Here are a few photos of some of the great stuff coming in for appraisals this morning! Already looking to be a fun day to watch & learn!
Ironstone Vineyard Heritage Museum presents news, updates, exhibit info and insights on wine, gold, food, art and anything else that strikes a cord.
Saturday, April 26, 2014
Free Appraisal Clinic!
Today and Sunday, Holabird & Associates are conducting a free appraisal clinic specializing in Early Americana, books, paintings, coins, gold, documents, letters, etc... bring it in for a free appraisal!
Stay tuned for photos of some of the awesome stuff coming in!!!
Stay tuned for photos of some of the awesome stuff coming in!!!
Thursday, April 3, 2014
Concert Announcement!
Announcing Two Amazing Shows
for
Ironstone Amphitheatre!
Richter Entertainment Group Presents
Lady Antebellum
plus Special Guest
Friday, June 13th
presenting station KAT Country Radio
ZZ Top & Jeff Beck
Friday, August 15th
presenting station 104.1 The Hawk
Tickets on Sale
Through Ticketmaster.
Tickets on Sale
Friday April 11th
Stay Tuned for Ironstone Pre-Sale Information!
Sponsored by Black Oak Casino!
Richter Entertainment is
coming back to Ironstone with a pair of stellar shows!! First in June, we
are proud to bring to Murphys, for the first time, Lady Antebellum. Since
its 2006 inception, Lady A has risen quickly to become Country Music's most
influential current group. Lady A won the Vocal Group of the Year honor from
both the Country Music Association and from the Academy of Country Music
three times in a row. Eight of the band's singles went gold, with four -
"American Honey," "Need You Now," "Just A Kiss"
and "I Run To You" - surpassing the platinum mark. "Need You
Now" went on to sell over seven million downloads, according to the RIAA.
Additionally, "Need You Now" claimed five of the trio's seven career
Grammy wins in 2011, including the all-genre Record and Song of the Year.
All of that was achieved through a
fragile balance of several key pieces, each of which helps define Lady Antebellum's
sound: ingratiating melodies, the interplay between Kelley's soulful male
resonance and Scott's scintillating female texture, the threesome's
bittersweet harmonic blend, and production elements that invariably emphasize
the stylistic inclusiveness of modern country.
That sound catapulted Lady A to an
enviable level of popularity. The band picked up an audience beyond the typical
Country core listener, it hit the road playing arenas and stadiums, and the
group performed on all the major television shows, including Saturday
Night Live, Oprah, the Grammys, The Voice, and
most every other daytime and late night program on network television.
Art
is a moving target. Those who do it most successfully find shades of emotion
within themselves that change the texture of their work and how they feel about
themselves. As a result, a real artist is ever-changing.
So it is for Lady Antebellum, whose album Golden was figuratively - and literally - borne on the move. The harmony-based trio - Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott and Dave Haywood - and its sizeable fan base bonded heavily during the band's Own The Night World Tour, its first arena run as a headlining act, in 2012. The shows themselves were inspirational. But so was the time offstage. Lady A made a point of experimenting and creating with its road band as the one-nighters and the miles of travel piled up. That behind-the-scenes interaction inspired much of the music on Golden, an instantly infectious project in which Lady A discovered new edges for its already-successful foundation.
So it is for Lady Antebellum, whose album Golden was figuratively - and literally - borne on the move. The harmony-based trio - Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott and Dave Haywood - and its sizeable fan base bonded heavily during the band's Own The Night World Tour, its first arena run as a headlining act, in 2012. The shows themselves were inspirational. But so was the time offstage. Lady A made a point of experimenting and creating with its road band as the one-nighters and the miles of travel piled up. That behind-the-scenes interaction inspired much of the music on Golden, an instantly infectious project in which Lady A discovered new edges for its already-successful foundation.
Their new record,"Golden, depicts
a kind of a special time for us in our career," Haywood says. "I
personally feel so humbled that we can still be making records that people are
excited to hear. We're in a really valuable, golden time."
Then, in August we honored to
present long time music legends and mutual admirers, ZZ Top and Jeff Beck
on tour together for the first time. Last time ZZ Top played at ironstone
it was near sell out and an amazing show! To have Jeff Beck joining ZZ
Top is a show of rare magnitude!
Formatted with musical synergy in mind,
stops along the touring route will offer fans a full Jeff Beck set,
followed by a full ZZ Top set, with a finale that joins the English fret master
with the Texas
rockers for a collaboration each night of the tour.
ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons, speaking on
behalf of band mates Dusty Hill and Frank Beard, noted that Beck has long been
a source of musical inspiration from the time when Beck played in the
Yardbirds, the seminal hard blues-based Britrock band. Gibbons commented, “Ever
since experiencing ‘Jeff’s Boogie,’ the prospect of performance with Jeff Beck
on the deck brings us into focus with the curator of crunch.”
Likewise, Beck has been an enduring fan
of ZZ Top, from even before their ascendance in popularity in the 70s and 80s.
He remarked, “Ever since Eliminator I thought it would be great to play with
ZZ Top,” and went on to declare Billy Gibbons, “The Professor of
Grunge.”
This tour is not the first live
collaboration between the two camps. Gibbons joined Jeff Beck and his band on
stage at the 25th anniversary celebration of the Rock And Roll
Hall of Fame in 2009 at New York ’s Madison Square Garden ,
where they performed The Jimi Hendrix Experience’s “Foxy Lady” and ZZ Top’s hit
“Rough Boy” together. The following year Jeff Beck joined ZZ Top in Lucca , Italy
for an extended rendition of the band’s signature piece “La Grange .” This, however, marks the first
time Jeff Beck and ZZ Top will have done any sort of extensive touring
together.
ZZ Top, formed in the Houston
area of Texas
in 1969, became a huge national touring act in the 70s and darlings of MTV in
the 80s, going on to sell tens of millions of records. Their unique hybrid of
dirty blues, hard rock, incorporating new sounds and technology, earned them
induction into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame in 2004 with Keith Richards of
the Rolling Stones doing the honors.
Jeff Beck, a native of London and
two-time Rock And Roll Hall of Famer (with The Yardbirds in 1992, and on his
own in 2009), helped set the template in the 60s for the solo-heavy,
feedback-laden, rock guitar hero archetype. He formed the Jeff Beck Group by
the end of that decade with then-unknown vocalist Rod Stewart, eventually going
solo, with forays into fusion and beyond in the mid-70s. Beck, like ZZ Top, has
continually incorporated new sounds and technologies into his work throughout
his half-century long career. Lately, Beck has been working on a new
studio album, his first since the 2010 release of the critically
acclaimed Emotion & Commotion, which earned him two Grammy
Awards and the highest charting debut in his career.
Monday, March 31, 2014
60% off Strellman Jewelry
“Strellman“
Jewelry
CLOSE
OUT
60%
Off!
The
Strellman Jewelry line has just sold. Due to
this change of ownership, Ironstone has decided to discontinue the Strellman
line of jewelry and are offering you a great opportunity to purchase these
stunning pieces at a great price.
These
pieces are being sold “AS IS” and not returnable. Limited to stock on hand, so come in quick!
Friday, March 28, 2014
Meet Artist Susie Hoffman, Spring Obsession Open Division accepted artist
Susie Hoffman,
Copperopolis
susie@townhallarts.com
www.townhallarts.com
Now exploring art after retiring from teaching English and history, Susie
considers herself a “professional art student”. 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 five years. From oil classes to
mosaics, she is always eager to learn something new.
Susie first started this art journey 11 years ago in watercolor. Happy to
retire early, she discovered a wonderful East Bay watercolor group that even
travelled to southern France to paint in the small towns of the Dordogne region.
Since opening the art store, she has branched out into oil, graphite, collage,
acrylics, and pastels. She also sells many of her photographs at Town Hall Arts.
She loves trying new media and tries to find something unique to teach at
the Copper Art Club, a group she started out of her home when she and Larry
moved to Copper eight years ago. The club now meets weekly at Town Hall
Arts.
Painting in oil is her challenge right now. “I love the freedom and color
that can be achieved in oil, but I also enjoy practicing drawing skills with
graphite portraits of my six grandchildren,” Susie said. She always takes several
photos and sketchbook along on trips to create what she calls “airplane art”—
small graphite portraits done “en route”.
Honors include awards at the Mother Lode Art Show (including a 1st
place, 2013), Delicato Show, Calaveras County Fair (including three Best of
Divisions and eleven 1st place awards in last three years), Valley Arts Show
(including a 1st, 2013), and Oakdale Transportation Show (1st).
Two of her watercolors were recently published in Sierra Wonders, a book
of visual and literary works honoring the Sierra Nevada. Her graphite portrait,
“I Hope You Dance”, appeared on the 2012 program cover of the Ironstone
Spring Obsession Show. “Copper Valley Patina”, a watercolor painting, was a
bell-ringer last year at the KVIE auction. Susie’s artwork is displayed at Galerie
Copper in Town Hall Arts, under the clock, in Copperopolis Town Square; Frog’s
Tooth Winery in Murphys; and Calaveras Arts Council in San Andreas. She is
currently program director for Mother Lode Art Association.
Copperopolis
susie@townhallarts.com
www.townhallarts.com
Now exploring art after retiring from teaching English and history, Susie
considers herself a “professional art student”. 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 five years. From oil classes to
mosaics, she is always eager to learn something new.
Susie first started this art journey 11 years ago in watercolor. Happy to
retire early, she discovered a wonderful East Bay watercolor group that even
travelled to southern France to paint in the small towns of the Dordogne region.
Since opening the art store, she has branched out into oil, graphite, collage,
acrylics, and pastels. She also sells many of her photographs at Town Hall Arts.
She loves trying new media and tries to find something unique to teach at
the Copper Art Club, a group she started out of her home when she and Larry
moved to Copper eight years ago. The club now meets weekly at Town Hall
Arts.
Painting in oil is her challenge right now. “I love the freedom and color
that can be achieved in oil, but I also enjoy practicing drawing skills with
graphite portraits of my six grandchildren,” Susie said. She always takes several
photos and sketchbook along on trips to create what she calls “airplane art”—
small graphite portraits done “en route”.
Honors include awards at the Mother Lode Art Show (including a 1st
place, 2013), Delicato Show, Calaveras County Fair (including three Best of
Divisions and eleven 1st place awards in last three years), Valley Arts Show
(including a 1st, 2013), and Oakdale Transportation Show (1st).
Two of her watercolors were recently published in Sierra Wonders, a book
of visual and literary works honoring the Sierra Nevada. Her graphite portrait,
“I Hope You Dance”, appeared on the 2012 program cover of the Ironstone
Spring Obsession Show. “Copper Valley Patina”, a watercolor painting, was a
bell-ringer last year at the KVIE auction. Susie’s artwork is displayed at Galerie
Copper in Town Hall Arts, under the clock, in Copperopolis Town Square; Frog’s
Tooth Winery in Murphys; and Calaveras Arts Council in San Andreas. She is
currently program director for Mother Lode Art Association.
Meet Artist George Haskell, Spring Obsession OPEN Division accepted artist
GEORGE HASKELL
George Haskell's first artistic love has always been landscape painting, in particular Yosemite. He has always been captivated by the grandeur of Yosemite Valley season by season, scene by scene and moment by moment. It is never the same valley twice. Capturing and interpreting the moods of the valley has always been a challenge and deeply inspiring. Since retiring from a career teaching special education has focused on creating paintings that evoke a feeling of the time place and season for the observer.
George Haskell has enjoyed oil painting since he took a semi independent painting class in college during the seventies. He has worked for the past ten years sharpening his skills. During much of this time the main influence on his approach to painting has been his longtime friend and teacher Judy Cain. Using color, often emphasized, evoking a feeling in the observer has been a primary consideration.
George lives just outside of Murphys on the top of Treasure Mountain with his wife Patricia, cats, horses, a parrot, a dog and his two corgis.
o-141 Half Dome in Spring oil 11x14 $600 |
George Haskell's first artistic love has always been landscape painting, in particular Yosemite. He has always been captivated by the grandeur of Yosemite Valley season by season, scene by scene and moment by moment. It is never the same valley twice. Capturing and interpreting the moods of the valley has always been a challenge and deeply inspiring. Since retiring from a career teaching special education has focused on creating paintings that evoke a feeling of the time place and season for the observer.
O-142 Half Dome in Summer oil 11x14 $600 |
George Haskell has enjoyed oil painting since he took a semi independent painting class in college during the seventies. He has worked for the past ten years sharpening his skills. During much of this time the main influence on his approach to painting has been his longtime friend and teacher Judy Cain. Using color, often emphasized, evoking a feeling in the observer has been a primary consideration.
George lives just outside of Murphys on the top of Treasure Mountain with his wife Patricia, cats, horses, a parrot, a dog and his two corgis.
Meet Artist Marina Hanson, Spring Obsession Open Division accepted Artist
MARINA
HANSON
408-857-5457
O-206 New Beginnings acrylic 24x28 $800 |
Artist
Biography
Passion for creativity has always defined
her and led her to earn a PHD in Architecture and, later, a Degree in Interior
Design. She began painting as a way to escape and cope with personal trauma,
and has been painting ever since. Today, it’s evident that the world of Art
holds a permanent and significant position in her existence. Largely
self-taught, she joined Los Gatos Art Association and studio/gallery in Campbell “Gallery of
Dreams”.
O-210 Transformation acrylic 40x30 $1600 |
In her paintings, Marina lets her imagination run wild and
makes an attempt to paint more then she sees. By capturing on canvas her
deepest thoughts and feelings, she is not only able to express herself, but she
allows others to connect with her.
Most of Marina ’s artwork is categorized as
surrealism, sometimes abstract and landscaping, but the constant elements in
her paintings are the vibrancy of the colors and vivid contrasts. She explores
her natural abilities and enthusiasm for her commitment to create art within
her innermost thoughts and emotions. Marina ’s
artistic affinity, creative instinct, and dynamic imagination have been
refining with each day.
O-207 A String of Pearls acrylic 30x40 $1600 |
Artist’s
Statement
“My art is an evolving process; I take and
represent only elements which are the essence of the object or of the imaginary
being. I’m fascinated by the explosive sensuality of the rich and luxurious
chromatics, and rely on my desires for beauty, poetics, and seduction. To say I
enjoy painting is an understatement. I’m obsessed with painting! Painting gives
me unique moments of freedom and happiness.
Fully believing that one cannot know what
the future holds, I welcome new opportunities, learn eagerly, and ultimately
hope to touch people with my art.”
Meet Artist Robert Gorder, Spring Obsession Open Division Accepted Artist
Robert J Gorder
O-017 Lovebirds charcoal 9.5x8.5 $400 |
O-018 Cross charcoal 20x16 $700 |
Artist’s Statement
My
drawings range from simplistic India ink to detailed charcoal images. The India ink drawings are a creative
curvature study of light and shadows. I
approach charcoal drawings in a negative approach where the paper is covered in
black charcoal and the picture is drawn with a multitude of erasers. Since recently beginning my journey to pursue
my passion of art, the focus has been varied and recently based on client
demand. Beginning with objects found in
rural Wisconsin, my drawings have branched out to figurative, animals, private
homes, businesses, historic landmarks and special edition vehicles. My charcoal drawings have become locally
known for the exact details on the smallest objects to the ability to embrace
people’s expressions in my figurative art.
Meet Artist Barbara Gill, Spring Obsession Open Division Accepted Artist
Barbara Gill
Watercolor
About the Artist:
I graduated from University of California at Santa Barbara with a BA in painting and received my MA in painting from California State University Fresno.
Gallery Representation:
Mistlin Gallery, Modesto, CA
Exhibitions and Awards
* Point Lobos: Jewel of the Central Coast Carmel Art Institute, Docent Award
* 59th Annual Spring Show, First Place
* Stanislaus Artist Open Studio, First Place Purchase Award
* California Fine Art Show, State Fair
* Yosemite Renaissance XXIV
Workshops:
I taught "Splash" Workshop for MBPAPA
(Monterey Bay Plein Air Painters Association)
Membership in Art Organization:
Signature Member, MBPAPA
Valley Sun Catchers Plein Air Painters
California Watercolor Association
www.gillwatercolors.com
Watercolor
O-183 Blue Rooster wc 20x16 $150 |
About the Artist:
I graduated from University of California at Santa Barbara with a BA in painting and received my MA in painting from California State University Fresno.
O-181 Family Album wc 16x20 $250 |
Mistlin Gallery, Modesto, CA
Exhibitions and Awards
* Point Lobos: Jewel of the Central Coast Carmel Art Institute, Docent Award
* 59th Annual Spring Show, First Place
* Stanislaus Artist Open Studio, First Place Purchase Award
* California Fine Art Show, State Fair
* Yosemite Renaissance XXIV
Workshops:
I taught "Splash" Workshop for MBPAPA
(Monterey Bay Plein Air Painters Association)
Membership in Art Organization:
Signature Member, MBPAPA
Valley Sun Catchers Plein Air Painters
California Watercolor Association
www.gillwatercolors.com
Meet Artist Gregory Gallardo, Spring Obsession Open Division Accepted Artist
Gregory Gallardo
Artist Statement
"I am an art school dropout" ... Upon receiving a scholarship to attend art school, I did what any rational 17 year old would do; I left home, left school and traveled the worked as a musician. Music more than art encompassed my life for the following 10 years. Ironically, this journey influenced my visual arts in ways that no formal art education could have. One vital lesson I learned as a musician was that the space between the musical notes was just as important as the notes themselves. Visually this concept can be applied to the use of negative space by the strategic application of both color and texture to evoke a sense of motion, rhythm and tempo. In my most recent works my collage techniques emphasize this illusion. Sharp tears reveal white edges which add Rhythm. The magazine paper imagery is glued in patterns, moving the eye around the piece. Figure and background flow in balance. While on the surface this technique may appear academic, the underlying message mirrors my personal views on life and death; a seamless harmonious coexistence.
My journey for creating "art" is a selfish act. The process becomes all encompassing, with the outcome of a work of art often becoming inconsequential to the path that lead me to the final conclusion, i.e.
"The point of the journey is not to arrive." When working with collage, ideas unfold without any predetermined direction. Letting the magazine paper speak to me, a page is turned and textures, patterns and color are randomly discovered, altering the theme as each torn piece is glued into place. Building works in this manner becomes a spiritual experience; living in the moment and allowing chance to guide the eventual outcome. The organic imagery taken from the torn magazine paper which comprise my works speak of my link to nature. Found upon closer inspection a torn photograph of a purple sunset becomes the blush of a cheek, a birds nest and the needles of a cactus form hair. My hope is that this method of reinterpretation will give the v iewer cause to reconsider their ideas of our own origin.
40% of the proceeds on direct sales of Gregory's art goes to local charities.
www.gregorygallardo.com
Artist Statement
"I am an art school dropout" ... Upon receiving a scholarship to attend art school, I did what any rational 17 year old would do; I left home, left school and traveled the worked as a musician. Music more than art encompassed my life for the following 10 years. Ironically, this journey influenced my visual arts in ways that no formal art education could have. One vital lesson I learned as a musician was that the space between the musical notes was just as important as the notes themselves. Visually this concept can be applied to the use of negative space by the strategic application of both color and texture to evoke a sense of motion, rhythm and tempo. In my most recent works my collage techniques emphasize this illusion. Sharp tears reveal white edges which add Rhythm. The magazine paper imagery is glued in patterns, moving the eye around the piece. Figure and background flow in balance. While on the surface this technique may appear academic, the underlying message mirrors my personal views on life and death; a seamless harmonious coexistence.
My journey for creating "art" is a selfish act. The process becomes all encompassing, with the outcome of a work of art often becoming inconsequential to the path that lead me to the final conclusion, i.e.
"The point of the journey is not to arrive." When working with collage, ideas unfold without any predetermined direction. Letting the magazine paper speak to me, a page is turned and textures, patterns and color are randomly discovered, altering the theme as each torn piece is glued into place. Building works in this manner becomes a spiritual experience; living in the moment and allowing chance to guide the eventual outcome. The organic imagery taken from the torn magazine paper which comprise my works speak of my link to nature. Found upon closer inspection a torn photograph of a purple sunset becomes the blush of a cheek, a birds nest and the needles of a cactus form hair. My hope is that this method of reinterpretation will give the v iewer cause to reconsider their ideas of our own origin.
40% of the proceeds on direct sales of Gregory's art goes to local charities.
www.gregorygallardo.com
Meet Artist Robert Feigen, Spring Obsession Open Division Accepted Artist
Robert Feigen
My name is Robert Feigen and I am the artist that has performed the attached painting. I am a graduate of California Polytechnic College in Pomona, California with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Behavioral Science and in Business Administration. I have studied for three years at the Sonora Arts Academy and have been an artist for fifteen years. I am now retired and have chosen to focus on my passion for painting and the arts.
My fifty pieced "RatzNKatz" series is a primitive, anthropomorphic, mystical, fantasy, humorous artistic presentation and is my own style of painting in oil and acrylics. The vivid colors and the action of the characters are an expression of myself for a world of happiness and harmony through strength and balance in the face of potential adversity. There is also some sauciness and arrogance thrown in at times. If the viewer stops, looks, laughs, and smiles then leaves only to come back again I will have been successful in my artistic intent.
The RatzNKatz characters in the paintings have human-like faces and qualities and the Ratz with the exaggerated bodies interact to symbolize both the struggles to coexist and to challenge each other with the underdog (Ratz) being in control of the dominant species (Katz). The themes in each painting are unique and expressive within a particular genre. The "RatzNKatz Symbiosis 2013" is number forty seven (#47) in the Series and depicts the annual meeting between the Ratz and Katz Clans to peacefully coexist in a harmonious way. Of course there is a whole lot of cheating and mischief going on as well as the teasing amongst the characters and between the Ratz N Katz.
The original paintings and stories in the series are for sale. However, the rights to reproduction are not. Whe the paintings are actually reporduced in a limited edition series, the buyer/seller will be entitled to a percentage commission. Therefore, it is a win/win for everyone.
I want to thank you for your interest in my art.
robertfeigen@gmail.com
O-137 RatzNKatz Symbiosis 2013 acrylic $1850 |
My name is Robert Feigen and I am the artist that has performed the attached painting. I am a graduate of California Polytechnic College in Pomona, California with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Behavioral Science and in Business Administration. I have studied for three years at the Sonora Arts Academy and have been an artist for fifteen years. I am now retired and have chosen to focus on my passion for painting and the arts.
My fifty pieced "RatzNKatz" series is a primitive, anthropomorphic, mystical, fantasy, humorous artistic presentation and is my own style of painting in oil and acrylics. The vivid colors and the action of the characters are an expression of myself for a world of happiness and harmony through strength and balance in the face of potential adversity. There is also some sauciness and arrogance thrown in at times. If the viewer stops, looks, laughs, and smiles then leaves only to come back again I will have been successful in my artistic intent.
The RatzNKatz characters in the paintings have human-like faces and qualities and the Ratz with the exaggerated bodies interact to symbolize both the struggles to coexist and to challenge each other with the underdog (Ratz) being in control of the dominant species (Katz). The themes in each painting are unique and expressive within a particular genre. The "RatzNKatz Symbiosis 2013" is number forty seven (#47) in the Series and depicts the annual meeting between the Ratz and Katz Clans to peacefully coexist in a harmonious way. Of course there is a whole lot of cheating and mischief going on as well as the teasing amongst the characters and between the Ratz N Katz.
The original paintings and stories in the series are for sale. However, the rights to reproduction are not. Whe the paintings are actually reporduced in a limited edition series, the buyer/seller will be entitled to a percentage commission. Therefore, it is a win/win for everyone.
I want to thank you for your interest in my art.
robertfeigen@gmail.com
Meet Artist Libby Fife, Spring Obsession Open Division Accepted Artist
Elizabeth (Libby) Fife
O-052 In Between acrylic 10x10 $165 |
What I paint:
I paint landscapes and figurative works using acrylics on board and canvas. The work is realistic or representational in the sense that it comes from actual images-things that I observe-and that there is a kind of resemblance to those images. It's also abstract in a sense because it doesn't portray things in minute detail, down to the nitty-gritty. I omit and refine and simplify because that is my world view. It's how I see things in real life and so that is how I paint too.
Why I paint:
Why paint instead of say, playing an instrument or cooking or dancing? Painting seems to allow me to express, through design and content, what I think and feel about my interests and the environment around me. With the exception of writing, painting is the only other creative outlet that gives me the freedom to explore and share with others the subjects that interest me most.
How I paint:
My technique for painting is simple and straightforward and matches my personality. Ideas for paintings begin with my own observations. I become attracted to something that I see. It could be something in my landscape or a person's gesture in a vintage photograph. I then gather information to flesh out the question or idea. This gathering usually involves in-the-field research. By that I mean I take my paints outside and get busy! I look at colors and the design of my idea and try to get a feel for things. If it's a conceptual figure piece, I do some online research to learn about my subject. Whether I am painting a landscape, a building, or a figure, the bottom line is that I have to be connected to my subject in some way otherwise I just can't paint it effectively.
What the work is about:
Part of my work is project driven and reflects what I am currently learning about at any given moment. My questions or interests are the starting point. I utilize vintage photographs, both my own and ones that I find, along with my writing and research to structure and support each project. The common denominator in all of this is my desire to learn about something that interests me, to paint it and to write about it, while making a strong and interesting-to-me composition to support it.
The second part of my work has more to do with what I call "structure." For painting, structure to me has to do with puzzles. How things in my environment fit together. Although I view my world as a whole, I quickly zero in on what that world is composed of. For people, it's their body parts all moving together with their environment. The gestures of their figures set against their background or interlocked with other figures. For the land, it's all of the pieces such as trees, hills, and sky acting together. To me, people and objects are not stagnant even if they are frozen in time in a photo. Shapes, colors, and light and shadow are important too but really secondary to the above.
I paint landscapes and figurative works using acrylics on board and canvas. The work is realistic or representational in the sense that it comes from actual images-things that I observe-and that there is a kind of resemblance to those images. It's also abstract in a sense because it doesn't portray things in minute detail, down to the nitty-gritty. I omit and refine and simplify because that is my world view. It's how I see things in real life and so that is how I paint too.
Why I paint:
Why paint instead of say, playing an instrument or cooking or dancing? Painting seems to allow me to express, through design and content, what I think and feel about my interests and the environment around me. With the exception of writing, painting is the only other creative outlet that gives me the freedom to explore and share with others the subjects that interest me most.
How I paint:
My technique for painting is simple and straightforward and matches my personality. Ideas for paintings begin with my own observations. I become attracted to something that I see. It could be something in my landscape or a person's gesture in a vintage photograph. I then gather information to flesh out the question or idea. This gathering usually involves in-the-field research. By that I mean I take my paints outside and get busy! I look at colors and the design of my idea and try to get a feel for things. If it's a conceptual figure piece, I do some online research to learn about my subject. Whether I am painting a landscape, a building, or a figure, the bottom line is that I have to be connected to my subject in some way otherwise I just can't paint it effectively.
What the work is about:
Part of my work is project driven and reflects what I am currently learning about at any given moment. My questions or interests are the starting point. I utilize vintage photographs, both my own and ones that I find, along with my writing and research to structure and support each project. The common denominator in all of this is my desire to learn about something that interests me, to paint it and to write about it, while making a strong and interesting-to-me composition to support it.
The second part of my work has more to do with what I call "structure." For painting, structure to me has to do with puzzles. How things in my environment fit together. Although I view my world as a whole, I quickly zero in on what that world is composed of. For people, it's their body parts all moving together with their environment. The gestures of their figures set against their background or interlocked with other figures. For the land, it's all of the pieces such as trees, hills, and sky acting together. To me, people and objects are not stagnant even if they are frozen in time in a photo. Shapes, colors, and light and shadow are important too but really secondary to the above.
O-053 Winter Hillside acrylic 10x10 $165 |
About The Faces (or Lack Thereof):
I currently paint my figures without facial features, relying instead on
posture and gestures, color and line and shape, to express what I think. I
accept that images of people in general can provoke strong reactions whether or
not facial features are included. Getting a reaction by not including facial
features is not my intent but it's very OK when that happens. It's my
hope that all parts of my paintings will
elicit responses and get a dialogue going. I love to talk about my work and am
anxious to know what others think. It's why I have gone to some length to
explain what I do, how I do it, and why I do it.
Meet Artist Diana Eppler, Spring Obsession Open Division Accepted Artist
DIANA
EPPLER
www.dianaeppler.com
“My painting subjects are varied as that is my nature. I will probably be perpetually in some period of transition with my art which, I hope, is a good thing. I try to work towards a melding of classical, contemporary and my own style; always striving to share with the viewer a means of expression which is representational without being literal or prosaic.
O-127 Courthouse, Fall Morning oil 22x28 $1900 |
I used to worry where was I
going with my art? Was I a colorist,
tonalist, impressionist, plein air or studio painter? I now know my art leads me. Each piece is individual and dictates how it
should be painted. First comes what I
feel, then what I see. When I paint it
is me and it is my own. An idea for
painting frequently comes from my emotional response to color and light. I build around that, often changing the
subject matter partly or entirely until the color, light, movement and design
meet to fit the mood. This manner of
creating a painting works well for the studio, which I very much enjoy,
however, painting en plein air (outdoors in one sitting) is a good way to
rejuvenate the very feeling that create the moods. The California foothills offer the artist an
abundance of choices to paint.”
O-129 Vineyard Pond oil 11x14 $450 |
Born in Amador County, Diana
lived at Lake Tahoe and in Nevada, Southern and Northern California before
returning to the foothills in 1997. She
now resides in Jamestown. She attended
Western Nevada Community College and studied with Wellington Smith, noted
artist, lecturer and teacher. Workshops
over the years included Janet Tarjan Earl, Edgardo Garcia, Jeanette LeGrue,
Kathleen Dunphy and Charles Waldman although she considers herself, basically,
self taught. Past Board of Director of
the Siskiyou Art Assoc., Creative Arts Guild and Mother Lode Art Assoc. Past member of the
Lithia Artists Assoc., Central Sierra Arts Council and Central Calif. Art
Assoc. Founding member of the Post
Gallery and founding Director of Aloft Art Gallery, Sonora . Currently her
works can be seen locally at Ventana Gallery, Sonora; Galleria Copper,
Copperopolis and the Europa Café in
Sonora as well as on her web site.
She has been accepted in
numerous juried shows and won many awards including Foothill Favorites in the
MLAA Shows. A finalist in California
Shines Statewide Art show for the 2011 US Capitol Christmas Tree
Celebration. Her works hang in homes and
businesses across the country.
Meet Artist Patty Ehlers, Ironstone Spring Obsession Art Show, Open Division accepted artist
Patty Ehlers
O-059 A Kiss graphite 16x20 $425 |
I received a Bachelor of Arts in Art from San Jose State
University with a concentration in Design.
Following college I worked as a free-lance illustrator which allowed me
to segue into a job with Lockheed.
While at Lockheed I worked as a Cartoonist and Technical Illustrator. Europe called and I couldn’t pass up the
opportunity to work in England but had, by then, moved into the Technical Field
of Computers. Art was never out of my thoughts and I dabbled
in textiles and ceramics as a hobby.
O-058 Egg Head graphite 14x18 $375 |
In 2011 I retired and relocated from the Bay Area to the
Sierra Foothills. I jumped back into
the art world by taking drawing classes at a local gallery. The focus in my drawing class was
portraiture.
I enjoyed portraiture but there seemed to be something
missing for me. Graphite is so soothing
to work with and to view but my cartooning background took over. I enjoyed skewing the reality with the
quirkiness, the gray tones with the vibrant colors, and taking advantage of illustrating
the abundant wildlife of the Sierras.
Meet Artist Judy Day, Ironstone Spring Obsession Open Division accepted Artist
JUDY DAY
O-065 June Loop wc 16x20 $225 |
Judy attended Art Center School of Design and Cal State
Northridge, where she received a Bachelor Degree in Graphic Design and a K-12
Teaching Credential in Art Education and Math.
She recently retired from 25 + years teaching at David Starr Jordan
Middle School in Burbank, California.
Judy taught Beginning art, Cultures through Art, Photography,
Cartooning, Animation, and Algebra. In
April of 2010 she moved the foothills of Jackson, and began studying with
several local artist and concentrating on her painting.
O-066 Fort Bragg wc 16x20 $275 |
Judy’s art credits include the following: Illustrating three
educational children’s books, numerous brochures, posters, paintings and cards,
two cut paper banners (3 x12 feet) that hang seasonally in the First Christian
Church of North Hollywood’s Sanctuary.
For the last 5 years, Judy has directed a week long children’s art camp
in Studio City for 3rd thru 12th graders. She is currently serving as the President of
the Amador County Artist Association.
Her awards and honors are: 1993-94 Jordan Middle School
Teacher of the Year, 1994 Burbank Woman of the Year, 1995 Outstanding teacher
Award given by the LA Times and CSUN School of Education, and finally in 2002
the California League of Middle Schools Educator of the Year Nominee.
Judy loves the outdoors and has hiked and sketched in the high
Sierras most of her life. “My art is
inspired by my backpacking trips into the Sierras, vacations around the world,
majestic landscapes, historical sites and practically everything in my
neighborhood. You never know what will
catch you eye and inspire you”
Judy’s art work is displayed at the Sutter Creek Gallery, at
35 Main St. in Sutter Creek, California.
Meet Artist Geneva Davis Season, Spring Obsession Art show OPEN Division accepted artist
Geneva Davis Season
O-176 Springtime Splendor oil 16x20 $400 |
O-179 Garden Entrance oil 12x16 $400 |
The intensity and emotion in my paintings frlow from my love of all subjects, whether florals, gardens, figures, animals or landscapes. I want my collectors to enjoy the painting and appreciated what I saw and how I interpreted what I was seeing. I thank God everyday for giving me the ability to paint and share it with others.
O-178 Tropical Splendor oil 14x18 $1200 |
My paintings may be viewed at Pinecrest Gallery, All That Matters in Twain Harte, Town Hall Gallery in Copperopolis, Ventana and Aloft Gallery in Sonora ... My home studio is open to visitor's by appointment only. genevadis27@yahoo.com
Meet Artist Barbara Conley, Ironstone's Spring Obsession Open Division Accepted Artist
Barbara Conley
O-088 Old Homestead wc 6x10 $495 |
O-089 Winter Day wc 8x10.5 $495 |
O-087 Kris & Nolan at the Roundup acrylic 16x20 $2300 |
Thursday, March 27, 2014
Meet Artist Vickie Chew, Ironstone's Spring obsession Open Division accepted Artist
About Vickie Chew
Vickie has lived all of her adult life in Calaveras County in the mid northern Sierra's and Foothills. She has a BA in Business Administration and has been studying art for the last eighteen years. While a student at Columbia College, she was published in the annual student review for her artwork and one of her murals can be seen in the Sonora Police Department’s Dispatch Center. She has won many awards including Best of Division at professional art shows. She works continuously to broaden her painting knowledge by attending master workshops and seeking inspiration from her favorite mentors. Her paintings are mainly in oil, some acrylic, charcoal, and pastels. She especially enjoys Plein Air painting, the challenge of capturing the mood and the feel of the day before the daylight is lost, and the shadows change. Vickie accepts commissioned work, contact Vickie today. www.vickiechew.com
O-138 Really oil 30x20 $600 |
Meet Artist Patricia Cherry, Spring Obsession Open Division Accepted Artist
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Her motto for a creative life: ”Ditch your inner critic, laugh at yourown ego, pick the thing you love and work like crazy, and no matter how tough it gets practice gratitude and peace daily."
Fine Art education includes attending San Francisco State University, California College of Arts and Crafts, University of California at Berkeley, and Escuela de Belles Artes in San Miquel de Allende, Guanajauto Mexico. In addition she has taken many other art workshops from diverse and talented Artists. She did this concurrently while working as a busy CEO of a San Francisco Bay Area Staffing firm.
An award winning professional artist she has won awards at such shows as Ironstone Spring Art Show and Gallo’s Annual Art show. She has had one-person shows in San Joaquin, Calaveras, Amador and San Mateo Counties. In Northern California her art can currently be seen at Bonsack Gallery in Oakdale and at C Gallery and Fine Art in East Sonora.
Patricia was co-founder of Sonora Art Trails, a successful open art studio tour bringing tourists and art lovers to Tuolumne County. She is frequently a guest speaker for community groups on the subject of why art is important to education and society. She is known for writing a weekly column for Sierra Lodestar, “Art Matters”. She teaches “How to Find Your Visual Voice” to a select group of artists who take their painting but not themselves seriously.
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