2010 Art Demonstrations January Jerome Grimmer, Critique February Anita Stole March Kathleen Mattox & Grace Rankin April James Gleeson MAY Carlene Kostiw, Watercolor June Dale Laiten,watercolor
May Demo will be Carlene Kostiw in Watercolor Check back soon for Artist's Bio
C ome learn how to be a carefree and comfortable traveling artist to anywhere.
Grace and Kathleen will share ideas for making handmade artist books and journals
and for simply personalizing commercial ones. They will share their expertise
on how to then fill them with exciting plein air sketches, drawings, small paintings
and memory-jogging “jottings” to be enjoyed immediately and also used as the starting
point for larger paintings at a later time. Add to this a sharing of books on the subject of
journaling and sketchbooking and a short presentation about an upcoming trip to La Romita
School of Art in Terni, Italy and you will enjoy a fast-paced and informative afternoon
guaranteed to get you journaling and sketching! Kathleen Mattox is a local artist from Sanger,
California. She painted while in college at Fresno State in the 1960’s and has been
part of many creative endeavors over the last 30+ years. Lucky enough to study with B.J.
McCoon, Jean Ray Laury, Charles Chestnut, Robert Hurlitz, and Darwin Musselman at
Fresno State, she took classes in watercolor, acrylic, oil, and fabric arts—and she finally
returned to watercolor in the year 2000, after not painting for over 30 years. She considers
her mentors/influences to be Monte Guynes, Kay Owens, Grace Rankin, John
Salminen, and Karen Knutson. Most of her works begin with watercolor and then go on to incorporate other media such as
crayon, opaque paint, metallic paint, gesso etc. In addition to loving a lot of color, she is
especially drawn to the elements of line and texture and very aware of the power of contrasting
values in effective paintings. Most of her works are large, usually full sheet watercolors.
Her subject matter tends to be impressionistic, expressionistic, and/or abstract rather than
realistic. She likes to work in series, returning to the same subjects over time. Musical
themes permeate many of her compositions, as well as clocks, Italian hill towns, the
Madonna and child, abstract geometric shape compositions, and paintings that comment
on the power of language.
Kathleen’s works can currently be seen at the Circle Gallery (Madera County Arts Council)
in Madera, Timberline Gallery in Oakhurst, and The Art Stand Gallery in Minkler. Kathleen
is a charter member and signature member of the Alliance of California Artists. She belongs
to the San Diego Watercolor Society, Santa Clara Valley Watercolor Society, and the
California Watercolor Association.
Grace Rankin is primarily a self taught multi media artist with a current concentration in
watercolor and mixed media/collage. Rankin has studied and been influenced by a number
of well known professional artists including Charlotte Britton, Tom Lynch and Gerald
Brommer. Rankin has been teaching watercolor for the past 25 years, both on location and
in the studio. Currently living in Fremont, she previously lived in Coarsegold. Grace is a signature
member of Society of Western Artists and the Alliance of California Artists .
I Can’t stop painting. I find my surroundings so inspirational
that my fingers literally itch to put down on paper or canvas
what I see. I don’t strive to paint the socially or politically significant.
I see beauty and I want to paint what I love in this
world.
Deanna is a signature member of ACA, a member of the
Clovis Art Guild and has received her signature award from
SWA. She operates her studio/gallery in Auberry and has her
work in the Shaver Art Gallery, Circle Gallery and the Art
Stand. While she paints in several mediums her favorite is
watercolor. “Watercolor allows me the freedom to paint emotionally,
there are times when I just have to slop on the paint and let it happen. For some
artists there is not enough control painting this way but I find I tighten up as the painting
progresses.”
I live in the Sierra and think I’m the luckiest person around. The mountains call to me. Not
just the grand rocky tops and passes, but the small streams and lonely pines inspire me. I
love the shadows and color, the shapes and textures of this world. I retired from the Forest
Service several years ago, but not from the land itself.
I am never at a loss for inspiration. My frustration is there will never be enough time to
paint all that I see. But I will have fun trying.
Jerome Grimmer was born in Detroit, Michigan. His mother was
an amateur artist, his father an amateur musician. Growing up
studying piano, trumpet and music composition, Jerome’s intention
was to become a classical orchestra composer/
conductor. While in high school, he gave up his musical
ambitions for visual arts instead. After studying fine art for two
years at Principia College in Illinois, he enrolled at the Art Center
College of Design in Los Angeles to study illustration.
Grimmer worked for a short time as a technical illustrator in the
space industry followed by a three-year tour of duty in the Navy.
He labored to perfect his painting skills while entering and winning
many local, regional and national art competitions. Jerome was among the earliest
artists to successfully use acrylic as a fine art medium and has had over thirty one-man
and group shows. Through workshops and classes he has shared his knowledge with
countless students. His work has been featured in Southwest Art magazine and is included
in The Majesty of the Grand Canyon – 150 Years in Art, published by First Glance Books.
Jerome’s subject matter is driven by his personal response to the world around him. Regarding
his paintings as a visual journal of his varied experiences, he refuses to limit his
scope, embracing instead a wide variety of subjects. His paintings have been critically acclaimed
for their mastery in capturing light and atmosphere - qualities that make Grimmer’s
paintings sought after by discriminating collectors.
Members can bring their paintings to the "General Meeting" for
Jerome to critique.
Shirley is a Representational painter who loves to paint the flowers from her gardens, Central Coast scenes and landscapes of both the Sierras and the San Joaquin Valley. Although a Fine Arts major in high school, she feels she began her formal training with Arden von Dewitz in Southern California. When she and her family moved to Fresno in 1970 she enrolled in Fresno City College and Clovis Adult Education, taking classes from the area's best art instructors.
It was the late Lawrence Beane, SWA, who introduced Shirley to soft pastels.
She furthered her studies in pastel workshops with such notable artists as Albert Handell, PSA, Thomas Leighton, PSA, SWA, and Urania Tarbot, PSA, SWA, and founder of the Cassett Pastel Society. Acrylic and Oil Painting studies with Jerome Grimmer, Joyce Pike and Carlene Kostiw added to Shirley's knowledge, which she feels is an ongoing experience.
Shirley says she has learned even more teaching through Clovis Adult Education and the orkshops she gives in Pastel, Mixed Media, Acrylic and Oil Painting. Shirley is a member of the Pastel Society of the West Coast, Morro Bay Art Association, Cayucos Art Association, a past president of the Clovis Art Guild and San Joaquin Valley Chapter of the Society of Western Artists, where she currently serves as a director. Her paintings have won many awards, including Best of Show in the 1994 Clovis Old West Art Show. Her paintings and lithographs are in Corporate and private collections in the United States, Canada, Australia and Greece.
Among my earliest and fondest memories are Sunday rides from home in California's flatland up to the Sierra High Country. When we arrived it seemed like we were half way up to Heaven. My position of Professor of Art for forty years in my hometown community college has given me the opportunity for in6creased inspiration in "God's Country" through the years. The treks, whether riding, hiking, or backpacking, have without exception, been an occasion to celebrate the senses: the smells, the sounds, the tastes, the touch, and mostly the sights. What a feast for the eyes! I especially appreciate the quality of light: sharpening edges in the clean air, reflecting off the polished granite, and refracting through the crystal clear water. Nature's ambience does refresh the soul. As with King David of Ancient Israel, "1look to the hills from whence cometh my help. " I know that this is a response that most of us share - I choose to call it experiencing a "Sierra High." I have been blessed to be able to pursue the challenge of capturing on paper, myreaction to this "High Experience" through the elements of shape, tone, and color. I have had the privilege of sharing this spirit with collectors near and far. I find fulfillment in capturing the mood of this pristine place with the hope that my vision will open your eyes to a new way of looking; a greater appreci6ation for the beauty in our world... my ultimate goal is to pay homage to the One who created it all and allowed us the privilege to live in it and look at it. From this Christian mind set, I will agree with King David's quote in Psalms 121: 1 - "My help comes from the Lord which made heaven and earth." Exhibits and Competitive Art Shows: Participation in countless competitive shows, exceeding 150 awards; 25 Best of Show, 40 First Place, and over 30 Special Recognition Awards. Over 50 one man shows and numerous group exhibits. Top statewide awards at the California State Fair and Northern California Arts. Additionally there have been several top National Awards at Watercolor USA.
Other Recognitions in the Art World: Dan is a popular lecturer and judge for art groups throughout California. His work is in the collection of several California State Universities and in hundreds of private collections throughout the west. Former presidents, Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev are among his collectors. Dan Petersen, Ripon Ca, www.petersenwatercolor.com
Marilyn Torchin enjoys spending a relaxing day by creating beautiful, heartfelt watercolor paintings for all to enjoy. Among her many accomplishments, she enjoys Tuesdays doing plein air painting with the Tuesday group. She is also a proud member of the A.C.A. and has won many awards in the art shows where she has displayed her works. Her recent awards were received at the 2008 Fresno Fair, fine arts division, where she won first and second place on her artwork. She was also picked as an artist of a month for the 2009 Fresno Blood Bank Calendar.
Sandy Kowallis
Impression – Reflection – Expression
“My joy and delight in color, light, beauty and motion are constantly evolving into art to be shared.I am grateful to the many teachers and mentors who have inspired and encouraged my growth as an artist.”
Originally from Idaho, Sandy began receiving awards in national art competitions as early as elementary school.She had the privilege of private tutoring under the late Louis Peck, then continued art education in Chicago at the Chicago Academy of Fine Art.
After living and working in San Francisco, she moved to the Fresno, California area, where she worked as an advertising executive, writer, and illustrator, then owned and operated an advertising and public relations agency for 20 years. In semi-retirement, Sandy began to concentrate more on fine art.
Focusing on her first love, watercolor, Sandy has studied in recent years with nationally acclaimed artists Nita Engle of Michigan, Tom Lynch of Illinois, and Jerry Stitt of Sausalito. Her work has been greatly inspired by the mentorships of Corky Normart and the late Gay McCline. She has recently been experimenting more with abstract watercolors and with oil painting.
Working en plein aire with the Tuesday Group results in many landscapes, and Sierra National Forest excursions have inspired many of her abstract paintings.Her work can be seen at the Art Stand Gallery on Highway 180 and Frankwood, the Timberline Gallery in Oakhurst, the Cayucos Art Association Gallery, as well as in special exhibitions.
2009 DEMONSTRATIONS JANUARY SUE PORTER WATERCOLOR FEBRUARY SUZIE STACH PASTEL MARCH TERRY SORENSON WATERCOLOR APRIL LESLIE DEARING WATERCOLOR MAY DAN PETERSON SLIDE SHOW JUNE SANDY KOWALLIS ABSTRACT SEPTEMBER MARILYN TORCHIN ABSTRACT NOVEMBER SHIRLEY LINDGREN ACRYLIC
CASTLE ROCK RAPIDS
Among my earliest and fondest memories are Sunday rides from home in California's flatland up to the Sierra High Country. When we arrived it seemed like we were half way up to Heaven. My position of Professor of Art for forty years in my hometown community college has given me the opportunity for increased inspiration in "God's Country" through the years. The treks, whether riding, hiking, or backpacking, have without exception, been an occasion to celebrate the senses: the smells, the sounds, the tastes, the touch, and mostly the sights. What a feast for the eyes! I especially appreciate the quality of light: sharpening edges in the clean air, reflecting off the polished granite, and refracting through the crystal clear water. Nature's ambience does refresh the soul. As with King David of Ancient Israel, "1 look to the hills from whence cometh my help. "
I know that this is a response that most of us share - I choose to call it experiencing a "Sierra High." I have been blessed to be able to pursue the challenge of capturing on paper, my reaction to this "High Experience" through the elements of shape, tone, and color. I have had the privilege of sharing this spirit with collectors near and far.
I find fulfillment in capturing the mood of this pristine place with the hope that my vision will open your eyes to a new way of looking; a greater appreciation for the beauty in our world... my ultimate goal is to pay homage to the One who created it all and allowed us the privilege to live in it and look at it. From this Christian mind set, I will agree with King David's quote in Psalms 121: 1 - "My help comes from the Lord which made heaven and earth."
Exhibits and Competitive Art Shows:Participation in countless competitive shows, exceeding 150 awards; 25 Best of Show, 4,0 First Place, and over 30 Special Recognition Awards. Over 50 one man shows and numerous group exhibits. Top statewide awards at the California State Fair and Northern California Arts. Additionally there have been several top National Awards at Watercolor USA.
Other Recognitions in the Art World: Dan is a popular lecturer and judge for art groups throughout California. His work is in the collection of several California State Universities and in hundreds of private collections throughout the west. Former presidents, Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev are among his collectors.Dan Petersen, Ripon Ca, www.petersenwate
Leislie's intense desire to work in art began at 5 years old. She found that her drawing attracted lots of praise and attention from her teachers and peers. Crayons and pastels were fascinating to her. Leislie didn't like to color inside the lines. She preferred to make up her own designs. When it was time to do homework, she was often found drawing in the margins of her assignment to make the paper more entertaining. Had she paid more attention to her lessons she would have gotten better than average grades. But on the other hand, she wouldn't have been practicing her passion for art!
Throughout Junior High and High School Leislie always managed to take lots of art instruction. During these years she sold some of her pieces. What joy! She was hooked.
In 1991 Leislie and her family moved to Coarsegold, California. This move for her began an extraordinary adventure into the world of watercolor. There he met and became friends with many very talented artists in the mountain area. A big part of her education now was through workshops by Brumley, Gyer, Astier and other equally gifted artists. She believes that being able to watch and share in each artists work and their own love of creation has been a privilege and inspiration for her own work. The love and support she receives from her husband and family is very important to her success as an artist. Leislie's work can be viewed at the Bass Lake Gallery, Circle Gallery in Madera and the Blue Heron restaurant in Yosemite Lakes Park-Coarsegold.
"It's all about color. God created a whole spectrum of color for us to enjoy and i love to use all of it. My favorite subjects are still life, landscape, architecture, people, animals, scenes ..,anything with special meaning to me. Every painting has a story behind it."
--Terrie Sorensen
Terrie is a watercolor artist. She has won many awards in art shows including a Best-of-Show at the Fresno Fair, a first at the California Expo, and a first in the "Celebrate the Arts in Agriculture" exhibit and competition. Her work has been on tour and exhibited at the Tulare Ag Expo.
Terrie considers herself a colorist who puts the "zing" in paintings with attention to details. Her favorite genre is narrative painting, containing a particular story or moral. But she also paints anything with a particularly interesting point of view.
Having majored in English in college, Terrie came to art as a young mother in an attempt to "get away from it all." Terrie, who has always loved art, says she never thought she had the ability. A bad grade in elementary school art discouraged her from even trying. Encouraged by her husband, she took classes at Glovis Adult School, Reedley College, CSU Fresno, and CSU Long Beach. She has for many years studied privately with Carlene Kostiw. Terrie has taught art in Selma Unified School District, lmmanue! Schools, and has private students. She is currently a docent at the Fresno Metropolitan Museum. Her work can be seen in The Circle Gallery in Madera and in her husband's office.
Terrie has been married to Marshall Sorensen for 39 years. They live in Selma. They have three grown children and three grandchildren.
FEBRUARY DEMO SUZIE STACH A native Texan, Suzie has lived most of her life in California. She was an art major in College and pursued a career in interior design for fifteen years. Once her children were grown and on their own she began to paint full time. Suzie works mainly in pastel, but has painted in oil, and watercolor. She strives to put the viewer into her paintings, by evoking a memory, an experience, or just the beauty of a day. Her subject matter varies greatly, which may be inspired by a ray of light, an interesting shadow, or even a fleeting thought. Whatever the source, being able to transform it onto a piece of paper brings her great satisfaction. “I love sharing my enthusiasm for a subject. I just hope they feel as much joy in viewing my work as I had in creating it.”
Suzie is a nationally recognized painter of firefighting scenes. Two of her paintings have graced the cover of “Wildfire Magazine”, an international trade magazine, and another on the cover of a national firefighter bookstore catalogue. Her painting of the 911 disaster in New York was the cover of the program for a memorial service at Pelco Inc. in Clovis, CA. She sells her prints off of her web site www.fire-art.com to fire personnel throughout the United States.
Her paintings have won many awards, and hang in private collections as well as public buildings. She does workshops and demonstrations for art groups. Loves Plein Aire painting, and exhibits her work at the Gallaria Vallarta in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, The "Art Stand Gallery" in Sanger, CA, which is a co-op gallery, and at her studio in her Fresno home.
She is the past president of the Society of Western Artists (SWA), and past membership chairperson of the Alliance of California Artists (ACA). Suzie is a signature member of both groups
"It is so much fun to be a professional Artist, I have mastered my goal!"
Sue has lived and painted in the San JoaquinValley for most of her life. She loves the natural living canvas of colors. I come from an agricultural farming family, Grapes, Nuts and Fruits. My brother continues to farm and ranch throughout the valley and costal areas, caring on the tradition. Sue on the other hand, had rather paint the farm and all of its amenities. Sue spends many hours transforming nature into her sometimes emotional and peaceful paintings. Sue is known as a colorist, focusing on Composition Designing, Principals of Art Design, and Design of Color.Sue continues after 25 years to teach painting at Clovis Adult Education, in ClovisCA. With her degrees in Fine Arts and Signature Awards, her achievements have won her many competition awards.
Sue's Paintings hang in many professional offices, as well as many homes throughout the US. Sue also has clients who collects her paintings from other countries. She keeps in contact with them via the Internet.
Sue’s philosophy: “To be successful in life, one must attain all that is offered. One must inquire into the most comprehensive principles of the arts, finding out every bit of knowledge given to us by our predecessors. Tune into the wisdom of our Masters, of their propaedeutic struggles and successes. Be a producer ~ Be prolific.One must produce before one can learn.Be a performer ~ Show what you can do, what you have achieved. Have an attitude ~ The attitude for success. And most of all, ~ be true to yourself. Don’t copy another artist!”
Contact Sue: sporterpainting@comcast.net To see samples of Sues work onlinewww.sueporter.us
2008 Demonstrating Artsts (to date) January: Doris Runyan February: Sue Porter March: Ann McClure
April: Dennis Lewis
May: Rose Wheeler
June: Phyllis Neufeld Sept: Kathy Gillis October: Live Modeling workshop Nov: Chris Malicoat
September 13th 1PM Kathy Gillis
I have always loved the juicy freshness of watercolor paintings.
Painting in this medium for over twenty years has exposed me
to the excitement as well as the challenges of the watercolor ex-
perience.
I paint on location around the countryside of the San Joaquin
Valley and therefore many of my paintings are landscapes. I try
to capture the beauty of nature with a colorful and sensitive
approach. This style also applies to my florals and abstracts.
I hope to always keep a fresh and spontaneous flavor in my
paintings and allow the watercolor help me express this feeling!
I participate in galleries and art shows and am a member of the
"Tuesday Group" artists who also paint on location in the Fresno area.
For more information about my paintings, feel free to call me:
Phyllis Neufeld's wondrously colorful watercolors and mixed media are "a delight to the eye and a refuge for the soul." Her inspiration is the beauty and bounty of God's creation. The flowers in her series "Paintings of Hope, Joy and Peace" move freely and live joyously. She explains, "I've always loved flowers for their glorious variety of shapes, color and fragrance. At significant times in our lives, we choose and give flowers to express our feelings of joy, compassion, promise or desire."
"Jewels of the San Joaquin" features the bounty of the incredibly lush agricultural area where Phyllis lives. She is the exclusive artist for the Annual Celebration of Wine, featuring 125 California wineries. The CSUF Viticulture Alumni Club commissions and markets her imaginative impressions of grapes and vines. The Fresno County Employees Credit Union features her distinctive portraits of grapes on checks and credit cards used by their 30,000 members.
Phyllis is the only artist whose name Visa International has published on their credit card images. In 2002 Phyllis was honored as one of the Central Valley's "Top Ten Business and Professional Women" for her work with children and for her substantial fundraising efforts for area non-profits. Phyllis is also an inspirational speaker often invited to share her story and art with women's and church groups. Phyllis is also a gifted teacher, teaching Watercolor techniques to begining adult students and creativity workshops to advanced art students.
Phyllis was an Instructor in Art at three California colleges. She later studied Oriental arts and crafts in Japan. Her award winning textile hangings, sculpture and jewelry are featured in several books, including the Time-Life Art Series. Her artwork is available on the web at www.phyllisneufeld.com and in Central California, by appointment, at her showroom and studio in Fresno.
A Madera woman who describes herself as an experimental artist attracts attention with her bold, color-coordinated, abstract paintings. I consider myself an experimental artist using watercolor, acrylic and collage. I love the idea of starting with no preconceived idea, and then looking for the direction the painting wants to go.
I now do mainly studio painting but venture out and plein air painting with the Tuesday
Group at least once a month. So the subject of my paintings could be anything.
I started serious classes in watercolor with Joan Brumley and have taken numerous Workshops over the past fourteen years. I believe that anyone can paint if they have the desire but they need to paint, paint and paint. It is a learning experience. When I first started I read somewhere that it takes about 10 years to find your style.
Sometime around the age of seven Anne was introduced to pastels by a British sailor friend of her grandfathers who would spend time with the family in Yonkers each time his ship docked in New York harbor. Knowing that little Anne loved to draw and being grateful for "home cooked" meals he started bringing art supplies from England for the child. Her first pastel was Robert Burn's cottage that hung in her grandmother's home until she died.After winning several scholarships she chose the Fashion Institute of Technology and Design in New York City for an education in clothing design. Upon graduation she entered the coat and suit field and continued doing paintings for herself and clients in watercolors and oils.It wasn't until about 25 years ago that she remembered how much fun she had with pastels and started using them again honing her skill with workshops from several well-known pastelists. She will probably never stop pasteling but oils are interesting too.Anne is a signature member of the Pastel Society of America, the Pastel Society of the West Coast and the Alliance of California Artists. She has been published in "The Best of Pastels", the "International Pastel Artist" and the "Pastel Journal". Her work may be seen at her studio gallery.
Original Paintings
~By~
Artist
Sue Porter
“It is so much fun to be a professional Artist, I have mastered my goal!”
Sue has lived and painted in the San Joaquin Valley for most of her life.
She loves the natural living canvas of colors. I come from an agricultural farming family, Grapes, Nuts and Fruits.My brother continues to farm and ranch throughout the valley and costal areas, caring on the tradition. Sue on the other hand, had rather paint the farm and all of its amenities. Sue spends many hours transforming nature into her sometimes emotional and peaceful paintings.
Sue is known as a colorist, focusing on Composition Designing, Principals of Art Design, and Design of Color.
Sue continues after 25 years to teach painting at Clovis Adult Education, in Clovis CA .
With her degrees in Fine Arts and Signature Awards, ~ her achievements have won her many competition awards.
Sue’s Paintings hang in many professional offices, as well as many homes throughout the US . Sue also has clients who collects her paintings from other countries.She keeps in contact with them via the Internet.
Doris Runyan is a retired cosmetologist who loves fine art; she paints portraits from snapshots or photographs and loves to paint the old places that are being replaced or destroyed. Landscapes of the past and present are among her favorites. Pastels and oils are her choice of mediums. Painting has become her full time hobby. She is best known for her paintings of grapes on the vine. Some of her work can be seen at the Kingsburg Art Gallery, in Kingsburg, California. The City of Dinuba has purchased several of her paintings and she also has many in private homes and abroad.She is a signature member of the Alliance of California Artists and also a member of the Society of Western Artists. Since she retired in 1996 she has won numerous awards for her work including Best of Show, First, Second, Third place and many Honorable Mentions. She also won the "Mary Krause Award" for Artistic Merit.She attended art classes at Reedley College, and studied with Paul Buxman, Sally Seago, Jacqueline Starky, Anita Wolf and others. She is mainly a self-taught artist who believes it is never too late to fulfill a God given desire. She is a member of the Kingsburg Art Center and has served as an officer on the board for several years. Doris shares her love of art by teaching and demonstrating her God given talent to others. She can usually be reached at her home in Dinuba for information or any questions you might have.
