Meet Artist Carol David

Carol David

Welcome to my World of Creativity!

SOLD

My paintings reflect my love of people in their surroundings. I love to capture the mood of my subjects. My choice of medium is pastel because of the brilliant colors, it's dry form and the immediate effect it has on paper.

Mountain Air  pastel  18x24  $750

I also like to portray the majesty of nature in my work since I grew up in Davis, Ca., an agricultural area, and spent much time in the Sierra Mountains on vacations. It was my father, an Entomology professor, who inspired me to have a deep appreciation for nature and a passion for art.  My people paintings are usually done from a photo back in my studio and I create my landscape paintings on location.

Carolsrt37@aol.com.  *  www.caroldavid.com

Meet Artist George Dillon

GEORGE DILLON

Website: www.georgedillonstudio.com
Email: George.dillon1@comcast.net

I've got my eyes on you   30x30  $575

  George has had an interest and a connection to art all his life but only in the last eighteen years has been able to dedicate his full tine to hits pursuit.

His teachers include nationally renowned landsape artist Charles White, watercolorists Penny Soto and Joan Dougherty, Judie Cain a frequent contributor to Artist Magazine and portraitist Gary Bergren. Ben Kikuyama, an internationally known feature artist at the Lahaina Galleries in Maui has been his mentor in the field of mix media and three-dimensional art.

The Self   acrylic  26x32  $575

George's style is most often surreal if modern and has been influenced by Picasso, Matisse and George's Braque as well as his first encounters with African Art and travel. His imagination and whimsy have all been inspiration to him and have encouraged his experimentation with color, themes and materials. His 3-dimensional Art is typically built from canvas or paper and them layered upon each other to form his interpretations of the subject. He takes a more conventional approach to more traditional themes.

George's art is typically both bold and colorful and challenges his viewers' sensibilities with sometimes humorous and sometimes penetrating looks at culture and it's surroundings . Further adding to his art are his pithy titles that often reflect both innuendo and a healthy splash of irony .

Three Faces of Eve  acrylic  24x30  $575

When asked what type of art he creates, Dillon respond, "It is hard to categorize , but I am known for color. I want each observer to have an emotional response of some type to my paintings. The vivid use of color causes a reaction as we tend to be internally stirred by the spectrum before us. I can describe what a painting means to me, but I hope the viewer comes up with a meaning that conjures up his or her own inner feelings ."

Dillon always starts a painting with the idea of where he wants to go but reflects that sometimes the creative process takes over and the finished product is something he never dreamed of. He gets a great feeling looking at a painting and having no idea how he did it but great satisfaction in the accomplishment. He offers a tip for viewers, "Often my titles help to discover what the art piece is trying to convey".  Many of his titles will challenge the observer to examine their own awareness.

Currently George is a member of the Calaveras County Arts Council, the Amador County Artists Association and the Lodi Council of Arts. His works have been on display in several  venues in the Bay Area, Sacramento and currently in the California foothills.

Meet Artist Geneva Davis Season

Geneva Davis Season

O-084 Racoon  oil 12x26 $200

Over thirty years ago Geneva's creative art journey began. Studying a variety of techniques and mediums has led to a body of work of great diversity. Her work may be characterized as realism to Impressionism but as variety of subject matter a distinctive style has evolved which can vary depending in the subjet matter and medium.

The variety of subjects has included animals, birds, rich and lively florals and gardens that evoke color and mood. These might be considered to be signature work whether in oils, watercolor, or most recently pastels. Others might insider the sentimental renderings of children to romantic figures the most moving to the imagination, in any case the journey continues and might include almost any subject but be assured it will have warmth and emotion as a constant . Geneva's paintings are in many private collections.

O-084 Hope you Like Flowers  11x14 $295

Her paintings may be viewed at Pinecrest Gallery in Pinecrest, Ca. All That Matters Gallery in Twain Harte, Ca. Town Hall Gallery in Copperolis, Ca. and Ventana Gallery in Sonora, Ca.
Geneva's home studio is open to visitor's by app. 209-533-2014.

O-085 Seaside Garden 11x14  $295

Ironstone Concerts 2015!

Meet Artist Judy Boles

Judy Boles Art

O-027  Stanislaus River - Big Trees  oil  12x16  $350

 As a girl, I took many cross country trips with my family, watching the varied landscapes go by. during those trips, my father instilled a sense of adventure and an appreciation for the beauty in all landscape: orchards, cornfields, lakes, mountains, sea coasts, and even barren deserts. Painting and drawing the things I saw became a favorite childhood pastime. After finishing college, I taught high school English and Art in Northern California for several years, but my art soon took a back seat to the joys of children and to the demands of the corporat world. Since my retirement in 2006, I have been pursuing my passion for art more fully.

O-024  Autumn Grapes  acrylic  11x14  $350

My work is a visual diary of scenes that have inspired me. The close observstion needed to render a scene on canvas makes me feel connected to the place. While living many years in Sonoma County, I was drawn to the coastal hills, the shoreline, and the wonderful vistas of the wine country. In 2011, my husband and I moved to Arnold CA, in the Sierra Nevada mountains, where we live in the awesome beauty of a National Forest. My new inspirations are mountain streams, alpine lakes, Sequoia trees and the constantly changing seasons.

O-028  Yellowstone Bison  oil  16x20  $350

Please visit my web gallery at: Romulo.com/jbolesart
Or email me at: rojubo@rojubo.com

Spring Obsession Winners!

After a stunning opening of Ironstone's 18th Annual Spring Obsession Art show this past Saturday, Open Division Judge, Kathleen Dunphy, announced the names of the winning paintings in the OPEN Division!

Earning the JUDGE MERIT AWARD:

"Spring Celebration" by Carol Goff  

"Laundry Day"  by Linda Knoll

"Amaryllis"  by Jan Alcalde










3rd Place Winner
"Country Classic"  by Judie Cain

2nd Place Winner
"Winter Apple Tree" by Linda Knoll

1st Place Winner

"Haiku Interlude" by Marilyn Wear









FAMILY Merit Awards went to:
"On the Water at Sunrise" by W. Vaughn Lew

"Springtime Adolescence"  by  Ron Miranda

Spring Obsession is HERE!

Ironstone's 18th Annual Spring Obsession Event opens

at 10 AM Saturday!

Free admission to the exhibition with 

Meet 'n Greet the "Working Artists";

George Dillon

Jessica Fonda

Katherine Forst

George Haskell

Ruth Morrow

John Reid

Ron Rice

Katerina Rutherford

Teresa Steinbach-Garcia

And with the weather looking to be grand, search out painter 

Judie Cain painting somewhere on the grounds at Ironstone.

At 1:00 PM, Chef Robert and Wine Maker Steve 

collaborate on a Cooking Demonstration that is open to the public at no charge!  Come see the magic happen!

Daffodils are out in stunning color this weekend. Bring your paint or cameras. Too good to miss!

4:00 PM begins the Food & Wine Pairing from Around the World, featuring select appetizers, each paired with a different Ironstone wine. This event is $25 pp. Please call to make sure it isn't sold out.

The 2015 Obsession Poster is unveiled at this event and will go on sale in the Tasting Room & Museum on Sunday for $10 each.

SUNDAY, MARCH 8 ...

Gallerias open at 10:00 AM along with Artist's Meet n' Greet/Art in Action. All Free admission. Close at 3:00

All Art work is available for sale starting on the day of the event. However, we do ask that pieces not be removed until after the Food & Wine Pairing Event.

This exhibit will be on display through Mother's Day Weekend.

Open Division Judge, Kathleen Dunphy

Ironstone is pleased to present Kathleen Dunphy who will be judging the OPEN Division of Ironstone's 18th Annual Spring Obsession OPEN Division.  

Kathleen Dunphy’s rapid success in the competitive art world was predicted when American Artist Magazine recognized her as one of the Top Ten Emerging Artists in 1998, just 2 years after she had closed her floral design business to devote herself full time to painting.  She is one of those rare people who have true passion, dedication, and a gift for transposing nature’s beauty to canvas.

Kathleen’s early art education included workshops by Kevin MacPherson and Dan Gerhartz. In 2000, Kathleen was awarded a full scholarship at the renown Academy of Art University in San Francisco.  She maintains strong ties to the Academy, where she has been offered a faculty appointment and participates in the annual Alumni Auction. Further study with Scott Christensen and T. Allen Lawson helped hone her skills and refine her own unique style of painting.

In 2003, Kathleen designed and built her own studio in the Sierra Nevada foothills of Northern California, where the pristine setting of her home provides endless inspiration for her work.  Kathleen’s landscape paintings can now be found in galleries from coast to coast. Her honors are considerable and include important juried shows in California, Texas, Georgia, Arizona, and Maine; Best of Show from the American Impressionist Society; an Award of Excellence from the Oil Painters of America; ten California Art Club Gold Medal Shows; eight magazine articles including being featured in Southwest Art’s plein air issues in 2009 and 2013; the Federal Duck Stamp Competition; Birds in Art; Arts for the Parks; Grand Prize at the Acadia Invitational Exhibition in Bar Harbor, Maine; and many others. In 2014, Kathleen’s painting “The Flotilla” was purchased by the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum for inclusion in their permanent collection.  Kathleen has attained signature status with the Oil Painters of America, the American Impressionist Society, Laguna Plein Air Painters, the American Society of Marine Artists and Artists for Conservation. Her highest honor to date came in 2013 when she was elected to join the prestigious Plein Air Painters of America as one of only 35 Signature Members. In a short period of time, she has earned an impressive and growing reputation with galleries, private collectors, and art magazines across the United States.  

In the spirit of passing on the gifts of her artistic abilities, Kathleen began teaching in 2005 and is a much sought-after workshop instructor. Her engaging style of teaching and one-on-one instruction garners high accolades from her student artists. 

Kathleen has joined many of Ironstone's other prestigious judges selecting the awards at Ironstone's annual Spring Obsession Art show. 

Meet Artist W. Vaughn Lew, Spring Obsession THEME Division accepted artist

W Vaughn Lew

Artist

Murphys, California

T-004  In Like a Lion  oil  16x20  $500

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.
   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 eight 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.

Meet Artist Jorune Jonikas, 18th Annual Spring Obsession THEME Division accepted artist

JORUNE M. JONIKAS   

T-026  Three Graces  acrylic  14x18  $195

Discovering late in life that I could create art has been an unexpected gift. Although throughout my early life, I always wished I could draw, I never seriously considered attempting it or taking classes - until I retired.  I retired from a 25 year career in federal law enforcement and decided to explore that persistent itch and started taking every art class that was offered through the Smithsonian in Washington DC. It was a new and wonderful world opened up to me by professional artists teaching the Smithsonian art classes. During my time there, I was privileged to be included in gallery art shows at the Foundry Gallery, Washington DC and at the Mansion at Strathmore in North Bethesda, MD.

Moving to Sacramento allowed for continued growth-taking different and varied art classes, and getting to know new talented artists.  Painting to me is quiet and contemplative and although I tend toward the realism side, I'm still learning and experimenting with different styles and bolder colors. I paint in oil, acrylic, watercolor and pastel. I find each has its own dynamic and that sometimes a subject matter is better suited to one medium than another. I have a definite fondness for painting animals, both wild and domestic and I have been fortunate to have received commissions for pet portraits. I have paintings in private collections in Maryland, Illinois, Colorado and Sacramento. I have been honored to have been accepted into juried shows at the Sacramento Fine Arts Center in 2012 and 2013, and have exhibited at Citrus Heights City Hall and at restaurants in Fair Oaks and Sacramento. I am especially pleased to have been accepted into the Ironstone Vineyards, Spring Obsession art show for the fourth time. Ironstone has been a wonderful and awe inspiring experience.

Meet Artist Debra Montgomery, Ironstone Spring Obsession THEME Division accepted artist

Debra Montgomery
Fine Metal Sculpture
www.finemetalscuplture.com
Art Piece: RENAISSANCE
Copper and Wood Daffodil

T-028  Renaissance  repousse  7.25x10.75  $1500

ARTIST STATEMENT

I am a welder by trade, having changed careers in 2000. I anticipated pursuing a very practical blue collar career when I went back to school. In discovering the aesthetic versus functional aspects of metal along the way, it has proven to be an unexpected and fascinating detour in my vocational path.

Working primarily in welded steel and the copper forming techniques of repousse and chasing, I value the potential for expressiveness and texture in my work. An integral part of my style is accuracy and tangibility. When people see my work, I want them to be inclined to reach out and touch it.

I do not always have a set plan when I start creating a piece. Of course there are mathematical formulas to calculate factors such as proportions and scale. Other times, the metal surface can, in essence, take on a life of its own, with the shadows from the lights hinting where the next hammer hit should be. A good part of my passion for and the challenge I get out of my work is driven by my finding the way to the end result.

I take great pleasure in utilizing traditional metalsmithing techniques, bringing into fruition, detail-oriented two and three dimensional art that would be considered non-traditional in nature.

As I continue to hone my skills as an artisan, I hope to develop my portfolio into a diverse and extraordinary collection of work that one would not expect to be constructed out of metal.

Meet Artist Katerina Rutherford, Spring Obsession THEME & OPEN Division accepted artist

Katerina Rutherford

T-019  Festival of Life I  gouache  18x18.5  $450

  

Paintings "Festival of Life 1" and "Festival of Life 2"


This is my 3rd Obsession and 4th Theme Division. for this year's Spring Obsession I wanted to create a joyful painting, one that celebrates the creative events put forth every year by the Ironstone Winery.

For the connection between wine and art, I tried in both paintings to express through a wonen-themed allegory of dancing in tulips, playing inside vineyards of daffodils in a wine glass.

I reducted my color palette to two tones to get more expression out of the painting. Finally, I used cubist abstract forms I found while being inspired by cubist artist Vaclav Spala (1885-1946), who comes from my home country, the Czech Republic.

T-020  Festival of Life II  gouache  18x20.75  $550

Angels Camp and San Francisco motifs accepted into the OPEN Division 2015

I am a plein air painter. Over the past 10 years I have focused more and more on plein air painting. My major topic on canvas over the last five years has become cities.

Angels Camp:

O-125 Gold Rush House  oil  15x18  $800

Angels Camp is an amazing gold rush town in Northern California, situated right on top of the Mother Lode of gold. Angels Camp was founded during the Gold Rush days in 1849/50.

O-126  Main Street Angles Camp 2014  oil  26x19  $1200

Walking along Angel Camp’s famous frog jump sidewalk on Main Street has a feel like time stopped during the Wild West days, except for one difference: you will not see horses and buggies, but big American cars and pickup trucks. This contrast of big cars and trucks and the Wild West architectural styles became a new approach to my plein air artistic visions.

San Francisco:

O-127  Powell Street in San Francisco  26x21  $1500

In May 2014 I spent one week painting in downtown San Francisco. During that one week I worked on only two motifs, one in the morning and the other in the afternoon. My experience of painting cityscapes has personally been worth it!

Powell Street is one of San Francisco’s typical, breathtaking streets that winds up and down the city’s hills…cable cars snaking up and down, appearing and disappearing again at the top of another hill. Next to the cable cars are vertical and horizontal lines of cars and swarms of people busily moving about the city… I found this to be a perfect morning motif.

I realize that except for San Francisco’s buildings, everything else is in motion. I simply became an animator trying to capture the blink-of-an-eye on canvas over the course of five mornings. The City by the Bay’s fickle weather blessed us that week with consistent, warm sunshine.

If you would like to see more of my artworks, please go to my websites: www.katerinarutherford.com :or www.skolavideni.com under my name. Both websites are in English, German and Czech.

Meet Artist Connie Romano, Spring Obsession THEME Division accepted artist

Connie Carson-Romano  

T-003  Daffodil Rays  acrylic  16x20  $240

    Art is an expression of the way the Artist views the world in which he lives. Through my paintings, I try to communicate the emotions that made the subject something I wanted to share with others whether it is joy, serenity or the excitement of the beauty of nature. I know I have succeeded at my Art when someone looks at a painting or drawing and says, "That  painting makes me feel ... "
    
    Expressing myself through art has always been a form of meditation and relaxation for me, although until 4 years ago I never shared my passion for painting with anyone. My husband encouraged me to show my paintings and I found that people enjoy what I have to share.

T-002  Dreaming Big on the Lip of a Tulip  acrylic  16x20  $260

    Acrylic paint, with its forceful colors was my favored medium for years. About a year ago I began experimenting with oils. The difference in the mediums is very exciting to me as it allows for a varied representation of subjects.

    The colors that are present in nature are phenomenal and I love trying to create the same shades. Having been raised in the mountains of New Mexico I found myself immersed from an early age in the amazing palate of nature and the challenge of trying to recreate that on canvas. Now as a resident of Northern California, I am awed at the diversity of landscapes we live in and the unlimited array of challenges awaiting my brushes.

    Two Artists looking at the same object or same landscape will create completely different expressions of what they see. I find it is amazing and exciting that so many different interpretations of the world around us are available through the eyes of Artists. I love visiting galleries and museums to view the varied presentations of life as expressed by different individuals. It is my pleasure that I am able to add my own personal expressions to this collection.

CarsonRomanoGallery.com.

Meet Artist Barbara Young, Spring Obsession THEME Division accepted artist

ARTIST STATEMENT FOR BARBARA (BARB) YOUNG

T-027  Wine and Spring  watercolor  11x20  $400

Since coming to Sonora in 1990, Barbs ART has expanded to include many sales and now, participation in local galleries, In 1996 she took a watercolor class from Dianne Starnes, while recovering from heart by-pass surgery. Since that time Barbs choice of medium has bee WATERCOLOR.

She has a prolific way of depicting old and historical buildings and capturing life like realism in her paintings of landscapes. And as well as doing watercolors, she has a special touch with her Sharpie Pen Sketches of rocks and trees, and pinecones, and other things that depict the Sierras.

Now retired, Barb can spend more time on the things she loves: painting and drawing, and Therapy Dog WORK with her doggies Happy BURITTO, & Kristy both Chihuahuas.

Barb has done some commissioned paintings, with unique challenges. She also has sold a lot of her paintings and sketches, as well as cards made from her paintings and sketches. You can find Barb around the Sonora and outlying areas sketching and taking pictures, and observing the many views and buildings. She also spends a lot of time in the Sierras.

Barb has come a long way from her beginnings in ART as a teenager, copying comic book characters and doing paint by - number Paintings. Her hearly works were sad and gloomy (which expressed her early life); and now, her work has taken on a "lightness, and colorfull expression." Barb credits her abilities as a God given talent.

Barb has won many awards at the MLAA shows in Oct. Her work can be seen at the ALOFT Gallery, Sonora. At Twain Heart's All That Matters; Pinecrest Gallery in Pinecrest and Sonora Blue Print. Barb has entered the Ironstone show many times.

bar-bar-a@att.net

Meet Artist Marilyn Wear, Spring Obsession THEME Division accepted artist

Marilyn Wear NWS, WW, CWA

www.marilynwear.com

T-017  Daffodil Explosion  acrylic  18x24  $900

Biography

Marilyn was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, where she graduated from San Jose State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design. She has been painting professionally since 2003 and has earned signature membership in three major watercolor societies: National Watercolor Society, Watercolor West, and California Watercolor Association. Although she also paints with oil and acrylics, her favorite medium is transparent watercolor, where she uses a technique of layering many glazes of watercolor to create richness and depth, while retaining a glowing vibrancy. Her favorite subject matter is landscapes and natural wildlife.

She is currently represented by:
First Street Gallery, Turlock, CA * http://www.firststreetgalleries.com
Cedar Street Gallery, Honolulu Hawaii * http://www.cedarstreetgalleries.com
Sparrow Gallery, Sacramento, CA * https://sparrowgallery.squarespace.com

Marilyn can be contacted at 209 277-1922, or by email at marilynwear@aol.com or through her website at http://marilynwear.com

Meet Artist Popi Tyler, Spring Obsession THEME Division accepted artist

Popi Tyler, 

Artist

Santa Rosa,

California

T-007  Garden District  watercolor  22x15  $980

I was born here in this gorgeous land of Northern California, with childhood memories of riding my horse through Gravenstein Apple orchards and cattle ranches. I learned to be alone and observe the beauty of nature and the way things grow.

My formal education includes over 40 years of art classes and workshops. I have studied ceramics and painting in California, Mexico, and Hawaii. My training at Linecona Academy of Art in Honolulu opened my eyes to the endless joys of watercolor.

T-008  Bourbon Street  watercolor ink  22x15  $980

Recently, I have studied with Dale Laitinen, of Mountain Ranch, California, who continually teaches me to see new things in our landscape all around us.

To me, there is nothing better than a day painting with my husband and friends. I have such wonderful painting buddies -- each one is precious to me.

Good friends, beautiful views - what could be better!

Meet Artist Teresa Steinbach-Garcia, Spring Obsession THEME Division accepted artist

Teresa Steinbach-Garcia

T-029  Daffodil Trio  pastel  20x20    $800

     A native Californian and a graduate of U.C.Davis, Teresa Steinbach-Garcia brings a radiant sensitive touch to her realistic works of art. After college, Teresa worked in both Graphic Design and Galleries in Northern California before devoting much of her energy to raising a family and honing her craft while living in the rural countryside of Wilton California.

Inspired by artists as varied as Michael Reardon, Toulouse Latrec, Lisbeth Zwerger and Kim Lordier, Teresa works in a painterly style using line, shape and color as a starting point from which to pull energy and capture a moment. She works in both Watercolor and Pastel. At times combining the translucency of one to complement the energy of the other.

Every Tuesday she can be found teaching watercolor classes at the Elk Grove Fine Arts Center. This spring She will add an occasional pastel workshop to her schedule.

She is currently a member of C.W.A., The Sacramento Fine Arts Center, W.A.S.H. and the California Art Club. She is thrilled and humbled with her third acceptance into the California Watercolor Association National Show, where she achieved Signature status in 2015.

More information can be found on her website;
www.TSteinbachGarciaArt.com

Meet Artist Ruth Morrow, Spring Obsession THEME Division accepted artist

Ruth Morrow

This stunning painting is shown sideways. Current application will not correct. Our apologies to Ruth. Do come out on March 7th to see this original painting in its correct form as it is meant to be seen. T-014  The Happy Garden watercolor and ink  26x20  $500

Embracing art since childhood, Ruth has spent her last twenty eight years painting and photographing the beauty of the Mother Lode. Ruth's loose and fanciful style becomes visible in her watercolors, acrylics, oils and mixed medium pieces, some of which contain recycled objects.

In the past two years, her artistic endeavors have been recognized with an award of excellence from Sacramento Fine Arts Gallery for her piece, "A Close Knit Village." SFAC also awarded her the Olive Schmid Memorial Award for "Spring at the Old Homestead." Other prizes included multiple awards at the 2013 and 2014 Frog Jump Professional art show and others at the juried Mother Lode Art Show. A bronze plaque from Windsor-Newton Company in New York for her excellence in watercolor as well as the Florence Ferraro Award for "The Tea Party."

Ruth was the first artist to wine the Ironstone Obsession poster contest twice with "A Romp in the Dills" and "Truckin' Dills." Her exceptional talent also extended to nine pieces juried into the KVIE live auction. generously donated.

Memberships include Art On Main in Murphys, Calaveras Arts Council. The Golden Palette, Arts of Bear Valley, Sacramento Fine Arts Gallery, Watercolor Artists of Sacramento Horizons, and Northern CA Artists. Her work may be seen at Townhall Arts in Copperoplis, Murphy's Grill. The Window Gallery in Arnold and her Arnold Studio.

Meet Artist Andrea Morris, Ironstone Spring Obsession THEME Division accepted artist

T-022 

andrea morris                 

artist                                  

Andrea Morris was born in Karlsrhue Germany and spent much of her younger years in Montana and Arizona. She was exposed to art from an early age as her Mother was an artist and taught painting classes in their home.

She developed a love of wildlife and people and spent much of her time drawing and using pen and ink to capture her subject. It was not until the 1970's that she started to explore working with color in watercolor. Working in a local watercolor gallery in Tucson, Arizona she learned about building up her paintings through layers of transparent color.

She experimented in working in oils and immediately fell in love with the medium and has worked almost exclusively in this medium since. Although she does paint in Acrylics and watercolors at times.

Her main focus of subject still remains wildlife and people and she has been working towards representing her subjects in a colorful and expressive style.

T-021

Being self taught she has learned most about her art by painting, experimenting and studying other works of art. She has made a living of painting murals in many home sin the northern California area and has worked with the Wall Dogs painting large murals in city downtown businesses.

She presently resides in Lodi California and teaches classes in her small studio.  She continues to paint and show her work in the surrounding areas art venues.

You can view a gallery of her art at www.andreamorrisart.com

Meet Artist Carol Leonti, Spring Obsesion THEME Division accepted artist

Carol Leonti

T-010  Afternoon  watercolor  15x22  $800

I've been interested in drawing and painting for many years but was able to devote only a little time to these while I was working and commuting. I am now able to paint regularly. I love to create and painting is a major challenge and outlet for me. I enjoy experimenting with many media but especially love working with transparent watercolor because of it's freedom, it's ability to capture light and to express emotion.

T-009  Morning  watercolor  12x12  $400

I love to learn ... I am greatly influenced by my current mentor Popi Tyler, who coaches me on composition, color and boldness. I have studied watercolor painting with Carl Miller AWS, Dale Laitenen, Ken Hosmer, and Tony Couch.