Hanchett, Halstead, and Doyel Featured in October at AmadorArts Gallery

EVENT DATES: October 1 – 30, 2016

Reception on October 1st at 3-6 pm during 1st Saturday Art Trek

AmadorArts Gallery, 11-A Randolph St., Sutter Creek

Two outstanding ceramic artists, complemented by a favorite two-dimensional artist, have been scheduled to kick off the fall season of fine art in the AmadorArtsGallery in Sutter Creek. Starting on Art Trek First Saturday, October 1, you’re invited in to see and purchase clay works by Alexis Adams-Halstead and Rod Hanchett, and a variety of media work by Melissa Doyel.

                                    

If you saw an AnimalScapes exhibit this past year, you were introduced to the exquisite ceramic style of Sonora artist Alexis Adams-Halstead who won First Place in the three-dimensional category.  Halstead’s designs derive from the forms and textures of traditional Native American pottery and the plants and animals native to Sonora and Santa Fe. The resulting rustic sensuality and warmth is reminiscent of pottery from the California Arts and Crafts movement.

Urn with turquoise bird

Clay in Nature

Rod Hanchett of Mokelumne Hill also earned a spot in the AnimalScapes show with a beautiful raku ceramic piece called Ghost Bird. In the mid-80s he worked as a contract artist for the California Dept. of Corrections teaching ceramics to inmates in several Central Valley prisons. He then became a full time artist facilitator for Corrections until he retired six years ago. Today his clay work focuses on raku lamps and vessel forms. His lamp bases are an easily identifiable reference to Mayan temples in Guatemala. To have some of Rod’s rare works shown in the gallery is a tremendous opportunity to add something exceptional to your collection.

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Melissa Doyel, from Fiddletown, is an award-winning artist, with several 1st and 2nd place awards from Amador County Fairs, including a Best of Show.  Inspiration comes from animals, flowers, scenics and people.  She lets the subject speak to her on which medium she will use, and she’s skilled in watercolor, acrylic, pastel, and oils.  For this exhibit she’ll be showing new works that focus on the beauty of Amador including one of the Mokelumne River for which she won a 1st Place at the Fair.

Meet the artists at the First Saturday Art Trek on October 1, 3:00 to 6:00 pm, in the gallery at 11-A Randolph St., Sutter Creek. There’ll be a reception with appetizers and wine. The AmadorArts Gallery also offers items such as jewelry by Karen Crane and assorted artists’ cards and small works of local scenes.  Hours are11 am to 4 pm on Saturday and Sunday, and during weekdays, it’s best to call ahead, 267-9038.  The next exhibit will be the popular annual Holiday Adornments Show and Sale with 24 artists from November 5 through December 31.

"Just a Glance"

"Moke River"

Sabina Turner demonstrates watercolor portrait techniques at the next October ACAA meeting

The Amador County Artists Association is very pleased to have nationally known Fiddletown artist Sabina Turner demonstrating at our Wednesday October 12 meeting. Sabina will demonstrate her portrait techniques using watercolors, although she also paints with oils.
The monthly ACAA meetings begin at 7 p.m. and are held in the Jackson Senior Center, 229 New York Ranch Road.  The public is always welcome and new members are encouraged.  For additional information about the organization, visit www.amadorcountyartists.org.
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Art runs in Sabina Turner’s family, from the great-grandfather who sculpted, to her ballerina mother and Star Trek set-designing father.  She began studying at the Art Institute of Chicago—at the age of eight.  Moving to California, she took art classes at Chabot and Diablo Valley colleges as well as with artists associated with the “California Scene Painters.”  Her greatest mentor was Juan Pena with whom she spent many years studying classical portraiture from live models.  Turner is a well-known artist, working in both watercolors and oils.  On October 11, she will demonstrate her portrait techniques using watercolor at the meeting of the Amador County Artists Association.  Meetings begin at 7 p.m. and are held in the Jackson Senior Center at 229 New York Ranch Road.  The public is always welcome.

After working as a graphic designer with Pacific Bell, Turner decided to pursue her fine art career full time.  Her work has been shown on TV, in magazines and books, and included in solo shows and many group exhibitions where she has taken numerous Best of Show awards.  Some time ago, she began exploring contemporary Native American culture, resulting in her striking portraits of Native American subjects.  She has also painted antique handmade vests from around the world, each capturing the expressions of color and texture that are unique to their culture of origin. 

Turner is a signature member of the National Watercolor Society and Watercolor West as well as an exhibiting member of Oil Painters of America and the California Art Club.  She also belongs to the Amador County Artists Association and Amador Arts.  She is a popular juror and demonstrator for art associations and shares her knowledge through classes and workshops.  Her work can be seen at Gallery 10 in Sutter Creek or at her studio in Fiddletown.

"Sabina's Late Season Fruit"

"Has Seen Many Days"

Portrait of Ron Scofield

"With Hands of Love"

October at Gallery 10 features "A Mixed Bag" - Howard Rees and Bruce Hancock

Reception Saturday, October 1, 2-5 P.M. at Gallery 10

Howard Rees and Bruce Hancock

“A Mixed Bag”

Howard Rees and Bruce Hancock have been painting together for over ten years, creating art in many different locations, tackling various subject matters.  The October show at Gallery 10 will feature a variety of landscapes, still life pieces and figurative work from both of them.  “A Mixed Bag” describes the eclectic nature of this show.

Howard Rees started his lifelong art career doing mainly watercolors.

  “Most of my early commercial work was done in gouache, an opaque watercolor, so staying with transparent watercolor was a natural progression!”  Since then he has played with many mediums, concentrating on oil painting for the past ten years.  For this current show, Howard is getting back to his roots, painting in watercolor again!

Bruce Hancock has spent over 40 years in design and construction management. He has returned to a childhood interest in art and has begun to paint!  His very first painting instructor was Howard Rees.  After taking instruction for a variety of accomplished artists, Bruce has found “plein air” painting to be his favorite activity.

“The energy  and immediacy of the outdoor art experience can’t be duplicated in any other way,” Bruce says.  “As a fourth generation native Californian, it’s only natural that I find endless inspiration in this beautiful state!”

Bruce also enjoys the peace and quiet of studio painting, and has spent time doing still life and figurative painting in recent years.  He describes his art as an eclectic collection, “A Mixed Bag.” 

“The artist’s journey never ends,” say both Howard and Bruce, and together they continue to meet to paint and explore that never ending  adventure of putting paint on canvas or paper!  

"Home from the Sea"

October at Sutter Creek Gallery features painting and poetry by artist Ginny Schaw

Artist Ginny Schaw divides her time between Sutter Creek and her cabin along the Rogue River in Oregon. Both locations provide a wealth of beauty, serenity and adventure to inspire her art. Whether she is painting landscapes—plein air or in her studio—wildlife, flowers or still life groupings, she is always trying to capture how the light and shadows provide interesting contrasts. Schaw will be the featured artist at Sutter Creek Gallery in October where she will introduce an integration of painting and poetry.

Schaw has wonderful memories of a childhood doing arts and crafts with her talented mother and grandmother.  During her career as a teacher, she tried to continue the same playfulness and sense of fun she experienced as a child.  This philosophy has continued since retirement as she pursued painting with oils and watercolors.  Schaw is mostly self-taught but has extended her techniques through classes from other artists.  She loves sharing her passion with others who may not have had the opportunity for positive art experiences.  Her paintings, some of which were commissioned, are enjoyed by collectors across the United States.

Sutter Creek Gallery invites you to spend some time with Ginny Schaw at a reception in her honor on Saturday, October 1, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., as part of the region’s First Saturday Art Trek.  She is one of 25 artists exhibiting at the gallery located in the heart of Sutter Creek at 35 Main Street.  Besides original paintings and photographs, Sutter Creek Gallery offers many affordable items including prints, cards, jewelry, ceramics, gourds and fiber arts.  The gallery is open Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.  For additional information, call 209-267-0228, email suttercreekgallery@gmail.com, or visit www.suttercreekgallery.com. 

"Poppy Fields Forever"

"Beached Blue"

Little Blue Rowboat

By Ginny Schaw

Little blue rowboat

Lost in the shade.

Nobody knows his sorrow.

Will he stay sleeping

With only his dreams,

Or go on his way tomorrow?

He’d drift down the river

In dawn’s early light.

Bow to the eagles on high.

Follow the salmon

Under the bridge

And race the clouds in the sky.

Freedom Frolic

By Ginny Schaw

You rarely see the soul unfold

From lessons that are taught.

Constricting girth and roles on earth

Or treasures that are bought

But when the day’s endurance ends

The rule book’s put away

The word goes out without a shout

The horses time to play.

"Heron on the Rogue"