Meet Artist Robert Feigen, Spring Obsession Open Division Artist

Robert Feigen


My name is Robert Feigen and I am the artist that has performed the attached painting.  I am a graduate of California Polytechnic college in Pomona, California with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Behavioral Science and in Business Administration.  I have studied for three years at the Sonora Arts Academy and have been an artist for six years.  I am now retired and have chosen to focus on my passion for painting and the arts.

My fifty piece "RatzNKatz" Series is a primitive, anthropomorphic, mystical, fantasy humorous artistic presentation and is my own style of paining in oil and acrylics.  The vivid colors and the action of the characters are an expression of myself for a world of happiness and harmony through strength and balance in the face of potential adversity.  There is also some sauciness and and arrogance thrown in at times.  If the viewer stops, looks, laughs, and smiles then leaves only to come back again I will have been successful in my artistic intent.

The Ratz and katz characters in the paintings have a human-like faces and qualities and the Ratz with the exaggerated bodies interact to symbolize both the struggles to coexist and to challenge each other with the underdog (Ratz) being in control of the dominant species (Katz).  The themes in each painting are unique and expressive within a particular genre.

The "Ratz N Katz Annual Golf Championships" is number fourty-three (#43) in the Series and depicts the Ratz poker finalists competing at golf and at the same time the "Mischief Ratz" competing in every way they can.  Of course there is a whole lot of cheating and mischief going on as well as the teasing of one of the Katz who would like to get at the Ratz characters.

The original paintings and stories in the series are for sale.  However, the rights to reproduction are not.  When the paintings are actually reproduced in a limited edition series, the buyer/seller will be entitled to a percentage commission.  Therefore, it is a win/win for everyone.

I want to thank you for your interest in my art and I will look forward to meeting you personally at the artist reception and at the show.

Robert Feigen
robertfeigen@gmail.com

And the Winners ARE!

After an exciting opening weekend this past Saturday & Sunday, The 16th Annual Spring Obsession Art Show got off to a fantastic start!  

This years Judges; Kathleen Dunphy, Craig Nelson & Anna Nelson graciously presented the Open Division Awards Saturday. With comprehensive explanations and detailed reviews of the selected works, they not only educated those of us who love and appreciate art, but also encouraged and inspired those of us who create.

Executive Chef Rob outdid himself with a wonderful menu of food & wine pairings, highlighting the newest releases of Obsession Wine, this year a new Red Obsession joining the ranks.

As always the Ironstone Staff were professional, attentive and masters of the great evening mood. KUDOS!


Now, ON To the Winners!
*PS all these pieces are currently available for purchase. Contact Ironstone's Tasting Room staff for more details or email cgomez@ironstonevineyards.com.

OPEN Division Winners
in Ironstone's 16th Annual Spring Obsession Art Show:

1st Place Winner:
Debbie Gualco, "Pompano and Circumstance"

2nd Place Winner:
Melinda Shook, "Retired 298"

3rd. Place Winner:
Stephanie Benedict, "Lighthouse Keeper's House"

Judges Merit Awards went to:

Karen O'Neill, "Grand Opening"

Debbie Gualco, "Lupines 29"

Bruce Hancock, "Miner's Cabin, Ironstone"

Family Merit Awards went to:

Judy Day, "Thistles"

Vaughn Lew, "Biding Time"

John Lovewell, "Leopard"

Meet Artist Sharon Denny, Ironstone Spring Obsession Open Division accepted Artist

Sharon Denny

Because I love our mountains and treasure their beauty, I moved to Arnold 30 plus years ago. Painting in watercolor is a wonderful way to capture some of that beauty. 

After raising my 8 children and retiring, I finally have time to paint.  There are still not enough hours to paint all that I see and love and want to share.  I will keep spending much time in the outdoors where the inspiration is the greatest.

Meet Artist Judy Day, Ironstone Spring Obsession OPEN Division accepted artist

Judy Day

Judy attended Art Center School of Design and Cal State Northridge, where she received a Bachelor Degree in Graphic Design and a K-12 Teaching Credential in Art Education and Math. She recently retired from 25+ years teaching at David Starr Jordan Middle School in Burbank, California. Judy taught beginning art, Cultures through Art, photography, cartooning, animation and algebra.  In April of 2010 she moved to the foothills of Jackson, and began studying with several local artists and concentrated on her painting.


Judy's art credits include the following: Illustrated three educational children's books, "My first Word Search", "Beginning Sounds Word Hunt" and "Fun Faces Fun Days", numerous brochures, posters paintings and cards, two cut paper banners (3x12 feet) that hang seasonally in the First Christian Church of North Hollywood's Sanctuary. For the last 5 years Judy has directed a week long children's art camp each summer in Studio City. She is currently serving as the President of the Amador County Artist Association.

Her awards and honors are: 1993-94 Jordan Middle School Teacher of the Year, 1994 Burbank Woman of the Year, 1995 Outstanding teacher Award given by the LA Times and CSUN School of Education, and finally in 2002 the California League of Middle Schools Educator of the Year Nominee.

Judy loves the outdoors and has hiked and sketched in the high Sierras most of her life.  "My art is inspired by my backpacking trips into the Sierras, vacations around the world, majestic landscapes, historical sites and practically everything in my neighborhood. You never know what will catch your eye and inspire you."

Judy's art work is displayed at the Sutter Creek Gallery in Sutter Creek California

Meet Artist Geneva Davis Season, Spring Obsession Open Division Artist

Geneva Davis Season  

Over thirty years ago Geneva's creative art journey began.  Studying a variety of techniques and mediums has let to a body of work of great diversity. 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. These might be considered to be signature work whether in oils, watercolors of most recently pastels.
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. Geneva's paintings are in many private collections.

Her paintings may be viewed at Pinecrest Gallery in Pinecrest, CA. All that Matters Gallery in Twain Harte, CA.  Town Hall Gallery in Copperolis, CA. and  Ventana Gallery in Sonora, CA.

Geneva's home studio is open to visitor's by app. 209-533-2014

Meet Artist Cate Culver, Ironstone Spring Obsession Open Division accepted Artist

About Cate Culver   

My first memory of doing art was as a young child.  We lived in Vallejo, CA where I was born on November 10, 1945 at the end of WWII.  My father Edson was an early riser up to grade papers and plan his teaching schedule. Soon I was up an about at 5 am too. To keep me from distrubing my mother Ruth and big sister Connie he'd have me draw pictures.  I've been drawing ever since.

By age three we had moved to Sacramento where my father joined the teaching staff at Sacramento State College in the Education Department. At age 14, I sold my first painting for $3.00, a watercolor of a fish. AS a teenager I excelled at my school art classes.  Upon graduation from High School in 1963, I was awarded a $100 scholarship as the Most Promising Artist. In 1967 I graduated from Sacramento State College as an Art Major. I loved my college classes and learned to throw pots, paint watercolors, do print making and cast silver jewelry. I was a History minor and enjoyed that also.

Most of my career was in advertising as a Graphic Artist for Pay Less Drug stores at their corporate headquarters in Oakland. Then Raley's Superstores at their corporate headquarters in West Sacramento.

Then after 25 years I burnt out. Just could not take anymore hours in front of the computer and the stress of deadlines.  I didn't feel like an artist anymore.  I longed to paint and draw again. I was 46 years old and newly married. my husband Jerry and I left our big city jobs and moved to the foothills of California in the Gold Country.  We found low key jobs and put down roots. I worked for a small advertising agency as a Graphic Artist and then moved on to work for the Calaveras County Historical Society as their Historian. I retired in 2007.

I bought new art supplies and began to teach myself to paint again. In 1999 the money came forth for me to build an art studio. It is 16 x 24 and adjacent to our house. At last I'm and artist again!

Meet Artist Connie Carson - Romano, Ironstone Spring Obsession Open division accepted artist

Connie Carson - Romano

Art is an expression of the way the artist views the world in which he lives. Through my paintings I try to communicate the emotions that made the subject something I wanted to share with others whether it be joy, serenity, or the excitement of the beauty of nature. I know I have succeeded at my Art when someone looks at one of my paintings or drawings and says "That makes me feel ...."

I cannot remember a time in my life when I was not drawing or painting. Acrylic paint is my favored medium.  I love the way it works and forms on the canvas. The colors that are present in nature are phenomenal and I love trying to create the same shades.  Being raised in New Mexico I found myself immersed from an early age in the amazing palate of nature and the challenge of trying to recreate that on canvas.  Now as a resident of Northern California I am awed at the diversity of landscapes we live in.

While my paintings for their colors are my favored expression of the world I have also spent time drawing in black and white. In the 1990's I was published for 6 years as the creator of the cartoon strip "Cody Coyote". Cody was a wonderful combination of my drawings and verbal expression of the humorous side of life. Cody was well loved by the readers of the paper in the mountain community in New Mexico where he was published. It was wonderful to walk into someone's house and see their favorite Cody strip hanging on the refrigerator and know that my art added a smile to their day.

   Two Artists looking at the same object of same landscape will create completely different expressions of what they see.  I find it is amazing and exciting that so many different interpretations of the world around us are available through the eyes of Artists. It is my pleasure that I am able to add my own personal expressions to this collection.

 

Meet Artist Aubrey Straub, Ironstone Vineyard's Spring Obsession Open Division Artist

Aubrey Straub

For 11 years, I was classically trained on the piano. In the 12th year, I switched over to jazz, the land of creative exploration...... But the 17 year old ego is a fragile one, and I couldn’t stand the eyes that stared at me while I fumbled through my 30 second solos. Never shy, but always a fierce perfectionist, the thought of being observed and judged while I hit the notes within the E flat scale instead of G minor was mortifying. At the ripe old age of 18 I quit the piano and moved on with “adulthood.”

Many moons later, I began to observe that my life was filled with the technicalities of life; working, paying bills, driving to the grocery store. I was missing something. Where was the creative exploration? Where was the use of tangible to express the intangible? In what ways was I pushing forward with a new skill that was simply enjoyable and not for career gain? How was I forcing my brain to think in the abstract, not just to type out business plans, but to simply express myself? How was I expressing the raw, primal emotions that were important to me, the ones I felt were important in life?

Two summers ago I fell into some painting classes. The details of how I found myself in the quaint, color explosion of a studio are irrelevant now. I have fallen so hopelessly in love with paint, I cannot believe there was a time it was not in my life. Both my grandmothers painted, yet it had never occurred to me that a paintbrush in my hands might be the most natural thing in the world. Not only had I found my expression through art, but my ego was finally capable of handling the mistakes that foster growth.

Painting is not an action for me, or an activity. Painting is a state. I often do not remember the thoughts I had in the midst of painting a certain piece. I do not remember certain strokes that were made. Strokes that I notice after the finish is on, strokes that I wonder might have been put there by some elf in the middle of the night. It is time in which my over-active mind ceases to race, and plan, and multi-task. The moments I spend with my brush are a solace, a sanctuary, a quiet place in which my mind is still, and something else takes over and calmly pushes emotions from somewhere within me onto the canvas.

Aubrey Straub lives in Folsom, CA with her husband, Sonny and their three kids, ages 7, 9, and 11.