Astonishing Artists of Art Presence – ART AMBLE Tonight!

"Wooden Bird," Anne Brooke

Anne Brooke has a degree in art and is a member of the Watercolor Society of Oregon. She is noted for her drawing skills and vibrant use of color. She enjoys painting landscapes, still lifes and figures. Anne has taught drawing and watercolor for 20 years helping to develop many prize-winning artists. She conducts beginning and advanced classes in her home/studio gallery. Using a limited palette and value study of subject, she begins her pieces with an underpainting, developing a unique style. Cezanne said, “With an apple I will astonish Paris.” I am encouraging members of Art Presence, to ‘astonish’ Jacksonville during the Art Amble.

"StareWay," Alice Lemoree

Alice LaMoree: To cause you, the viewer, to pause for a moment, look and ponder: That is my goal in creating images. From early work in recording experience on film through my present work with digital images, I strive for each photo to flow into, around and over the line between the abstract and representational.

My work features strong design and texture flavored with mood, mystery and humor, a reflection of my belief that we are challenged by uncertainty and blessed with mystery.  RioQuerencia, River of Serenity is both a state of mind and my home in Southern Oregon on the Applegate River.

"Yosemite," Ron Moore

Ron & Dee Moore: This is one of my favorite views in Yosemite. The picture was taken with a Zone 6, 4×5 wood field camera, using Kodak black & white film. All my work was processed in my own darkroom and studio, including mounting, mating and framing. As of late, I’ve been doing some work with digital equipment in collaboration with my wife Dee, who has more digital experience. We are making large panoramas and enjoy working in the Jacksonville area. I have also been scanning some of my large format traditional negatives then Dee and I process and print them digitally using archival materials.

Jannie Ledard

Jannie Ledard has her studio in Talent, Oregon, where she creates fused glass jewelry and stained glass art. She was born and raised in Rouen, France and graduated from the University of Rouen. “I am fascinated by the ethereal translucent quality of glass. As I work with this medium, I find myself being led by invisible guidance toward a more transparent and authentic expression of my own feelings. It is my hope that viewers of my work will feel the same sense of excitement, joie de vivre, peace, serenity and beauty I feel, as parts of me are revealed and unveiled during this artistic process.”

"Female Relations," Dianne Erickson

Dianne Jean Erickson: “Each day working in my studio, I start not knowing how an image will emerge from my fleeting memories of the unconscious. I allow myself the freedom of indecisions, improvisations, and impulsiveness in my work. My most recent work in oils is figurative, the act of remembering people and places from the past, using family photos. I also work abstractly in encaustics (hot wax), and enjoy the texture and translucency possible with this luscious medium.”

Dianne won First Place at Exhibitions West 2010, an all Western states competition at the Coos Art Museum. She is a founding member of AMBUS Contemporary Art, on the boards of Art Presence in Jacksonville and the International Encaustic Artists (IEA). Dianne owned a graphic design business for 25 years in the California, and was Board President of the Pacific Art League of Palo Alto.

"Rose in June," Elaine Witteveen

Elaine Witteveen: Elaine has been painting in Jacksonville since 1964 at her studio at the corner of Oregon and “D” Street. She moved here from Chicago in 1946 after attending the Art Institute, the American Academy of Art and the University of Chicago where she earned a degree in Art History. Working in watercolor, acrylic and collage, she is also an experienced typesetter and layout artist. In addition to having helped establish the Maude Kerns Art Center at the University of Oregon, she served on former governor Bob Straub’s board of the Oregon Art Commission. Elaine says, “Everybody has talent in some field. The secret is to find your passion, painting or hang gliding. Talent must be nourished and practiced…never give up. Never stop. Love your work.”

"Promenade on Royal Street," Katharine Gracey

Katharine Gracey is inspired by Tuscan and Provence countrysides, as well as her native Southern Oregon surroundings. Katharine’s observations and experiences at home and on her travels translate beautifully into whimsical landscapes and vignettes.

Her designs stem from her use of trend-driven themes, whether the high style of her Venetian collection or the enchanting French and Mediterranean collections, she brings faraway worlds into reach. For Katharine Gracey, art is about life and dreams and telling stories about places and people.

"Season's End," Steve Bennett

Steve Bennett has been composing pictures most of his life. He practiced Dentistry in Bend, Oregon and enjoyed photography. From this compositional background, he began to study drawing, design, color, harmony and the other elements of fine art. He has been painting for over 25 years and considers himself fortunate to have studied with many of the finest instructors in the United States. He most frequently chooses to work in pastel because of its immediacy of expression: “The pigment is right here in my hand.” His strong designs and colors add to the excitement of each piece, as does the emotional intensity of painting on location. For Steve Bennett, art is another dimension to the joy of life.

"Near Salat," Sue Bennett

Sue Bennett: “I loved to draw from the time I remember. I spent ten years studying art in College classes and National Workshops. Drawing led to basic Design which led to Oil painting which led to Print-making which led to Watercolor and it takes me back again to Oil painting”. Sue Bennett’s paintings are portrayed with simplicity of shape and rich colors. While making a painting Bennett gets very involved with the medium. ”I paint in both watercolor and oil to express beauty, mood and heart to take the viewer to a place of refreshment. I want to be emotionally caught up in the subject from start to finish and like it best when I am slightly surprised by the end result.”

"Summer Fog," Susan DeRosa

Susan DeRosa received a BFA in Drawing and Painting at Laguna College of Art & Design, Laguna Beach, CA. After working in graphic design for several years, she returned to her alma mater to work as Associate Dean of Admissions, and taught community education classes. She also taught Fundamentals of Drawing at the University of Irvine Extension Program. Her educational art background emphasizes a strong foundation of classical art training, and has greatly influenced her artistic focus and direction. “My intent is to capture on paper or canvas, mysterious and thought provoking scenes. This I find inspiring, whether it be in landscape or figure studies.” Her art is in private collections, nationwide. She has exhibited in major galleries and juried shows in Southern California and NW Arkansas.

"Breaking Through," Alx Fox

Alx Fox is an abstract artist driven by an incredible passion for self-expression through art. Early on it was clear that Alx’s life would be centered upon her passion for art and self expression. She attended State University of New York at Buffalo and Barat College in Lake Forest Illinois where she discovered a love for photography. Her works are often noted for their unique style, elegance, and technique. Alx has developed an innovative style that blends thought provoking mystery with abstract expressionism. “My art reflects life, and the layers of changes that impact it. What we see, every sound we hear, the conversations and the silences we participate in change us minute by minute. We grow and continue on our path carrying these effects.”

"Line of Flight," Cheryl Garcia

Cheryl D. Garcia: “The inspiration for my metal artwork is directly influenced by our natural world. A bird perched in a tree or ready to take wing, the vast awe wrenching mysteries of the solar galaxies or the simplistic beauty of a flower gently unfurling. These elements and more are the basis of honoring the world around me through a variety of metals and finishes.

By taking this inspiration and applying it to our modern lifestyles, I have developed a fusion of art and function, transforming reclaimed materials into entrancing sculptures. This approach to art allows the viewer to interact emotionally with the artwork and experience first hand the magnificent world we are part of. I have been honored to call Jacksonville home for almost six years, finding a nurturing and supportive community located in an area of exceptionally stunning beauty.”

"Schmaddie's Oak," Peter Coons

Peter Coons: “I work with oil-based and water based inks to develop prints using viscosity resist or direct painting to create startling juxtapositions of shapes, values and colors. I then apply pastels to bring out the “story” in the print. Often, I will mix up the process by developing etched or wood block prints and then enhance the print series with overlays of ink, watercolor and pastels. I am inspired by the work of Degas, Pissarro and other Impressionists who captured “light” in their landscapes. I love working outdoors and capturing the mood and spirit of the scene. Once the essence has been rendered, the image is then “reconstructed” using pastel or painting media, or sometimes I like what I created and leave it as it is.”

Berry Barss

Betty Barss was born in Dallas, Texas. She moved with her family to California where she later graduated from San Jose State University with a Bachelors of Arts degree in Education. She taught fourth and sixth grade including art education with the Medford School District. Betty first began painting oils in 1970 and, finding the challenge and spontaneity of watercolors to more accurately reflect the feelings she wished to convey. Her work is currently on display at Art and Soul Gallery in Ashland and the Jacksonville Inn. “My love for the beauty of the outdoors and this state has been the inspirations that I draw upon. Color is very important to me in my transparent watercolors. With my interpretative realism style I hope you can experience the joy that I have when painting.”

"Layering at Cape Perpetua," Katy Cauker

Katy Cauker: “American modernism refers to a period in art that began before the world wars. It reflects a quest by many American painters and writers to discover a history of art that was particular to the country they lived in. They are the group of artists who connect me, in my personal exploration, with the artists, the painters from Europe known as the Impressionist and Post Impressionist. My work strives to continue their exploration and further my own understanding of how art concurrently creates and connects us to our culture. I paint in an effort to give solid form to ideas that increase the depth of my experiences in the process of living.” Katy Cauker paints on location at home and abroad, and in her home studio.

"Unforgettable Too," Charlotte Peterson

Charlotte Peterson: “Born and raised on a farm in Minnesota, I do not recall a time I did not enjoy drawing and “coloring”! At the age of six, I started school with a callus on my pencil holding finger. After my mother died when I was 14, I attended boarding school in Fargo, North Dakota. I received my Bachelor of Science Degree from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota. I taught secondary education until my husband Earl and I started our family in 1961.

After exploring many media, I unleashed my true passion: transparent watercolor. The subject matter for me varies from my favorite florals, to landscapes, old buildings, people and animals. I’m an active member of the Watercolor Society of Oregon and have been honored with many awards.”

"Snow Leopard," Danna Tartaglia

Danna Tartaglia is an established and successful oil painting and mixed media artist. He adventures into oil painting began in early years of schooling, where she excelled in all forms of art. She has provided forms of artwork for various clubs and events. Recently, you can see Danna’s art (and catch her in action painting) at Carefree Buffalo in Jacksonville.