Jacksonville is proud to present its ArtWalk on the Second Saturday of each month through October. Art changes everything, improving creativity, critical thinking, communication and academic performance.

Participating venues will treat you to unique pieces that will amaze and delight you, and there will be wine and music. This is such a great way to see what’s going on in the world of art and engage with the artists.

Many of the businesses have educational offerings and merchandise specials during this time. Gather family and friends, mingle with others of like mind, and don’t forget, Jacksonville has some of the best food in Southern Oregon.

If you haven’t stopped in to see it yet, our show of heavenly art by Art Presence member artists, Celestial Journeys, remains on display until Sunday, September 1. Our guest artist for August is Ilene Gienger-Stanfield.

Gienger-Stanfield’s studio is in the hills of Southern Oregon where she holds weekly figurative sessions and teaches private lessons. She has taught workshops nationwide and has signature status with American Impressionist Society, Pastel Society of America, Northwest Pastel Society and master signature status with Women Artists of the West.

Ilene’s first intensive studies were in portraiture, where her sensitivity to capturing the character of her subjects honed her drawing skills. Always open to learning, she then began observing subjects with a more abstract thought process, seeing only color, shapes, and how they fit together. This observation of shapes led to a broader range of subjects such as still life, landscape and figurative. Often Gienger-Stanfield does not know what she is painting; only the shapes she is painting. The last influential injection into Ilene’s current painting style was to strive for more original and clean color.

The combination of these influences—drawing, shape, and color—have led to a style that is “A space that is my own” quotes Gienger-Stanfield. With images pared down to the essentials, the viewer sees natural, simplistic, and truthful art.

Art Presence invites you to a reception for the artists on Saturday, August 3, from 1:00-3:00pm.

For the Second Saturday ArtWalk, August 10, from 5:00-7:30pm, Bruce Millbank demonstrates the technique that makes his woodwork so special. He tells us, “I have been doing woodwork for many years. One thing that sets my work apart is that I inlay semiprecious stones and turquoise into the pieces I make.

Over the last 4 years at Art Presence, I have been asked many times how this process is done. I will demonstrate at Art Presence for the Jacksonville ArtWalk on August 10. It is very easy to do and adds a great look to your work. I hope to see you there.”

Featured image: Bruce Millbank bowl inlaid with turquoise