November at Sutter Creek Gallery: Laurie Williams

Animals, both wild and domestic inspire Laurie Williams’ art.  “Since early childhood I have loved animals,” she said, “and have made them the subject of my paintings.”  Sutter Creek Gallery’s featured artist for November grew up on a ranch which allowed her the opportunity to learn about the goats, horses, deer and other creatures which are the focus of her art.  Each year at the county fair, Williams sits in the animal enclosures making life drawings, which are later turned into bold-colored acrylic paintings. Her show will open on Saturday, November 6, with a reception starting at 2 p.m. 

Williams was inspired by the great colorists—Gauguin, Van Gogh, the Fauves and the German expressionists—while studying art at Sonoma and Humboldt State Universities and the San Francisco Art Institute.  Because of these influences, her paintings of animals are depicted realistically but often against abstract backgrounds that are richly colored and patterned. In addition to paintings, the show will feature painted clay necklaces of animals augmented with beads. 

Sutter Creek Gallery invites you to meet Laurie Williams on November 6 and to view her vibrant creations at 40 Main Street, Sutter Creek.  Besides original paintings and photography, the gallery offers many affordable items including prints, cards, jewelry, pottery, gourds and fiber arts as well as custom matting and framing.  The gallery is open Thursday through Monday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  For additional information, call 209-267-0228, email suttercreekgallery@gmail.com, or visit www.suttercreekgallery.com.

Fish Fantasy

Bovine

Chicken Fiesta

Fallow Deer

Sculpy clay necklaces

Lodi Sandhill Crane Online Art Show

Celebrating the Season of the Cranes October 2021     LSCA Online Art Show   Artistic expression has been an important element in LSCA's efforts to encourage exploration of sandhill cranes and their environment. For this season, Art Show Chair Jill Cauthen is developing an online art exhibit.   Christine Blue with her prize-winning photography at the 2019 Sandhill Crane Festival Visit lodisandhillcrane.org for entry details and a gallery of prior years' art. Deadline for submission of entries is October 18th. ******************************************************************************************************* Sandhill Crane Student Art Exhibition   Attention students and teachers   Coordinator Kathy Grant has announced that Sandhill Crane Student Art Exhibition entries will be accepted October 12th-15th.   Student art will be exhibited at the Lodi Public Library and Thornton Branch Library throughout November. Check the LSCA website for entry information.   www.lodisandhillcrane.org   Join Today!   Membership helps support the work of LSCA.   By becoming a member you will be part of the team that provides educational information and unique opportunities to see the cranes ... while encouraging aspiring, and inspiring, artists.     Tours Available Crane viewing tours are available, though currently-scheduled slots are filling fast. Visit the LSCA website for availability and reservations.         Lodi Sandhill Crane Association www.lodisandhillcrane.org

October at Gallery 10: Marleen Olive

Partnering abstract design with representational art inspires Marleen to find many different possibilities for painting from photographs. What does the photo say to her?  The natural beauty of nature?  Or perhaps a mood?

Most of Marleen’s paintings begin with random shapes she paints on her paper, using only three colors.  She continues to pull out a design using just those three colors, and sometimes white.  She paints in acrylic, ink, and watercolor.  At first Marleen resisted risking the quality of her results by allowing the unpredictability of intuitive painting to take over, but she soon discovered that it is the unknown, inherent in trying something new, that forces attention on the final result.  The painting is improved using this method.

Marleen has been actively involved in art throughout her life. She was an art instructor at Southwestern Community College, in Brookings, Oregon, for 13 years.  After moving to Amador County in 1999, she taught watercolor classes until Covid hit.  Marleen is the current president of the Amador County Artists’ Association, and she is a member/owner of Gallery 10 in Sutter Creek.  A collection of her paintings hangs at Gallery 10, and during October she will be the Featured Artist.

A reception will be held for Marleen on Saturday, October 2, 2-5 P.M. Stop by, say hello, have a snack, and enjoy Marleen’s beautiful new collection of paintings.

October at Sutter Creek Gallery: Abstract Artist Curtis Stromme

Abstract artist Curtis Stromme goes his own way when creating acrylic paintings:  The artworks are untitled, allowing viewers to provide their own interpretation and connection to the artwork.  Unmatted pieces are surrounded by simple chrome frames so as not to detract from the art, which makes the paintings seem “to go on into infinity,” he explains.  Rather than using canvas, Stomme paints on paper, layering the acrylic with blocks—not brushes—to create his vivid compositions.  Sutter Creek Gallery will feature this unique artist during the month of October. 

Despite occasional excursions into representational art, inspired by numerous trips to Portugal, Stromme realized quite early that creating acrylic abstract paintings was what brought him pleasure.  He starts with a background color, then applies additional paints which skid across the surface and sometimes collide with those added earlier.  The layers create a textural surface while metallic swirls, circles and lines add vivacity.  Stromme says that “knowing when to stop is the most difficult part of painting,” which many artists can agree with.  He also produces what he calls art trading cards.  These 2.5 x 3.5-inch abstracts are painted on mat board.  Some of these cards come mounted on paper and can be framed for display. 

Sutter Creek Gallery will host a reception in Stromme’s honor on Saturday, October 2, starting at 2 p.m., at 40 Main Street, Sutter Creek.  Besides original paintings and photography, the gallery offers many affordable items including prints, cards, jewelry, pottery, gourds and fiber arts as well as custom matting and framing.  The gallery is open Thursday through Monday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  For additional information, call 209-267-0228, email suttercreekgallery@gmail.com, or visit www.suttercreekgallery.com. 

ACAA Art Raffle - Saturday, September 12, 2021

Amador County artists are supporting our community through donations to an art raffle, which is part of Art in Amador, an art show produced by the Amador County Artists Association. The free exhibition will be held on September 11 and 12 at the Sutter Creek Auditorium, beginning at 10 a.m. each day.   

A variety of media, styles, and subject matter will be on display in the art raffle.  Paintings, abstract and realistic, in watercolors, pastels, acrylics and encaustics.  Scenes far-flung and those close to home are depicted among the landscapes.  Florals in a variety of styles will be on display as well as various types of jewelry.  This is a chance to win a piece of art by your favorite artist. 

Each of the Art in Amador participants, as well as other area artists, has donated a piece of art or another item for the raffle (see below).  This is the Association’s only fundraiser and all proceeds benefit scholarships for local students and the spring high school student art show.  Tickets are only $1 each and you get to choose which items to take a chance on.  The drawing will take place at 3:00 p.m. on the 12th and you need not be present to win. We’ll call you. 

The ACAA, a non-profit organization, is an active membership group for visual artists and art supporters.  Its mission is to promote and encourage the production, cultivation and appreciation of art through monthly meetings, art demonstrations and annual projects such as the high school student art show.  Additional information about the event and its participants is available on our website, www.amadorartists.org.

Alyssa Vargas

Annie Hughes

Barbara Hoffman

Helen Wilkinson

Jo Ann Ogburn

Judy Day

Kirk Neiberger

Kristine Gunther

Maureen Olive

Ree McLaughlan-Brown

Sandra Campbell

Wendy Rogers

ACAA' "Art In Amador" Returns on September 11 in Sutter Creek

 Art in Amador returns after an absence of one year.  The art show, produced by the Amador County Artists Association, is scheduled for September 11 and 12 in the Sutter Creek Auditorium, 18 Main Street, where local artists will display, sell and demonstrate their art.

Entry into the Auditorium is free as the intent is to showcase the wealth of talent Amador County has to offer.  Hours on Saturday run from 10 am to 6 pm; Sunday hours are 10 am to 4 pm.  An important feature of the show is a raffle of artwork contributed by participating artists.  Supporters of the event donated additional artwork and other items. Tickets are $1 each and all the money raised from the raffle funds art scholarships and supports an annual high school student art show. 

A variety of artwork will be on display:  paintings from abstract to realistic, photographs, jewelry and more.  Visitors can choose among original watercolor, oil, acrylic, alcohol ink, collage and pastel paintings, as well as prints and cards. Information about the show will be updated on this site and on its Facebook page.

The ACAA, a non-profit organization, is an active membership group for visual artists and art supporters.  Its mission is to promote and encourage the production, cultivation and appreciation of art through monthly meetings, art demonstrations and annual projects, such as conducting the fine art and photography show at the county fair.

Kirk Neiberger

Jo Ann Ogburn

Judy Day

Julie Trail

Kristine Gunther

Ree McLaughlan-Brown

Sandra Campbell