Concert Season is upon us

Ironstone Amphitheater's 2017 Concert Season is now in full swing.

Last weekend, Toby Keith broke all records for attendance here at Ironstone. It was a large and wonderful crowd of concert goers. Bit cool, but lots of fun, singing and dancing all around.

Boston and Joan Jett brought the house down rock'n and roll'n. Fun night & a cold one.

Tonight John Mellancamp comes to visit with Emmylou Harris and Carlene Carter, followed on Sunday by the Moody Blues' 50th anniversary tour.  Can't wait for all to start.

Just a reminder to those of you purchasing tickets on line, please make sure the address you are purchasing from is the official "Ticket Master" website.  There are way too many sites out there selling 3rd party tickets for a much higher price than they sell for from ticket master. Do keep in mind that some of those third party ticket purchases may not be actual tickets and will not scan at the gate, leaving you outside with a very expensive piece of worthless paper.

Take care! Pay attention... See you tonight!

Meet Artist Connie Carson-Romano, Open Division

Connie Carson-Romano

O-122 Silhouette of an Iris by Connie Carson-Romano  acrylic  14x30  $195

   Art is an expression of the way the Artist views the world in which he lives. It is the sharing of a life experience by the artist whether in paint, the written word, a perfect garden, or in music.

O-121  Mountain Lake Sunrise by Connie Carson-Romano  acrylic  16x20  $135

   I cannot remember a time in my life when I was not drawing, painting, or writing. Acrylic paint is my favored medium. I love the way it works and forms on the canvas. The colors that are present in nature are phenomenal and I love trying to create the same shades. Being raised in New Mexico I found myself immersed from an early age in the amazing palate of nature and the challenge of trying to recreate the colors and shapes of nature on canvas. As a resident of Northern California for the last 27 years I continue to be awed at the diversity of landscapes we live in.

O-119 Silhouette of a fruit bowl  by Connie Carson-Romano  acrylic  16x20  $145

    In addition to my paintings I have found an expressive voice in the written word. in the 1990's I was published for 6 years in a local newspaper as the creator of the cartoon strip "Cody Coyote."  Cody is a fun combination of my drawings and verbal expression of the humorous side of life. Cody has returned to the stage with his own web page and can be visited at codycoyotesworld.com. My first book, The Other Side of the Gurney, was published in February of 2015 reaching the Amazon best seller list in category in June of that year.

O-121  Mountain Lake Sunrise by Connie Carson-Romano  acrylic  16x20  $135

    I find it is amazing and exciting that so many different interpretations of the world around us are available through the eyes of Artists of all mediums. It is my pleasure that I am able to add my own personal expressions to this collection.

Spring Time Flowers galore!

Now is The time to visit Ironstone's spectacular Spring Flowerdisplay.

Meet Artist Susie Hoffman, OPEN Division Artist

Susie Hoffman

Fine Art 2017

Copperopolis, CA

susie@townhallarts.com

ateliersuse.patternbyetsy.com

    

O-018  Jumptime  by Susie Hoffman  oil  24x18  $600

       Susie took up art after she retired from teaching sixth grade English/history 14 years ago. She started in watercolor, but has branched into drawing, oils, pastels, collage, and acrylics.  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 seven years. From pastel classes to mosaics, she is always eager to learn something new. She also teaches art and sells many of her photographs at Town Hall Arts.

O-020  Telegraphcity by Susie Hoffman  oil  12x9  $250

      Honors include awards at Delicato Vineyard Show (including 1st. place 2015, 2016, 2017): the Mother Lode Art Show (including 1st. place 2013, 2016); Valley Arts Show (including 1st. 2013), Oak Valley Art Show Best of Show Photography 2014, 15, & 16, People's Choice Award 2015 & 16, and eight 1st. place art awards 2015/16; Calaveras county Fair (including 10 best of division and 37 firt place awards in lat six years); Mother Lode Fair 2014 Best of Show, two best of divisions, five 1st. places ); and Oakdale Show 2013 (1st.).

O-019  Cloudsong by Susie Hoffman  oil  11x14  $300

      Susie's oil painting, "Simple Things", was on the cover of the September KVIE "OnSix" program guide to promote the 2015 auction on public television. Her watercolor portrait of Glenn Wasson as Black Bart appears in his recently published book, Too Much to Swallow. Her photograph, "On Your Mark", Division Winner from the Calaveras County Fair, was published in Mark Twain's 88 Days in the Mother Lode & Stories of the Gold Rush.  "Fifty Pounds of Love", a portrait of her Chocolate Lab pup, was featured in the window at Mistlin Gallery in Modesto as part of the Central California Art Showcase 2015. Two of her watercolors were published in Sierra Wonders, a book of visual and literary works honoring the Sierra Nevada. Two additional watercolors were published in Wine, Cheese, and Chocolate, a Taste of Literary Elegance.  Her graphite portrait, "I Hope You Dance", appeared on the 2012 program cover of the Ironstone Spring Obsession Show. Her art has been bell ringers at the KVIE auction, 2013-2016.

      Susie's artwork is displayed at Galerie Copper, Roaster's Coffee House, and Saddle Creek Resort in Copperopolis; Manzanita Arts Emporium in Angels Camp, Calaveras Arts Council in San Andreas; carious venues in Sonora including Stage 3, and the Rabbask Gallery in Loveland, Colorado. She is currently Vice President of the Mother Lode Art Association.

Meet Open Division Artist, Juliana Tillman

O-131  All Gods Creatures  by Juliana  Tillman  wc  19x23  $750

Artist Juliana Tillman

Juliana Tillman was born and raised in Vacaville, California. In 2003 she moved with her family to the small town of Twain Harte in the Sierra Nevada's, whereupon she changed direction from working to raising her family and pursuing art. 

An interest in art and design has been there since her late teens though she was unable to make it a priority. 

O-130  My Girl  by Juliana Tillman  wc  19x23  $1800

Growing up in a family of antique and art collectors fostered her appreciation for fine arts. In the past five years she has increased her focus on art and the dream of being a professional painter. She is primarily self taught, with the exception of studying with local & nationally known artist through workshops and private classes. Juliana is an oil and watercolor painter with special focus in plein air and has won many awards in local art competitions. Juliana is a current member of the Mother Lode Arts Association.

O-132  Just Stopping By  by Juliana Tillman  11x13  wc  $1800

"My goal is to create a lasting impact through art that survives generations with the hope that it will evoke reminiscent feelings of moments captured in time."

Meet Artist Ann Nall theme Division accepted artist

Ann Nall

T-018  A Spring Hue By Ann Nall  wc  16x20  $250

Ann started painting in 1985 as a way to escape the pressures of work. Her first art teacher was in the basement of a small community center in Virginia.

Over time her hobby became her focus. On retirement, art became her career. She has been exhibited in many juried and one person shows throughout the country.

Painting primarily in watercolor, her work is characterized by soft, gentle colors. She has specialized in animal portraits and has been praised for infusing her animal paintings with life.

Ann says her art gives her life energy, focus and a sense of well-being. It is a gift she does not take for granted. 

Meet Accepted Theme Division Artist Sue Smith

Sue Smith

T-011  Paperwhites by Susan Smith  oil 12x16 $250

  

T-010  Tulips & Daffys  by Susan Smith  oil 12x12 $200

I was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, received a great primary school art education and majored in Art at Ohio Wesleyan University. I moved to New York City after college and was surrounded by the "beat" scene. Lots of gallery shows, happenings, off off broadway shows, a rich time. Married and divorced with 2 young sons, I moved to California and lived on a commune. I always worked at my art projects. I moved to the Sierra foothills in 1976 and became an architectural drafter. I have concentrated much more on my drawing and painting after retiring from architecture. I am inspired by our beautiful Sierra foothills and the natural world around us.

Meet Accepted Theme Division Artist Sandra Campbell

SANDRA CAMPBELL

T-016 Purple Parrots  by Sandra Campbell  pastel 9x15  $200

I love color and experimentation.  My subjects include landscapes, florals, still life and animals.  Initially, I worked only with soft pastels but since have branched out into collage and acrylics, often combining these into mixed media pieces.  Lately, I’ve created some abstract works, a complete departure for someone who used to produce only realistic art. 

For pastels, I like to work on sanded surfaces, which allow for more layers of color.  When people hear the word ‘pastel,’ they may think of soft colors.  But what attracts me to this medium is the possibility for vibrant oranges, brilliant yellows, and intense purples and reds.” 

T-015  Planting Time  by Sandra Campbell  pastel 12x15  $250

Mixed media pieces utilize traditional canvasses, canvas panels or illustration board.  Most of my collage pieces are fabricated from rice or similar-type papers, which come in a variety of textures.  Most recently, I’ve been working on 6 x 6-inch surfaces for both collage and acrylics. 

Landscapes are created both from my own photographs and by working plein air with fellow artists in an American Association of University Women’s art group.  Many of the finished products are featured at the art show during the AAUW annual home tour.  I also show my work during the local studio tour. 

Amador County is alive with artists who inspire me and support my efforts.  Periodically, I take a college class or an artist’s workshop which may send me in a new direction.  Membership in the Sierra Pastel Society, the Amador County Artists Association and Arts Council provides collegial support as does my AAUW art group.  My work is on display at the Sutter Creek Gallery at 35 Main Street, Sutter Creek.