Meet Artist John Lovewell, Ironstone Spring Obsession Accepted Artist

O-207  Leapard by John Lovewell  36x24 $2400

JOHN LOVEWELL                                                                                                        WILDLIFE ART
BIO

Statement from the artist:

It is my pleasure to personally share some things in my life that have contributed to my love of wildlife and the wilderness and the desire to express this in the field of art.

     I was born in Cody, Wyoming and raised in Kalispell, Montana, not far from Glacier National Park.  What a great time I had growing up, going fishing and hunting with my father and as a teen hiking with my buddies into the back country wilderness with my trusty 35 mm SLR.
     I guess I was drawing birds and animals as soon as I could hold up a pencil, I took up taxidermy at 12 years old, and bacame the town stuffer as people began dropping off specimens on the front porch. I was also called on to draw and paint things, even symbols on the sides of Teepees, and I enjoyed illustrating the High School Annual, with scenes from Indian life.
    Although I left the area, my heart was always there, like getting all choked up in cowboy movies when I saw the Mountain Scenery. I did make it a point to always take my wife and sons to Yellowstone Park every summer for vacation, where I continued to take pictures of old snags and rocks and scenery that I filed away for future use in bringing back old memories on canvas when I had free time.

     That is why I strive for realism, so the painting can be convincing enough that you fell you have stepped into an actual scene of nature and you are there for real, witnessing some kind of drama or action, which then usually means ... predators.
     I was largely self-taught, but felt encouraged when individuals would buy my efforts ... and even more so when some of my pieces were accepted into the Los Angeles Audubon Society Wildlife and Environmental Art Show.
     When I found time, I would take hikes into the Sierras and so finally I decided to move to Sonora, to be c lose by the mountains.
     This was a great decision ... here the Oil Painting World of technique and color was really opened up to me by a local artist and teacher, Gereon Rios of the Sonora Academy of Fine Arts.
     I hope then, that for my efforts will be successful in bringing a measure of appreciation for God's wonderful creations and that my experiences and memories will develop scenes that will perhaps evoke the same joys I have and that lie deep in the soul of those who have tramped in the woods ... or even maybe those who were only able to dream about it.

John Lovewell

Vaughn Pottery delivers! New Arrivals!

Life Force  - #310101  $600

 Bill & June Vaughn of Vaughn Pottery have blown us out of the water with this stunning new piece!  It is an eye stopper!  No one just glances at this piece. It draws you into it layer after layer - textures, colors and a richness that older pieces only hint at.  Inlayed with turquoise and ammonite fossils that interplay with the deep designs and rich earth colors this piece is a life force in and of itself.

Life Force  - #310101  $600

Meet Artist Ronald Houck, Ironstone Spring Obsession Open Division Accepted Artist

Ronald Houck
Lodi, Ca
www.rounaldhouck.com

Artist Bio:

Ronald Houck was born in Salem, Oregon, but grew up in the greater San Francisco Bay Area of California. Ronald received a BA in Studio Art from California State University San Francisco in 2010.

During his high school years he developed a love for both art and misic. After high school he continued to develop as an artist, while also becoming a professional musician, singer and songwriter. He then formed a vocal trio with his wife and brother and preformed throughout Northern California and Nevada for more than eight years.

He is best known for his expressive and figurative oil paintings that capture the mood, emotion, and spirit of people in a variety of environments. Blending traditional and contemporary painting techniques, the artist compels viewers to uncover the mysteries and narratives within his work.

Ronald has been privileged to work with several nationally and internationally renown artists throughout his education, such as Craig Nelson, Warren Chang, Tae Park, Dean Larson, Zackary Zdrale and Baoping Chen.

Ronald has done commissioned portraits for prominent patrons in Central California and is beginning to achieve national recognition as an artist through his award winning work displayed at the Haggin Museum in Stockton, CA in 2010 and through gallery exposure.  Ronald is a member of Oil Painters of America and is currently teaching life drawing, foundational drawing, and color theory at The Art Institute of California-Sacramento and The Art Institute of California-Sunnyvale.  After raising three sons, he currently reside in Lodi, CA with his loving wife Suzanne.

Meet Artist Susie Hoffman, Ironstone Spring Obsession Open Division Accepted Artist

Susie Hoffman,
Copperopolis

     Now exploring art after retiring from teaching English and history, Susie considers herself a "professional art student". She and her husband, Larry, created the art center Town Hall Arts in Copperopolis where she has enjoyed classes by many foothill artists over the last four years.  From oil classes to mosaics, she is always eager to learn something new.
    Susie first started this art journey ten years ago in watercolor.  Happy to retire early, she discovered a wonderful East Bay watercolor group that even traveled to southern France to paint in the small towns of the Dordogne region.  Since opening her art store, she has branched out into oil, graphite, collage and pastels.  She also sells many of her photographs at Town Hall Arts.
    She lovers trying new media and tries to find something unique to teach at the Copper Art Club, a group she started out of her home when she and Larry moved to Copper seven years ago.  The club now meets weekly at Town Hall Arts.
    Painting in oil is her challenge right now. "I love the freedom and color that can be achieved in oil, but I also enjoy practicing drawing skills with graphite portraits of my grandchildren," Susie said.  She always takes several photos and sketchbook along on trips to create what she calls "airplane art" - small graphite portraits done "en route".
    Honors include awards at the Mother Lode Art Show, Delicato Show, Calaveras County Fair, Riverside Carriage Show, and Oakdale Transportation Show.  Her graphite portrait, "I Hope You Dance", appeared on the 2012 program cover of the Ironstone Spring Obsession Show.  Susie's artwork and photographs are displayed at Galerie Copper in Town Hall Arts, under the clock, in Copperopolis Town Square. She is currently program director for Mother Lode Art Association.

http://townhallarts.com/