eclectic art Featured
"Artists in the window"
105 S. Washington St
may-june-july 2020
Photos by Gary Johnson
"Artists in the Window" February - March 2020 at 172 S. Washington St.
Aloft Art Gallery is featuring as “Artists in the Window,” two of our longtime gallery members, Renetta Hayes and Alexis Halstead.
Alexis Halstead
Alexis Halstead’s work is inspired by the pottery of her Cheyenne roots, the Pueblo potters of northern New Mexico and Arts and Crafts designs of the early-twentieth century. Her work consists primarily of sculptural vessels: vases, pots and bowls.
“I love that I start with a lump of mud and, if successful, end up with something useful and beautiful. I have been inspired by the work of coil-building Pueblo potters of the Southwest and especially the artist Tammy Garcia. I am also interested in slab construction. None of my work is thrown on the wheel.” Alexis holds a BFA from San Francisco Art Institute and an MBA from Golden Gate University. She attended ceramics classes at Columbia and has studied traditional Native American coil construction and techniques in Santa Fe, New Mexico. |
Renetta Hayes
Renetta’s painting career began 40 years ago with an art degree from San Jose State. After graduating she taught in a Fine Arts Mini School where she worked with her students developing their creativity. Serious painting started 20 years ago. Renetta and husband built a new home in Jamestown and when she was fully retired from business they built a north-facing studio specifically for painting and quilting. I asked Renetta about her process, “I generally work from photographs taken by myself or my family. I usually have a couple of paintings being developed in different media as well as an unfinished quilt or two. I like to do landscapes with a subject matter.” Besides being a painter and a quilter, Renetta has another amazing skill, she has been a private pilot and at one time had her own plane, a Cessna Champ. She no longer flies but, “still aches for it.” |
"ART IN THE WINDOW"
Aloft's Newest Artists FEATURED!
Diana Boegel, Carole & Ron Kamerlink, Beth Robinson & Linda Swedlund
|
DIANA BOEGEL
I could say I was an art hermit growing up. I preferred being alone, drawing, while the other kids were outside playing. Every summer beginning in 1953 I spent time at my grandparents cabin with my art supplies in tow.My grandparents lived in a wood cabin on a mining claim by Moccasin Creek close to the former town (now under water)of Jacksonville here in Tuolumne County. My memories of old weathered wood, old bottles and the smell of a wood- burning stove in their cabin is where I sometimes draw my inspiration and is a recurring theme in some of my work. In addition to fine art,I have studied calligraphy and illumination as well as scientific illustration. Today my focus is on oil painting but I also work in pastel or choose to draw with pencil or charcoal. I have taught privately, have entered competitions, had a one-woman show and have participated in group shows and in art fairs. My work is collected in the U.S. and abroad and on permanent exhibit at Las Trampas,Inc.,a non-profit organization which supports adults with developmental difficulties, located in Lafayette,Ca. 
CAROLE & RON KAMERLINK
Silver, gold, copper, gemstones, natural stones, handmade glass beads.....this is our passion! We constantly look at these materials and see endless possibilities for creating wearable treasures: organic or glistening, delicate or bold, each piece is unique. We hope you will enjoy our creations as much as we have enjoyed creating each piece....fun to wear and wonderful to give. We combine some of the above-mentioned quality materials with various techniques: metalsmithing, flame painting, wire wrapping and wire weaving, metal texturing, form folding, etching and on/off loom bead weaving. Flame painting has been the most challenging. This involves heating the natural copper with a torch, cooling, re-heating, cooling and so on until the desired colors and patterns are obtained. It is definitely a thrill to obtain certain color combinations. Moving to Murphys on a full-time basis has given us the opportunity to do what we enjoy most. Thanks to all who support local artists, we appreciate your support... 
|
BETH ROBINSON
Beth is grateful for her husband who is fine art photographer who open her world to the art of capturing the landscape on canvas with a brush. They travel frequently with their small dog, Lily, working side by side documenting the landscape. Beth loves standing ‘eye to eye’ with her subject matter to capture the swift passing moments of absolute beauty. Light and color has always fascinate her and she is not afraid to experiment and be bold. She considers her style, loose, impressionist and frequently will use a palette knife along with her brush strokes. Beth paints in her studio, but her passion is painting en “plein air”. She will use her plein air studies to incorporate into larger paintings. Beth has studied under Carol Gray. She has attended workshops with Charles Waldman, Randall Sexton, Scott Hamill and Warren Chang. 
LINDA SWEDLUND
In 2008 Linda moved from Bend, Oregon, to Arnold. She is a retired special education teacher and also worked as a consultant with children and adults on the autism spectrum. Linda has pursued various arts and crafts throughout her life. Though she has mosaicked for many years, she only recently began doing mosaic work on rocks. She enjoys searching for rocks all over the country, and then figuring out what image would suit a particular rock. Determining what colors to use on each rock is also a major ‘fun’ part of her process. “My rocks are quirky and unique and I love hearing people say: ‘Wow, these are really cool! How do you make them?’” 
|
"Artists in the Window" July - August 2019
Harry Nakamoto and Tara Schendel
|
Tara Schendel
Tara Schendel is a photographer who says, “I can't draw or paint thus photography! As time has gone by, and since being in Aloft, I've really been taken in by watercolor and pastel artists. I think that is reflected in the evolution of my photography. I printon Epson Velvet, which is thick and textured like watercolor paper. It takes a lot of ink, but the images are elegant and rich. They maintain a nice detail and contrast, without being harsh. My images are more intricate now than in the past, where I focused more on geometric forms and hard lines and shadow. No more. Now I love the messiness and complexity of the world. I love springtime stormy skies, where there is a gray, but out front is a bright green, orange, or yellow. I usually print all my own work because I believe photography is a craft. By doing this myself, I am offering my viewers my craftsmanship. There are sometimes flaws and imperfections in the prints, but that is part of the craft. And even if I am printing a duplicate, even on a digital printer, each one is individual- just like in darkroom days. Currently I am also focusing on the 20 x 10 format. The elongated look is, in many ways, how we see the world- or at least how I see it because I am often looking through the windshield when I see that perfect shot! |
Harry Nakamoto
I recently asked Harry about how he became a ceramic artist and a bit about his process. “At a time when I was attending San Jose State preparing for graduate studies in biochemistry as a second career, I filled an open period with beginning ceramic art. My teacher's name was James Lovera. Many classes followed with Jim and he eventually convinced me to change my graduate objective to ceramic art. My spouse and I are both grateful to Jim for becoming our lifelong friend and helping us find our way with pots. With few exceptions, my work is done on the potters' wheel, mostly vessels and some sculptures. I use store-bought high and low fire clays, depending on the heat treatment the pieces will be exposed to. Glaze materials, too, are of commercial sources except when I am fortunate to find a natural source for experiments. The next step is to either be wood fired; raku fired or burnished ware (simulated primitive finish). The fire-effect of a reduction kiln can produce dramatic decorations. I do wood firing in my "anagama" (cave kiln.) The kiln loading consumes 3 days. The kiln is then closed, lit, and wood is continually stoked into the firebox, raising the temperature to 2450 degrees farenheit each of the 3 days needed to complete the firing. During the firing at the higher temperatures ash from the wood fuel drifts onto the pots and combines with the clay surfaces to create a natural glaze, multi-colored and with swirling patterns. "Exciting, we say.”
|
Artist in the Window - April - May 2019
Reggie Hein
|
Every year I have a favorite artist; my favorite artist right now is Francis Bacon so I’m trying to photograph characters who might have been in his work.
I have an etching press that is, of course, my main tool for my prints and print-based collages. For assemblage I love wire and screen with glass beads and embroidery so my tools are pliers and needles. My husband, Anthony Dossi, builds the shadow boxes that I display them in.” |
The Aloft Art Gallery is excited to present Reggie Hein as their “Artist in the Window” for the months of May and June. Reggie's work is primarily print and includes monotypes, drypoint, collage and assemblage. She describes her work “as having a fluid nature.”
Reggie Hein began her creative journey as a photorealist and fashion designer, showing and selling art and working in the San Francisco fashion industry. She transitioned to theatre while in her 30s, directing and writing for community theatre and leading workshops in State prisons for nearly two decades. In 2003 she studied monotype print making with Sherman Hay. “Theatre has given me a greater mindfulness of the ways in which I perceive the world around me. I don’t believe that we see as a camera does; our processing of visual data is more complex but also more elusive. My images mix detail with looser qualities.” I recently asked Reggie about her process. “I work in a studio just two or three blocks away from the Aloft. It is a crazy mess because I work on many pieces at once. Luckily, it opens onto a garden where I normally work because the light is better. I carry a camera most of the time and take most of my images from my photos. I like birds a lot; I’m working on a number of new pieces with birds in them. I draw inspiration from everywhere, from everything I look at but also from music and literature. |
ARTIST IN THE WINDOW - MARCH thru APRIL 2019
|
Vertical Divider
“My paintings are a combination of watercolor and handmade rice papers which are known as “Washi”, as well as personalized, richly textured papers that I make myself. This combination allows me to express all aspects of my subjects.
I am drawn to bold, dramatic shapes and colors and I love the color intensity that the layering of papers and paint provides. Both the creation as well as the finished piece becomes a tactile experience as well as a visual one. Looking closely at one of my paintings, you’ll find multiple layers of color enhanced by the unique qualities of the washi itself: small pieces of newsprint; gold threads; bits of bark or leaves; various textures that draw you into the image.” Lynn’s watercolor collages often deal with the vastness of nature compared to human scale. Large, exaggerated skies, tall majestic mountains, vast expanses of peaceful fields all echo this feeling. Her combination of values, color and multiple layers of washi create an exciting composition full of energy and depth. Soft tones next to brilliant blues, purples, greens and golds, invite the viewer to walk through the landscape, to stand and be overwhelmed by the brilliance of the sky or even to experience the intimacy found in her collages of animals. |
        “In the beginning I painted with watercolor only and was never really satisfied with the result. About 20 years ago I took a watercolor collage class from Gerald Brommer and I’ve been hooked on the combination ever since.
About half of my paintings are from photographs that I have taken and I take hundreds! The other half is just out of my head. For those pieces I usually just put many types of textured papers down and discover something as I lay one over the other. The papers take the painting forward and I don’t generally paint much into the finished image. I use 300 lb. Fabriano watercolor paper as my base. Rice papers, handmade textured papers I make myself, archival tissue paper, white and black gesso, watercolor (of course) including iridescent gold and silver, acrylic matt medium for adhering the papers to my watercolor paper, gloss medium and tar gel for making textures. I generally have 3 or 4 pieces going at once. They are all at different stages of development so when I need a break from one I can go to another. I keep notes about each piece, where it is in the process, the colors I use and problems I want to solve. That way when I return to apiece, I know what I intended to do with it. I enjoy the pieces that just come out of my head the most. I particularly like painting trees, especially madrone trees that I live among. They are truly magnificent trees that change their bark colors and leaves throughout the year. My paintings of them express my feelings about them rather than the tree itself.” Lynn earned her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Southern California and continued with graduate work at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, CA. For over 20 years she owned the Alyson Design Group, a graphic design company specializing in magazine and marketing design. Since beginning her painting career Lynn’s watercolor collages have won numerous awards in both regional and national juried exhibitions. She has been published in Watercolor Artist Magazine, the North Light Publication, Splash 12, Celebrating Artistic Vision and Eyes On Landscapes by Blaze Hill Press. Besides here at the Aloft Art Gallery, Lynn's work can be seen at Gallery 10, Sutter Creek, CA. Quarterly, Lynn continues to give workshops at her studio in Pioneer, CA. She also does demonstrations and workshops for other art associations. |
ARTIST IN THE WINDOW- JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2019
JAN ALCALDE
|
|
After a semester of photography in college, I became smitten with the absolute magic of that latent image emerging on the paper in its chemical bath. Amazing! I’ve been dabbling in photography ever since.
With the encouragement of friends and the skills acquired through Columbia Community College classes in the ’80s, I’ve participated in a variety of local and regional shows. I’ve been slow to transition to the digital darkroom (I sure miss that magic!), and I am learning to print all over again. Since my retirement from education, I’ve begun to dabble in watercolor. I love its qualities of fluid looseness and relaxed freshness; yet I tend to paint with precise detail…must be a genetic trait inherited from my machinist father. I love to travel, especially in the southwest, and many of my images are from my road trips. My work has received several Best of Show recognitions, various awards from the InFocus show over the years, appeared on the cover and in the calendar of New Mexico Magazine publications, and has been accepted (with some ribbons) in various shows and other publications. I’m having great fun playing with pigments, pixels, and prints. |
Focus on our talented Ceramic Artists & Jewelers
Featured as "Artists in the Window"
November & December
Featured "Artist in the Window" October 2018
Jack Cassinetto- In memory of
We are honored to have the exquisite work of Jack Cassinetto in the Window at the Aloft Art Gallery for the month of October and November 2018.
Jack Cassinetto was born in Sonora, Ca 9n 1944 to Ben and Mary (Sardella) Cassinetto, who were also born in Sonora. Jack's paternal grandfather and grandmother were both born in northern Italy and migrated to California. Benedetto Cassinetto arrived on a ship called Werra, most likely as one of the 1,000 third class passengers, in New York on July 22, 1895 and at some point found his way to Northern California. He settled down in Sonora, married and raised his family. Upon visiting Jack's family in Genoa for the first time in October 2007 the link to the Cassinetto family and Jack's innate ability to create art was established. Jack began creating artwork early on in life and he never stopped creating in one way or another. Throughout his life he worked with clay, stone, wood, and oil and acrylic paints. His Master's Thesis project was in clay and he created five beautiful large pieces of intricate clay that depict scenes from mythology. Later on in life, he found that creating peaceful landscapes, mostly of Northern California scenes, was what interested him the most. |
His mentors in creating this type of art were Xavier Martinez, Gottardo Piazzoni, and Arthur Mathews, and he spent many hours at the Oakland Museum studying their work. In particular, he loved the many beautiful pieces of furniture and the bold art frames that Mathews created. For the past 20 or so years Jack focused on creating one-of-a-kind frames and beautifully painted small pieces of furniture such as desks and boxes. All of these pieces and his paintings reflect a style of work that is reminiscent of the Plein Air period of the 1920s called the Arts and Crafts Movement that incorporated a style called Craftsman or Mission Style. Many of his handcrafted frames reflect craftsman and mission style artwork, either as stencils or as added pieces.
Jack was a prolific painter, painting on board with acrylic paints (oil paints prior to 2008) and produced much work in his lifetime. He worked daily in his studio from breakfast until sometimes after dinner. He loved art and loved creating beautiful pieces of artwork and has left behind a great legacy of artwork that will be admired and sought after for years to come. Jack died peacefully at his home in January 2018. |
Featured "Artist in the Window" August-September 2018
Mary Jean St. Claire
|
Mary Jean St. Claire has been an aspiring artist since the age of crayons. After a heavy focus on art in high school and college, she continued her studies in the SF Bay area with artists such as Howard Brodie and Dr. Raymond Brose.
Mary Jean took a long hiatus from painting to study interior design after which she opened an antique store and worked as an interior designer. A move to Angels Camp in 2006 created the opportunity to revisit her love of oil painting. She loves to paint locally and feels fortunate to live in an area with such an abundance of subjects from which to choose. |
When asked what is your favorite subject to paint, “I would have to choose animals. An animal’s eyes speak to me and it’s not until I am able to capture their personality through their eyes am I happy with my painting.” “Our foothills abound with opportunities to capture images of animals. Many times I have swerved off a road to photograph a cow, goat, chicken or an old barn for a future painting!”
Mary has studied with local artists Peggi Kroll Roberts, Ray Roberts, Diana Boyd, George Durkee, Sunny Sorenson and Kathleen Dunphy.” Mary is a member of the Arts of Bear Valley, Mother Lode Art Association, Calaveras Arts Council and the California Art Club. Her work can be found in many private collections throughout the world. Her original works as well as giclee prints are available to purchase at the Aloft Art Gallery, Town Hall Arts and can be seen online at maryjeanstclaire.com. |
Featured "Artist in the Window" July 2018
Ann Nancy Macomber
Working in fabric , papers and paint, often all in the same piece, Nancy enriches her images whether abstract or representational with color, texture, and frequently linear designs. Her versatility abounds in depictions of animals, trees, and buildings. She works in water based mediums or a mixture of fabrics for her fiber art, to create each piece.
Her studio located in the Stanislaus National Forest at 5000’ provides a view of nature through the seasons to inspire art pieces as does her picture images from travel throughout the world. Studies with artists, Steve Quiller, John Salminen, Dale Laitnen, Robert Burridge and others keep her constantly in touch with new artistic possibilities. Town Hall Arts in Copperopolis and Aloft Gallery in Sonora display Nancy’s pieces. She also shows with Arts of Bear Valley’s two shows during the summer Music Festival at Bear and during the AOBV show at Big Trees State Park. Her annual juried acceptance into the KVIE art auction every fall allows her work to be displayed state wide. Special recognition includes Best of Show, Best of Division, and many first awards. The Triton Museum in Santa Clara has represented and honored her work and KVIE has awarded her donations Ann Nancy Macomber holds an annual open studio each fall through the Calaveras Arts Council. A visit to her studio can be arranged any time with a prior notice: 209-795-2908 watercolor8@comcast.net |
|
Celebrating 10 years
ALOFT DIRECTORS May
"Artists in the Window"
|
Lorna Hunt joined the gallery in 2009 after being encouraged by a friend. Lorna is a painter using oil and pastel and says she love the “goopyness” of oils. Inspired by the great outdoors is clear in her work, be it the mountains or the seaside.Lorna has a trusty French easel that she can set up in minutes and you may not be surprised to see her painting plein air on the side of one of our beautifully scenic roads.Lorna is a self-taught artist but that said she does enjoy attending classes and workshops whenever time allows. In fact she is now making exquisite beaded jewelry after attending a workshop in Sacramento. Lorna’s director hat is as the display coordinator. Making sure the gallery looks great every time a new or old customer steps foot inside the door.
Laurie Lehmann, joining in 2017, is the newest member to the Board of Directors. Laurie is a photographer. Laurie is currently having fun creating photos using some new tools that “manipulate pixels” creating a painterly effect to her works. Flowers, scenery and architecture work best and spring is a great time to capture the images she uses as a starting point. “I am glad that I am finding new creative outlets to enjoy my photography and having them in the gallery takes my work up a notch!” Laurie’s director job is publicity, making sure people in our community know this is a great place to come meet the Artists, find a gift for a friend or something unique for their home. |
Patty Cherry once said, "Originally the gallery was opened one story above the Vault, an iconic Sonora Building. Hence the name was true to Websters definition of the word Aloft, "high above the ground." But the name is more then that; it is meant to denote the ability to uplift the artists ability to show their work and to elevate the cultural community of Sonora."
In honor of the accomplishment of being in business for a decade in downtown the Board of Directors will be featured as “Artists in the Window!” The Directors are six hardworking artists volunteering their time to run this cooperative art gallery! All during the month they put on their “administrative hats”, bringing another skill set, to be sure that the doors are open to this ever changing creative space on Washington Street in downtown Sonora. Renetta Hayes is a founding member and has been with the Aloft gallery since it opened its doors 10 years ago upstairs in the Bradford Building. She paints in oil for it’s freedom of movement and expression and pastel for the detail and vibrant colors available. Her inspiration, “A tender scene inspires me and makes me want to capture the moment.” Renetta paints, with a north light beaming into her studio, on average 12 hours a week, unless distracted by a good game of Scrabble. Renetta is the galleries fearless bookkeeper, keeping meticulous records of every gallery sale. Jeannie Philbin is one of the newer members joining in 2013. Jeannie’s art is a mixture of oil, acrylic, paper and at least one postage stamp. Oil is her favorite as it reminds her of her mother who also was a painter. Jeannie works at least 3 hours everyday in her studio with lots of windows where she can observe mother nature at work. Jeannie’s hat as a director is the membership coordinator. Making sure there is someone at the gallery each day to greet our visitors. Alexis Halsted also joined the gallery in 2013. Alexis is a ceramic artist. Her influences are clear; Pueblo, Roseville and Mission style pottery. Alexis has a designated building in which to create and she spends on average 15 hours a week. Alexis loves clay because “there is no end to what you can create!” Alexis hat at the gallery is budget and finance. Thank goodness for us all that she can engage both sides of her brain and get this job done! Alexis is glad that May 1 marks the celebration of our tenth year of operation! Kate Frederick has produced and shown art for the last 25 years. Her home and studio are in Hathaway Pines, and filled with all kinds of bright and bold work.Kate, as a precocious kid, dabbled in just about every form of creative media from mud to more refined forms of art materials. “I cannot remember a time when I wasn’t making something to hang on a wall”. She is inspired by the colors and forms of nature and always exploring something new. We have two gallerywindows to maintain, Baer’s window down the street and our front window we call the “Artist in the Window” and it is Kate’s job as director to oversee their transformations each month. |
Curtis Mothershed- "Artist in the Window" April 2018
|
Curtis Mothershed has quite a resume. He has transplanted to Sonora from the Santa Cruz area. This is where he honed his skills as a technical illustrator and fine artist for over 30 years. Some of his projects were; developing artwork for Service & Parts manuals for Indian Motorcycle Company or 102 illustrations in 10 months for 3 medical training books at UC Stanford. Other top-tier clients, included Berkeley National Lab, Gallo Winery, US Postal Service, Xerox, Paramount Studios, US Winter Olympics and more.
Curtis is now retired from the corporate illustration world to be with my wife Sue, puppy Dolly and to devote himself to painting full time. He enjoys traveling and keeps a watercolor sketchbook and camera with him always. He says, “I'll never run out of subject matter.” To create landscapes and seascapes he uses his favorite technique; drybrush watercolor. He enjoys this technique because the effect created is unique and can’t be achieved by other art methods. “It is more time consuming than traditional transparent watercolors and takes patience to learn the technique. Using very little water on the brush, I apply the paint using crosshatching and scrubbing. I start out with transparent washes and build up an under-painting with some colors to set the mood and temperature of the scene.” Curtis works on location whenever possible, working quickly to get the lighting and mood of the location. Curtis’s work will be in the window of the Gallery for the month of April. |
|
Featured "Artist in the Window" March 2018
Journey Profoundly
Laurie Lehmann
|
Laurie Lehmann has been a photographer as long as she can remember. It all started with a little point and shoot and rolls and rolls of film. Children were born and adopted and she photographed. She and her husband Bob built homes, went to festivals, played music and she photographed. First days of school, family vacations and birthday parties. Documenting life and what was created was a whole closet full of photo albums!
Now she calls herself a documentary photographer. “In the moment” best describes her style. Not one to stand there waiting for the sun to be in the perfect location. If it happens, it a gift! If not, she moves on. To help hone her skills Laurie is very active in the local arts community. She is a member of the Sonora Photo Club. She helps the Tuolumne County Arts Alliance put on their yearly InFocus Photography show. She is instrumental in the monthly 2nd Saturday Art Night and it’s newest component, “The Linoberg Art Mart” supporting up and coming artists that feel like, “I’m not that kind of Artist.” Laurie has been blessed with an adventurous family. One that supports her need to step out of the ordinary and wiggle through the crowd to be able to see everything up really close, always with her camera in hand. Laurie has taught herself a lot over the years technically and artistically and has had the opportunity to practice all over the world. Traveling, documenting, processing, sharing. Then, in 2012, Laurie was diagnosed with malignant breast cancer. For anyone that has heard this news you know the world stops spinning. For 8 months cancer made “going out” challenging so Laurie began to experiment with collage art. The 6 pieces she created show the chronological journey of emotions she felt during this time. These emotions were very much like the stages of grief. They were: profoundly emotional, afraid, out of control, sadness, hope and then relief. When asked to be the featured “Artist in the Window” Laurie saw a perfect opportunity to share these collage pieces and recall that time, 5 years ago this month, in her life. The 6 emotion collages are paired with 6 photographs that she hopes capture these same emotions. This opportunity has proven to be a great way to honor that journey. Laurie is back to traveling the world, attempting to take that photograph that no one else has taken. It’s been over 50 years of photographing and still going strong! |
Featured Artist January 2018
JoAnn Terry
Joann started painting in oil s as a member of “Art in the Park” in Oakdale, CA in the 1960’s, and continued painting until taking time off to concentrate on building a business. After retiring she discovered her love for watercolors.
Joann has won numerous awards over the years and many of her paintings hang in private collections. Primarily self-taught, she has participated in workshops with Tony Couch, Dale Laitinen, Al Sabin, Jill Figler and Kathleen Davids, as well as workshops in Texas, Idaho and Nevada. She is a member of the Mother Lode Art Association and Oak Valley Art Society, and a former member of associations in Idaho, Texas and Nevada. “I continue learning from others while finding my own voice. I try to establish an interpretation of my feelings for a subject while measuring my paintings by how they move beyond their surface appearance.” |
|
FEATURED ARTIST NOVEMBER 2017
MARTA MAGISTRALI
|
Martas work is a sight to see. She brings her creatures to life in clay. Come by and peer into the window then come inside and take a closer look.
In her own words… “I like to make things; and if it has fur, feathers, or foliage, all the better. The animal sculptures are the physical expression of my sense of stewardship. I hope my work expresses my reverence of nature. The ceramic surface is a constant interest and challenge. Textured glazes, coloredslips, and sgraffito (scratching into the surface) have interested me for many years. I also enjoy wood firing, which leaves a deposit of ash on the work during several days of stoking the anagama kiln, and raku, where the finished surface is dictated by the combustible material and atmosphere you subject the piece to after removing it from a red hot kiln. I like those “uncontrolled” opportunities. My mother gave me clay at the age of five and with the help and encouragement of many people along the way. I got my BA at Santa Cruz and my MFA at the SF Art Institute. I’ve been teaching since 1983 as an Artist in Residence in several states and at various community colleges, currently at Columbia College. I learn from my students every semester.” |
Featured Artist September 2017
Barbra MacNair
Barbra has been exploring various art forms and media as long as she can remember. Over the years she has worked with ceramics, fiber art, polymer clay, metal enameling and found objects. She also makes beautiful handmade paper. Her current pieces bring these various media together in new and intriguing ways. She hopes that the multidimensionality of her art engages you in a deep and satisfying experience.
|
|
FEATURED ARTIST AUGUST 2017
JOHN SHARUM
Originally from Michigan, John moved to Angels Camp in 2013 after living in Belgium, Texas and the Bay Area. Retired after thirty years in international business, he has pursued art in earnest since 2002. Using elements of line, color and value, John explores images of people and places that have moved him.
John considers his passion to be printmaking, using a variety of techniques such as etching, aquatint, linoleum and woodblock printing and monotype. He has studied under Belgian Artist, Rene Classens and Bay Area artists Luz Ruiz and Toru Sugita. His work has been shown in over twenty-five shows in California, winning numerous awards. John’s other mediums include pastel (studying with Tina Moore of Stockton), watercolor, acrylic and ceramics.
John’s earliest recollections of making art were of using clay, finger paints and crayons. Art period was his favorite time of school and he was encouraged by his early art teachers.
“The first sculptures I remember seeing were the snow horses my mother made in the front yard in Ann Arbor when I was four. With clay, one sees as much through touch as you do through your eyes when forming clay into your final vision. You also learn that the clay dictates as much as it is dictated to in developing a concept. There is an element of randomness in clay making, especially in the firing and glazing process, which is both maddening and liberating. This lack of control is also what allows serendipity to enter the creative process. I have worked in clay sporadically over the past 55 years.”
Finger painting shared this same tactile sensation. What John loved about the final image was the beautiful line quality—fluid, thick and thin, fast and slow—a record of the artist's every gesture. Today, John’s fascination with printmaking, particularly monotypes, has its roots in this same direct immediacy of finger painting. The process of mixing inks, applying them to the plate and then continuing by adding, subtracting, pushing, and pulling the ink combines these same elements of immediacy and direct "touch" but with an infinitely more complex set of variables. “Producing monotypes also encourages me to experiment with pure color and abstract compositions as well as representational images.”
Having a new box of Crayola crayons, was a magic moment. “I remember the first time I had a box with sixty-four colors. I couldn't decide which one to use first, but after a while your "palette" would evolve—all the short and broken crayons. I admit it. I was one of those that colored between the lines. In fact I loved the lines and the fields of color, eventually making my own lines and colored "prints". Later, I discovered graphite and pure tonal pictures. Today, my favorite medium is etching with aquatint combined on the same copper plate.”
The evolution of his print making began in 1973. “When living and working in Brussels, I took instructions at night from a print maker, Rene Classens. He taught me in heavily French accented English to etch, aquatint and print with his ever-present Gaulois cigarette dangling from his lip. He let me make the poster for the Artists December Open Studio and helped me sell my first print.” Returning to the States in 1974, it would be almost thirty years before John took up etching again. Life has a way of being daily.
Diablo Valley College rekindled John’s love of art. In 2002, John took figure drawing after 30 years away from any formal instruction. Drawing from life helped develop his ability to observe critically and begin to use the human figure in his other work. He explored new mediums, such as pastels and watercolors, in figure drawing, landscape and still-life. Acrylic painting classes followed and he began working on larger pieces as well as revisiting ceramics.
“Looking back, I see that art has always been a part of my life—not to the exclusion of other elements—but always in the background ready to be expressed. Now that I have the time to develop new skills and work on new themes I am realizing what a great joy it brings to me, and I hope in some way connects with those viewing my work, to bring understanding, amusement and another view of life.”
John considers his passion to be printmaking, using a variety of techniques such as etching, aquatint, linoleum and woodblock printing and monotype. He has studied under Belgian Artist, Rene Classens and Bay Area artists Luz Ruiz and Toru Sugita. His work has been shown in over twenty-five shows in California, winning numerous awards. John’s other mediums include pastel (studying with Tina Moore of Stockton), watercolor, acrylic and ceramics.
John’s earliest recollections of making art were of using clay, finger paints and crayons. Art period was his favorite time of school and he was encouraged by his early art teachers.
“The first sculptures I remember seeing were the snow horses my mother made in the front yard in Ann Arbor when I was four. With clay, one sees as much through touch as you do through your eyes when forming clay into your final vision. You also learn that the clay dictates as much as it is dictated to in developing a concept. There is an element of randomness in clay making, especially in the firing and glazing process, which is both maddening and liberating. This lack of control is also what allows serendipity to enter the creative process. I have worked in clay sporadically over the past 55 years.”
Finger painting shared this same tactile sensation. What John loved about the final image was the beautiful line quality—fluid, thick and thin, fast and slow—a record of the artist's every gesture. Today, John’s fascination with printmaking, particularly monotypes, has its roots in this same direct immediacy of finger painting. The process of mixing inks, applying them to the plate and then continuing by adding, subtracting, pushing, and pulling the ink combines these same elements of immediacy and direct "touch" but with an infinitely more complex set of variables. “Producing monotypes also encourages me to experiment with pure color and abstract compositions as well as representational images.”
Having a new box of Crayola crayons, was a magic moment. “I remember the first time I had a box with sixty-four colors. I couldn't decide which one to use first, but after a while your "palette" would evolve—all the short and broken crayons. I admit it. I was one of those that colored between the lines. In fact I loved the lines and the fields of color, eventually making my own lines and colored "prints". Later, I discovered graphite and pure tonal pictures. Today, my favorite medium is etching with aquatint combined on the same copper plate.”
The evolution of his print making began in 1973. “When living and working in Brussels, I took instructions at night from a print maker, Rene Classens. He taught me in heavily French accented English to etch, aquatint and print with his ever-present Gaulois cigarette dangling from his lip. He let me make the poster for the Artists December Open Studio and helped me sell my first print.” Returning to the States in 1974, it would be almost thirty years before John took up etching again. Life has a way of being daily.
Diablo Valley College rekindled John’s love of art. In 2002, John took figure drawing after 30 years away from any formal instruction. Drawing from life helped develop his ability to observe critically and begin to use the human figure in his other work. He explored new mediums, such as pastels and watercolors, in figure drawing, landscape and still-life. Acrylic painting classes followed and he began working on larger pieces as well as revisiting ceramics.
“Looking back, I see that art has always been a part of my life—not to the exclusion of other elements—but always in the background ready to be expressed. Now that I have the time to develop new skills and work on new themes I am realizing what a great joy it brings to me, and I hope in some way connects with those viewing my work, to bring understanding, amusement and another view of life.”
FEATURED ARTIST IN JULY 2017
Kathleen "Kitty" Davids
Kathleen (Kitty) Davids is an accomplished award-winning artist currently residing in Sonora, California. Kitty, as she’s known to her friends, has studied pastel, acrylic and watercolor painting most of her adult life. While studying with Patricia and Elizabeth Hubble, she discovered the wonders of oil painting. Kitty has attended and learned from many master painters in workshops in Utah, Montana, Colorado and California. The Aloft Art Gallery has been blessed to have Kitty as one of its 37 co-op artists as well as having her sit on the board that helps keep the gallery going! “I love all forms of art, however, I always come back to oil painting as it is my first love. Art is a never-ending learning process and I am excited by new ideas, approaches and challenges inherent in the creation process. I especially love doing wildlife and portraits!” Kitty has been an active member of the Mother Lode Art Association, the Pastel Society of the West Coast and the Central Sierra Arts Council. She has done commissioned art-works that hang in private collections as well as original murals all over Northern California. Kitty has been teaching fine art painting for many years in her Sonora studio. The Aloft Art Gallery is excited to have a special event on 2nd Saturday July 9, featuring Kitty’s work in the gallery and also in the window in the Baer’s Alcove. |
|
Featured Artist for the month of June 2017
Barbara Young
|
Barbara loves to do plein-air paintings in watercolor. Plein air is “the act of doing paintings outdoors.” Landscapes and old buildings have been her primary source of inspiration. She likes to sketch with an ultra-fine Sharpie pens while on location. Barbara has done works in oil, acrylic and now her medium of choice is watercolor. “I try to capture in my drawings and paintings the memory of a place by setting down textures, feelings, and characteristics finding the uniqueness and special quality of that place.”
Barbara’s paintings & drawing style is alive with color and realism. “Painting and drawing are a source of joy and fulfillment for me. Each artwork I complete brings me satisfaction and wonder, “I actually did that!”” 
|
Barbara Young’s early days in art were spent trying to copy cartoons from comic books and doing paint-by-number paintings. For several years her drawings were usually sad and/or gloomy. In her last year of high school she won an Art Scholarship to Sacramento City College. There she took the basic classes in art and was taught many good principals that have grown and enlarged in her work since.
Barbara’s parents lacked the resources to help pay for further art studies, which meant she had to work and an art career did not materialize. Barbara worked as an Institutional cook for 16 years and her last job was at Columbia College as a custodian where she retired in 2004 after 16 years. During all those years, and in the years since, her art has continued to grow and expand in quality and in “lightness” and she overcame the gloom of her very early art. Barbara says, “I feel that my art is a God given talent. I have learned some techniques and enhancements for my art from watching others and just by trying something and making mistakes.” 
|
April the Gallery Window will feature
The Art of Spring!
George Allen Durkee is our Guest Artist for the months of April, May & June
FEATURED ARTIST FOR MARCH 2017
Gary Johnson
|
This month the Aloft Art Gallery is excited to be featuring Gary Johnson, a certified professional portrait and landscape photographer, for the month of March. Gary will be revealing two new very unique works as the gallery’s featured artist, a painted family portrait and a back-lit landscape image.
As a former science teacher, Gary first became interested in cameras when he taught black and white film photography to his students. “I loved to see their amazement as an image appeared on photographic paper from a chemical soup in the darkroom.” Gary specializes in photographing family portraits at beautiful locations around the county in his portrait studio in Sonora. Along these lines, the first piece he is debuting this month is an artist-rendered hand-painted canvas of a family portrait he photographed earlier this year. Besides doing portrait work, Gary has a vast collection of beautiful landscape photos. “Landscape photography allows me to interact with nature as I try to find an amazing composition with the best lighting and apply all of the technical knowledge and creative skills that I possess.” His second unique piece is an image of “Moraine Lake” in Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada. Besides being a beautifully composed image, what makes this image so unique is that it is printed on a transparency and is back-lit using LED lighting. We have seen many new techniques in photo display, canvas, metal, glass and now this, something new in photo display which makes for an absolutely stunning image. |
FEATURED ARTIST FOR FEBRUARY 2017
"Everything is Temporary"
Christine "Kina" HalleyWhat do we value and hold close today? Do the things we hold dear now persist throughout our lifetime, or do they evolve and change? The art that is featured in the window of the Aloft Art Gallery, by Kina, challenges you to think about how your values today, effect the emotions you feel while viewing her art. Step back and think how your perception of these pieces might change given the passage of time.
|
|
Christine "Kina" Halley has been creating thought provoking works in clay for the past 15 years. Kina works in mixed media, using clay as her base mask material, then adds metal and found objects to embellish the piece. Each mask is original with no two alike. Kina does not start with a sketch or a picture, rather she lets the masks come out the way the clay wants them to.
She has participated in numerous art shows and county fairs. She has exhibited at the Fillmore Art Show in San Francisco and the Lincoln art Show, to mention a few. She won “Best of Show” at the Columbia College Art Show, the Calaveras Co. and Mother Lode Co. fairs, and also an award at the California State “Best in Show” Invitational Exhibit. Besides being exhibited at the Aloft Art Gallery her work can be found in a gallery in Hawaii and on walls all over the world. Kina also currently owns the KINART gallery and studio at 145 S. Washington St. in Sonora. The gallery features different artists each 2nd Saturday. Her goal is to encourage up and coming artists, of all ages, to express themselves and feel alive in showing their work. Kina wants to encourage that creative and loving spirit in all of us. |
FEATURED ARTISTS FOR JANUARY 2017
Cary McGrewCary grew up with an artist for a mother, then married an art major and raised two sons who both majored in art, so she has been around, among, and in the midst of art for a very long time.
After a 30 year teaching career in Humboldt County, Cary and her husband moved to Columbia to be closer to their family. It was then that she decided it was her turn to be a painter. Cary studied with Gereon Rios after moving to Columbia. She has also taken classes from Diana Boyd. She is an active member of the Mother Lode Art Association and is currently showing her work at the Aloft Art Gallery. “I’m finding painting to be wonderfully challenging, extremely satisfying and quite exciting” 
|
Alicia FulcherAlicia was born in Peru and moved to Colorado seeking a new adventure
Through the years her heart was filled with happiness and life treasures... The truth is she never let go her spicy Peruvian spirit. During a period of soul searching, SPICYHEART was born. It reminds her of who she is, where she comes from and the way she wants to project her world. "No matter where you are just be yourself, be your own wild flower" as she says. Each piece of jewelry is very unique and tries to connect with your personal story and your own journey. Nature is a great source of her inspiration the ancient cultures fascinate her. You can perceive a bohemian and vintage style that is captured in her designs. Alicia loves to travel and enjoys historic Sonora. Her mother is part of the community and reconnecting with family is a great joy. Breckenridge, CO aclarkfulcher@gmail.com
|
