Peter Gherardi: Creating art on computer and film to inspire people to change

Writer's Notes: As I mentioned last week, I interviewed the Gherardi's -- Christine and Peter -- together in their home. I enjoyed talking with them about their art and their work as artists who use very different media to create images.

Peter is studying at LCC to be a filmmaker and enjoys producing creative graphic art on his computer. While I was interviewing his mother, he created a ghostly image of me (to give me an idea of how he creates his art). He didn't have time to complete it or I would have shared it. The image you see here is titled "Inferno" (aptly named, don't you think?).

Christine shared a watercolor Peter had done for her at a very early age. She had been doing a painting and decided to share some paint with him and he created an "I luv you, mom" watercolor for her.

During my visit, Peter shared his short film titled "Death Blossom" with me -- a final project for one of his LCC classes. More details about my viewing of the film are included in the newspaper story below.

Peter loves stories and storytelling -- both great qualities of successful filmmakers. I shared that my youngest son (now 33 years old) graduated from the LCC program and now lives in Santa Monica where he is working on film and video projects as an independent producer. It's a tough business to get into but there are many projects to work on, especially now with all the video production needed to fill the internet "tubes" with content.

As a young man with clarity about what he loves to do and a vision for a better world, Peter Gherardi is on his way to building (filming!) his "field of dreams". I wish him well on his journey!

More images of Peter Gherardi's art follow the newspaper story.

(Note that clicking on the photos anywhere on "this blog will enlarge the art image for better viewing).

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Featured in the Springfield Beacon (August 29, 2007)

50 Artists: 50 Years of Art in Springfield
Celebrating arts and culture in our community

By Todd Peterson
For The Beacon

Peter Gherardi
Creating art on computer and film to inspire people to change

Peter Gherardi is a young man with a desire to use his art to make the world a better place. He draws art images on computer and creates short films to get people to look at life from a different lens.

With a love for stories and role playing, Peter wants to be a professional filmmaker. One of his films, "Death Blossom" was shown at the DIVA festival of short films. He also created "City of Dreams", a short art film in which he went around to every wall of art in town, filmed it, then edited it to music.

"Death Blossom" is a dramatic story of a young man sitting in a graveyard who hears voices coming from a gravestone. Near the end of Peter's film, there is a moment in which an older man appears on screen, making the viewer wonder who is alive (and who is really under the gravestone!).

On his myspace page, Peter notes that he's working on a new film he calls "Conservative Ninjas". He says it is "my first feature film that I am directing, which is an action comedy satire spoof about a college student and his friend being in the crossfire of a turf war between anarchists and invading conservative ninjas. It goes towards being liberal, but it has jokes on every side that try to balance it out for everyone to like."

Peter also enjoys creating fantasy characters with computer graphics -- ghostly images that appear out of the blackness in bright flaming colors. He also uses his computer drawing skills to create colorful landscapes and images of people.

In a description of himself, Peter shows his own character: "Two men fall. I am the one that gets right back up! I go by the idea that there is a time and a place for success on my projects." No doubt, Peter Gherardi will find his way as an artist and do his part to change the world for the better.

In his own words:

Inspiration To Begin: "I watched my mom do her art work and she inspired me to begin. At the age of three, I was scribbling with a pencil and drew what looked like mutant ninja turtles."

Important Mentors: "My mom has been my most important mentor. I like many artists -- Picasso, Da Vinci, Michelangelo. And I like both Andy Warhol and Norman Rockwell. In film directing and producing, Steven Spielberg and Michael Moore inspire me."

Value of Art in Life: "My art is like writing a journal. It releases emotions and relieves stress in my life."

His Artist's Legacy: "I hope my art and films will have a positive impact, inspiring people to change the world for the better."


For more information about Peter Gherardi and to see additional images of his art, visit the blog: www.emeraldartcenter.blogspot.com and the art center's website: www.emeraldartcenter.org.

"Dream Realm" by Peter Gherardi

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About The Artist

Birthplace: Las Vegas, Nevada

Arts Education: Lane Community College (studying multimedia design and production)

Media of Choice: Pencil and computer graphics

Favorite Place to Do Art: At home on his computer

Favorite Subjects To Paint: People, fantasy characters, landscapes

Arts Organizations: Emerald Empire Arts Association


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All art images and photos of the art are copyright of the artist.

"Unicorn in Field" by Peter Gherardi

"Celestial Knight" by Peter Gherardi

"Dream Weaver" by Peter Gherardi

Christine Gherardi: Creating images that arise from her intuition

Writer's Notes: I met Christine Gherardi a few month's ago when she was doing gallery guiding at the art center. Both Christine and her son, Peter, are members so I decided to interview them both for the "50 Artists" series.

Last week when I interviewed Bruce Mitchell at his "drop-in clinic" at the art center, Christine was there working on a drawing. She said she had been coming to the weekly clinic for nearly three years and had found Bruce's guidance very helpful.

When I went to Christine and Peter's home, I interviewed both of them and took photos of Christine's work. Next week I will feature Peter's work when I receive the computer graphic images being sent to me.

Of all the artist's I've interviewed so far, Christine was the first to describe her art as "intuitive" -- coming to her as if she is guided to the image. One person at the art center told her that it looked like she was "channeling" the images that she drew.

Christine's work definitely evokes emotion. You can tell she (quietly) feels strongly about whatever image she is creating.

Christine hopes that her work will touch people emotionally and move them to make positive changes in their lives. Her intuitive process is a powerful guide for her art and her life.

More images of Christine Gherardi's art follow the newspaper story.

(Note that clicking on the photos anywhere on "this blog will enlarge the art image for better viewing).

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Featured in the Springfield Beacon (August 22, 2007)


50 Artists: 50 Years of Art in Springfield
Celebrating arts and culture in our community

By Todd Peterson
For The Beacon

Christine Gherardi
Creating images that arise from her intuition

For Christine Gherardi, creating art is a very intuitive process. It starts with a feeling. Then an image comes to her and she begins drawing.

Christine has been drawing most of her life. In college, she started a fine arts program but was talked out of it ("no money in being an artist") and went on to get a degree in sociology. Looking back, she feels she would have done better in the work world with a fine arts degree.

Christine has done award-winning images in pencil. But, for the past two years she has focused on watercolors. Bruce Mitchell's weekly "drop-in clinics" at the Emerald Art Center have been a great help to her and she paints there most every week.

Christine is especially proud of her son, Peter, who is studying at LCC and creating art himself (on computer and film). Together, they are members of the art center and enjoy many of the same artists.

Seeing Christine Gherardi's intuitive art images will open your heart and mind to the inner world of an artist. And they may touch you emotionally and awaken you to new ways of seeing the outer world.

In her own words:

Inspiration To Begin: "I'm not sure when but know I started drawing in grammar school. In 5th grade I remember drawing a map of South America and then drew animals in each country. It took so long I didn't complete it in time so I got a 'B' instead the 'A' the teacher said he would have given me if I would have finished it on-time."

Important Mentors: "In college, Shane Falahi was a wonderful instructor. Here at the art center, Bruce Mitchell has been my mentor. Also, Jo Dunnick mentored me in her class, "Fun with Paint". There are many Emerald artists whose work I admire -- Don Burgess, Mel Vincent, Donna Schimmels, Carol Fourtner -- to name just a few." Among the masters, I like Van Gogh, DaVinci, and Michelangelo. And I love the work of Salvador Dali."

Value of Art in Life: "My art gives me a chance to express myself and show people who I am ... to show my heart.

Her Artist's Legacy: "I hope my art will positively change people ... to move them to look at themselves and make changes for the better in their lives."

For more information about Christine Gherardi and to see additional images of her art, visit the blog: www.emeraldartcenter.blogspot.com and the art center's website: www.emeraldartcenter.org.

"Anglo & Asian Brothers" by Christine Gherardi

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About The Artist

Birthplace: Torrance, California

Arts Education: Community College of Southern Nevada - North Las Vegas (fine arts)

Media of Choice: Pencil, pen & ink, watercolors

Favorite Place to Do Art: At the art center's classroom

Favorite Subjects To Paint: Whatever images arise from her intuition

Arts Organizations: Emerald Empire Arts Association

Awards: 1st Place in Division - Mayors Art Show (2005)
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All art images and photos of the art are copyright of the artist.


"Victorian Peace" by Christine Gherardi


"Tom's Story Pot/Christine's Story Pot" by Christine Gherardi



"Lady of Dreams" by Christine Gherardi

Bruce Mitchell: Mentoring artists with his knowledge of art materials and tools

Writer's Notes: Unlike past visits to artist's studios, this week I went to the art center to interview Bruce Mitchell at the weekly "drop-in clinic" he does for artists. Each Wednesday afternoon from 1 to 5 p.m., Bruce is available to help artists with whatever they need to create their art work. Using Bruce's expertise in use of art tools and materials, artists who "drop-in" for the afternoon can solve a problem or create the effect they're looking for in a painting. Some artists come often; others get the help they need and Bruce doesn't see them again (until a new problem arises).

Today, two artists were there and another arrived after I interviewed Bruce. The artist had a photo she had taken of a green tree frog on a rhododendron leaf that she wanted to paint. She asked Bruce for help with the composition and he drew a grid with pencil on a blank piece of paper. After asking her questions about what she was trying to achieve, Bruce roughed in a drawing showing how to use parts of the photo to create the composition she was seeking. They continued in dialogue together until she was satisfied with the direction to take to begin her work.

While Bruce was busy, I took photos of his paintings which he brought in for me to see, all of which he (thankfully) removed from their frames so I could take pictures without the glare of glass to contend with. I encouraged him to tell all the artists who come to the clinic to be sure to take digital photos of their artwork before framing under glass.

Thanks to Bruce's "un"framing, I had much better success in taking photos of the art this week. He said that with his new staple gun he would be able to get his paintings back into their frames without any trouble.

I encourage artists who haven't attended the weekly drop-in clinic to "show up" and take advantage of Bruce's knowledge and skills to learn new techniques that save time and enhance their artwork. He loves to teach what knows to both new (and old) artists!

More images of Bruce Mitchell's art follow the newspaper story.

(Note that clicking on the photos anywhere on "this blog will enlarge the art image for better viewing).

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Featured in the Springfield Beacon (August 15, 2007)


50 Artists: 50 Years of Art in Springfield
Celebrating arts and culture in our community

By Todd Peterson
For The Beacon

Bruce Mitchell
Mentoring artists with his knowledge of art materials and tools

For the past four years, Bruce Mitchell has led the Emerald Art Center's "drop-in clinic" for artists who come to learn how to best use the tools and materials of art. With his broad experience in most every art medium, he helps artists solve problems and learn whatever they need to achieve their desired creative outcome.

In his own art work, Bruce uses watercolors to quickly create what he calls "individualistic", not pictorial paintings. He may distort the colors and design of what he sees before him in a landscape or seascape.

Bruce has done freelance commercial art for many years, working for KEZI and Engleman-Becker where he did art for books and periodicals. Before he moved to Oregon in 1964, he taught a watercolor class on KQED, the public broadcasting station in San Francisco.

Bruce had early success in selling a painting he did while in elementary school. The painting of a house was purchased by the doctor who lived there. Over the years, his paintings have won many awards and he once had a gallery show at Mills College near where he lived in Oakland, California.

Currently, Bruce spends more time teaching and mentoring other artists than doing his own paintings. With his well-rounded experience with the materials and tools of art, he is passing on his knowledge to the many artists who come to the Emerald Art Center to learn, create, and display their art in the gallery.

In his own words:

Inspiration To Begin: "I was inspired by my dad who was a commercial artist. He worked as a package designer. My grand dad, a furniture maker who did interiors of mansions in Oakland as well as woodwork on cruise ships, was also an inspiration for me to begin doing art.

Important Mentors: "At the California College of Arts & Crafts, Harry Donlevy, George Post, and Richard Diebenkorn were important mentors. So was Louis Milirak and Saburo Hasegawa, a Zen monk who taught me Sumi pen and ink and calligraphy. Among the art masters, I admire Winslow Homer and Singer-Sargent. Lots of artists inspire me -- Robert E. Wood, E. John Robinson from Mendicino, and George Post, the watercolorist I studied with in college."

Value of Art in Life: "It has been a part of my life since I started drawing at age five. Even while I worked in the retail and wholesale grocery trade and as a national sales manager for a hardware firm, I did freelance work as a commercial artist. Now in retirement, I enjoy teaching at the art center's drop-in clinic each week."

His Artist's Legacy: "I think my legacy will be as a mentor who had an ability to teach people how to use the tools of art and the materials correctly."

For more information about Bruce Mitchell and to see additional images of his art, visit the blog: www.emeraldartcenter.blogspot.com and the art center's website: www.emeraldartcenter.org.

"Coast Guard Station - Newport" by Bruce Mitchell

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About The Artist

Birthplace: Oakland, California

Arts Education: Oakland City College; California College of Arts & Crafts; U. of Denver

Media of Choice: Watercolors

Favorite Place to Do Art: At home in his studio

Favorite Subjects To Paint: Landscapes, seascapes and portraits

Arts Organizations: Emerald Empire Arts Association; Watercolor Society of Oregon

Weekly Clinic: Offers drop-in clinic at Emerald Art Center on Wednesday afternoons (1- 5 p.m.)
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All art images and photos of the art are copyright of the artist.


"Crater Lake" by Bruce Mitchell


"Vernell Farms - Corvallis" by Bruce Mitchell

"Nelson Mountain Bridge" by Bruce Mitchell

Elsie Sharp: Painting to create beauty and joy for her loved ones

Writer's Notes: I didn't head east on Main this week but, once again, drove north on 5th Street to a north Springfield neighborhood that is home to several artists who are members of the Emerald Art Center.

Elsie Sharp invited me in and we walked through her home looking at several of the paintings on the walls that she had done over the past few years. Before taking photos of her paintings, we sat down at the kitchen dining table for our interview. Elsie had already done much of the work for me by writing down the "in her own words" and "about the artist" segments of the article -- common elements of each of the "50 Artists" stories.

We then began taking photos -- first of her studio space where she had a painting in progress. She was working on an eastern seashore scene of a lighthouse. It was one of a 10 painting project she was doing, one each for her two daughters and eight grandchildren. Her loved ones were asked to give her a picture of their choice for her to paint. What a sweet gift she's giving her daughters and grandchildren!

Elsie showed me a technique that she learned at a class from Terry Isaac, using a small open square which you lay on the image you want to paint, then place a second square of the same size on your canvas -- where you do your painting, section by section. I had never seen the technique used, but it sure looked a lot easier (as a non-painter!) than taking on the whole image from the start. Now I wish I would have photographed the whole process -- too late now!

For most of the rest of the photos, we took the paintings off the walls and placed them on the easel for shooting. Others I was able to photograph in place on the walls, depending on the lighting conditions in the rooms. In one of the bedrooms was a winter snowman scene with one of her grandsons that Elsie had done.

A new painting was ready to be framed for sending to a relative who has a mischievous bear in his backyard in Colorado. Seems to enjoy a daily mouthful (or sixteen mouths-full) of sunflower seeds from a bird feeder in their backyard. I've included a larger version of the bear "at lunch" following the newspaper story.

As I walked passed the refrigerator on the way to leave, I noticed a photo of a young woman holding up a beautiful painting of purple daffodils. Elsie said it was her grandchild (now in college) who had taken a class with her taught by Elsie's sister, Shirley Reade. Artistic talent definitely resides in her family! Elsie said she had encouraged her granddaughter to keep painting ... and she promised that she would.

May the world be blessed with many more artists in Elsie Sharp's family! Thank you, Elsie, for sharing your art journey with me.

More images of Elsie Sharp's art follow the newspaper story.

(Note that clicking on the photos anywhere on this blog will enlarge the art image for better viewing).

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NOTE: I had less success with photographing paintings this week than in the past. Not as sharp as I would prefer -- and another photo of Elsie's "still life" had too much glare and lack of focus for my use. My attempts to do the photo work handheld may be a little shakey (at least some days)! My apologies to Elsie for my less than professional photos.
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Featured in the Springfield Beacon (August 8, 2007)

50 Artists: 50 Years of Art in Springfield
Celebrating arts and culture in our community

By Todd Peterson
For The Beacon
Elsie Sharp
Painting to create beauty and joy for her loved ones

Elsie Sharp began painting seven years ago, encouraged by her sister, local artist Shirley Reade. She joined the weekly art class that Shirley teaches and has been painting ever since.

Elsie loves to work with different colors and learn new ways to use them in her detailed paintings. She sees the world in a different way since she began painting with acrylics. Now she always has her camera with her to capture beautiful scenes to use in future paintings.

Along with her sister, Elsie is co-chairing the Springfield Mayor's Art Show this year. The annual show opening October 5th is celebrating its 15th anniversary as a community event of the Emerald Art Center.

Elsie's children and grandchildren have inspired her to begin a wonderful new project. She is in the process of painting a picture (subject of their choice) for her two daughters and each of her eight grandchildren. Currently on her easel is a one of these paintings -- a lighthouse on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean with bright white buildings along side it with their roofs in a brilliant shade of red.

Elsie Sharp is an artist deeply devoted to her family who shows her love and caring in the beauty of paintings she creates especially for her loved ones. In her own words:

Inspiration To Begin: "I have always been involved in arts and crafts in some way. I would say my mother, who encouraged us to create beautiful things, and my sister (a very talented artist and art teacher) who convinced me that I could become an artist."

Important Mentors: "My sister, Shirley Reade, is my mentor. I joined her painting class in 2000 and have been painting at that class almost every Tuesday afternoon for the past seven years. I have also taken classes at the Emerald Art Center from Terry Isaac (who inspires everyone he teaches) and from Robert Warren."

Value of Art in Life: "Art has been a part of my life since the first painting class I attended. I love the challenge of creating something that people might enjoy. When a painting turns out as I have envisioned it, I am inspired to begin the next one."

Her Artist's Legacy: "I would like people to enjoy my paintings, especially my children and grandchildren. I hope they will look at my paintings and smile, remembering the love that went into every brush stroke."

For more information about Elsie Sharp and to see additional images of her art, visit the blog: www.emeraldartcenter.blogspot.com and the art center's website: www.emeraldartcenter.org.

"Floral" by Elsie Sharp

"Chickadees in the Apple Tree"
by Elsie Sharp

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About The Artist

Birthplace: Portland, Oregon

Arts Education: Painting classes with mentors.

Media of Choice: Acrylic

Favorite Place to Do Art: At home and painting class.

Favorite Subjects To Paint: Whatever I see that interests me.

Arts Organizations: Emerald Art Center

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All art images and photos of the art are copyright of the artist.

"Mischief" by Elsie Sharp



"Still Life" by Elsie Sharp



"Winter Waterfall" by Elsie Sharp