Meet Artist Katerina Rutherford (Pindakova), Spring Obsession Theme Division accepted Artist

Katerina Rutherford (Pindakova)

www.katerinarutherford.com

T-020  First Wild Daffodils  gouache  10x8  $250

1973 born in Valasske Klobouky, Czech Republic

1992-98 University of Technology, School of Fine Arts, Brno, Czech Republic (art professors included Radoslav Kutra, Jiri Naceradsky and Miroslav Stolfa)

1996 Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design, Prague, Czech Rep., Studio of Illustration & Graphics

1997 Winchester School of Fine Arts, England

1997 Moved to Prague

1999 Became founding member of the Czech painting group "Experiment 2"

2000 Experiment 2 overtakes the leadership of the "School of Seeing" in Sazava, Czech Rep. (founded by Radoslav Kutra)

2009 Moved to to quintessential Southern California beach community of Belmont Shore in Long Beach

2012 Moved to the historic Mother Lode town of Angels Camp, located in Calaveras County

T-021  Daffodils Stars  gouache  14x10  $250

Individual Exhibitions
2005 "Between Heaven & Earth" Kunstseminar Gallery, Luzern, Switzerland
2002 "Heaven & Hell" Gallerry zum Blauen Pfau, Vienna, Austria

Group Exhibitions
2013 "Freedom to Paint", Freedom kafe, Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic
2013 Tone of Colors, Smell, Taste, Shape and Shine, Gallery U Kumstatu, Prague
2013 Annual "Spring Obsession" at Ironstone Vineyards, Murphys, CA
2012 Annual "Spring Obsession" at Ironstone Vineyards, Murphys, CA
2011 Exhibition for music festival with the themem "Night", Kunstseminar Gallery, Luzern, Switzerland
2008 Experiment 2, Mala Kralovopolska Gallery, Brno, Czech Rep.
2007 Experiment 2, Kunstseminar Gallery, Luzern, Switzerland
2007 Exhibition for music festival with the theme "Origins" Kunstseminar Gallery, Luzern, Switzerland
2003 "Seeing Time", Gebaude des Finanzdepartements and Paulusheim, Luzern, Switzerland

Meet Artist Myra Steward, Spring Obsession Theme Division accepted Artist

Myra Steward

Artist's Statement
"Every painting tells a story and captures a single moment or thought in time"

T-011 Golden Day wc 18x24 $450

Art is an essential part of my everyday life. I try to incorporate it into every aspect. I had dreamed of painting since I was a little girl. After reading the book, The Artist's Way, I finally gave myself permission to try painting. It's a passion with me now!

I am a signature member of NCA, Northern California Artists. Which means that I have been accepted into juried art shows throughout California.  I have also contributed a minimum of 18 volunteer hours per year. I also serve on the NCA board as the courtesy chair.

I have studied with several teachers including :Cassidy Aikman, Jim Estey, Phillis Eyman, Beverly Fields and Anne Bradley.  I've also attended workshops with Father William Breault and David Lodenberg.  I belong to two paint groups that meet every week.

The mediums and subject matter I use are varied. I sometimes work in watercolor, but also enjoy working with collage and mixed media. Recently I've begun experimenting with watercolor on canvas.  I love the effect it creates. I enjoy painting a variety of subject matters, but, especially like to paint exotic birds and animals. I always paint with a limited palette of just one blue, one yellow and one red, keeping me challenged to create as many shades of color as possible.

Meet Artist Melinda Shook, Spring Obsession Theme Division Artist

Melinda J. Shook

T-004  Tulip Graceful Sign of Spring wc 16x13 $500

Born and raised in Southern California, Melinda received her B.A. in Fine Arts from the University of California at Los Angeles. A year later she earned a K-8 General Teaching Credential. Her teaching career spanned thirty-six years, retiring in 2002.  Art was always an integral part of her curriculum.

In 205 Melinda renewed her interest in watercolor and began her painting career. Nature has always been deeply appreciated and a source of inspiration. With a love of photographye, capturing images is an important and useful tool she empolys in the painting process.

T-005 Tulip Tree Flower wc 29x23 $990

Melinda is a member of Watercolor Artists of Sonoma County (WASCO) and was juried into the 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 Aqua Areas Exhibition in Santa Rosa. Her painting, "Kyan", was awarded an honorable mention in '07. In '09 she received the People's Choice Award for her painting Pine Flat. In 2010 her painting, "Dutch Treat" was awarded the Glad Baker Memorial Award. She also has membership in California Watercolor Association (SWA), Watercolor West (WW) and National Watercolor Society (NWS). In '07 and '08 she was accepted into the international transparent WW exhibitions. In '07 and '09 she was an exhibitor in the national CWA showings. In the summer of '09 her image "San Zavier del Bac" was selected by the NWS jury to be included in the 89th Annual Exhibition. In addition she submitted three matted paintings to apply for signature status. On October 10th she was presented at the Exhibition Awards Luncheon as a new signature member, a milestone in her career. Being accepted into the 2010 CWA 41st National Exhibition, her third, made her eligible to apply for signature status. On 5 May the CWA Board approved her application for signature membership.

Melinda is continually refining her skills through workshops, classes and employing new techniques in her painting. Several award winning artist have influenced her: Marge Gray, Judy Greenberg, Phyllis Rapp, Barbara Nechis, Joyce Faulknor, Tom Lynch, Jane Hofstetter, John Salminen and Mike Bailey.

Wine & Food Pairing from Around the World!

Meet Artist Mary Ann Broddrick, Spring Obsession Theme Division Artist

Mary Ann Broddrick

T-006 Tulips & Daffodils pastel  $900

Mary Ann Y. Broddrick, a native of Washington, resident of California, has been an active painter, creating works of art in the style of impressionism. Her inspiration is taken from nature and the areas she has lived in.  Broddrick started painting in porcelain under the guidance of Eleanor Greer, a traditional artist in the lost art of painting porcelain. Her interest then went into watercolor and pastel beginning in 1972 with Anita Wolff. Developing her style with brilliant colors of the medium has only increased the love. Broddrick has traveled to Europe, South America, Canada, and Australia to name a few and has studied with well known instructors in pastel paiting.  Uraian Christy Tarbet, Jim Estey, Frank Zamore, Richard Yip, and Richard McKinley, have not only furthered her knowledge in painting but they have all been wonderful and sharing.

She is currently teaching school age students in the Enrichment Program at several local schools. The great reward in teaching young students about the medium of pastel is seeing them create their own art and learning to see "with their artist eyes". 

Broddrick is an avid plein air painter. Growing up in nature and being an outdoor person has inspired her to search for beauty everywhere. Creating paintings as well as field studies, she then returns to her studio inspired with those paintings to create larger works of art. In her still life paintings, she uses flowers from her garden. Broddrick, when unable to paint on location, utilizes her skills as a photographer bringing the outside into her painting studio when the weather did not co-operate.

Broddrick was awarded 22-11 International Association of Pastel Society Golden Mentor Award for continued support in assisting artists to achieve their goals.  Work published in "To Dare to Dream 2013, Adventure In Color The Impressionism of Anita Wolff 2011".

You can visit her web site at www.maryannswreaths.com, click on Art Work

Spring, Wine and Song    oil  18x24  $500

Artist:  Carol L. Clark

E-mail:  c14rogercarol@goldrush.com

Carol’s favorite medium is oil 

paint.  She loves their rich range from bright crisp to soft 

muted colors.  She also likes the richness that is achieved 

through glazing. Carol enjoys painting many subjects 

including local landscapes, historic buildings and homes, 

florals and still life.

Carol is currently displaying this work at the Ironstone 

Vineyards Spring Obsession Show, March 1^st and 2^nd 2014.  

As a credentialed teacher she taught Art in California, Utah, 

and Pennsylvania.  Her formal Art education was at 

California State University at Long Beach.  While living in 

Pennsylvania, she sold work at the Fall Festival Art Show in 

Pottstown and the Birdsboro Community Fine Art Show. 

She lives in La Contenta, Valley Springs, California.  Her current work is sold as originals.

Meet Artist Mary Kay Wilson, 2014 Spring Obsession Theme Division Accepted Artist

Mary Kay Wilson   

Making Arrangements   w/c  17.5x13  $795

www.facebook.com/MaryKayWilsonArt
www.marykaywilsonart.com

A native Californian, Mary Kay Wilson, graduated from Hampshire College in Amherst, MA with a BA in painting. Since graduating she has worked extensively in watercolors.  Her award winning paintings have been widely exhibited both locally and nationally. Shows including: The National Watercolor Society Annual Exhibit, Watercolor USA, Watercolor West Annual Juried Exhibition, Pikes Peak Watercolor Society, and The Watercolor Art Society of Houston. In 2002 she was selected to participate in the public art project, Community of Angels, painting one of the life-sized fiberglass angels that inhabited the streets of Los Angeles during that summer. Wilson was also a member of the mural team in Judy Chicago’s Envisioning the Future, painting a 140' x 42' mural.  Her paintings have been published in The Artist’s Source Book: 80 Watercolor Painting References. Currently Wilson’s interpretation of the San Fernando Mission can be seen traveling around Los Angeles on buses and trains, part of Metro’s through the eyes of artist poster series.

T-015   The Green Table   watercolor  20x26   $1250

 “Most of my paintings are subjects that capture my attention in the course of daily life, driving around Los Angeles or on my travels. Many of the watercolors are inspired by scenes around my home and garden, focusing on the details. Although flowers are a favorite subject, I delight in discovering beauty in less expected circumstances. The setting sun shining through a dead leaf, making it glow. Sunlight sparkling on the edge of a river illuminating brilliant colors in rocks that would otherwise just appear brown. Bright colors of plastic toys bathed in sunlight. Peeling paint on an old sign. The quality of light as part of the subject is the unifying element of my work, and the luminosity of watercolors is ideal for depicting that radiance.”

Meet Artist Mardell Schuster, 2014 Spring Obsession Theme Division Accepted Artist

Mardell Schuster  

T-010  Three of a Kind  color pencil  12x15  $900

Artist’s Biography –

T-009   Daylight  color pencil  13.5x13.5  $900

Mardell Schuster studied illustration and graphic design at the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design in the early 1980’s.  While being a stay at home mom and raising her three sons she had the opportunity to experiment with many different mediums which included watercolor, acrylic, oil and colored pencil. In 2002 she accepted a position as the Marketing Manager for a small but quickly growing equipment maintenance management company. Mardell has found colored pencil to be a very portable and agreeable medium to work with while juggling a busy work and travel schedule. Colored pencils have greatly evolved over the last 20 years and is the only medium that involves both drawing and painting. Mardell currently resides in Charlotte, North Carolina with her husband and five cats. 

Meet Artist Lorna Hunt * Ironstone's Spring Obsession 17th annual THEME DIVISION Accepted Artist

T-008  Tulips  pastel  12x16  $520.

Lorna Hunt

www.lornahuntfineart.com

Though Lorna has drawn and painted for most of her life, it was not until the last fifteen years that she has been able to dedicate her time to fine art.
She enjoys the flow and spontaneity of watercolor, the rich, juicy qualities of oil paint and the immediacy of pastel.  She is inspired by the amazing beauty of the Sierra foothills to paint en Plein Air, combining her love of the outdoors with her passion for art.

Lorna feels privileged to have studied with many wonderful area artists and also to have participated in workshops given by nationally known artists.

She emigrated from Argentina to Pleasant Hill, Ca. with her parents in the early 60s, married and raised a family in Livermore, grew almonds in Ripon, and retired to Sonora where she can indulge in her artistic endeavors.

Lorna received an honorable mention for her acrylic painting, "Waiting" in the MLAA show honoring the AMGEN bicycle race.
She was awarded second place for her pastel painting, "Sunset" in the 2012 MLAA Fall Show.
"The Red Church" was selected by Senator Tom Berryhill for inclusion in the Senate's 2013-14 CA Contemporary Art Collection exhibit.


She shows her work at the Aloft Art Gallery in Sonora www.aloftartgallery.com
and is a member of the Mother Lode Art Association. www.motherlodeartassociation.org  

Concours Photos

Just found a great site with awesome photos of the 2013 Ironstone Concours d'Elegance.  Do check them out!  And, mark your calendar for Sept. 27, 2014!

http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2013/10/09/auburn-boattail-speedster-wins-best-of-show-at-ironstone-concours/

President's Wine Weekend in Murphys! Mark your Calendar ...

Hot off the Press! ....

Press Release: Calaveras Winegrape Alliance -Presidents' Wine Weekend

February 15-16, 2014 – President’s Wine Weekend – The Calaveras Winegrape Alliance presents the 18th annual Presidents’ Wine Weekend at all 22 CWA wineries from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. This is a great opportunity to sample the fine wines of Calaveras, celebrate with friends old and new, and take advantage of special discounts. With the purchase of a $20 commemorative wine glass, you are entitled to a free 'limited-tasting' flight at all participating member wineries, Saturday through Sunday. Full tastings will be available in each tasting room for an additional fee. Wine glasses will be available on Main Street in Murphys, on Saturday only, in front of the Native Sons Hall. Or get a glass all weekend long at locations in Calaveras County: The Calaveras Visitor’s Bureau in Angels Camp, Chatom Vineyards on Highway 4 in Douglas Flat , Frog’s Tooth Vineyards in Murphys,  Ironstone Vineyards in Murphys, and Val du Vino Winery on the corner of Main Street and French Gulch Road. Wine Glass sales are cash only, no credit cards will be accepted. No reservations are required.  For more information, call 728-9467 or visit calaveraswines.org.

Deadlines approach! Call to Artists!

It is time of year again for Ironstone's 17th Annual Spring Obsession Art Show entry deadlines.  This year we are offering a complimentary Deli Lunch for the first 3 artists to submit their entries. 

Theme Division deadline is Jan. 3rd. Theme Division Winner earns $500 plus the winning image is used with artist recognition on the annual poster celebrating the newest release of Ironstone's Obsession Wine.

OPEN Division entry due Jan. 31. Winner receives $1000, 2nd place winner receives $500 and third place winner receives $250.  Open division art is any subject matter, any media except photography and digitally enhanced images. Works of art may not protrude more than 3" out from the wall. 

Go to the respective pages above for the complete prospectus and entry forms.  Should you have any questions, please feel free to email cgomez@ironstonevineyards.com with your questions. 

Last years winners:

Ironstone Vineyard’s 2013 16^th Annual

Spring Obsession Art Show

Theme Division Winner

Lorraine Lawson, “Sunny Disposition”  

Poster available in Museum & Tasting Room $10

1^st Place Open Division – Debbie Gualco, “Pompano and Circumstance”

2^nd. Place Open – Melinda Shook, “Retired 298”

3^rd. Place Open – Stephanie Benedict,  “Lighthouse Keeper’s House”

Ghost visitation!

Our visiting ghost has been a busy guy!  With many visits, the latest being this last Saturday evening. Seems our fellow dropped into the warehouse and set off the motion sensors. As the story unfolds, seems one of the cellar workers met our friendly but busy ghost early one morning just prior to the first reported visit. The claim is he is an older gentleman with Victorian style clothing, walking with a bit of a limp. It is said he tipped his hat and moved on, out of sight.  This is actually the only true sighting where as the other visits have been less sightings and more activities.  Will keep you informed as the story unfolds...

Covellite Jewelry Coming to Ironstone!

Covellite Jewelry Coming to Ironstone’s Heritage Museum @ 50% off for the Holidays! Here this coming weekend just in time for “Shop Local Saturday” & “Sunday Funday”.

 Check out the properties this mineral is supposed to contain….

“Covellite is a stone to transform your dreams into reality... by enhancing a positive outlook. It has strong metaphysical properties and by utilizing its energy correctly you can bring miracles into your life.

This stone is said to also help to open a doorway to the past and help you remember the wisdom you obtained in past lives.

It may help to trigger psychic gifts such as clairvoyance... and may help to enhance lucid dreaming, astral travel and past life recall.” And also used as a powerful healing stone.

Wow!! With properties like that, we can't afford not to have at least one piece on all the time! Can't wait till this weekend to see the pieces...  will post photos on twitter as soon as we can!

Sold! Vaughn Pottery recent sales...

We love Vaughn Pottery and so do our Collectors!  

Below are images of a few pieces that have found new homes recently.  

Congratulations!

Ghost sightings?

Seems a week ago last Saturday, we had our first experience with a "ghost sighting". Now, it wasn't exactly a sighting, but seems said ghost gently touched the shoulder of one of our managers early that morning leaving a cold spot where the touch was felt. Within the next 30 minutes, the radio was turned on by "no one" up in the tasting room as the security arrived to open up the doors and turn lights on. "No one" was up there when the radio came on... , or when it was again turned on and off again just this past weekend. 

Tasting room security cameras also saw one of the registers start a ZZ run the next day, spitting out rolls of register tape when "No one" again was anywhere near said register.  Add to that reports of slamming doors and a few other possibly related incidents, and we may have an extra guest visiting these days!

Now, normally, I am one to ignore such things, although when a kid, my sister and I swear we did see the ghost up in her room at the old Museum in Jackson, Ca. We were hiding in a bush outside one night while visiting Grandma & Grandpa, curators that lived in the old house next to the Museum... but, I've always thought that sighting a direct result of a frightening story told by an outstanding Grandpa story teller that put the fear in us. A huge rush of adrenaline brought on by sneaking out the bedroom window in the middle of the night and hiding behind an old bush under a full moon with glowing reflections on the old museum windows, and well, you get the picture.

But, here at Ironstone, those reports made were by some pretty stable, reputable staff members minus the full moon, adrenaline rush and the great Grandpa Storyteller.

So, there you have it! Take it with a grain of salt, but, if I hear more, I will let you know!

Historic Trivia from the Gold Country

 This wonderful old safe has been here in the Heritage Museum for several years now.  Showing signs of wear with a lock that has been drilled open, this old boy seems to have an awful lot to say.  But finding the time to search out his voice has always been lacking.

Well, with a short concert season, we have found ourselves with a little bit of time on our hands and what an amazing story is emanating from this old timer!

We know it came out of what had been the Wells Fargo Office in Angels Camp, California, just down the road from us. Each of the Wells Fargo Agents that either worked or owned that office had signed the door of this safe with the dates they had been the official Wells Fargo Agent.

(Note: we had to wrap plastic over the door where the signatures were to protect them from being rubbed off by a curious on looker. Why someone would do that is beyond me, but, luckily we caught the offending finger before it could do too much damage! A Plexiglas cover is being designed to replace the plastic wrap.)

The first signature belongs to a J. C. Scribner who was the first agent from 1856 to 1892.

Having seen that name before, it was time to dig. In the back office reference library is a reprint of a book printed in 1885 titled "Calaveras County, Illustrated and Described 1885."
Page #72 ... 

"At Angel's, J. C. Scribner keeps a general merchandise store, and a good line of drugs. He also acts as agent for Wells, Fargo & Co.'s express. He came to Calaveras County as early as 1849, and purchased the business formerly conducted by Mr. Angel, the founder of this camp. The wooden building occupied first by Mr. Scribner was burned in 1855, and he replaced it by a very substantial stone building the following year (1856). He has remained in business at this place ever since."

This lovely book also has an etching of said store as it looked in 1885.

At the California Historic American Buildings Survey website, we found the photo below of a later version of Scribner's store & Wells Fargo Express office taken prior to 1941 when the building burnt down and became what is now a parking lot across the street from what was the old Angels Hotel. 

According to the Survey card, J. C. Scribner was: 

"Dear to hearts of Angels Camp citizens because of folk lore around Scribner, practical joker of old school. Said to have been the one who furnished the grapeshot that decided the race in Mark Twain's famous story "Jumping Frog of Calaveras County."

Now, this story was an actual event that occurred downtown Angels Camp sometime between 1856 and 1865. Samuel Clemens heard the folklore while socializing in the Angels Hotel, just across the street from Scribner's store. Maybe we will have time for that in another blog.

May, 1892, the Wells Fargo agency was taken over by R. Rasmussen.  At this time, I am still looking to see what happened to J. C. Scribner. If I find anything interesting, I will most certainly post an update.

Hope you have enjoyed this little bit of historic trivia.

Trivet Time for the Holidays!

Coinciding with the current "History of Iron" display, Ironstone's Junk Junkies have just received bags full of vintage trivets!

These go on sale this weekend for $5 each!  Research on just the first bag revealed value of just one of the trivets to be around $25.00.  

Many of these are collector pieces, so best come on in and gather up the deals.

This is a one time opportunity as well. From a recent estate sale, the collector's heirs don't see any value here, so the catch is yours.

While you are in, take a look at the "History of Irons" display as well.

Those are all available for sale as well. An outstanding value for the collector or just those of us who remember the doorstop at Grandma's house, and want to emulate the connection for our kids.

Remember, with Thanksgiving and Christmas coming up, these can also be great White elephant gifts or nostalgia mementos for your loved ones.

At the very least, stop in when you are out to put a smile on your face!

Updates to come from the Junk Junkies!

Fiona & Trysette Visit Ironstone

Today Dan Sokyrka, of Diamond Concepts over the river in Sonora, played tour guide to friends Fiona & Trysette.  The Ladies are here in California on tour and took time out for a little sightseeing.

Here you see Dan explaining the intricacies of the Crystalline Gold Formation here in the Heritage Museum.

And Now, trying to talk Dan into creating one of his jewelry design masterpieces with a chunk of the Gold!

GO GIRLS!

Call to Artists, Plein Air Painting Day at Ironstone!

Great opp for all you plein-air painters out there. 

The Concours Foundation has invited plein-air painters to join the fun on Saturday, Sept. 28th from 10 am to 3 pm. 

Participating artists will receive complimentary entry to the event and the Hospitality Room for a luncheon buffet. 



You will need to be registered with Chris at 209-728-1251 or cgomez@ironstonevineyards.com for the complimentary entry pass. Please touch base by 4:00 PM, Wednesday, Sept. 25th to make sure you are on the list.




Send a bio and we can feature you on this blog as well as some of the on site event promos.





Bring your easel, paints and canvas and have a great day painting classic autos, tear drop trailers, motorcycles, vintage race cars and more!

For more information about the event, check out their website at:

http://www.ironstonefoundation.org/

Silent Movie Time!

Rim Fire Donation Station at Ladies Nite Out tonight!

We will be collecting donations that are needed for the Rim Fire Evacuees at Girls Night Out tonight in the parking lot outside of the Breezeway here at Ironstone Vineyards.  Donations needed at this time are on the list below.  Any questions please direct to Kerry Keeney at 209 728 1251.  People do not need to attend Girls Night Out to drop off donations.

Gatorade

Non-sugary children's drinks

Diapers

Travel Sized Deodorant 

Femine Hygiene Products

New Pillow Cases

Shave Gel

Small Kleenex packets

As well as monetary donations to the Red Cross

There will also be a card station where you can bring cards with words of encouragement to the people at the shelter. 

New Arrivals! Vaughn Pottery

Stunning new arrivals!

This breathtaking platter is one of the largest we have seen from Vaughn Pottery. Five large turquoise stones fit serenely in a deeply carved path emanating from the centered fossil.

Textured accents highlight the horsehair patterns on the natural light pottery face.

Priced at $950.00, this piece found it's new home before I was able to post!

Smaller Platter with Horsehair design and abalone shells.  Deep carved design and a footed base.  Priced at $375, this piece stands equally well on the stand or resting on its footed base.

This tall elegant lidded vase with side details matched on the lid is a must see piece. Standing at 26" tall, the deeply carved sides evoke a sensuality and elegance of form.  Priced at $900. this piece will not stay on the shelf long!   

  

This new form playfully charges the eye back and forth between the dark, deep carved forms and the brilliant colored natural stones.  Two sided, each side has evolved different elaborate imagery.  Priced at $700.00