50 Artists: 50 Years of Art in Springfield

LaVonne Tarbox-Crone

2009-01-01T12:07:00.000-08:00

Watercolors With the Glow of Life

For the past 18 years, LaVonne Tarbox-Crone has painted watercolors with a strong emphasis on design, texture, and color. She has created a vast portfolio of art including still life, landscapes, people, places, abstracts, and illustrations.

Along with watercolors, LaVonne creates art with acrylics, pastels, oils, and collage. Her illustrations are featured in the Territorial Seed Catalog and on packages of Abundant Life Seeds. In 2008, she began creating sculpture as well as a series of miniature paintings of scenes with special emphasis on skies and clouds.

LaVonne says that in her paintings she "sometimes like to suggest a story which I leave for the viewer to complete. My scissors paintings are a tribute to my late mother who worked in garment factories and spent years sewing for her family and making quilts. Scissors have many connotations. They are beautiful. They are useful. They can be dangerous. And maybe, for me, they also are a symbol of the cutting losses we all endure in our lives?"

In creating her still life series, LaVonne notes that "the patina of time puts a beautiful face on the walls of ancient architecture. I find the visual contrast between these remnants of time and the glow of living in such objects as fruit or flowers an endless interaction I love to explore."

LaVonne Tarbox-Crone's devotion to her art is a testimony to her love for life and willingness to express her creativity in an ever-expanding repertoire of art media.

In her own words:

Inspiration To Begin: "I always wanted to be an artist but never had an art class until I was in college. When I lost my son to a tragic accident in 1990 ... painting was my solace then. He had encouraged me to paint … and that was a large part of my motivation. Perhaps I feel my paintings are now a way that his memory is not lost to time. Memories, like a good painting, capture a sense of time and place."

Important Mentors: "When I worked as a school counselor, Marge Orre, our office secretary taught a watercolor class that got me started after many years of not painting. Classes with watercolorist Judy Morris were also helpful to me. Among artists I admire today are H.C. Dodd who I met in Taos a few years ago."

Value of Art in Her Life: "Painting makes me get up in the morning. It has made me a keen observer of life."

Her Artist's Legacy: "I hope my art will bring comfort and pleasure to people who live beyond my life. While my son's life was cut short, his memory (and my legacy) is carried in every painting I create."

For more information about LaVonne Tarbox-Crone and to see additional images of her art, visit her website: www.tarboxcrone.com

To display a larger image of the art on your computer, please click on the photo.

"Market Patterns" by LaVonne Tarbox-Crone

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About The Artist

Birthplace: Chewelah, Washington

Arts Education: U. of Idaho (Art Minor), Portland State (Life Drawing), Classes with Judy Morris

Media of Choice: Watercolors

Favorite Place to Do Art: In my studio at home

Favorite Subjects To Paint: Still Life

Arts Organizations: Emerald Empire Arts Association, Watercolor Society of Oregon (Board of Directors), Corvallis Art Guild, National Watercolor Society, DIVA, Watercolor USA Honor Society

Special Awards: National Watercolor Society Exhibition (2008), Watercolor USA -National Competition (2008), Milford Zornes Award - National Watercolor Society (2006 Nationwide Tour)

Gallery Shows: Internet Cafe Gallery (Sacred Heart at Riverbend) through Jan. 2009

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All art images and photographs of the art are copyright by the artist.

"Beyond Botanical II" by LaVonne Tarbox-Crone

"Mosaic With Watering Can" by LaVonne Tarbox-Crone

"Jacksonville Tower" by LaVonne Tarbox-Crone

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Dotty Light: Savoring Life's Beauty

2007-05-19T13:56:00.000-07:00

Writer's Notes: Two weeks ago, while walking home from a meeting at the Emerald Art Center, an idea came to mind: To commemorate the organization's 50th anniversary, why not write an article each week for 50 weeks about a member artist? Seemed like a great way to celebrate people who've contributed so much to the cultural life of our community. After thinking about it for a day or two, I wrote an e-mail to Matthew Smith, editor of the Springfield Beacon newspaper, and he responded with "I think it is a wonderful idea". So here we are with the first article.

While thinking about how to go about conducting the artist interviews and photographing their work, I decided to create this new blog about the nearly year-long project ahead of me. The blog allows me to share more photos of each artist's work as well as provide more information about them than what the newspaper has space for each week. And it extends the "visibility" of the artists' stories beyond the newspaper's reach ... beyond the borders of Springfield ... to our neighbor, Eugene, and all of Lane County (where many of the over 200 members and supporters of the Emerald Art Center live) ... not to mention, to blog readers around the world!

Dotty Light - At Home in Her Studio

Because I had heard that Dotty Light was one of the original members of the organization -- the only active charter member "but not the oldest" she later reminded me -- I wanted to interview Dotty first. I called and arranged an appointment with her and drove to her home a day later (after seeing Dotty and her husband, Frank, the night before at the gala 50th Anniversary Celebration at the art center).

I was warmly welcomed by Dotty and Frank's daughter, one of their eight grown children who had come for Mother's Day and, as she said, ended up staying for "mother's week". She took me upstairs to Dotty's studio, along the way showing me another room used for framing art and painting storage (Frank does the framing of her art, much to Dotty's delight!).

The studio, converted from a bedroom, was spacious from my perspective -- even including a small couch which we comfortably sat in during the interview. A small desk with an easel holding a "pink roses" painting was at the far side of the room next to the window. Several paintings were propped up on the floor for my selection to photograph. A dormer wall on the way into the room was filled with award ribbons from the many art exhibits Dotty had entered over the years.

Dotty arrived and warmly welcomed me. We decided to sit and talk before doing any photographs. After our interview (see story below), I asked Dotty to stand next to the painting on her easel. Together, we decided to use the "pink roses for someone special" painting as the newspaper photograph. I took several photos of Dotty's art which are included at the end of the newspaper article.

I enjoyed my time with Dotty and hope that the photos I took do justice to the beauty of her work. Please be sure to visit the Emerald Art Center website to see more of her work.

Featured in the Springfield Beacon - May 24, 2007

50 Artists: 50 Years of Art in Springfield

Celebrating arts and culture in our community

By Todd Peterson
For The Beacon

Dotty Light
Savoring Life's Beauty

Artist Dotty Light is the only active charter member of the Springfield arts organization which began as the Willamalane Arts League in 1957 and has grown to over 200 members today.

Celebrating its 50th anniversary this month, the Emerald Art Center at 5th and Main has been an important part of Dotty's life in our community. She served on the organization's board for many years, as president for two years, and has held every office except treasurer in her 50 years as a member.

Dotty's love for art, for the beauty she sees in her life, and for the people who've supported her work as an artist are best expressed in her own words:

Inspiring Beginning: "My husband, Frank, encouraged me most. I saw a story in the Springfield paper about a class for artists and said to him that I wished I could go but, with five preschoolers at home in 1957, didn't see how I could. Frank said 'you're going to take that' and got a babysitter. And I went. That was the first of the many classes and workshops I've attended over the past 50 years."

Important Mentors: Sergei Bongart an artist I took a workshop from in Idaho just a year before he died. I have a wonderful book about him. Also, a marvelous local artist, Laura Gubrud ... a quiet lady and extraordinary teacher ... whose workshops I took every month. There were many others ... Joyce Pike, Don Ricks, Delbert Gish, and Bill Reese.

Among the art masters, I love all of the Impressionists, but not everything they do. I like their looseness. They do paintings you can 'walk into' and finish in your own mind almost."

Value of Art in Life: "My art has meant an awful lot to me. At first, I didn't have much time when we were raising young children and I could only paint at night. After the children were gone, we created a studio for me in a bedroom upstairs and another room we use for framing and storage of my paintings. With my art, I can relax and not think about things I need to do tomorrow. But there is a different kind of tension ... more relaxed ... when I'm painting. I also do lots of reading of art books. I love my books and never tire of reading about artists and their art."

Her Artist's Legacy: "I would just like people to enjoy my art . . . to continue to stop and see what I experienced while doing a painting . . . when I'm gone. Everybody needs the aesthetic . . . to experience beauty in their life, no matter what work they do. We need a cultural idea here in Springfield. The Emerald Arts Center offers so much for children that no longer is available in their schools. For me, it has been a wonderful part of my life and learning as an artist."

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

Pink Roses for Someone Special by Dotty Light

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About The Artist

Birthplace: Garnett, Kansas

Arts Education: Workshops & Classes from Outstanding Artists

Media of Choice: Acrylics, oils, watercolors, pastels

Favorite Place to Do Art: In her studio at home

Favorite Subjects to Paint: Flowers and Landscapes

Favorite Award: One-woman show at Huntington Beach Library & Cultural Center

Arts Organizations: Emerald Empire Arts Association (Emerald Arts Center) for 50 years; Pastel Society of Oregon.

Website: www.emeraldartcenter.org
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More photos by Todd Peterson of Dotty Light's paintings (all art images are copyright by the artist):

Symphony in Greens by Dotty Light

The Pot and The Potter by Dotty Light

Almost Winter by Dotty Light

Thank you, Dotty, for sharing your work and your time with me ... and for all that you've contributed to the growth and success of the Emerald Art Center!

Shirley Reade: Exquisitely Detailing Nature's Gifts

2007-05-29T12:45:00.000-07:00

Writer's Notes: Getting to Shirley Reade's home studio turned into a scenic adventure for me. I forgot what I'd seen on a map I looked at two days before and turned down the wrong road from Main Street. I ended up driving about five extra miles down picturesque Jasper Road before turning around and stopping at the Little Red Farm Nursery for directions (yes ... this man actually asked for directions!). They weren't sure know how to get where I was going so I called Shirley and learned I was just 5 minutes away from my destination.

When I arrived at her home, Shirley greeted me at the door and we went in to her spacious living room which had many of her paintings on the walls. We sat at the dining room table and had a casual interview about her life as an artist. Shirley then gave me a tour of her art classroom where she teaches on-going acrylic painting classes two days each week. I took several pictures of the classroom space which she had created in the home's double garage. Next we headed upstairs to Shirley's studio. On the stairway wall were several of her paintings of cats. Her well-lit studio had two large drawing boards containing two different paintings in progress. As a "photo-realist", Shirley paints from photos and often mixes scenes from various photos to create the setting for the piece she is working on.

After spending some time in her studio, I suggested we go outside to find a place for me take take a photo of the artist for the newspaper. We walked out to Shirley's back yard which was wonderfully landscaped with paths surrounded by flowering rhododendrons and other flowers and bushes.

I noticed an interesting tree with dark purple leaves which Shirley told me was a "smoke tree" (I have just the right spot for one at home!). After taking her picture in front of a densely leaved climbing bush, it was time to head for home (this time, taking the right road .... just a few blocks away from Main Street where I managed to turn the right direction -- which was actually left!).

Thank you, Shirley, for showing me your studio and sharing your journey as an artist for everyone who reads this "50 Artists" blog.

More photos of Shirley Reade's art follow the newspaper story. Be sure to see her website as well. She designed it herself and maintains the site for marketing her work.

Featured in the Springfield Beacon (May 31, 2007)

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

By Todd Peterson
For The Beacon

Shirley Reade
Exquisitely Detailing Nature's Gifts

Shirley Reade has a passion for painting what she sees, feels, and breathes in the world of nature. The meticulous details in her art bring to life whatever subject she paints -- animals, florals, seascapes, and children.

Since moving to Springfield in 1999, Shirley has been active in the Emerald Art Center, including serving as President of the organization for two years. She is a dedicated art teacher who offers on-going acrylic painting classes two days a week in her home-based classroom.

Shirley also continues to be a student, taking workshops by well-known artists as well as classes to learn what she needed to know to create her own website and marketing brochures.

Considered a "photo-realist", Shirley often creates a series of paintings on subjects of fascination to her -- experiencing each subject of the art to greater depths. In her own words:

Inspiration To Begin: "I grew upon in the Tualatin Valley -- a beautiful, scenic place with a river we waded in, fished, and hiked along to rushing waterfalls. My love for nature while growing up has been the inspiration for a lifetime of creating art."
Important Mentors: "Jim Daly, a local artist, has been a wonderful teacher, especially in helping me with portraits of children. I also continue to learn from Terry Isaac, a wildlife artist, whose workshops regularly I go to in Salem. I consider Robert Bateman, who taught Terry, an important mentor as well."

Value of Art in Life: "My painting has made me appreciate things in life even more ... to see things 'come alive' in a different light. It has been a way to 'let go' and experience myself in ways not available in any other part of my life. For people who come to the Emerald Art Center for classes and workshops, it opens new avenues to them -- helping overcome fears of trying things they've never done before."

Her Artist's Legacy: "I hope people who stand in front of my paintings will be able to 'walk' right into the scene and feel what I did when I painted it. As an art teacher, I hope my students will remember feeling fulfilled -- having enjoyed a relaxing time in their classes with me -- and most important, to no longer be afraid to express whatever they want in their art."

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

"Exploring" by Shirley Reade

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About The Artist

Birthplace: Portland, Oregon

Arts Education: Self-taught (worked for Alexander Arts in Salem, learning
from television artists; wrote step-by-step art books)

Media of Choice: Acrylics and oils

Favorite Place to Do Art: In her quiet home studio

Favorite Subjects to Paint: Focuses on themes and does various series:
"Floral Fantasy", "Cat Tales", "A Walk on the Wild Side".

Favorite Award: Springfield "Mayor's Choice Award" (2006)

Arts Organizations: Emerald Empire Arts Association (Emerald Arts Center)

Website: www.shirleyreade.com

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

"Treasures of the Sea" by Shirley Reade

"The Open Door" by Shirley Reade

"Old Efrum" By Shirley Reade

"Glacier Daisies" by Shirley Reade

Carol Plaia: Revealing Beauty Within the Frightening

2007-06-06T13:15:00.000-07:00

Writer's Notes: When I opened the door to her studio located behind a retail store in downtown Springfield, Carol Plaia greeted me warmly and told me about finding the studio space for her mask-making. I took photos of masks hanging on the walls and sitting on tops of cabinets. One wall was filled with stacks of file boxes containing textiles and other mask-making materials. On the back of the door were posters from Carol's art exhibitions and gallery shows. In the center of the room was a large work table with a textile-cutting surface on its top.

Carol had a mask in progress on the work bench which covered half of one wall of the studio. As she worked the clay on the mask, I took a few more photos before we sat down to discuss Carol's life and work as an artist. Carol is a storyteller with an infectious laugh. Her stories made it hard for me to interrupt her with my questions (amidst my own laughter!).

Along with our discussion of art, Carol told of her learning that she had cancer at the age of 50 -- getting the diagnosis just after returning from China where she attended the "4th World Conference on the Status of Women". During treatment, Carol had kept doing her art while cutting back on other things in her life. She said she made the decision then to do "no more whining", recognizing that she'd lived a longer life than most everyone who had ever lived (and much longer than her own mother who had died at age 39 from cancer treatment -- when Carol was 12 years old.).

I look forward to more conversations with Carol Plaia about arts and culture in Springfield and to seeing the new masks that emerge from her heart, mind, spirit, and hands in the future.

More examples of Carol's work follow the newspaper article.

Featured in the Springfield Beacon (June 7, 2007)

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

By Todd Peterson
For The Beacon

Carol Plaia
Revealing Beauty Within the Frightening

For the past 20 years, artist Carol Plaia has created masks that intensely mix the frightening and the beautiful. Today, the walls of her studio in downtown Springfield are a menagerie of masks with images from the ancient to the angelic, from the grotesque to the gorgeous.

Carol became involved with the arts in Springfield even before moving here in 2006. On a house-hunting trip, she visited the Emerald Arts Center, loved what she learned about it, and joined that same day. She has been active in the organization ever since and became a member of the Springfield Arts Commission this year as well.

In a personal statement written about her mask-making, Carol said "I get to use every material imaginable. I can start with an idea or message and build the piece to fit. Or, I can just start building, letting the face and character emerge from the particular materials. Magically, it often turns out that the medium has its own message, waiting to get out."

Since moving to Springfield, Carol Plaia has been championing the arts in our community while creating her masks which will sometimes scare you, oftentimes make you smile, and always startle your psyche. In her own words:

Inspiration To Begin: "My grandmother -- a teacher and painter in the early 1900's -- who had stopped making art when she got married and regretted it -- told me 'not to live this way' and become the artist I wanted to be. My aunties and mother taught me to sew which evolved into making clothes and, in the 1960's, I created wearable art. My mother who died at age 39 ... when I was 12 years old ... encouraged me the most."

Important Mentors: "I took a six-month class in 1987 from Judy Slattum, who wrote 'Balinese Masks.' She taught me the history of mask-making and performance with masks. I made my first four masks in that class. We exhibited our masks and did a performance called "Remarkable Women of Santa Cruz". Another mentor is Ralph Bennett, a 6th generation Haida wood carver and mask-maker, who freed me to be able to say ''I am a mask-maker."

Value of Art in Life: "I couldn't live without it. I need to communicate with my art, making something new -- an essence -- out of the chaos of thoughts in my mind. Being able to express myself in writing is very important too. I feel a responsibility to communicate about art because I'm comfortable doing it, unlike many other visual artists."

Her Artist's Legacy: "I hope that I will have communicated to everyone who sees my work -- to artists and would-be artists -- that art is necessary in life, that whatever they create is okay ... and that being an artist is not about making money or 'showing' art. It's about doing it!"

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

"Anguish" by Carol Plaia

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About The Artist

Birthplace: Granite City, Illinois

Arts Education: Self-taught

Media of Choice: Masks and Costumes

Favorite Place to Do Art: Wherever she is at the time

Favorite Things to Create: Three-dimensional masks and sculpture;
loves working with textiles and writing

Favorite Award: Puffin Foundation Grant for creating "Seven by Seven" Exhibition (Seattle, 2000)

Arts Organizations: Emerald Empire Arts Association; Springfield Arts Commission

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

"Splendor of Opposites" by Carol Plaia

"Purple Haze" by Carol Plaia

"The Cunning Little Vixen" by Carol Plaia

"Winter" by Carol Plaia

Marilyn Stauber: Mastering Details in Beautiful Realism

2007-06-10T17:57:00.000-07:00

Writer's Notes: When I stepped up to the front door of Marilyn Stauber's home, I heard a piano being played and saw Marilyn through the window at the keyboard. I later learned that she was practicing for a duet (playing "Malaguena") with her piano partner. What a delight it was to step inside and see all of the beautiful paintings on the walls, sculpture on table tops, and porcelain dolls in mirrored cabinets. And a view to a wonderful garden in the back yard with flowers in full bloom surrounding meandering paths and a center fountain.

Marilyn walked me through her home, pointing out and describing various art pieces as I took pictures along the way. We took a couple of her original porcelain dolls out of their cabinets and took pictures of them on the dining room table. Then we moved on into her studio where she had a painting in progress. In another room where she had her sewing machine, Marilyn showed me her extensive library of books on art and costuming. Before going outside to the garden, I took photo of a new painting on porcelain (of Princess Diana) that she had recently completed (my photo here doesn't do the piece justice).

The light rain had stopped (I had driven in a hailstorm to Marilyn's home) so we went out to the garden which fills the backyard. All the pinks, blues. purples, whites, and reds of the roses and other perennials were lovely with their petals and leaves covered with droplets of new-fallen rain. I was tempted to take lots of garden photos but nothing in my viewfinder captured the beauty of the full experience. Marilyn pointed out her raspberries and grapevines in the back of the garden as well as a row of clematis plants lining a path (and covering it in a few places) along the whole east side of the house.

Back inside for our interview, we had an upbeat conversation about art and the "paths" our lives have taken. I also met Marilyn's husband, Leo, who had generously taken time to make me a CD with photos of many of her paintings. Leo also showed me the greeting cards and business cards he had made for Marilyn's art show opening at Willamalane the next day (which I went to with my artist partner, Anita, and had a very enjoyable evening of art and conversation).

What a blessing it was to be in the presence of people who have such a great love of art and willingness to share their creations with me and our community!

More of Marilyn Stauber's paintings follow the newspaper article.

Featured in the Springfield Beacon (June 14, 2007)

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

By Todd Peterson
For The Beacon

Marilyn Stauber
Mastering Details in Beautiful Realism

Artist Marilyn Stauber describes herself as an "up" person who has an upbeat view of life. Her art clearly reflects her joyful spirit. She is comfortable to be around and so are her paintings.

A visit to Marilyn's home where she has her studio is a visual feast. Her many paintings and "soft graphics" cover the walls, bronze sculptures sit on table tops, and her porcelain dolls stand in mirrored cabinets. Fresh flowers grace the dining room table. And the view to the lush gardens in her backyard is breathtaking with all of its blossoming roses and flowering perennials.

For the past nine years, Marilyn has painted in most mediums -- oils, acrylics, watercolors, pastels, and with china paints. Among the many subjects of her work are florals, ballet dancers, children, fruit, and gardens. Her love for rich, exciting colors is "alive" in the realism of her art.

Before becoming a painter, Marilyn created original porcelain dolls for 15 years -- many of which were award-winners at Doll Conferences. Her first artistic creations (after leaving her job as a land use planner) were pieced textile wall hangings.

Marilyn serves as Class Coordinator for the Emerald Art Center and is a member of its Board of Directors. When she's not painting or at the center, you'll find her playing piano (including duets), gardening, working out, and enjoying time with her family.

As a self-described "detail person", Marilyn decided years ago to be true to herself in the art she creates and in the way she lives her life. In her own words:

Inspiration To Begin: "I can't remember not wanting to paint. In first grade, I recall my teacher having me take a picture I had done to the principal's office."

Important Mentors: "In college, Andrew Vincent taught me a lot -- especially about rich colors. In my LCC classes, I was particularly influenced -- and challenged -- by Adam Grosowsky. I also learned watercolors from Satoko. A marvelous sculptor, Ellen Tykeson, and Bill Blix helped me with the bronze sculptures I made."

Value of Art in Life: "My art is something I do because I just have to do it. I love the challenge, the problem-solving, and the 'high' that comes when something turns out great."

Her Artist's Legacy: "I'd like people who see my paintings to feel comfortable around them ... and to feel good when they look at them. I'd also like my work to be admired by artists whose work I admire ... and to be viewed as a good painter."

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

"Peonies" by Marilyn Stauber

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About The Artist

Birthplace: Garabaldi, Oregon

Arts Education: University of Oregon (Interior Design), LCC art classes, and many workshops

Media of Choice: Paints in most mediums

Favorite Place to Do Art: At home in her studio

Favorite Subjects to Paint: Whatever she is working on at the time

Arts Organizations: Emerald Empire Arts Association (Emerald Arts Center)

Her Current Art Show: At Willamalane Adult Activity Center (through July 26th)
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All art images and photos of the art are copyright of the artist.

"Rhodies in Decanter" by Marilyn Stauber

"Fairy Garden" by Marilyn Stauber

"Fruit Bowl" by Marilyn Stauber

Guy Weese: Witnessing Life's Spiritual Moments

2007-06-16T18:56:00.000-07:00

Writer's Notes: Although I had met Guy Weese many years ago when he was managing the Dot Dotson store on East 11th, we had never before had more than a brief conversation about his photography. What I learned during my interview with him about his love of photography and how he views his art made me wish I hadn't taken so long to have an extended conversation with him about his work.

On the wall in his living room was an amazing photo of Mt. Everest as well as other photos of his visit to Nepal and India in 1995. Also in the room were more "Mickey Mouse's" than I'd ever seen in one place (I'll tell you about them when I interview Deborah Weese in the future). Guy and I sat down and had a wide-ranging conversation about the art of photography and his fascination ("obsession, compulsion") to take photos of this amazing world we live in.

For Guy, photography is a spiritual practice. Through the lens of his camera, he sees sacred places and the spirit of the human beings he photographs. He loves to "capture the moment" to show people something they have never seen before. When he showed me one of his portfolios of photos from his travels, I saw many places and perspectives of the familiar that I had never seen.

After the interview, we took several of his photos to the backyard -- a paradise of the largest bamboo (a small forest!) I had ever seen and what must be the biggest palm tree in Oregon. The scene was like walking into a garden in southeast Asia ... with paths leading to a pond with a small bridge over it (complete with a live cat snoozing on the bridge!) ... a statue of Buddha amidst large blades of grasses ... and beneath the huge palm tree, a statue of Jesus. We placed several of his photos within this "scene" and I took photos of Guy in the garden and amidst the timber-sized bamboo.

It was a difficult place to leave but I was running late for another appointment, so we stepped by into the house and Guy's computer room where he does most of his photo "processing" these days. He has fully embraced digital photography and his darkroom has gone unused for over five years.

Since winning a "best in show" at the Lane County Fair a few year's ago (which got his photo to the Oregon State Fair), Guy has been invited to judge photography for the local county fair as well as others in the state. He's also been a mainstay with the PhotoZone Gallery for nearly all of the photography collective's existence -- promoting the group's juried shows and other events over the years.

I look forward to seeing more of Guy Weese's photos (two are currently on display at the art center) and to viewing photos done by many talented photographers who are displaying their work in the Jaqua Mezzanine Gallery at the Emerald Art Center through July 29th.

More of Guy Weese's photos follow the newspaper article.

Featured in the Springfield Beacon (June 20, 2007)

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

By Todd Peterson
For The Beacon

Guy Weese
Witnessing Life's Spiritual Moments

For over 30 years, Guy Weese has been taking photography "seriously" while not taking his role as a photographer too seriously. What his eyes see and what his photos clearly express is his "attitude of gratitude" for everything he photographs.

Guy considers each photo he takes a celebration and an appreciation of life. For him, taking a photograph is "a moment of worship to the beauty and wonderment of our amazing world."

Over the years, Guy has taken many photos of his travels to Mexico, Nepal, India, and throughout the western U.S. He considers the best place on "dry land" to photograph is Utah and especially, Goblin Valley, with its mushroom shaped rocks. Closer to home (and wet), he likes a place on Cape Arago which he personally named "Canyon Beach", not to be confused with that other Oregon beach that sounds much the same.

Along with his wife, Deborah (an artist herself who I'll interview in the future), Guy has also photographed weddings over the past 16 years. He likes to be involved in wedding photography because, unlike many other photo situations, the people really want to have their picture taken.

Active in the Emerald Art Center for over four years, Guy Weese serves as first vice president of the Board of Directors. He has been very active since 1989 with PhotoZone Gallery, a local collective dedicated to fine art photography (Their 19th Juried Show will be held at the Emerald Art Center from July 3 - 29th).

As a photographer who spent years working in his darkroom, Guy has fully embraced digital photography and now enjoys working with photos on his computer. Photography is an art form that offers greater creative opportunities today than ever before. In his own words:

Inspiration To Begin: "In 1973 I bought my first focusing camera while studying photography at Ohio State. Reading the history of photography and seeing the work of early masters -- Edward Weston and Edward Steichen especially -- led me to take photography seriously. My interest in photography accelerated when I learned to 'see' and not just 'look' at things."

Important Mentors: "Among the masters, reading Edward Weston's Daybooks written in the 1920's and 30's really opened my eyes to photography as an art form. Ted Orland at the U. of O. who printed photos for Ansel Adams was a big influence. And Jerry Uelsmann, whose workshops I attended at Yosemite, was an excellent teacher and a 'magician' in the darkroom."

Value of Art in Life: "Photography has been a visual diary for me. There are lots of spiritual elements to it ... to capturing a moment ... a moment that's here, then gone (and not repeatable ever again). It's a mysterious way of 'capturing time'. When people see photos at the Emerald Art Center, hopefully they will appreciate the world more and when they visit new places, will leave only 'footprints' and take their own photos to enjoy at home."

His Artist's Legacy: "I'd like my photos to be available for people to see and appreciate, either on a website or in printed form. I've got lots of work to do to get thousands of images organized! Ultimately though, years ago I stopped taking photos for several months to learn why I do this ... and realized that I take photographs for me. And, if others like them ... that's great!"

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

"South Sister Summer Sunset" by Guy Weese

_____________________________________________________________________
About The Artist

Birthplace: Cleveland, Ohio

Arts Education: Ohio State University, University of Oregon, and many photography workshops

Media of Choice: Digital Photography

Favorite Place to Shoot Photos: Cape Arago, Oregon and Goblin Valley, Utah

Favorite Subjects to Photograph: Landscapes and people (interesting images people have never seen before)

Arts Organizations: Emerald Empire Arts Association and PhotoZone Gallery

Currently Showing: Photo exhibit at Emerald Art Center (through end of July)

______________________________________________________________________________________

# # #

All photo images are copyright of the artist.

"Crater Lake Winter" by Guy Weese

"Tower Kiva" by Guy Weese

"Mazes Edge" by Guy Weese

"Urban White Buffalo" by Guy Weese

Ellen Gabehart: Painting with the Energetic Feel of Music

2007-06-20T15:26:00.000-07:00

Writer's Notes: I met Ellen Gabehart several year's ago and have spoken to her often at art walks as well as viewed her art in several gallery shows. Ellen's watercolors of musicians and scenes from her visits to Mexico have offered a colorful view of people and places in her active, high-energy life.

My visit to Ellen's home studio was a delight of color and conversation. Her home has many pieces of art on the walls from her travels, other artists, and from her former students. In addition, there are several pieces of furniture in the living room which she has painted with native designs in bright colors.

Ellen's studio is located on a sun-filled porch -- bright and busy with small tables, bookshelves filled with sketchbooks, and a painting in progress on an easel. She pulled a few of the sketchbooks off a shelf and we flipped through them to see a variety of drawings from her life experiences. What a wonderful "artist's diary" she has! I placed four sketchbooks on a table and took a photo. She also showed me several loose sketches from her visits to Mexico which she had painted in color.

Ellen sketches quickly so has an amazing "archive" of her work within the pages of her many sketchbooks. Most every week, she goes to a music venue to sketch musicians "at work" -- a practice which began when she attended a High School of Music & Art in New York City. She's had an amazing art education -- attending schools in New York, California, and Oregon -- as well as participating in workshops with many different artists.

A very active art teacher in our community, Ellen offers a regular schedule of classes at Willamalane Adult Activity Center as well as does workshops in the area. She mentioned to me that years ago, she also worked as a courtroom artist doing sketches at the famous Diane Downs trial for KMTR-TV.

Ellen loves the fact that "at her age" (I didn't ask, but 70's would be close enough) she is able to create art every day of her life and stay active -- even walking to Eugene's Saturday Market from her north Springfield home! What great energy she has ... and you'll always know Ellen is around when you hear her wonderful, unmistakable "Bronx" accent.

I look forward to many more conversations with Ellen Gabehart and wish her many more years of sketching, painting, and teaching what she so dearly loves!

More photos of Ellen's art follow the newspaper article.

Featured in the Springfield Beacon (June 27, 2007)

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

By Todd Peterson
For The Beacon

Ellen Gabehart
Painting with the energetic feel of music

Ellen Gabehart has lived and breathed art for virtually all of her life. A self-described "high energy person", Ellen has a sketchbook with her everywhere she goes -- always ready to quickly sketch what she is seeing.

While the subjects of her watercolor and mixed media paintings are often landscapes and florals, what Ellen loves most is drawing musicians while they're playing. Her work captures the energy of the music and feelings of the musician (and the artist doing the drawing!).

Ellen has an extensive education in the arts and has taught art in elementary schools, high schools, and colleges. Since coming to Springfield, she has taught art at Lane Community College, Maude Kerns Art Center, OASIS, the U. of O. Craft Center, and local senior centers. She now teaches art regularly at Willamalane Adult Activity Center, offering classes in drawing and painting.

For the past six years, Ellen has served as librarian for the Emerald Art Center which has a large collection of art books. She has also co-authored a book titled, "Young At Art: EasyArt Lessons for Educators" available from her by emailing: gabehart@efn.org.

Always busy with her art and teaching, Ellen is offering a free "Plein Air" Workshop for all ages at Island Park on Saturday, June 30 from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. (register at the Springfield Public Library). "Plein Air" art is created in nature, using the light, color, and sights you see to paint a landscape, figure or abstract design in one session.

Ellen Gabehart's drawings and paintings come from her heart -- clearly original -- and definitely overflowing with life energy. In her own words:

Inspiration To Begin: "It sounds funny but -- a pencil -- when I was about three years old. When I was eight, I was going to museums and copying the Old Masters. I remember drawing the 'Blue Boy'. I've been drawing in sketchbooks ever since. They're like a diary of my life."

Important Mentors: "I've had many teachers ... Frank Reilly at the Art Student's League in New York (when I was 14), Saul Bernstein at Cal State-Northridge, and Robert E. Wood who I studied with at his workshops in the San Bernadino Mountains. I also consider the Old Masters -- Rembrandt, Van Gogh -- as mentors and even Kandinsky for his unusual designs."

Value of Art in Life: "I have a quote in my studio -- 'art to me is like breathing'. Art is totally integrated into my life. There is no day that I'm not doing art and sharing art with other people. I think the Emerald Art Center is an inspirational place for people of all ages. It touches all levels of society. Everyone has a place there. It's not judgmental and competitive. A good word for the art center is 'inclusive'."

Her Artist's Legacy: "I hope people will remember that art should be in everyone's life, not apart from their lives -- not separated. As an art teacher, I've tried to help my students bring out who they are in whatever art they're doing -- to 'find their own voice' in their art."

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

"La Musica" by Ellen Gabehart

__________________________________________________________
About The Artist

Birthplace: New York City (The Bronx)

Arts Education: High School of Music & Art, Art Students League, Chouinard Art Institute, Santa Monica City College, Cal State - Northridge, U. of Oregon

Media of Choice: Mixed Media & Watercolors

Favorite Place to Do Art: Mexico - San Miguel de Allende (visits over 15 years)
Favorite Subjects To Paint: Musicians (while they're playing)
Arts Organizations: Emerald Empire Arts Association, Maude Kerns Art Center, Oregon Watercolor Society

Currently Showing: Member show at Emerald Art Center (through end of July)

Website: www.creativeescape.com/egabehart
_________________________________________________________________________

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

"Rainbow Victorian" by Ellen Gabehart

"Poppy Variations" by Ellen Gabehart

"Quacker's Blues Bash" by Ellen Gabehart

Charlene Eckman: Exploring Nature's Designs With An Impressionistic Style

2007-07-02T12:03:00.000-07:00

Writer's Notes: Charlene Eckman welcomed me into her home which is a beautiful mix of modern and antiques (with a backyard view to the tallest of the Coburg Hills). When Charlene and her husband, Jim, moved to Springfield, they decided it was time for a modern, single story home after years of living (and painstakingly restoring) a Victorian-style home in Yreka, California.

I noticed a painting above the fireplace mantle that reminded me of the inside of the barn of my mother's parents Minnesota farm -- a place I visited often when I was a child. Charlene grew up on an Illinois farm and lived in Woodstock, a town not far from Geneva (30 miles west of Chicago) where I had lived in the late '70s and early 80's. So we had Midwestern connection, including the fact the she had gone to college in the Illinois town where I had worked -- Wheaton. Small world!

Many of Charlene's oil paintings decorate the walls of her home and her studio has several paintings on the walls. Weather permitting, she does most of her paintings outside on the back patio from sketches done on location or photos taken during traveling. I especially enjoyed seeing her old paint box which she bought over 45 years ago when she was a freshman in college.

Charlene is an art educator at heart. After spending her whole career teaching art in schools, she now is at the forefront of encouraging and supporting art education for children and youth in our community. She leads the TEACHArts children's outreach and family art programs as a Board member of Emerald Art Center. She also teaches free monthly art classes for children at the Springfield Library and focuses on youth art programs in her role as vice-president of the Springfield Arts Commission.

With the leadership Charlene Eckman has provided for art education initiatives since she moved to Springfield two years ago, I'm looking forward to seeing even more children, youth, and families at the Emerald Art Center. And to seeing "what's coming next" from Charlene's devoted service in support of the arts and arts education in our community.

More photos of Charlene's oil paintings follow the newspaper story.

Featured in the Springfield Beacon (July 11, 2007)

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

By Todd Peterson
For The Beacon

Charlene Eckman
Exploring nature's designs with an impressionistic style

Since falling in love with art education over 40 years ago, Charlene Eckman has been teaching art and creating oil paintings that focus on designs found in nature.

In her paintings, Charlene explores the patterns and rhythms of lines, textures, and colors of her subjects. She often paints trees, rocks, and rivers of wilderness settings or barns, corn, and wheat fields of rural settings like those of her childhood growing up on an Illinois farm.

Charlene's paintings begin with catching the energy of the design using thin oil washes. Then she works with thicker oils to build forms, textures, and values while keeping colors and lines bold -- building her enthusiasm as she paints.

Charlene uses short, impressionistic strokes with her brush and palette knife in many of her paintings. In others, bold shapes and lines are made with her larger brushes.

Serving as an art teacher since the late 1960's, Charlene taught at elementary, high school, and college levels in California before retiring and moving to Springfield in 2005. Always an active volunteer while teaching in Yreka, Charlene soon became involved in creating children's outreach programs at the Emerald Art Center and serves as a member of the Board. She was appointed to the Springfield Arts Commission in 2005 where her focus is supporting opportunities in the arts for youth.

Nature continues to inspire the paintings of Charlene Eckman and her volunteer work keeps the joy of children creating art very much alive in her life. In her own words:

Inspiration To Begin: "When I was a child, I sewed with my grandmother and did embroidery work when I was very young. I didn't take an art class until I was a senior in high school. Even though I started as a biology major in college, I soon fell in love with art education and decided to follow my natural tendency and teach art."

Important Mentors: "In college, Karl Steele taught me to use a limited palette. He had us start and finish a painting in three hours! I recall going to the Chicago Art Institute and seeing paintings by Monet, Van Gogh, and Edward Hopper which inspired me. Later in life, I visited Santa Fe and saw Georgia O'Keeffe's work and the place where she painted near 'Ghost Ranch'. And within the last few years, the Canadian artist, Emily Carr and the 'Group of Seven' led by Lawren Harris have been new sources for learning and inspiration."

Value of Art in Life: "I learned to really see by creating art . . . to reflect the beauty I see in nature. And, as an art educator, it has been a joy to teach and I've learned so much from children who often asked me 'what if' questions. Energy comes to teachers from their students! For people who come to the Emerald Art Center, the availability of classes for all levels can make a difference in their lives, plus there's such a wide range of art to see inside the beautifully restored historical building."

Her Artist's Legacy: "It would be nice if some of my paintings are being enjoyed by people after I'm gone. My legacy as an artist includes my two sons who are involved in art education and creating beautiful spaces. I've collaborated on projects with Nate, who is an art teacher at Roseburg High School, and enjoyed seeing the outcomes of John's work as a facilities director at Portland State.

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

"Hillside Trees in Italy" by Charlene Eckman

_____________________________________________________________________

About The Artist

Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois

Arts Education: Wheaton College (Illinois) B.A. Art & Post-Graduate Classes in Art & Education at UCLA, Pepperdine, San Jose College, UC-Berkeley, Chico State, and Southern Oregon University.

Media of Choice: Oil Painting

Favorite Place to Do Art: Outside on her patio at home

Favorite Subjects To Paint: Landscapes in rural or wilderness settings; flowers

Arts Organizations: Emerald Empire Arts Association, Springfield Arts Commission

Currently Showing: "Mountain Barn" at the Emerald Art Center
______________________________________________________________________

# # #

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

"Mountain Barn" by Charlene Eckman

"Cobra Plant" by Charlene Eckman

"Begonia" by Charlene Eckman

Bev Partridge: Mastering Light and Shadow With Emotion

2007-07-09T13:57:00.000-07:00

Writer's Notes: On a beautiful sunny Oregon afternoon, I drove south towards Dorris Ranch to meet with Bev Partridge. I had never met Bev but had seen some of her paintings at the art center and knew that one of her watercolors had recently won an award from the Watercolor Society of Oregon. So I was looking forward to meeting the painter and seeing more of her work.
Bev greeted me at her door and we decided to do the interview first before going to see her art studio. Viewing some of her paintings hanging in living room, I was struck by the way she used light and shadow in her watercolors -- one of my personal "likings" in paintings no matter what the medium.

Our enjoyable interview was capped off by what Bev first told me when I asked about her "legacy" as an artist. She said "my standing joke is that, when I'm dead and gone, you'll find my paintings on the top shelf at Goodwill. It's the only 'gallery' I really don't want my paintings to hang in!" After my uproar of laughter, she went on to tell me what she'd really like her legacy to be (see the article below).

Going down the hallway to her art studio, I was saw several paintings on the walls that I admired -- again for her mastery of light and shadow. On the easel in Bev's studio was a painting that she had just completed -- rhododendron blossoms that seemed to glow with a purple haze on the surface of the paper. I took pictures of her and the painting as well as paintings hanging around the room and several that Bev pulled from a tray full of unframed paintings. It was a delight to see her wonderful portraits of family members, Mexico scenes, flowers and wildlife.

The windows on Bev's studio look westward over a deck to large trees fronting the Willamette River. On the deck are an unusual feeder for squirrels, birdhouses, and a red hummingbird feeder. On the south side of the deck is a flower garden with some interesting statuary, including a horse (from an child's old rocking horse). I wandered around the pathways and took pictures of the magical scenery.

Before leaving, Bev surprised me with the gift of a painting of a rooster which I had commented about earlier when I first saw it -- having said that my partner, Anita, would especially enjoy it. Thanks again, Bev, for your generosity and for delighting Springfield and Eugene (and the state of Oregon) with your beautiful watercolors!

More photos of Bev Partridge's paintings follow the newspaper article.

Featured in the Springfield Beacon (July 11, 2007)

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

By Todd Peterson
For The Beacon

Bev Partridge
Mastering light and shadow with emotion

When Bev Partridge was 65 years old, she started painting again. She had given up art years ago to focus on her family and raising children.

Today, just nine years after her first watercolor class, Bev is creating award-winning paintings that most people would think were done by someone who has been working as an artist throughout their whole lives.

Most of Bev's art offers a realistic, close-up view of subjects that interest her emotionally as well as visually. She has painted many portraits of family members and other people who have touched her life. Many of her watercolors also feature wildlife, flowers, and scenes from Mexico.

One of Bev's paintings received the Watercolor Society of Oregon's Sweepstakes Award in April 2007. Titled "Manana", her composition for the painting was created from photographs she took during a visit to Mexico.

As a member of the Emerald Art Center, Bev enjoys being able to regularly show her paintings as well as enter a painting in the annual Mayor's Art Show. She thinks that people who came to Springfield's art center are often surprised at the excellent quality of art being shown and by the many workshops and classes going on for artists.

While Bev Partridge looks for things to paint that give her a "wow" feeling, her ability to use light and shadow in her watercolors gives viewers of her work a "wow" feeling as well. In her own words:

Inspiration To Begin: "When I was five years old I found out I could draw. My father always encouraged me to draw, color in my coloring books, and do paintings. When I married, I started an art correspondence course but when I began raising children I ended up giving up art until I was 65 years old. Then I took several classes and began painting with other artists. Now, painting is almost the only thing I do."

Important Mentors: "I really got started with Ellen Gabehart and took several classes from her over the years. Judy Morris has been a big influence and so have Jean Elliott and LaVonne Tarbox-Crone. I prefer the work of realistic painters and especially like Andrew Wyeth. He really captures the emotion of whatever he is painting."

Value of Art in Life: "After my health prevented me from doing the physically active things I've done all my life, my art has given me a way to enjoy life. It gives me a place to go in my mind. I'm seeing things differently ... the light, shadows, shapes, and colors ... and taking pictures of things that I can use for future paintings.

Her Artist's Legacy: "I've done lots of portraits of my children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. So, if my family and friends take my paintings and enjoy them after I'm gone, that will be enough of a legacy for me."

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

"Manana" by Bev Partridge

___________________________________________________________________
About The Artist

Birthplace: Beatrice, Nebraska

Arts Education: Self-taught and classes from local art teachers

Media of Choice: Watercolors

Favorite Place to Do Art: In her home studio overlooking the Willamette River

Favorite Subjects To Paint: Portraits and anything she sees that gives her a "wow" feeling

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

Currently Showing: "Zinnia Design" at the Emerald Art Center
______________________________________________________________________

# # #

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

"The Gathering" by Bev Partridge

"Blue Grass" by Bev Partridge

"Weaver's Bench" by Bev Partridge

Jim Nylund: Painting Nature With the Realism of a Photograph

2007-07-12T16:06:00.001-07:00

Writer's Notes: As I headed east from downtown to the "last stoplight in Springfield", I was feeling thankful that the forecast 90+ degree day had not materialized. Yesterday's heat had reminded me too much of summers in the midwest (without the overgrown mosquitoes of my Minnesota youth!).

Jim Nylund's front porch was surrounded on two sides by roses in full bloom -- reds, pinks, and yellows as I recall. I was tempted to get my camera out and start taking pictures. Jim invited me in and we sat down at his dining table to talk about his art. On the wall beside us was a large "modern" painting which Jim told me he had purchased even though he generally wasn't attracted to modern art. The piece brought to my mind a raging storm in the desert with its dark wash of black flowing wildly through browns and reds.

On the living room walls were several of Jim's paintings -- both oils and watercolors of nature scenes (see images following the article). He told me stories about the places where he had composed the paintings -- in the Oregon desert and in Alaska. I asked him about the "Cross Mountain" painting he was currently showing at the art center. I was doubtful that such a place existed. It does. In Alaska where Jim had lived for seven years. He had taken dozens of photos of the mountain to use in composing his painting.

After our discussion, we headed upstairs where Jim has his studio. We first went into a room with an easel holding a new painting Jim was working on. I took pictures of the painting as well as attempted to photograph another framed painting covered with glass -- my nemesis in taking photos for this "50 Artists" project. No success .. too much glare ... and I couldn't get the flash to turn off on my new camera! I recommended to Jim (as I do to all artists) to take digital photos of your art before framing under glass.

We went into Jim's studio where he had a series of six paintings he was working on of a coast guard cutter breaking through a large wave (with difficulty!). The series was inspired by photos Jim had seen in an Oregon Coast magazine.

On the table beside the works in progress was another painting of a large wave that Jim had painted years ago. Next to it was a Bev Doolittle calendar -- an artist that Jim admires for her realistic portrayal of nature scenes and wildlife. Both of us wished we would have had the foresight to purchase Bev's originals before her price range grew far out of sight -- well-deserved for sure!

After shooting more pictures of Jim's paintings (see below) and promising him that I would give my best effort in attempting to shoot "Cross Mountain" (under glass at the art center) the next day, it was time to leave.

I look forward to seeing more of Jim's photorealistic paintings of nature in member shows at the Emerald Art Center.

More photos of Jim Nylund's paintings follow the newspaper story.

Featured in the Springfield Beacon (July 18, 2007)

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

By Todd Peterson
For The Beacon

Jim Nylund
Painting nature with the realism of a photograph

Jim Nylund began his work as an artist in grade school doing cartoon drawings of Disney characters. Since then, his art expanded to include a wide variety of media and subject matter. Today, Jim's watercolors and oil paintings reflect his love for the beauty of nature.

Jim seeks to portrait what he sees in nature as realistically as he can. While currently painting primarily with watercolors (and some oils), over the years he has worked in many areas of art -- photography, printmaking, air brushing, engraving, etching, and making fine French and Japanese handmade papers.

Having spent most of his life in the Northwest, including seven years in Alaska, most of Jim's paintings are of landscapes and wildlife from places that have been important to him. Instead of doing his art in the field outdoors, Jim takes photographs of landscapes from many angles and at various times of day for use in composing his paintings.

Jim Nylund sees with the eyes of a photographer -- capturing an image of nature's beauty -- which he turns into paintings with as much realism as he can. In his own words:

Inspiration To Begin: "Early in grade school, a teacher encouraged me to draw and I began doing Disney cartoon characters. Seeing cartoons at the movies made me think, if they can do that, I can do that. Years later when I met a cartoonist from Disney and he showed me the thousands of drawings required to make the characters move, I decided cartooning wasn't for me. I took three years of art and photography at Springfield High School and have continued to do art ever since."

Important Mentors: "My first mentors were the cartoonists. When I was taking classes at LCC, Joyce Comer, opened me up to doing watercolors after I had mainly done oil paintings. Among the old masters, Rembrandt and Michelangelo come to mind. Today, Bev Doolittle's work -- her paintings of wildlife and landscapes of the West -- inspire me most.

Value of Art in Life: "My art gives me peace of mind and a sense of well-being. I feel like I'm copying God's creation -- the beauty of nature -- with my art."

His Artist's Legacy: "I hope that whoever looks at my work appreciates it. Mostly though, my legacy will be a portfolio of original prints left for members of my family."

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

"Cross Mountain" by Jim Nylund

_______________________________________________________________________

About The Artist

Birthplace: Isanti, Minnesota

Arts Education: Eastern Oregon University (LaGrande), Lane Community College, Chemeketa & Tillimook Bay Community Colleges.

Media of Choice: Watercolors and oil painting

Favorite Place to Do Art: Wherever I can sit down and not be bothered.

Favorite Subjects To Paint: Nature and wildlife

Arts Organizations: Emerald Empire Arts Association

Currently Showing: "Cross Mountain" at Emerald Art Center (until end of July)

______________________________________________________________________

# # #

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

"Oregon or Bust" by Jim Nylund

"Storms a' brewing" by Jim Nylund

"Surfs Up" by Jim Nylund

Deanne Tiffany: Painting what she loves with clarity and cheerfulness

2007-07-19T14:07:00.010-07:00

Writer's Notes: I had forgotten that east Springfield had some significant hills as I turned off Main Street towards Deanne Tiffany's home eight blocks up the hill. When I got out of my car in her driveway, I looked north to a great view of the Coburg Hills.

Deanne welcomed me in and we decided to do our interview at her dining room table. I had noticed some wood carvings of little birds on the way to the dining room and she told me she had begun carving last year at a Dick Jones workshop at Willamalane. The carvings of wrens are amazingly realistic as are the puffin and rabbit she carved.

In our interview, Deanne told me about her inspiration to become an artist in second grade (see newspaper story) and about being ridiculed by a 5th grade teacher for a drawing she made (of him) that sadly put an end to her art work for many years. In 1965, her mother-in-law invited her to go to an oil painting workshop and she's been doing oils ever since. In her living room are several of her paintings including one she calls "The Teachers" (which includes her grandmother) as well as paintings of two horses. I took a picture of "Clyde" which Deanne has on her business card.

We went upstairs to Deanne's studio which she has organized into three areas -- so she can have an oil painting, watercolor, and wood carving in process all the time. She also showed me her first oil painting from the 1965 workshop -- a kitten with flowers on a black background -- which I photographed but promised not to include here.

I asked Deanne to show me how she works (with her watercolor of a barn in process). She had taken photos of a barn she liked and had decided to paint it. We also looked at the oil painting she was working on of a scene along the Willamette River and the small carving of a horses head that she doing to get the feel for carving the much larger horse she was working on. She showed me a large drawing of the merry-go-round pony she is carving. For someone who just started carving last year, Deanne is certainly accomplished and willingly to take on big projects!

After taking more photos, Deanne invited me to have coffee and muffins with her and her husband (who had gone to high school in a Minnesota town I had visited to march in a parade about 45 years ago!). We talked about their decision to move to Springfield and how quickly the home buying and moving had gone for them. Deanne shared that several of her paintings are hanging at the Siuslaw Bank in downtown Springfield which I decided to photograph later in the day.

As the time came to end my visit, I felt well-nourished from seeing Deanne's art (as well as from eating a blueberry muffin!).

More images of Deanne Tiffany's art follow the newspaper article.

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

Featured in the Springfield Beacon (July 25, 2007)

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

By Todd Peterson
For The Beacon

Deanne Tiffany
Painting what she loves with clarity and cheerfulness

Since moving to Springfield a year and a half ago, Deanne Tiffany has become an active member of our arts community while enjoying painting outdoor scenes of her new home state of Oregon.

Deanne always has both oil and watercolor paintings in process in her studio. And she recently added wood carving to her artist's repertoire. Her current subjects include a carving a horse (half the size of a merry-go-round pony), a watercolor of a barn, and an oil painting of a Willamette River scene.

Deanne started her work as an artist in 1965 with an oil painting workshop. She focused on oils for over 20 years before taking a watercolor class. Since then, she has continued with both media while also doing wood carving which she learned last year at a workshop at Willamalane Adult Activity Center.

Deanne joined the Emerald Art Center soon after moving here and serves on two committees. She also joined the McKenzie Woodcarvers and serves as vice president of the organization.

Seeing Deanne Tiffany's paintings and wood carvings will bring a smile to your face as they cheerfully invite you in and welcome you to the world of the artist who created them. In her own words:

Inspiration To Begin: "In second grade, I went with a friend to visit an elderly lady who had many oil paintings on her walls. I saw a big painting on her easel of flowers in a garden with some doves. Right then, I just knew I'd be a painter."

Important Mentors: "After doing oils for years, I studied watercolors with John Yato in San Diego. I like Frederick Remington's work even though it's not my style. I also enjoy Norman Rockwell for the way he captured Americana. Among the old masters, Rembrandt, Cezanne, and Monet are favorites."

Value of Art in Life: "I'm never bored and always have something that's going to be painted. I'm able to see life with an awareness of all aspects and capture life's details in my paintings. For me, it's the process of painting that I love."

Her Artist's Legacy: "I'd like it to be: She did what she loved! I've been fortunate to be able to paint for so many years and to paint only what I want to at this stage of my life."

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

"Orchids" by Deanne Tiffany

____________________________________________________________________

About The Artist

Birthplace: Pasadena, California

Arts Education: Many workshops with artists over the past 47 years

Media of Choice: Her subject matter determines the media used

Favorite Place to Do Art: At home in her studio (but will paint anywhere)

Favorite Subjects To Paint: Outdoor scenes, flowers, people, horses, birds

Arts Organizations: Emerald Empire Arts Association, McKenzie Woodcarvers

Currently Showing: Several paintings at Siuslaw Bank (7th & Main); "Little Lady" at Emerald Art Center

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

"Size 1" by Deanne Tiffany

"Hydrangea" by Deanne Tiffany

"Oh Baby" by Deanne Tiffany

Ken McClellan: Inspired by Encounters with Nature

2007-07-31T11:09:00.000-07:00

Writer's Notes: On a perfect clear blue sky day, I headed east to Cedar Flats and turned right onto Deerhorn Road. With the McKenzie River on my left, I was soon winding through a forest of mixed cedars, doug firs, and lots of deciduous trees on the river bank. I couldn't remember if I'd driven here before, but if I had, I certainly hadn't traveled up several miles on this beautiful river road, passing by Taylor Landing on the way to visit with Ken McClellan.

Thinking I was going to be late with my slow driving to see the views of the river, I ended up arriving right on time. Ken had just stepped outside to turn off a sprinkler and invited me into the house where he introduced me to his wife, Nola. As we walked through their home headed for a back deck, I stopped to look at several Ken's wildlife paintings some of which I'd recalled seeing when he had a show at the art center last year.

As we stepped out onto their deck overlooking the river, the view -- with the river flowing directly at us -- was breathtaking! The sound of water rolling over the rocks coupled with the large trees rising around the three-tiered deck made me feel like this was an ideal place to spend many years of one's life (even in Oregon's winter rains!).

Looking out from the deck, far in distance I could see cars on Hwy. 126 on other side of the main stream of the river. Two streams passing around islands in the river converge directly in front of the McClellan's home. Ken brought out a painting he had done of their river view and we set it on the rail of the deck and I took a picture which shows what you see before you in this glorious setting (without the eagle today!).

I sat down with Ken and Nola at their outside dining table and started the interview -- distracted by all the beauty and sounds of rushing water below. I was surprised to learn that Ken had taken a 20 year "break" from his wildlife painting while finishing his career of over 40 years as a graphic designer for two different printing companies. But after taking a workshop with Terry Isaacs at the art center in February 2006 (who he had met in the mid 80's at a Robert Bateman workshop), Ken started painting again. His work with acrylics is amazingly realistic -- so much so that I wanted to reach out and touch the fir on some of his animal paintings.

Ken works in his home studio from photographs he takes in nature and of wildlife at places like Wildlife Safari (as well as of deer as they're standing at river's edge taking a drink just across the water). He has a growing collection of photos from from observing nature on their field trips as well. Now that Ken is retired and without the pressures of earning a living, he can "just do it" and enjoy the process of painting.

In his studio, Ken had a painting in progress and was willing to do some work on it while I took photos of him. He worked on some grasses around the rocks in the river scene. Ken said he sometimes paints outside on the deck and has plans for converting the garage into a "studio with a view" (an amazing one at that!).

Ken draws inspiration for his painting from the following Bible verse:

"But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish of the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this in His hand are the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind." - Job 12: 7-10

In a philosophy on wildlife art that he wrote in the late 1980's, Ken said "If animals, birds, fish and the earth are teaching us anything, it's the fact that man has to stop polluting and destroying the air, the soil, and the wildlife that it supports. Ultimately, it's the Creator who is trying to teach us that whatever happens to nature and wildlife will eventually happen to man."

He went on to say "if the current wildlife art can make a 'statement' that will cause people to reflect on what we are doing to this fragile planet and perhaps change man's attitude towards doing something to preserve what we have left, then wildlife art will have a purpose."

After our interview, we went back inside the house to take lot of pictures of his paintings, many of which had just been framed for his member show in August with other artists at the art center. Of course, I took far more photos than I can share on this blog, so I encourage you to visit the show and see Ken's work. I can promise you, you'll go away feeling blessed by the experience of seeing the work of an artist with a great love and respect for nature and wildlife.

More images of Ken McClellan's art follow the newspaper story.

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

Featured in the Springfield Beacon (August 1, 2007)

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

By Todd Peterson
For The Beacon

Ken McClellan
Inspired by Encounters with Nature

Last year, after putting his art career "on hold" for 20 years, Ken McClellan started painting again. The scenic beauty and abundant wildlife surrounding his home on the McKenzie River provide an inspiring backdrop and subject matter for his art.

Ken's goal as an artist is to share his love and respect for nature and wildlife. He hopes that people who view his paintings will find peace and serenity.

Ken believes that "mankind cannot improve upon God's creation in its many forms. We can only try to capture with paint some of the magical moments we observe that are the results of His hands. It is also my desire that viewers of my paintings will see God's handiwork in the pieces of art I create."

Over 20 years ago, Ken was honored to be juried in to a Master Class workshop offered by well-known wildlife artist, Robert Bateman. In 1987, at a second workshop with the artist in Montana, he met Terry Isaac from Salem who went on to become a successful wildlife artist. Ken decided to keep his day job at the time rather than becoming a "starving artist".

Last February, Ken (who had retired by then) discovered that Terry Isaac was teaching a workshop at the Emerald Art Center. He attended the class and was encouraged, challenged, and motivated to begin painting wildlife again. By the end of the year, Ken had his first show of new paintings at the art center!

In the presence of Ken McClellan's paintings of nature and wildlife, one feels blessed by the magnificent beauty of the earth and all of its wonderfully wild creatures. In his own words:

Inspiration To Begin: "I've always been interested in art and thought about becoming an architect or commercial artist. But I ended up working as a graphic designer in the printing industry for more than 40 years. In the early 1980's, I started painting wildlife subjects with acrylics and was honored to be accepted to attend a Robert Bateman workshop in Wisconsin. Then at another of his workshops, I met Terry Isaac who (20 years later!) inspired me to get back into painting wildlife."

Important Mentors: "As I mentioned, my most important mentors have been Robert Bateman and Terry Isaac. I'd also include Paul Calle who paints the Old West and mountain men, Morton Solberg for his watercolors of wildlife, and Carl Brenders, another wildlife artist."

Value of Art in Life: "Going out into nature and studying what God has created -- capturing the moment and telling a story with a painting -- connects your life with His creation in an inspiring way. You can't loose when you try to put on canvas what God has created."

His Artist's Legacy: "I hope people will see that it's never too late in life to start painting .. or to begin again! And to not be afraid to fail because you get better by learning from your mistakes. Hopefully, my legacy will be that the Lord was honored by my painting."

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

"Cheetah Pair" by Ken McClellan

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About The Artist

Birthplace: Ely, Nevada

Arts Education: Self-taught and workshops with wildlife painters

Media of Choice: Acyrlics

Favorite Place to Do Art: At home in his studio

Favorite Subjects To Paint: Nature and Wildlife

Arts Organizations: Emerald Empire Arts Association

Upcoming Show: Several paintings at Emerald Art Center (opening August 10th)

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# # #

"Harlequin Ducks" by Ken McClellan

"Near the Edge" by Ken McClellan

"Making Eye Contact" by Ken McClellan

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

2007-08-02T15:17:00.004-07:00

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

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

2007-08-09T14:33:00.002-07:00

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

Christine Gherardi: Creating images that arise from her intuition

2007-08-16T13:18:00.000-07:00

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

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

2007-08-26T19:05:00.000-07:00

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

Deborah Weese: Painting the world the way she wishes it would be

2007-09-03T14:19:00.000-07:00

Writer's Notes: Walking into Deborah and Guy Weese's home offers a visual feast of Disney characters of many shapes and sizes. Shelves on three walls are covered with her favorite characters from Disney cartoons. I've never seen such a large collection in one place -- outside of Disneyland, of course (and this collection may even top that!).

Deborah and I went out to the backyard for our conversation about her art. We sat in chairs in her garden of bamboo (a small forest), a large palm tree (largest I've seen in Oregon), a small pond with a curving bridge passing over it, stone statues amidst lots of ornamental grasses, and an abundant pear tree (plus a very friendly cat!). Some photos of the garden are featured in my story in June about Guy Weese.

In our interview, Deborah noted that she had designed the new poster for the Springfield Mayor's Art Show coming up in October. As a cat lover with many cats in the family, two of her furry ones provided the reflected image featured on the poster.

When I asked Deborah my "artist's legacy" question in our interview, she told me a touching story that made it clear why she thought she'd be remembered more for her photography than for her paintings.

Several years ago when she and Guy were photographing a wedding at Heceta Head, she had taken a photo of one of the attending grandmother's walking the path up to the lighthouse. Just moments after she had taken the photo of the grandmother smiling radiantly as she held a colorful "rainbow" umbrella, the elderly women dropped to the ground. She had died instantly. Somehow, after attempts were made to revive her, the wedding party decided that grandmother would have wanted the wedding to go on. So in the midst of their shock over her death, the couple had their wedding ceremony.

Deborah didn't immediately tell the family about the photo she had taken and was concerned about showing it to them when she was presenting the wedding photos for their review. Thankfully, the family expressed their gratitude to Deborah for the joyful photo of their grandmother in the last moments of her life.

Fast-forward to a weekend last month (August 2007) when Deborah and Guy were at Heceta Head and decided to take a walk up the path up to the lighthouse. On the way, they noticed a bench for people to rest on during their walk. When they sat down on the bench, they noticed a plaque on the backrest. The plaque noted that the bench had been dedicated to the memory of the grandmother Deborah had photographed at that spot on a wedding day so many years ago.

Quite a story. We never truly know what life will bring in the next moment (except whatever comes in the next moment and the next .....). And a photographer captures just one moment of a person's life . . . a brilliant sunset at the beach . . . a cat looking at itself reflected on a window glass . . . or a smiling grandmother on a granddaughter's wedding day.

When we finished the interview and returned inside to Deborah's studio, she showed me the painting she was currently working on. The forest surrounding a lake and waterfall was nearly completed and she was planning to place a big brown bear into the scene. As you'll see in the newspaper story below, Deborah has a deep affection for animals and a sentimental heart. Her oil paintings and pastels of nature scenes always have a place for an animal whose home is the sacred ground she is capturing on her canvas.

I look forward to seeing more of Deborah's work at the Emerald Art Center in the future and to spending more time delighting in the beautiful world she envisions in her paintings.

More photos of Deborah Weese's paintings follow the newspaper story.

____________________________________________________

Featured in the Springfield Beacon (September 5, 2007)

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

By Todd Peterson
For The Beacon

Deborah Weese
Painting the world the way she wishes it would be

Deborah Weese, an accomplished professional photographer, loves to paint the gentle side of life -- an idealized world like Disneyland. She enjoys being an "over-the top" sentimentalist who paints warm, fuzzy animals in a Disneyesk style.

In her home, Deborah has an amazing collection of Disney characters in many sizes and types. Several shelves are covered with Mickey's and Minnies, Pluto's, and the other Disney favorites of her childhood (and adulthood).

Among the animals Deborah paints with oils and pastels are many cats -- cats with names like "Simba" and "Shadow". Most of the cats have been a part of her life at home. Most recently, Deborah designed a poster for the Springfield Mayor's Art Show that featured two of her cats.

An active member of the Emerald Art Center since the downtown gallery opened in the Fall of 2004, Deborah created the initial website for the organization. Now her husband, Guy, does most of the on-going maintenance of the site which has been viewed by thousands of people living in countries throughout the world.

Deborah and Guy have done wedding photography together for over 16 years -- enjoying the process of capturing the precious moments of celebration for many newlyweds. In her work as a photography professional in a hospital setting for several years, Deborah has photographed a wide variety subjects -- from technical medical photos to very heart-wrenching photos of babies with their parents for the last time.

Deborah Weese has seen the beautiful and the tragic through the lens of her camera. Her joy is seen in her paintings of a kinder, gentler world filled with delight (and lots of warm fuzzies!).

In her own words:

Inspiration To Begin: "I was influenced most by Disney films (we went to Disneyland at least once a year). I can't recall not drawing and painting as a child. Now I work as a professional photographer and paint for the sure joy of doing it."

Important Mentors: "Of course, Walt Disney (who I never met). And the Old Masters -- Van Gogh and several other Impressionists. In photography I've had lots of influences -- Imogen Cunningham, Dorothea Lange, and Annie Leibovitz among others."

Value of Art in Life: "My art connects me spiritually with the Creator. It causes me to see -- to really appreciate what I see -- and not take things for granted. And it connects me with people who I never would have met."

Her Artist's Legacy: "I expect I'll be remembered more for my photography than my paintings. I've had some amazing moments of connection with people that will live on in the photos I've taken of them. As for my paintings, I haven't mastered oils yet but I'm having fun trying!"

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

"Hidden Mickey" by Deborah Weese

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About The Artist

Birthplace: Pasadena, California

Arts Education: Lane Community College (graphic design); art and photography classes at Maude Kerns Art Center

Media of Choice: Oil and pastels

Favorite Place to Do Art: At home in her studio (anytime night or day)

Favorite Subjects To Paint: Animals (warm and fuzzy); nature (tall trees)

Arts Organizations: Emerald Empire Arts Association

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# # #

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

"Panda" by Deborah Weese

"Sheep After Jerry Dame" by Deborah Weese

"Cougar Falls" by Deborah Weese

Mary Henley: Paintings stand as a reminder for her life

2007-09-19T11:03:00.002-07:00

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

Featured in the Springfield Beacon (September 19, 2007)

Mary Henley
Paintings stand as a reminder for her life

By Brian McClellan
For the Beacon

For Mary Henley, old barns are like artifacts. In her life-like watercolor paintings of old barns she captures the broken windows, the decayed wood, and the chipped paint which capture the story of an earlier time.

Henley and her husband Gordon moved to Springfield in 2000 from Springfield California. They had moved to be closer to their two sons, but upon moving discovered she needed spinal surgery.

“She wouldn’t have made it to the hospital, only forty- five minutes away.” Mr. Henley said. That’s when they really became thankful for the move. Their other house had stairs which had the potential to do more harm. There was also more advanced medical help in the Springfield and Eugene area then there was in their California town.

Henley’s skills in art range farther then just watercolors. She’s played with pastels, paint and sculpting. Without any formal training her sculptures retain beautiful life like traits, confirming her amazing wide ranged artistic ability. An art gallery of Las Vegas once commissioned her to sculpt an entire series but unfortunately due to arthritis she was unable to finish it.

Originally she went to college in Bakersfield, California for a nursing degree, but instead she fell in love. She was married in Lindale, California and has been married for fifty-eight years. They have two sons and one daughter. Art seems to flow throughout this family. They have a grandchild who is currently enrolled in Portland Art Institute. Henley’s husband helps with building the frames for his wife’s paintings.

Since the move to Oregon, Henley has taken it slow -- only painting small things like invitation cards. But her paintings stand as reminders, not only of places in her life, but as monuments of her amazing talent.

In her own words:

What or who inspired you to begin by our work as an artist?

Nature and old buildings inspire her life-like water colored paintings. Each nature setting is inspired by a story and every old barn was an actual location. Henley has been painting for sixty years, but even before that she was an artist. As a child in elementary school she won her first paint set in an acting contest.

What difference does creating art make to the quality of your life?

“It makes my life very enriched.” Her old barns stand as relics of another time she explained. “Artists are special people. They’re Historians. Throughout the history of mankind artists have left artifacts for future generations to find."

What legacy as an artist would you like to leave for future generations?

“I do old barns, old buildings so the young don’t forget what happened and so we have a record.”

"Morning Gossip" by Mary Henley

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About The Artist:

Birthplace: Sterling, Oklahoma

Arts education: Self-taught

Media of choice: All forms of media, but prefers watercolors

Other hobbies: Gardening
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Gloria Tinker: Native American Spirituality Captured on Canvas

2007-09-26T12:04:00.000-07:00

Note: In early September, Todd Peterson had to move on to other work responsibilities but will contribute to "50 Artists" from time to time. He extends his appreciation to all the artists he has interviewed and to the staff of the Emerald Art Center.

As time permits, Todd will update this blog with the articles written by other contributing writers for The Springfield Beacon.

Featured in the Springfield Beacon (September 26, 2007)

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

By Brian McClellan
For the Beacon

Gloria Tinker
Native American spirituality captured on canvas

Each watercolor or oil painting of Gloria Tinker will traverse you through the world of Native American spirituality with it’s images of flowers, animals and people. Her detailed strokes and choice of color not only captures the life of her idea but also infuses it with the ideas of spiritually and healing. “Art has to have a melody,” Tinker says.

Tinker, a native Oregonian, was born part Native American and an artist. Being an artist since childhood, her first award was won in sixth grade for a rendering in chalk and crayon of cave men hunting a mammoth.

She started down her path to spiritually in her forties. Questions like “Who am I?” “Where Am I going?” “What difference does it make?” plagued her mind and affected her art. She found her answers in Native American healing and spirituality. It was then she started to attend their ceremonies.

With this new spiritual paradigm, Tinker learned to see the bigger picture, the bigger light. “The more you know the more you don’t know,” she says.

These new ideas translated themselves into her art. Medicine art, she explained is different from her other works by its use of narrative. Now her art ability has transgressed beyond the simple mechanics of a paint brush. The ability to see is important. “It’s not just green,” she said. “There also might be yellow. It’s the skill of seeing by closing your eyes.”

Today, after attending to University of Oregon, Lane Community College, and Eugene’s school of Commercial art, she teaches water color and oils at Williamalane Parks and Recreation. Her class’s pictures can be seen at Terese’s place on Sixth and Main, next to the Wildish Theater. She’s been in numerous galleries, at one point she even owned her own gallery and ran her own exhibitions.

What or who inspired you to begin your work as an artist? – Without a T.V or siblings she was left to her own musings and so she turned to painting.

Did you have mentors to guide you? – She was guided by her spirit, painting whatever she found interesting. For example, she explained that six months she would only paint horses with water colors. This led her to try various different subjects.

What difference does creating art make to the quality of your life? – Art is every where Tinker said, “It’s in nature. It could be butterflies at play, or a beautiful person. Art is the imitation of what we see in nature everyday.”

"Imagine" by Gloria Tinker

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About The Artist

Birthplace: Seattle, Wash.

Arts education: Lane Community College, University of Oregon, and Eugene’s School of Commercial Art.

Media preferred: Watercolor and oils.

Web site: www.ArtistGloriaTinker.com
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###

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

"Blue Frog" by Gloria Tinker

"Pansies on Parade" by Gloria Tinker

"The Smile" by Gloria Tinker

Nada Zawodny: Caricature artist turns hobby into retirement career

2007-10-03T14:02:00.000-07:00

Featured in the Springfield Beacon (October 3, 2007)

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

Nada Zawodny

Caricature artist turns hobby into retirement career

By Austin Berger
Springfield Beacon

If you were at the Lane County Fair this summer, you probably saw Zada Zawodny's one dollar portraits under the arm of some kid -- probably one of the best deals found at a fair. Or you may have seen her full-scale portraits of other authors and painters. With a dollar and a few minutes, she can paint your portrait without hesitation. Even Lane County commissioner Peter Sorensen got one. What began as a small gig at a fair has now generated some buzz for the 81-year-old Springfield native.

Inspiration to begin: Her caricature drawings began in her words as, “one of those goofy things.” After graduating from the oldest accredited art college in the country, her quick draw caricatures became something of a hobby for her over the past 40-50 years, doing them whenever she was asked. Zawodny retired in the late ‘80s after a very respectable career in advertising design in the Eugene/Springfield area; working along the entire spectrum, from freelancer to art director.

After retirement, she became a director at the Emerald Art Center. After awhile, she decided she was much happier simply being a member and enjoying the classes. Last summer she was approached to set up shop at the Lane County Fair. It was her first time ever doing something like that. A local newspaper article generated a buzz for her, and now she’s taking her pencils and paper to golf courses, retirement homes, and to anyone who has got a buck or two and a few minutes of time.

Important mentor: Her mentor and inspiration to become an artist came to her at a very early age -- three to be exact. Visiting family on vacation in Louisiana, young Nada met her great aunt Norada Bond, a professional artist who would sketch her family while sitting down at the table. While Norada would watch the family, Nada would be watching her. “And I knew…I said ‘when I grow up’ I want to be an artist.” Much to her enjoyment, she made good on it.

Value of art in life: After making that agreement at age three, and following through on that promise for the better part of 78 years, it comes as no shock that Nada finds life without art as something existing in the realm of impossibility. “It’s our history. It is color, it is line, it is shadow. Without it, there wouldn’t be anything really.”

Her Legacy: As far as leaving a legacy, Zawodny hasn’t given much thought to it. She has two children who’ve done remarkably well. While her daughter has three degrees and works as a controller for a large non-profit, her son carries the artistic torch, making a name for himself as an architect. Her own drawings may go to her family and friends, but her drawings are like photographs -- capturing moments in time and pinned down onto paper -- awaiting the next generation of viewers.
___________________________________________________________________

About The Artist

Birthplace: Rose Point, Montana

Arts education: Bachelor of Fine Arts in Advertising Design: Art Institute of Maryland; numerous classes from local art schools

Media of choice: Pen and Ink or Pastel

Favorite place to do art: A studio her son built for her at home.

Favorite subjects to paint: “If there are no people in it, the picture’s not a finished painting to me.”

Arts organizations: EEAA, Springfield Arts Commission
___________________________________________________________________

###

DeVon Tanton: Nourishing the Inner Child

2007-10-10T11:29:00.000-07:00

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

Featured in the Springfield Beacon (October 10, 2007)

DeVon Tanton
Nourishing the Inner Child

By Austin Berger
For the Beacon

Her work makes one think what would happen if Norman Rockwell moved out to Eastern Oregon during his prime; a plethora of cowboys, snuck kisses, curious kids, animals, and images of the Old West. Showcasing a Bull Elk at this years Mayor’s Art Show at the Emerald Art Center, DeVon Tanton of Jasper has honed her portraiture skills to precision with a near lackadaisical drive in the best way possible.

Inspiration to Begin

DeVon is the first to admit that her mind is the farthest thing from a business mindset. She’s won awards, but can’t really name any. She has mentors but has trouble remembering their names. Her answer to her art is simply this: “I love to draw.”

It’s reasonable to argue that DeVon's inclinations to art are encoded somewhere in her DNA; lying somewhere in the autonomous nervous system somewhere near the areas which tell her to breathe, and to keep a heartbeat, and all the things that our brain handles for us and never really give thought to.

DeVon's art skills came naturally as a child. No defining moment, no turning point; it simply was, and still simply is. Ever the conservationist, many of her earlier drawings as a child were done on ripped up brown paper bags from the grocery store. Many resulted from her anger because whenever she would do something good in her eyes she would later wish she had done it on appropriate drawing paper. For the Nevada native, it appears her art doesn’t require much conscious thought -- a practice that becomes so natural and constant to her as brushing teeth comes to others.

Important Mentors

The similarities between the nostalgia showcased in her work and Rockwell is no coincidence. Coming out of the era that he depicted, DeVon always had an affinity for Norman. “He made stories out of his pictures and he depicted humans when things were simple.” She also notes his love of painting children, a favorite of hers as well.

Value of Art in life

DeVon's art is her therapy, a muse born out of dream world imagery that sometimes borders on the macabre. It is her core, her release, her treat and her pastime.

“I used to have these dreams…where I hid a tiny baby in a cigar box.” These dreams went on for years, where she would come back to the box to find the baby dead and shriveled. One day she told a doctor about this dream. “He told me that the child was my talent and that I was hiding my talent.” She then went “off the deep end” as she put it, into the realm of portraiture, and in doing so fully exposed her “child” and kept the dreams at bay, so long as she was doing art.

Her artist’s legacy

Even at 69 she still finds herself the student, seeking to perfect her skills as a portrait artist, wishing to leave her mark with them. “I want to learn to do portraits (of people) so well that people are waiting for them to come alive. I want to put their soul into them.” Everything from life’s joys to its hardships, are written on a face, according to DeVon. She intends to capture it all.

"Bull Elk" By DeVon Tanton

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About The Artist

Birthplace: Elko, Nevada

Arts Education: Fashion Design, Modeling, various classes at Emerald Art Center

Media of choice: Oils, China Paints, Pastels, Acrylics

Favorite place to do art: Her work station in her living room, which has a view of the Willamette River and the Pleasant Hill area.

Favorite subjects to paint: Portraits, especially children

Arts organizations: Emerald Art Center

Currently Showing: Mayors Art Show (October, 2007) at Emerald Art Center

Scott Wylie: Of two minds

2007-10-17T10:13:00.000-07:00

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

Featured in The Springfield Beacon (October 17, 2007)

Scott Wylie: Of two minds

By Austin Berger
For the Beacon

Some call it symbiosis, or yin and yang, or balance. Anyway you cut it, it’s the making of distinct elements working together. It’s a task that gets added to someone working in the field of designing architecture. It’s doubly daunting to not only pull something out of the creative mists and put it to paper or canvas, but to also make it work in the real world, and give it function. Furthermore, one must balance the function to meet the individual’s needs. It requires a very humanistic touch.

From the Science Walk at the University of Oregon, to the brick work of the corner of Broadway and Willamette, to a house on High Street in Eugene, to parts of Bruce Berg’s photography studio on D Street, Scott Wylie, 61, of Springfield, pulls off the balancing act between form and function with great diligence.

Inspiration to begin:

“I always loved to draw,” says Wylie. A skill given to him by his parents; a father who found an artistic outlet through special effects lighting as a lighting engineer, and his aesthete mother who saw to it that he visited all the museums that the Boston area had to offer.

Growing up in an area which blended architecture from the modern times to the 1700’s, New England proved a great place to be inspired by architecture, prompting Scott to go to Rhode Island, and later to Rome to study. “It really had a powerful influence on my outlook on art and design from that point on…I had ideas awakening.”

With ideas still awakened after his year in Rome, he followed an old professor to the University of Oregon, a part of the country he often romanticized. Scott remembers riding in the back of a pickup truck around the Fall Creek area and how the air suddenly changed from dry firs that surrounded the outside of the Willamette wilderness. “The air went moist and sweet. Palpable as going into a curtain,” he said. After that, he became “very Oregonian.”

Up until 1998, he did all of his sketches by hand, until he was “liberated” by an Auto CAD class given to him by his wife as a gift. “It did everything I expected it to do.” Now the seemingly impossibly long designs, every individual brick and rock can be laid by a digital representation.

Mentors: Scoot Wylie's mentors in crafting his skill are also masters at the balancing act of different concepts. He cites Leonardo da Vinci, a man of science as well as a man of art, along with Pablo Picasso, who traversed between the figurative and the abstract. As for designers, he credits Frank Lloyd Wright, whose organic approach balanced the needs of the client and the natural environment surrounding the home. He also credits the Greene Brothers, whose bungalow style blended, along with architecture and landscape, the Arts and Crafts Movement with Asian design.

Art and quality of life: The contribution of the arts to quality of life has been great to Wylie. He says that he found his center in the art world, but there’s something more to it. It is within art itself that one can take multiple contradicting objects, theories, concepts, and make them work together. It is the art that is, as Wylie puts it, “the great unifier.” He feels a connection to other artists. “I like to think of them as my kin.” Oddly enough, art also turned him into a bit of a football fan. “It’s like an art … I love watching it being done really well. I love watching athletes enjoying it.”

His Legacy as an artist: Scott's legacy has been left in stone and brick for many of his works. While he wishes his legacy to be specific and clear, “something that somebody can take with them,” he wants his legacy to be something, in a word -- mathematical. Wylie knows a bit about math: graphical expressions of 4th and 5th and 6th dimensions, algorithms, the Fibonacci sequence, all sorts of things. Most importantly, he wishes that the next generation will see it in a “fractal” kind of way, that even at the very farthest and the very closest points, there’s something happening. “There's always something new to see.”

"Science Walk" by Scott Wylie

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About The Artist

Hometown: Danvers, Mass.

Favorite place to do art: Anywhere, for one can find seeds of inspiration “in the most Spartan of places.”

Favorite medium: “Anything I can draw with.”

Favorite Subjects: No job too big, no job too small.

Arts Organizations: Emerald Art Center; Springfield Arts Commission.

Awards: Six public commissions.
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Janelle McMahon: Gemini sensibilities lend intrigue

2007-10-24T10:38:00.000-07:00

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

Featured in The Springfield Beacon (October 24, 2007)

Janelle McMahon: Gemini sensibilities lend intrigue

By Austin Berger
For the Beacon

“Faces are interesting,” says Janelle McMahon (pronounced Mack-Mahan). “You can tell a lot from them. Good or bad vibes…and they come in all shapes.”

Her love of faces is evident right past the threshold of the door; masks from all over the world adorn their walls. It may be due in fact that she has two faces herself, in the astrological sense. She’s a Gemini.

The astrological sign of the twins, Janelle's Gemini sensibilities may also contribute to her love of the number two, for many things come in pairs at the McMahon house. Two Hemingway Estate cats (as distinguished by their number of toes), two Porsches, two spindles, two magazine articles of her work in the magazine for the National Knitters guild (you heard right, knitters have a guild.); as well as a two-step stairway that leads to her studio. “Two steps up. Two steps down,” she jokes when talking about her commute from her studio to her kiln, which is in the garage.

Her Gemini sensibilities may also lend intrigue towards the dichotomous characteristics of her favorite medium -- glass: a medium to which the 55-year-old Springfield native has been able to fashion into something so straightforward as beads and plates, or to the intricacy of knitted fabric.

Inspiration to begin: “It was a slow grow,” says McMahon when asked about her immersion into the art world. She’s tried her hand at many things, working in health institutions and running her own bookkeeping secretarial service, teaching, and being a mother. She picked up art again when her friend enticed her to come to a knitting class. “We were redoing the house, I had no job…it immediately clicked.” Although she can paint, knit, as well as sculpt, she found her true love in glass -- first in beads, saying that it has “ a warmth, yet a coldness” to it, not to mention it’s ability to catch energy reflected off of it’s surface.

Mentors: Some people would credit Picasso or Da Vinci, or some type of artists in their respective field. McMahon credits her troop leader. Before working with glass, Janelle was a knitter, something she attributes to her long stay in the Girl Scouts, and rightly attributes her longtime troop leader Dottie Venchura as an inspiration. Also, the lion to her twins, she also credits her husband and best friend Michael. And Leone Hanson, who Janelle ranked as a second mother in her life, was a person who would pull no punches about her opinion of what she did. “She was one of those people who’d tell me if I was screwing up…she was the kind of people you could call on.”

Art and the quality of life: Any random horoscope will describe a Gemini as a flighty type, whose dual personality leaves them prone to wandering, lacking a center. Whether this is true or not for people born in late May or early June is anyone’s guess. What is known is that Janelle became a moon of sorts to the art world, in that she found that it could be her center to revolve around. “I learned all different types of art. All different types of people, their reactions to art…it opened that world I didn’t have.”

Art serves as Janelle’s anchor, her center; something she acquired when her father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. “I was always running to the coast…I needed to feel and create. I needed to be able to have something work.” In this trying time she found her soul being fed through her glass work. After winning a blue ribbon for one of her earliest glass works, “it was something where I could say: “Okay, this works.”

Her legacy as an artist: If there is one thing that Janelle loves most, it would be her family. Most of her family still remains in around the Eugene-Springfield area. Sooner or later, she plans on giving everyone of her family members a piece of her work. “I want them to have something of mine. It’s part of who I am.” As for the rest of her work, which ranges from jewelry to sushi sets to vases, whoever they go to, she expects some wear and tear. “I make functional art. It’s usable. I want it used.”

You can find her glass works and jewelry for sale at the Emerald Art Center and at the New Zone Gallery in Eugene.

"The Flower" by Janelle McMahon

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About The Artist

Hometown: Springfield, Oregon

Media of choice: Glass

Favorite place to do art: Her downstairs studio (a.k.a. “the eclectic dive”)

Awards: Several prizes -- Mayor's Art Shows in Springfield and Eugene

Favorite subjects: None (penchant for masks however)

Hobbies: Porsche Club

Art Organizations: Emerald Art Center, Springfield Arts Commission, New Zone Artists Collective
__________________________________________________________________________

Marion Mitchell: Finding Art & Love Together

2007-10-31T09:49:00.000-07:00

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

Featured in The Springfield Beacon (October 31, 2007)

Marion Mitchell: Finding art and love the second time around

By Austin Berger
For the Beacon

It appears that on occasion, cupid will trade in his bow-and-arrow for something a little more practical. For Marion Mitchell, 74, of Springfield, it just so happened to be a paintbrush. In so doing, it confirms that age-old adage: it’s never too late for love.

Inspiration to begin: Like many people, art began as “something to do,” for Marion -- something to make friends with. In her earlier years, her main concern was dealing with something more serious than a muse. “I was born with cerebral palsy … the biggest thing for me was to learn how to walk.”

As a child, she was often shuttled between her home in Idaho to the Shriner’s Hospital in Portland. Eventually, Marion's family moved out to Eugene. While growing up, a local art teacher, Naomi Nelson, approached her and invited her to one of her classes. “I told her I couldn’t draw,” says Marion, but Nelson told her to come to her class anyway. Even today, her oil paintings from that time (which go back at least 35 years) still line her living room.

Busy with family, she put the oil painting down. One thing came up after the other, and soon there was no time at all for it. For 35 years, her painting faded into the background, uncertain of its reemergence.

Mentors: Fast forward to 2002. Marion’s first husband had just died. “I got very lonely…so I started going to the senior center.” Again, it was “something to do.” There, among other people, she met Bruce Mitchell, a local art teacher from the Emerald Art Center.

Although Marion regards him as her mentor, originally he didn’t teach her art, he taught her pinochle. That led, in turn, to Bruce doing some yard work for her; which led in turn to him installing fans in her house; which finally led him to seeing her oil paintings in her living room. He took notice of her skill and invited her to come to the gallery. That sewed the seeds for the rediscovering of her art, as well as something more.

At the art center, Bruce served as a guide for breaking her in to the world of acrylics and watercolors. “She’s a little bit more advanced in her ability to pick up on techniques than my other students.” he says. “Certain things she’s not receptive to, but others, she becomes a ball of fire.”

Art and Quality of life: Marion found two beginnings in two ways by following Bruce back to the art center. She rediscovered art, as well as found a new husband. “I married my art teacher,” says Marion with a hearty laugh. While painting a rose at the gallery, with Bruce teaching her, “I thought to myself “oh oh, I think I’m in love with him.” They married nearly three years ago. “When you get to be as old as we are, that’s a big decision to make.”

Her legacy as an artist: Marion is not too concerned, given that even at 74, she has just begun in a way. She looks perfectly contented taking lessons from her husband and painting. One thing, however, is that she makes it a point to never sell her originals, only prints. “Painting comes hard to me,” admits Marion, so she keeps all of her originals. If they fare like her oil paintings from 35 years ago, they will surely be around for a very long time.

"Roses" by Marion Mitchell

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About The Artist

Hometown: Pender, Nebraska

Media of Choice: Acrylics and Watercolors

Arts Education: Various Art Classes

Favorite place to do art: Emerald Art Center

Awards: Cash Awards from Mayor's Arts shows

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Bonnie Sandland: Serendipitous Talent for Nature Painting

2007-11-07T09:54:00.000-08:00

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

Featured in The Springfield Beacon (November 7, 2007)

Bonnie Sandland: Jasper native stumbled upon a talent she never knew she had.

By Austin Berger
For the Beacon

It would seem that an ostrich doesn’t take kindly to having his or her picture taken. “I took its picture, and then he tried to eat my camera,” says Bonnie Sandland regarding her most recent piece, “Balderdash,” inspired by an Ostrich at the Wildlife Safari in Winston, Oregon. One could guess it comes with the territory, and it’s definitely worth it.

With her photorealistic shots of nature, this 60-year old Jasper native may appear like a seasoned veteran; but looks can deceiving. Truth be told, her talent is something of a serendipitous affair.

Inspiration to begin: Bonnie's inspiration didn’t derive so much from a desire to draw, but of what she had a desire to draw. She’s always had a loving relationship with nature. Growing up in California, she found a serene appreciation for it on the fishing trips she took with her dad in the reservoirs near Modesto. The car trips alone always had her looking out the window, looking for the bird on a telephone pole. Proverbially speaking, she still looks for that bird, having her weekly scenic drive to church in Blue River serving as a constant well for inspiration.

Despite her longtime love of nature, and a longstanding dexterity with sewing and stitching, Bonnie never picked up a paintbrush until 2001. Paul, her husband of 35 years, had a voucher from the Emerald Art Center for a day long oil painting class. But, having to take a business trip, Bonnie went instead.

“Seven hours later, I had a painting.” says Bonnie, whose newfound talent took the notice of the teacher, Shirley Reade. “Shirley came up to me and asked me how long I’ve been painting. I told her ‘for seven hours.’… I had a talent that I didn’t even know I had.”

Mentors: Being exclusively a nature painter, Bonnie regards Terry Isaac, a world-renowned nature painter from the Northwest as a mentor with great reverence. This kindred spirit of sorts was teaching classes in Salem. Bonnie and Shirley Reade, whom Bonnie also credits as a mentor from the beginning, would often trek up the I-5 corridor for 65 miles to catch his class. “Oh, we’d pick his brain,” says Bonnie laughingly. “We didn’t go to learn to draw. We went there to be taught.” She also credits her husband for being her “resident critic,” and thus helping her make a better picture.

Art and Quality of life: When one learns how to be trained in anything, the logic he or she possesses can either become a weight that anchors them in one place or wings that take them anywhere. In Bonnie’s case, it appears to be a latter, with art showing her that within the serenity of nature, there is also complexity. “You see everything differently: the birds flying by, the colors, textures, faces…It’s almost like you took the blinders off and became aware of your surroundings.”

In addition to her newfound perspective, Bonnie also gets to hone her baking skills about twice a month. Having earned the affectionate title of “cookie lady,” she bakes six dozen chocolate chip, peanut butter, and raisin cookies; all of which find their way to the trays and bowls of the Emerald Art Center Gallery.

Her legacy as an artist: Like many people involved in the Emerald Art Center, and perhaps artists in general, family comes first to Bonnie. Having five children and 14 grandchildren, she wants every one of them to have something of hers. For everyone else, she simply hopes that her paintings will do a good enough job in helping the viewer appreciate nature as much as she does. If people viewing her art could learn one thing, in her own words is this: “It’s a beautiful world we live in.”

You can see Bonnie Sandland’s paintings at the Willamalane Adult Activity Center at 215 West C St. in Springfield. Also, beginning Nov. 28, 2007, her art will be on display at the Oregon Community Credit Union in Thurston.

"Balderdash" by Bonnie Sandland

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About the Artist:

Birthplace: Modesto, California

Favorite type of media: Acrylics

Favorite subjects: Animals and landscapes (anything that’s nature)

Arts organizations: Emerald Art Center

Awards: Various ribbons at Mayor's Art Show in Springfield; 2nd place 2004 North Light Book Club award.

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