Meet 2023 Spring Obsession Artist Paula Tooman

 

O-045 Blue on Blue by Paula Tooman wc 16x20 $250

Paula Gale Tooman Bio

 

I feel like I am coming home when I enter the art show at Ironstone Vineyards. The Gold Country has always been special to me. My husband and I love sitting on the Ironstone patio outside the wine tasting room having a glass of wine and some sandwiches. It’s a privilege to return as a painter to one of my favorite places.

I am Paula Gale Tooman and I’ve been painting since my mid-twenties. I first got interested in water color when I took a class from Muriel Doggett in adult education in Pleasanton, California. It only took six weeks to fall in love with the fluid surprises of painting with water colors. I’ve never been able to pry myself away from this medium – it’s exciting, vibrant, unpredictable, and just plain fun. A friend and I would try to go plein-air painting every few weeks. Sometimes we went to the Sacramento Delta but mainly we painted in the Gold Country. Dogs loved us, and people would meander by to see what we were doing. The spectators seemed to be kind and somewhat envious of the fun we were having.

When I had my first two children I felt I was too busy to paint. But I didn’t know what busy really was until my husband and I adopted twelve Ethiopians between 1994 and 1996. I was too busy to do much of anything. Our last adoption was in 1999 of a handicapped Down’s syndrome baby girl. But … I still dreamed of those days of painting in the Gold Country and wanted to try again. When I was in my late fifties I had only three kids at home – it felt like a vacation.

This last year has been very busy and quite strange because of Covid-19 and many new commitments. But, “God willing and the creek don’t rise”, I’ll be spending much more time in my studio this coming year, and I’m really looking forward taking on new challenges of in my water color painting.

 

O-046 Sunflowers in the Alley by Paula Tooman wc 23x18 $225

Meet 2023 Spring Obsession Artist Michelle Thornburg

T-024 Spring Flowers by Michelle Thornburg acrylic 30x40 $850

 Michelle Thornburg - Artist's Statement

My style of creating artwork is painting from the subconscious. There are no carefully planned sketches, no grids, it is just me and my paint with no expectations of anything but painting. I use my hands to apply the paint directly onto my canvas, no rules, just whatever feels right. The key for me is to let go of the conscious world around me, and just paint, allowing my hands to take the lead. Eventually the painting reveals itself. It's like daydreaming on a canvas.

T-025 Mother Nature by Michelle Thornburg acrylic 36x36 $850

Artist's Biography

Michelle Thornburg is a  California Artist and Art Techer living and working in the Central Valley. She creates dream like paintings from her subconscious using the Surrealist technique of automatism, or automatic painting. Her technique of using mainly her hands to apply acrylic or oil paints to the canvas allow her to connect with her artwork. Her paintings are created by applying paints onto the canvas in various c9olors, patterns, and movements. Her paintings are often reworked and go through many changes before they are completed. These expressive paintings are full of fanciful images and colorful landscapes.

Meet 2023 Spring Obsession Artist Stephen Testa

 

Artist Stephen M. Testa

19736 Jesus Maria Road

Mokelumne Hill, CA 95245

Cell: (209) 402-6574

Office: (209) 754-1422

Email: stesta@goldrush.com

 

 

O-082 Pepper-by Stephen Testa wc 114x16 $350

 

Stephen Testa is a geologist whose interests are in painting landscapes of geological interest, 19^th and early 20^th Century black and white images of iconic geological figures and landscapes from the great surveys of the 19th Century, and wildlife (including domestic pets).  For Stephen, the media of choice is watercolor and the transformation from an historic dark black and white photo to watercolor brings out a fresh perspective on such iconic individuals and images.  Stephen's other interests are in the painting of animal portraits and wildlife.  His initial inspiration for watercolors began in the early 1980s when he was working in the North Cascades.  It was there that he met Dr. Peter Misch, an iconic pioneering geologist of the North Cascades and professor at the University of Washington.  Dr. Misch was also an accomplished mountain climber and during his many geological excursions would take his watercolor set with him as he explored the North Cascades.  It was at his home where Peter first showed Stephen his watercolors and encouraged him to pick up the brush along with a rock hammer.  Some of Stephen's earliest paintings were displayed at The Prince and Pauper Gallery in Seattle.  During this time, he also became a member of the Northwest Watercolor Society.  After a hiatus from painting in the late 1980s until 2017, Stephen resumed his desire to paint in watercolor.  Stephen is self-taught, and has developed his style from books on technique, observation of other artists' works, especially that of John Hunt and Robert Bateman, and workshops, albeit his geologic training is an advantage in sketching and 3-D visualization.  He prefers watercolor for the spontaneity and many challenges this media presents.  His works have been shown at several exhibitions throughout California.  Stephen lives in Mokelumne Hill and is a member of the California Watercolor Association and Mother Lode Art Association. Stephen’s works have been recently exhibited at the Aloff Gallery, Sonora, CA, and the Linda Dirkx Brown Art Gallery in San Ramon, CA, among others.

O-083 Old-Faithfulby the Inn by Stephen Testa wc 12x16 $550

O-081 Blake by Stephen Testa wc 12x10 $350

 

Meet 2023 Spring Obsession Artist JC Strote

 

O-047 Blue Geormetric by JC Strote glass fusion 16x8 $350

About JC Strote:

 

JC has been practicing and developing her passion for fused glass art for over 20 years. She is also an art educator and leads private fused glass classes by appointment. Her gallery affiliations include the Lodi Community Art Center, Blue Line Arts in Roseville, the Stockton Art League Goodwin Gallery, and Archival Gallery in Sacramento. JC serves as the Awards Juror for the Sculpture category in the 2019 KVIE Art Auction.

 

Meet 2023 Spring Obsession Artist Tracy Stone

 Tracy Stone

O-035 Panting Luke by Tracy Stone oil 12x12 $500

About me, I am originally from the Bay Area and currently live in Valley Springs CA. I recently retired this year, and am looking forward to spending more time learning and perfecting my art abilities, as this is one of my passions.

My hobbies other than art are horseback riding, and spending time with my labrador retrievers and my Dockies. Pastimes are boating and traveling.  Of course my most favorite times are with my 13 grandchildren.

I have watched my husband Bradford Stone create wonderful art creations. I finally have time to join him and create some of my own, although we have very different techniques. We always critique each other and also give each other encouragement

Meet 2023 Spring Obsession Artist Brad Stone

T-022 Trumpets by Brad Stone ac 10x20 $350

 Bradford L Stone 

Valley Springs, California 

 Bradfordlstone.com (gpa.bradford53@gmail.com) 

(209) 581 2047 

I always had an interest in Art and Painting I enjoy playing with light and color and capturing the beauty that life has to offer us. 

 I studied at Delta College exploring the arts and ceramics. I also minored in art at Sacramento State College learning about art and figure drawing, along with earning my degree, and my teacher’s credentials. 

 After college I explored my art interest under Susan Sarback at her School of light and Color. 

As I am retired now from teaching High School my goal is to become a Master Artist. 

 My achievements in art, going back to winning The Bank America Pop Art in High School. Calaveras County Fair (Best of Show and first in fine art) 2017. Participated in California State Fair Expo Plein Air exhibit. Sold my painting that day. Participated in the Plein Air painting with Con’Course De'Elegance Car Show. Participated in Ironstone Winery Fine Arts Obsession art competition. In the Ironstone Vineyard 21st Annual Spring Obsession Art Show I was recognized in their Family Merit Award. 2022 first place award in the Plein Air painting with Alameda County art fair. 2023 won Honorary mention in the Delicato Winery Show. Look forward many years selling some of my pieces, hoping they bring joy in their homes.

Meet 2023 Spring Obsession Artist Renee Rondon

 RENEE RONDON

O-037 Trio of Sunflowers by Renee Rondon wc 13x17 $275

Renee is a 4th generation (of 5) Californian. She moved to Calaveras County 12 years ago. Her pastimes include camping, hiking and gardening. Her passion is painting.

O-038 Shades of a Sunset by Renee Rondon oil 18x22 $425

Most of her experience is in oils, but she also enjoys using acrylic, watercolor, and pastel. She is mostly self-taught, but has gained experience and knowledge from many respected intsructors including Ed Garcia, VaLoyce Jensen, Gereon Rios, Gill Delinger, George Durkee, Diana Boyd, Judy Cain, Peggi Kroll-Roberts, Jim Toenjes, and Heinie Hartwig.

Renee enjoys the challenge of developing her paintings into a story that will touch someone's heart, or remind them of something special that is part of their life. Each painting is developed from a personal photo, sketch, travel, plein air painting, and even from her own backyard.

Her art has won several awards, and her paintings have been in various galleries and venues including the Aloft Gallery, Calaveras Arts Council in San Andreas, Ironstone Vineyards, Lodi Community Art Center, Mistlin Gallery, Delicato Winery and Umpqua Bank.

If you would like to contact Renee, please call (209) 772-0287, or email her at paintinglady2012@gmail.com

Meet 2023 Spring Obsession Artist Terry Richardson

O-058 Northern California Sunset by Terry Richardson- 24-x 24-  Oil $625

I began doing art at an early age while in grade school. I  an remember spending hours in my room drawing, and copying other artist's work. I studied it formally in high school and college but abandoned it to pursue a career in Occupational Therapy and to raise my two girls. At some point in my adulthood I mentioned to my husband that I would like to start painting again and that year, for my birthday, he bought me an easel, paints and paint brushes. There was no turning back now! I needed to refresh my skills so I enrolled in an art class taught by Gereon Rios, I was hooked! I have also studied with Judy Cain. My work has received awards at Ironstone Spring Obsession Art Show.

O-059 Breakfast View, Albion River Inn-by Terry Richardson 10-x 10-  Oil $495

I believe when you  view art, it should evoke an emotion or a memory or tell a story. I hope when you view my work you experience that.

O-060 Peaceful Pond-by Terry Richardson 11-x 12-  Oil $550

I continue to be inspired by the beautiful world around us and other artists.

Terry D. Richardson