Meet Artist Sharron St. John - Hill, Ironstone's Spring Obsession Accepted Artist

Artist Statement

Sharron St. John-Hill

O-182  "Grapes" by Sharron St. John-Hill  watercolor  11x15  $325

Sharron has been painting since the age of 12, when her father first introduced her to oils.  Since that young age she has continued to use various mediums and studied various techniques and applications used in the art field.  Her experience includes botanical porcelain painting, ceramics, tole and decorative painting, and watercolors, plus faux and mural painting.  Her faux painting and mural experience was acquired while working for a business in Orange County.  She has completed floral design school and enjoys doing flower arrangements for parties and weddings. Since moving to the foothill area six years ago, she has learned mosaics and likes to relax by creating unique pine needle baskets. She has worked in various homes in the area creating murals which are usually floral designs.

O-183  "Sunflowers"  by Sharron St. John-Hill   acrylics  16x20  $385

Sharron and her brother, David Yelick often paint together in their art studio and enjoy doing all types of arts and crafts.

Meet Artist Henrietta Sparkman, Ironstone Spring Obsession Accepted Artist

O-135  "Cathedral" by Henrietta Sparkman  acrylic  18x36  $625

Henrietta Sparkman

Artist Statement

    Visual Poetry is the direction I work, in painting landscapes, catching the essence of the scene without many details, is the goal and to leave the viewer their own metaphoric interpretation. Painting en plein aire gives the composition a unique vibrance and life.  Working on location gives the viewer the sense of the moment, of place and conditions.

    Capturing scenes that change over time allows the observer and opportunity for that which changes and is not always constant and reminds us to be stewards of our land and nature that is often taken for granted.

    Figurative work with a live model has a different tempo in composting the human landscape.  To relay the sculpture of the human form and capture the personality and the elements together in a soulful expression requires one's own personal introspection and understanding of the human circumstance.

    Abstract work has given license to turn reality inside out and create introspective improvisations. To seize the essence of matter and separate fundamentals from irrelevance is what I have created in the painting and the monotype series.

    As an artist my work covers a range of media from ceramic sculpture, printmaking, watercolour, cast bronze sculpture, painting and mixed media. I enjoy working in different mediums as well as subject matter and find that one method of communicating transposes into another a visual message that becomes richer with time.  My art explores a personal timbre and through my eyes, may you discover your own perception and meaning.

www.sparkmanstudios.com

Meet Artist Michaela Smail, Ironstone Spring Obsession Accepted Artist

Michaela Smail

SOLD  "Sheer Moonlight" by Michaela Smail  scratch board  5.5x8.5  $125

Hello, my name is Michaela Smail and I am a junior at Bret Harte High School.  I have been taking art classes since I was very young and it has always been my passion.  I'm greatly looking forward to pursuing my passion by going to art school in fall of '14. 

O-195  "Greatness" by Michaela Smail  scratch board  9x11  $400

This spring break I will be journeying to Costa Rica with fellow students from my high school on a biological research trip in order to study the Leatherback Sea Turtle.  The trip is very expensive so in order to earn the money to go I have been entering my art in multiple art shows and trying to sell it.

O-193  "Ruby Red"  by Michaela Smail  acrylic  9x12  $150

I absolutely love all varieties of arts and I hope that you are able to see my passion through my artwork!

Meet Artist Pam Purselle, Ironstone's Spring Obsession Accepted Artist

Artist: Pam Purselle

SOLD   "Rusty Wheels"  by Pam Purselle  wc  15x22  $300

Pam Purselle lives in the Gold Country of California with her husband David.  The rolling hills and historic small towns of the area have been an inspiration in her art work.

Always drawing and doodling as a child, she first started painting in oils as a teenager.

Her love affair with watercolors began when she was lucky enough to study with Dorner Schuler. His use of color and water to create lovely foothill landscapes was eye-opening.

Pam continued watercolor instruction with Martha Wallace, as well known teacher and artist in Murphys.

In 2007, she began studying with Jill Figler, a nationally recognized watercolorist.

Pam's passion for all art mediums has benefited her many students over her years as an elementary teacher.

Now retired, she is immersing herself in her art and enjoying networking with other artists.

O-028  Going to the Movies by Pam Purselle  wc 11x15  $275