Thursday, April 25, 2013

Meet Artist Janis Pastore-Smith, Ironstone Spring Obsession Accepted Artist

JANIS PASTORE-SMITH

O-080  Sunflowers and Lemons  by Janis Pastore-Smith oil  16x20  $1250
An early interest in drawing followed by watercolor classes in high school made it an easy decision to continue my love of art at the University of the Pacific. At Pacific, I studied with Professors/artists Larry Walker, Richard Reynolds and Richard Yip.  After graduation in 1968 with a degree in art I began a 25-year teaching career. Between teaching and raising a family with husband Andy, there was little time to devote to my art.  It wasn't until after retirement in 2008 that I returned to my passion, studying water color and drawing from Deanna Hunt through the Pacific's Osher Program.  I continued my studies at Pacific under the tutelage of Professor and artist Lucinda Kasser.  There I began working in oils, discovering my passion for the rich, vibrant colors and energetic brush strokes the medium allows.  y landscapes are inspired by travels through Italy and France and by many trips into the Sierra Nevada and the majestic seaside areas in and around Pacific Grove.  I continued exploring the medium, expanding into the area of still life, taking workshops with artist Peggi Kroll-Roberts. My current work continues with still life paintings and landscapes that reflect my love of the natural beauty of California.

2013, Ironstone Vineyards, Murphys, CA 16th Annual Spring Obsession Show
Nov. 2012, featured artist, Goodwin Gallery, Stockton, CA
2012, 1st. place, Woodridge Winery, Acampo, CA.
2011, 2nd place, Goodwin Gallery, Stockton, CA
2011, Mustlin Gallery Show, Modesto, CA
2011, 2nd place, Woodbridge Winery, Acampo, CA.

Monday, April 22, 2013

Meet Artist Mary Ann Newman, Ironstone Spring Obsession Accepted Artist

Mary Ann Newman
Handweaver
O-167  Spring Woodlands by Mary Ann Newman  17x18  $350

Although my earlier careers were in Social Group Work and Stay-at-home-Mom, I became interested in art in the mid=1970's when our family lived for a year in Switzerland. While there I visited as many museums as possible and participated in an art study tour to Venice, Assisi & Florence. Returning to Mill Valley I enrolled in art classes at the College of Marin in Art History, Design, Painting and Fiber and emerged years later, a serious handweaver. I purchased my Gilmore Loom in 1979. There were additional studies in weaving in Oslo, Norway; Sievers School of Fiber Arts on Washington Island, Wisconsin; at the Mendocino Art Center and in workshops arranged by local handwearers Guilds.

In and advanced fiber class, teacher Nancy Soper introduced us to the work of Theo Moorman, and English weaver. Moorman says in her 1975 book Weaving as an Art Form that "Nowadays weaving and the processes of manipulating thread and fiber are generally accepted as an art form" and introduces the one person artist-designer-weaver approach in contrast to the past where weavers worked from a design given to them by painters. the huge old tapestries one sees hanging in museums were designed by painters and woven probably mostly by men sitting on hard benches at looms in Belguim and France.
O-166  Rushing River by Mary Ann Newman  16x16  $300

The work in this show is my own adaptation of the Theo Moorman technique which I weave on my floor loom using a heavier background warp with surface yarns held down by finer warp yarns to create the inlay image. It enables me to create pieces with the freedom of color and design. I find inspiration in nature. I have exhibited in San Francisco, Marin and Sonoma County galleries and Libraries.

Mary Ann Newman
Santa Rosa, California

Meet Artist Phil Murillo, Ironstone Spring Obsession Accepted Artist

Phil Murillo  - Artist Bio
O-064  Mill226  by Phil Murillo   53x38  $975
     From my childhood in Chicago, to my current everyday life in the central valley, art has played a vital role throughout my life.  As a kid drawing comic strips, to a teen replicating rock album covers and bands' logos, to my career choice in graphic design, art has always been at my core.

     I graduated from Fresno State with a degree in Advertising Design. Shortly thereafter I started a career in the commercial sign industry.  I had the opportunity to learn and hone my skills at hand lettering, logo design, large format graphics, wall murals, typography, commercial and electrical signage. Ultimately my artistic style and my art studio were developed from my work life experiences.

     Working Class Studios reflects the concept and approach  behind my artwork.  I have a technical working class approach to each painting. I do much planning and visualizing in the beginning stages of the piece. After the plan is in place, I apply many frenetic translucent layers. I follow the plan generally, but always allow for the colors to flow, overlap and interconnect.  These free flowing colors create new images, shapes and color schemes within themselves, a colorful planned chaos.

     Working Class Studios also reflects the importance to me of being environmentally conscious.  Whenever possible I use recycled sign surfaces, re-used substrates, salvaged wood and materials for my paintings and frames, turning landfill into artwork.

     Thank you for your interest. I appreciate it.

     Phil Murillo

O-065  Snow White  by Phil Murillo  21x28   $650

Meet Artist Charlotte Mahood, Ironstone Spring Obsession Accepted Artist

Charlotte Mahood
Artist Biography

O-205  Barco Rifigio  by Charlotte Mahood  36x36  $3000

Charlotte makes her home in the foot hills of the Sierra-Nevada Mountains with her husband and their three pups, El Greco, Leonardo and George. Her studio is located on their property next to their home providing her the opportunity to work on projects any time of the day or night.  Printmaking and Oil Painting are her passions.  Her printmaking work includes, etching, Chine Colle', Monotypes and mixed media.  Charlotte observes and records her impressions of the world around her in colorful passages.  Her figurative work records humanity at work and at play, evoking strong emotion on the part of the viewer. She imparts a sense of design that is uniquely her own.

After earning her Associate in Arts in Liberal Arts & Sciences Degree with high honors at Cabrillo College, Charlotte pursued further studies at The Scottsdale Art School, Kala Art Institute of Berkeley California and The Monterey Peninsula College.  A long time resident of Santa Cruz County before locating in the foothills, Charlotte was a member of The Santa Cruz Art League and the Pajare Valley Art Council. Presently she is a member of The Calaveras Arts Council, Arts of Bear Valley, the Golden Pallet, The Oil Painters Alliance and The Monterey Peninsula College Printmakers.

Her work has been selected for a number of juried shows and is in private collections throughout the Untied States.  Charlotte's work is available for purchase and is exhibited at the Art on Main Gallery, Murphys, California