be able to see a Zumba demonstration.  Among the other performing groups will be Sequoia, Matt Cullen & Friends, the Mojo Bros, Grover Anderson and Jim Bailey’s ever popular band, Plan B.    See the full entertainment schedule here. Parade At 11 a.m., to the swirl of bagpipes, the Murphys Irish Day Parade will make its way down Main St. with St. Patrick’s himself as Grand Marshal.  Helping to create a Celtic atmosphere will be the White Hackle Pipe Band, and The Irish Cultural Society of Stanislaus County. Providing music will be the Calaveras Community Band and strolling trumpeter Dr. Jay Grimstead.     The Girl Scouts, in honor of the organization’s 100th birthday will lead the parade. Members of the Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Murphys 4-H, Murphys Preschool, the Studio 4 Dance Studio, and the Michelson Extended Day program will represent other young people of the area. There will be equestrian units including the Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Posse and the Peppermint Creek Carriage. Among the other animals taking part will be the canine members of the Sierra West Bernese Mountain Dog Club. Local organizations participating will include the Native Sons of the Golden West, with their giant California flag, and Soroptimist International of Calaveras County. Other entries will include Ironstone Vineyards, the Sheriff’s Department and the Murphys Fire District.  There will also be a leprechaun, or two, or three.   Announcers Dave Bowman and Jim Bailey will be stationed along the parade route to describe each entry as it passes.   Win a Trip to Ireland The luck of the Irish will take on special meaning for one happy couple when they are transported from a gold rush town with Irish heritage to the fabled land of shamrocks and leprechauns as grand prize winners of the Win a Trip to Ireland.   The prize includes round trip airfare to Dublin or Shannon, a rental car, hotel stay on arrival, and five nights in a variety of bed and breakfast locations sprinkled throughout the country.  As is usually the case, some restrictions apply.   Specially created local vacation prize packages will be awarded to three runners-up.   The first includes two nights lodging at Murphys Garden Cottages, breakfast at the Murphys Hotel, dinner at The Kitchen, wine and food pairing from Val Du Vino, golf for two at Sequoia Woods Country Club in Arnold, an outdoor activity provided by Sierra Nevada Adventure Company, and embroidered tote and tees from Bandera. Another package includes two nights in a vacation home from Murphys Vacation Rentals, lunch at Mineral, dinner at Grounds Restaurant, golf for two at Sequoia Woods Country Club, fifty percent off a Courtwood Wine Tour, a $100 gift certificate from Creative Cookware, and embroidered tote and tees from Bandera. The third prize package encompasses two nights lodging at Milfiore Historic Country Retreat, golf for two at Sequoia Woods Country Club, dinner at the Murphys Hotel, wine and food pairing from Frog’s Tooth Winery, lunch at Magnolia, massages and facials from Jillian’s Day Spa, and embroidered tote and tees from Bandera. Raffle tickets are five dollars each or five for $20.  They are available at several locations in Murphys including The Spice Tin, Yogurt Your Way, Tanner Vineyards, La Folia Winery, Marisolio Olive Oil, Jillian’s Day Spa, NEXT - Upscale Resale, Murphys Hotel, Sierra Nevada Adventure Company, and Tea An‘Tiques.  They also will be available only at the MBA booth in front of the Native Sons Hall on Irish Day.   The winning tickets will be drawn at 4:00 p.m. on the Native Daugters stage.  You need not be present to win.   Free Parking & Shuttle Service Free parking will be available at Ironstone Vineyards on Six Mile Road.   A free shuttle bus, provided by Ironstone and the Murphys Business Association, will run between Ironstone and the Arbors parking lot at Jones and Scott Streets.  Shuttles will leave approximately every 20 minutes from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.   Weather permitting, paid parking will be available close to the event off of Big Trees Rd. and Main St. and free parking will be available at the Black Bart Playhouse parking lot on Algiers St. around 12:30 p.m. after the parade has finished and cleared. Handicap Parking will be located in the Arbors parking lot at Jones and Scott Streets.   There will be no parking from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Main, Church, Algiers, Sheep Ranch, Scott, and Jones Sts. and Six Mile Road.  When traveling to the event motorists should use Highway 4, and not Murphys Grade Road.   Main Street will be closed from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the day of the event.  Traffic will be detoured along Church St. and through the Bret Harte Center from the intersection of Main St. and Murphys Grade Rd. to Highway 4.

Other Happenings This Weekend

March 16, 2012 - Women in Music at Metate Hill Lounge - Diane Patterson, Chelsea Wilds, Somer Moon & Billie Shields.  Music starts at 8 pm.  $5 cover charge. Visit www.metatehilllounge.com for more information.   March 17, 2012 - Library Book Sale - The Murphys Volunteer Library will hold a “St. Patrick’s Day” book sale on Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Murphys Volunteer Library in Murphys Park.  Ten ($10) bucks buys you a “bag o’ books” of your choice.  We have hardbacks, paperbacks, fiction, non-fiction, mysteries, westerns, science fiction, children’s books, audio cassettes, and even videos.  On that Saturday, we will also give a free book to anyone bringing in Sierra Hill's grocery receipts.  We also appreciate cash donations.  Come early to get the great choices!!   March 17, 2012 - Live Music at Cactus Jack's - 8 Days Sober featuring Jeff Pease and Travis Whittington (daytime) - No cover charge. March 17, 2012 - Live Music at Cactus Jack's - Plan B featuring Jim Bailey, Keno Rojas and Vince Rojas (evening) - No cover charge.   March 17 & 18, 2012 - Mother Lode Daffodil Show at Ironstone Vineyards - Open 11 AM-5PM, Sunday, 10AM-3PM.  Free. Juried show competitions in daffodil horticulture, artistic designs, and photography.  Showroom presents hundreds of different daffodils in bright colors and intriguing forms.  Show entry open to all or simply come to admire the daffodils in the show and n the landscape  Call 925-625-5526 or email for more information robert_spotts@comcast.net   March 17, 2012 - Irish Day Concert and CD Release Party at the Black Bart Playhouse - Three bands including Descendents of the Prospectors, Dyemusica and TRPI with original music, beer wine and treats for sale from 7 pm to 11 pm.  $5 at the door.   March 17, 2012 - The Artwork of Alex Atman at Metate Hill - Meet the artist and learn how he does it-artwork on display during the Irish Day celebration - free admission.  Visit www.metatehilllounge.com for more information.   March 18, 2012 - Native Sons of the Golden West Pancake Breakfast - After the fun and excitement of Murphys Irish Day on Saturday relax on Sunday and enjoy the pancake breakfast prepared by the chefs of the Native Sons Of The Golden West. Bring your family and friends to this great breakfast of pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage, biscuits and gravy, orange juice and coffee. The cost is six dollars for adults and three dollars for kids ten and under and is served from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. in the Native Sons Hall, 389 Main St. in historic downtown Murphys.

And the Winners Art!

Ironstone's Spring Obsession Professional Art Show Winners announced Saturday, March 3rd!

Theme Division Winner

Linda Knoll          “Red Tulip Forest”

1^st Place Open Division Winner

Lynn Slade           “All Aflutter”

2^nd Place Open Division Winner

Geneva Davis               “Last Light”

3^rd Place Open Division Winner

Patricia Gould             “Green River Sunset”

Judges Honorable Mentions

Beth Winfield      “Donkey Ride at Dusk”

Jane Lucas            “Carmel Mission Ranch”

Connie McLennan              “Echo of Eternity”

Family Merit Award

Carol Clark  “The Miners Garden of Daffodils & Tulips”

Patricia Rohovit         “On the Edge of Abstrativity”

Karen O’Neill              “Calla Garden at Dusk”

Marti Walker              “Survivor”

J. D. Anderson             “Castle”

Vaughn Pottery Demonstrations This weekend!

We are delighted to announce that Bill & June Vaughn of Vaughn Pottery will be joining us this Spring Obsession Event Weekend!  June will be demonstrating her pottery carving techniques while Bill will be available to answer questions about the design & production of their stunning line of pottery vases and jewelry.

Do stop by to meet and greet!

Saturday from 11:00 to 4:00 and Sunday from 11:00 to 3:00.

Spring Obsession ART EVENT this weekend!

This is our big Spring Obsession Art Weekend!  With over 150 paintings gracing the walls of Ironstone, you will certainly find a painting that will set your heart on fire, light up your day or simply bring a smile to your face.


Joining us this weekend are over 25 of the more than 75 accepted artists.  They will be setting up wonderful displays of their work as well as painting, drawing and creating just for you. All this is free and open to the public, so please come by between 10 - 4 on Saturday and 10 - 3 on Sunday to meet and greet these talented people. Watch them paint, learn or just enjoy the show.  Many will be out and about the gardens of Ironstone with easels set up and painting away. See if you can find them!  And we are certain they will be out there. According to the weather "people", this lovely rain will clear up on Friday and give us a stunning weekend here in the Sierras. 


Don't forget the flower barrel program begins this weekend as well!  Over 600 half barrels have been planted with daffodils, tulips, iris and more.  Watch them as they bloom and color our world beautiful.  Only at Ironstone!  Bring your cameras!

2012 Open Division entries available for viewing

Please follow this link to our Picassa Album of the 2012 Open Division Entries.
Titles and detail info is pending as well as a lovely slide show as soon as Picassa and Blogger decide to be friends again...

https://picasaweb.google.com/108272069615982870252/SpringObsession2012Open#

Spring Art Show 2012 Honorable Judges

Ironstone Vineyard’s 15^th Annual Spring Obsession

Art Show Open Division has the honor of being judged by:

Melissa Marshall

Executive Vice President, Academy of Art University, San Francisco

Melissa graduated from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco in 1976. She worked for the Academy’s Illustration Department under the tutelage of Barbara Bradley, the director. When Barbara retired, Melissa eventually headed the department and held that post until 1997. It was at that time that she accepted an offer from Walt Disney Feature Animation in Burbank, CA to manage the staff and instructors who trained new animation hires in the proper drawing skills needed to help create the quality product for which Disney is well known. In 1999, she moved back to San Francisco and was invited by the Academy of Art University to become its Executive Vice President.   

 Charles Pyle

Director, School of Illustration,, Academy of Art University, San Francisco

 Craig Marshall

Drawing Instructor, Academy of Art University, San Francisco

After graduating from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco in 1976, Craig spent several years as a freelance commercial illustrator before becoming a staff illustrator for a small medical publishing company. In 1986 he was invited to teach head drawing and illustration courses at the Academy of Art University where he stayed for 11 years while continuing his freelance work. In 1997 he moved to Burbank, CA and taught drawing classes for Walt Disney Feature Animation, Associates in Art, and Woodbury University. He returned to San Francisco in 1999 and was asked to head the Foundations Department at the Academy of Art University for a semester. He now teaches Head Drawing full time for the Academy’s School of Illustration.

Golden Flow Shines at Ironstone

Golden Flow by Artist Dan Mather are hand blown glass loaded with 23 k gold leaf in a glycerin environment allowing the gold to float lazily around the globes. 

These have to be the most relaxing globes I have seen yet!

Available at Ironstone's Heritage Museum, these beauties are a perfect mommento of the gold country.

Prices range from $35.00 to $55.00.

Photographer & sculptor Mark Bergstrom has installed several of his outdoor water sculptures in the gardens at Ironstone Vineyards.
Rustic recycled materials seem to fit right into the landscape with old pumps and rusty tanks. You can just imagine the miners pumping water from one of these during the Gold Rush... the horses hitched to an old wagon getting a refreshing drink from one of the old metal tanks...  

"The great outdoors and our country's precious natural heritage have been a passion of mine since my early childhood. I have been fortunate to have travelled throughout the world but my roots are here in Tuolumne County, California where I grew up in rural east Sonora. My growing up years were spent cavorting in the outdoors... fishing in creeks, gigging frogs, swimming in farm ponds and hunting small game.

 My Father was a large animal veterinarian and I spent countless hours with my Dad on ranch calls and today I enjoy cowboying for local ranchers branding and driving cattle.  Attending rodeos is a big favorite for me as well as fly fishing, hunting, hiking and camping.

I returned to Sonora three years ago after a 39 year hiatus that took me to Davis, Los Angeles, Saudi Arabia, Cincinnati and San Francisco pursuing my professional career in management consulting and running a variety of large nonprofit organizations.



Building water fountains and photography have been a means of capturing my love of the great outdoors. Much of my inspiration for constructing fountains comes from my artistic bend and the incredable effects of soothing water sounds. I spend many days flyfishing our country's blue ribbon wild trout fisheries, ranging from tiny gurgling brooks to roaring, boulder-strewn rivers. Many of the fountain components come off local ranches in Tuolumne County."



All of Mark's fountains are available for sale here at Ironstone. Mark will assist you with loading and offer full instructions on each piece.  Mark also has a few of his award winning photos available in our tasting room. There is a photo below of the display.

Hope you have the time to stop by Ironstone to take a look at these fun water fountains. Perhaps you will see one that fits perfectly in a corner of your yard, close enough to the patio or a window to allow you that peacefull sound of water flowing.

New Book!

By author

Wayne Hunt

"Dedicated to the memory of California’s Pioneers who came to California in search of gold.  Whether or not they found gold, their desire and courage contributed significantly to California’s land development and to America’s development as a great nation.”

“Zack and his three donkey friends make a journey on a wagon through many historic towns located in California’s Gold Rush country. By touring these towns and their museum, they learn about how gold was discovered, how it was mined, and how people lived during that historic time.  Along their path of discovery, they leave behind friends & communities that in turn learn about the good in others.

This is a fictional book in that the characters and their story are fiction. However, the facts, dates and historical info about the Gold Rush towns are factual, as much as I, the author, am able to determine them.”    - Wayne Hunt

This is a great book for the whole family! We have had fun reading the adventures  of these crazy characters as well as thoroughly enjoyed the historic facts and observations of the author along the way.  Truly fun for the kids to read and adults to discover. Available in Ironstone’s Heritage Museum & Jewelry Shoppe for only $19.99.

Theme Division Entries

Take a look at the slide show to the right and see if you can guess which of these great pieces of art will be unveiled at the reception on March 3rd... Post a comment on your favorite painting to let the artist know you care! Have fun, then mark your calendar for March 3 & 4 for a chance to meet the artists and see the real paintings.  They are always so much better in person! Come see for yourself..

Theme Division entries for Ironstone's 15th Annual Spring Obsession Art Show have been selected and will be arriving this weekend. Although the exhibit doesn't open until March 3rd, the selection of the winner of the Theme Division has to happen quite early to ensure the winning poster makes its appearance at the Artist Reception/Food Wine Pairing event, Saturday afternoon, March 3rd.

Call to Artist Open Division Entries Due

This weekend is a big weekend for us here at Ironstone. All the accepted Theme Division paintings will be arriving, hand delivered by the artists themselves.

We are promised a clear crisp sunny day here in the foothills. No better time to deliver these outstanding paintings providing a wonderful weekend day trip or for some an even better weekend get away.  I have received notice from at least one artist that is planning on taking advantage of the weather to set up an easel for a day of relaxed plein air painting somewhere on Ironstone's beautiful grounds.

Make a visit yourself to possibly meet some of the artists in the Tasting Room or search out those that might be painting out and about.

OPEN Division entries are due Friday, Feb. 3rd.  That is just around the corner, so don't waist any more time! It is a wonderful opportunity to get your name & paintings out in front of the buying customers.  You may download the entry forms from the blog (see page above) or you may email
cgomez@ironstonevineyards.com for a copy to be emailed to you.

The Spring Obsession Event opens March 3rd & 4th. Mark you calendars! It is a fun weekend.

Peanut butter!

It is National Peanut Butter Day today!  Ironstone Deli featuring great peanut butter sandwiches today at a discount. Come in and celebrate an American tradition!

Theme Division Art is in!

While the Open Division Art entries are still coming in, all the Theme Division Art entries have arrived! Notifications go out this week, with the originals arriving later this month. Stay tuned for a slide presentation preview of the accepted pieces of art right here on this blog. We are very excited about the beautiful paintings submitted and hope you are as well. Once the images are up, take your time and enjoy, then take your guess as to which will become Ironstone Vineyard's 2012 Spring Obsession Poster! Spring Obsession Art show opens Saturday, March 3. Come see if your choice is the winner at the artists reception Saturday afternoon of that spectacular weekend.

Friday Deadline!

Theme Division Artists, 
Friday is the deadline for your entries! Get them in!