Wednesday, March 25, 2020

Meet Artist W. Vaughn Lew

W Vaughn Lew
Artist
Murphys, California



O-048 Shootin into the light by Vaughn Lew pastel 8x20 $1500 JUDGES MERIT AWARD

  I'm originally from Eastern Oregon.  My family moved to Lodi in 1961 where
I attended Lodi High School, graduating in 1964.
  I then enrolled at Sacramento State College, where I was a Commercial Art
major.  De Witt Whistler Jayne was my main influence.  He was a renowned
commercial artist, illustrator, and portrait painter with a gift for teaching and an
eye for perfection.  "Mr. Lew", he would say, "so much for a nice beginning,
but let's have a finish."  I've been striving for that quality ever since.
  Another instructor that had a very positive effect on me was Dr. Tarmo Pasto,
an eccentric art psychologist and art instructor who taught the "Space Frame
Concept",  It was all about space and form.
 

O-049 Heckle and Jeckle by Vaughn Lew oil 18x24 $3000
After graduating from SSC and getting a teaching credential I was fortunate
to get an art teaching job at Elk Grove High School.  I taught there for several
years, but had an itch to get into construction.  That is where I've been until five
years ago, when my wife Glenda, and daughter Melissa, and I moved to Murphys.
  One thing that is certain is that art requires a commitment.  I feel that I now
have the time and space to finally concentrate on my painting.  Although I have
been producing some art over the years, it is only now that I can continue to
the next piece without an extended time period between.  Landscapes, townscapes,
wildlife, and portraits all interest me.  My goal is to create images that bring the
viewers into a space that takes them away, and gives them pause to reflect.





O-050 East Slope Creek by Vaughn Lew oil 16x20 $1500





W Vaughn Lew
P.O. Box 2028
Murphys, Ca. 95247
209-606-4623

Meet Artist Ron Miranda



Ron Miranda  |  714-323-5990  |  ronart2000guam@gmail.com
O-032 Playa-Rocosa by Ron Miranda oil 36x24 $5000
Ron was born in the island of Guam, an unincorporated and organized territory of the United States in Micronesia in the western Pacific Ocean. His parents are of Chamorro and Filipino descent. Ron currently resides in Southern California where he studied art at California State University, Long Beach, earning a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts degree graduating with honors.

Being a graphic artist, it had set him up on his lifelong journey to find his own unique style and language, to create amazing paintings pulsating with the light and energy that emanates from his heart and soul.  Now his focus is as a full-time fine art painter to grow and discovery new visual boundaries. 

Most of Ron’s inspirations and influences are from fond memories of Guam; romanticizing visions and memories of the rich tropical vegetation, fauna and some of the amazing color, textures and patterns that channel their way into his paintings. Heightened color is paramount in Ron’s paintings with exaggerated hues to push boundaries and strike a chord with the viewers.

Many of Ron’s works range from realism to abstract. The concepts for his abstract works run deep from his island culture and music. Ron finds incentive for his representational pieces from a collection of images via his personal digital library that he photographed throughout his life.

Very well versed in computer graphics design programs, Ron applies his computer skills to conjure up his painting compositions. He works mainly with oils and sometimes uses acrylic, charcoal, color pencil, gouache and pencil.

Ron hopes his paintings resonate with a broad spectrum of people, engaging the viewer in present time with a modern beauty created through his imagination and life experiences.

Meet Artist Christopher Knopp


Christopher Knopp, NCA


O-044 Trout-Creek-Marsh-by Chris Knopp wc 22x30 $1600
Artist’s Statement
I paint exclusively in watercolors because I love the process that watercolors require; both its constantly unfolding creativity and because of its difficulty. New surfaces, paints and techniques provide seemingly endless options. As to subject matter I like to paint almost everything. I am inspired by the beauty of the natural world, but I find that including people in my work can give it greater depth. I also find beauty in architecture and machinery, particularly in a historical frame, where we can get a glimpse of the past through remnants that have persisted into the present.



O-046 On The Ropes by Chris Knopp wc 22x30 $1600


I strive to keep learning as a means of progressing in my ability to render images that do justice to the beauty and intricacies of life. Sometimes the most difficult aspect of a painting is to make it appear to be simple and elegant. Some of my favorite pieces have that quality.  The challenge of painting well is both a lure and at times elusive, and I expect I will always be striving to be a better painter and enjoy every minute of it. 



O-045 Kestral by Chris Knopp wc 16x12 $450
Education

I’ve had the privilege of studying under the following artists:

o   Beverly Fields, Placerville, CA

o   Carol Carter, Saint Luis, MO

o   Brenda Swenson, Watercolor West, NWWS, SDWS

o   Tom Francesconi, AWS, NWS, TWSA

o   Beverly Jozwiak, NWS, AWS

o   Steve Rogers, AWS, NWS

o   Shuang Li

Solo Exhibitions and Spotlights

·         Rivers of Life, Forbes Gallery, Trinidad, CA July 2018 and 2019.

·         Featured Artist in the August 2018 edition of STYLE magazine, El Dorado County, CA.

Juried Exhibitions and Awards

·         2018 West Seattle Garden Tour art exhibit, Finalist, Seattle, WA. January.

·         2018 Aspiring Artists, Sacramento Fine Arts Center, Sacramento, CA. February.

o   1st Place award for “Moody Blues”

·         2018 Magnum Opus, International Open, Sacramento Fine Arts Center. March.

·         2018 WASH Open exhibition, Sacramento Fine Arts Center, Sacramento, September 2018.

o   Award of Excellence for “Blue’s Bayou”

·         2018 Northern California Arts Council members, Artistic Journeys, Sacramento Fine Arts Center, Sacramento, CA. April.

o   2nd Place award for “Pool Cool”

·         2018 California Watercolor Association members, Colors of Summer, St. Mary’s College Museum of Art, Moraga, CA. May.

·         2018, California Watercolor Association members, Personal Journeys, Brentwood Delta Gallery, Brenwood, CA. March.

o   Honorable mention for “Silver Fork Evening”

·         2018 California State Fair, Fine Arts Exhibit, Sacramento, CA. July.

·         2018 WASH members, Go with the Flow, Sacramento Fine Arts Center, Sacramento, CA. October.

·         2018 NCA Bold Expressions Open, Sacramento Fine Arts Center, Sacramento, CA. November.

·         2019 Rocklin Fine Arts Center Open, Rocklin, CA. February.

o   2nd place award for “Sand Hill Crane”

·         2019 Ironstone Museum Open Spring Obsession, Murphy, CA. February.

o   2nd place award for “Silver Fork Winter”

·         2019 NCA Artistic Journey members, Sacramento Fine Arts Center, Sacramento, CA. April.

o   1st place award for “Deep Blue”

o   Florence Ferrario Award Best Use of Color for “El Dorado

·         2019 California Watercolor Association members, Pleasanton, CA. April.

·         2019 WASH members, Go with the Flow, Sacramento Fine Arts Center, Sacramento, CA. March.

o   Honorable mention for “Rhettster”

·         2019 WASH open, Sacramento Fine Arts Center, Sacramento, CA. October.

o   Honorable mention for “On the Ropes”

·         2020 Rocklin Fine Arts Center Open, Rocklin, CA

o   1st Place for” Kite”



Gallery and Professional Society Affiliations

·         California Watercolor Association, CWA

·         National Watercolor Society, NWS

·         Northwest Watercolor Society, NWWS

·         Watercolor Artists of Western Horizons, WASH

·         Redwood Art Association

Currently exhibiting in the Gold Country Artists Gallery, Placerville, CA.

Contact information

Chrismknopp@gmail.com, Chrisknoppwatercolors.com

Meet Artist George Haskell


George Haskell

Artist and Musician

  
O-097 Yosemite Falls by George Haskell oil 8x10 $300




George’s passion for painting started in college when he took an independent study in painting. After retiring from a forty year career in special education George returned to art.  Among his favorite topics are Yosemite, seashores, sunsets and animals.  What ever the subject is George focuses on capturing luminous, light color and mood of the subject at hand.  He has studied with Judy Cain, Susan Sarback and Heinie Hartwig. George is a member of Arts Of Bear Valley.




O-095 Ahab Dreams of the Great White Kitty by George Haskell oil 11x14 $300
Besides art, George is also a musician.  He sings and plays both guitar and banjo at local wineries and restaurants.



George lives just outside of Murphys on the top of Treasure Mountain with his wife Patricia, two cats, two corgis and two horses.