Meet Artist Annie Fountain, Ironstone Spring Obsession Open Division Artist

Annie Fountain

O-044  Still Beautiful  by Annie Fountain  oil  12x24  $720

Annie Fountain is a plein air artist dedicated to capturing the essence of the great outdoors near her Sierra Foothill home and elsewhere. Enamored by painting on location, she can be found regularly along old roads and ranches and by lakes and rivers in the mountains and foothills.  whether outside of in the studio, Annie's design and color instincts have a permanent outlet at the easel.

With its vast beauty and warm climate, the foothills of the Sierra have shaped her art. The first thing she sees in choosing her subject is usually the reflection of light followed by color.  Then she interprets what she sees and communicates it visually in her oil paintings. It is the impression of that moment that people relate to - that special something they've seen and experienced before - that draws their attention. For her it makes the effort exciting, satisfying and worthwhile.

Education:
Bachelor of Science, Biology, San Franciscfo State University
fort Mason Art Center, San Francisco
Plein Air Studies and Workshops with recognized artists

Currently Showing:
Just For You Gallery of Fine Art, Healdsburg, CA
Hanford St. Gallery, Sutter Creek, CA
Ironstone Vineyards, Murphys, CA

Annie can be reached at: 
annie@anniefountain.com

Meet Artist Libby Fife, Ironstone Spring Obsession Open Division Artist

Libby Fife - Fine Art
www.libbyfife.com
libbyfife@ymail.com

O-061  Hillside Path  by Libby Fife  acrylic  10x10  $125

Artist's Statement:  

Thank you for taking the time to view my work.  Getting to know an artist and learning about them and their work is an important component to enjoying the art that they make.

I am a transplanted Bay Area native, living and working in the beautiful foothills of California gold country. The experience of growing up in the East Bay, attending school there, and subsequently working in that environment for many years was a very positive experience. My husband and I decided on a change though and moved to Valley Spring in the summer of 2010.  I still maintain my ties and identity with the Bay Area but have enjoyed incorporating my new life here into my current artwork.

When asked why I make my art, what drives it, the response is always the same: I am interested, plain and simple. The landscape and history of the buildings where I live is compelling to me. Frequent walks at our local lake, trips to other areas in the county, and a general reverence for the natural and built world surrounding us help to give a scaffolding of sorts to my work.  Within those structures of trees, hills, and buildings there is a simplicity and stillness to the world. That stillness is calming in this age where everything seems very noisy and fast paced.  My paintings reflect this simplicity and designs that are uncomplicated yet still interesting to the eye.  Places and objects are reduced to an elemental image yet are still familiar and recognizable to the viewer.  It is with extreme gratitude that I live in such a wonderful place.  I love the peace and quiet that can be experienced here in a small, rural community. With all of the visual noise and complications, my paintings are a welcome respite from clutter, detail, and the clamor of everyday life.

Please note my website and email address listed above. I love to hear comments and to answer questions so please feel free to contact me.  My CV is available upon request.

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!