MARCH 2024 JEFF CAMDEN

JEFF CAMDEN

"My inspiration for my art comes from these great places and the deep respect and love I have for them."

-Jeff Camden

"I was born in a small rural community in Salmon, Idaho.  Growing up, I was lucky enough to travel all over the northwest, riding horses, hunting, and fishing.  The states of Montana, Idaho, and Oregon became my first love.  My inspiration for my art comes from these great places and the deep respect I have for them.  Art to me is about sharing my experiences in my life; sharing my dreams.

Art has always been a major part of my life. My first memories of drawing were at a very young age. People responded well to what I was creating, so of course I created more. My first publication came from a contest I entered for the Missoulian newspaper.  

My commitment to creating art is who I am. My goal is to create as much as possible with my main focus on landscape scenes. I create images of real places and animals as well as imaginary places. I hope you enjoy the images I create, and thank you for your support."

– God bless, Jeff Camden

FEBRUARY 2024 LORETTA ETCHISON & MELISSA ISAACSON

LORETTA ETCHISON

"I have been creating art work and selling it since I was 15. In 1972, when I was in high school, my best friend and I had a booth at the first “Art on the Green”. I have been creating in some form or another since then. I had a 35 year career as a florist, and also taught floral design at Spokane Community College. I have always considered myself an “Out of the Box” designer.

I started my little card company Retro Blooms about twenty years ago. I design the originals from flowers I press from my garden, the cards are made from prints.

I retired three years ago and started making wool felted purses and decorating them with needle felting. I find joy in creating and learning new avenues to grow in my art life."


MELISSA ISAACSON

"My best work starts outside the studio, when I take the time to slow down and really look around me. I start noticing themes in the space: patterns, lines, colors, light and shadow, textures, etc. I'll start sketching on site with whatever materials I have on hand. Sometimes it's a No. 2 pencil on the back of some old mail. If I planned ahead, I've got my sketch bag stocked with a few types of papers, drawing pencils, markers, colored pencils, and gouache. While I sketch, I'm focused more on what I see in front of me than on how the sketch turns out. It's a way to focus my mind and pay attention to the details rather than an attempt to complete a finished piece. I keep my phone handy, and capture images of things taking place within the space while I'm sketching. My goal in the studio is to tell the story of the place I was in, combining the technical visual details with the events taking place to capture the essence of the place. I attempt to tell the stories of places, and the people passing through them."

JANUARY 2024 JUAQUETTA HOLCOMB

JUAQUETTA HOLCOMB

Juaquetta has been hand spinning yarn since 1992. The wool and alpaca she uses are from local PNW farms. She does all the processing herself; washing, dyeing, preparing to spin. Check out her rustic handspun yarn, hats and shawls at Pottery Place Plus this January.

DECEMBER 2023 GINGER OAKES

As a ceramic artist for near 30 yrs, I’ve transformed stoneware and porcelain into 3D images from my mind. I have worked and experimented in the privacy of my own home studio and have been honored to show my work in galleries and shows across the US. In recent years I’ve shared my studio with private students and peers who love to relax and play with clay. It has been my favorite creative time so far.
Each piece of work in this show is hand built and one of a kind, fired in multiple firing processes. While creating every sculpture, my appreciation of life stories in nature, the human body, mind and spirit has grown. Sometimes the details and messages in the work are hidden, so it’s been fun to find the story below the clay surface, I hope you enjoy finding things too.
2023 has been the Chinese year of the rabbit which is full of luck and I have been incredibly fortunate. May 2024 bring more Peace and Joy in our beautiful world.

Thank you for coming.

Ginger Oakes/GoArt

NOVEMBER 2023 STEPH SAMMONS

I AM STEPH SAMMONS, A LIFE-LONG RESIDENT OF THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST.

My road to making art has been a long and winding one, and my artwork bears evidence of all my stops along the way...

You may notice strong line-work from my stints in drafting and graphic design; you’ll see vivid colors, textures and sharp contrast from years working with visually impaired students. You also witness the geeky subject matter of a former English major. I hope you’ll feel a reverence for joy, from my years spend crafting with pediatric oncology patients and facilitating art with at-risk youth. Finally, I hope you’ll sense a love of magic, unconventional methods and unorthodox materials, from my time in theatrical design.

My current obsession is an Alphabet of Mythical Beings. I recently completed these and made them into a book, which I published in partnership with Gray Dog Press, here in Spokane.

SEPTEMBER 2023 BEVIE LABRIE

BEVIE LABIE

Bevie grew up in Washington State in the foothills of Mt. St. Helens. Exploring the woods as a young girl began her observation of and interest in the color and intricacies of nature. Climbing trees and running through the woods sparked her love for adventure, movement and creation.  

Her artwork is influenced by her life as an art therapist, educator, youth worker, wilderness instructor, and through exploration of the world through climbing rocks, travel and mountainous beauty.  She is inspired by life and nature in all its forms--calm, chaotic, dry and abundant. She works with mixed media, is often inspired by found objects, and is led by presence through her process.

Bevies passion and hope is to inspire and open up wells of creativity, courage and life in others through her art and its process.

AUGUST 2023 ROBIN KAHN

ROBIN KAHN


I began making jewelry after 27 years of teaching special education. Every child is an artist.  Working with  children, I've always dabbled in a spectrum of handicrafts but never had the gift of time to develop a passion for making jewelry until I retired.

A beading class and its setting, a bead store that dazzled, somehow unlocked an artist  within.  The  process of fabricating a new piece still starts out with a vision of color, texture, and shape that inevitably evolves, each piece finding its own direction, until ultimately, the final design is revealed.

My interest at present is refining my skills in metalsmithing by using silver, copper and brass, creating pendants, bracelets and earrings.  Enhancing these pieces with texture and patina is so gratifying and such fun!   I’m also continuing to develop my  technique with  with torch and kiln-fired copper enamel. 

I participate annually in the Little Spokane Artist Studio Tour and Christmas by the Creek  in Spokane, Washington and the Sun City Oro Valley, Arizona annual Art Fair each November.

The last several years, I have attended the annual Tucson Gem and Mineral Show,  observing a motherlode of unique and beautiful pieces.  In addition I've taken classes at the Tucson Gem Show through the Vivi Magoo Academy, at Tacoma Metal Arts, Rings and Things in Spokane, and lots of mentoring from fellow metalsmiths.  In addition I teach torch fired copper enamel to fellow metalsmiths in Oro Valley, Arizona each winter. We are never too old to be challenged and learn new skills, which feeds my spirit and sends me back into the studio with a renewed zeal.


My jewelry can be found at The Confluence Gallery In Twisp, Washington, Elements in Joseph, Oregon, Sun City Oro Valley Silversmith Studio, The Art Spirit Gallery in Coeur D’Alene, Idaho and Petroglyphs in Tucson, Arizona

JULY 2023 RUTHIE FRANKS

RUTHIE FRANKS

The vision I created for my passion of growing, drying and creating beautiful pieces started with growing gourds over 20 years ago. I am finally beginning to understand the vagaries associated with growing the perfect art gourd; harder than the decision of what to do with it once grown. I have tried to bring out the organic beauty of my gourds, each has its own beauty that is waiting to be expressed. Enjoy!

JUNE 2023 ANN AUSTIN & DIANNE MCDERMOTT

ANN AUSTIN

My work is inspired by two parallel sources – the found beauty of the natural world and the repeating patterns I notice all around me. I use collage and mixed media to be able to overlay and combine colors and patterns almost in the manner of a puzzle coming into focus with each new piece. I incorporate found images and papers, but also my own monoprints and photos. Because the papers I use are often fragile, the work in this show has been professionally reproduced to render it archival.

My life experience is as an art educator, providing an abundant visual and creative environment for children and young people to interpret their world through art. Teaching others taught me to value observation as the jumping off point for self-expression. Evaluating children’s art taught me to closely identify beauty in each work of art. These things inform my own art process as I allow each image to unfold.

DIANNE MCDERMOTT

‘I wanted to make something that is practical and usable, yet expressive as art.’ Backpack/purses…
 
 As a semi-retired illustrator and graphic artist, I use my art background in designing these bags. And I often research designer fabrics to compile a theme. Beadwork and embroidery add to the uniqueness of each creation.
 
The adjustable shoulder straps don’t slip, and the bag hugs your back beautifully when you ride a bike or hike. I’ve come a long way since that first bag I designed.  Making art that is functional and practical gives me joy.
 
I have always admired fine artists who create from their heart and hope someone hears their message and enjoys it. These artistic bags make a statement and are proven to get you lots of notice…  My mission is to make a comfortable, durable backpack/purse that will last for years. And it is fun to wear!
 
Dianne McDermott
Liberty Lake Fiber Artist

May 2023 "Tea"

CELEBRATING THIS MARVELOUS BREW

In May 2023 PPP celebrates our 45th anniversary with a group display of local art by current, past, and founding members of our artist cooperative.  The title of the show is “Tea” and will feature tea pots, tea bowls, and many other items related to the Art of Tea.  On First Friday, May 5, 2023, there will be a tea tasting hosted by Revival Tea Company.

APRIL 2023 JOEL GREEN & LAUREN RANTS

Joel Green

Art is part of the human experience.  Some choose to invoke art to bring about the emotions they wish to experience while others choose to create art so they can evolve.

Throughout my entire life I chose to express my evolution through means of drawings, paintings, ceramics, wood, and resin.  I strive to create a gallery artisan piece that expresses my moment in-time so that it will last through yours.

-Joel Green

Lauren Rants

A Career Well Spent
Lauren Rants

Forty-nine years as a dental technician/ceramist was an unrecognized, at the time, gift bestowed on Lauren. As a traveling musician throughout the 1960’s, and tired of the road, Lauren took an entry level job as a dental technician trainee. Having no idea this would become his life’s work, and in spite of that, he instinctively (read: genetically) threw himself into the work headlong. After some years into the field, Lauren developed a reputation for tackling the most difficult and demanding projects, specializing in cases that have failed in other hands and high profile “smile make-overs” like those currently seen in the media. His work is published in several books by various authors. He eventually became in demand around the country as a lecturer/demonstrator.

He was often introduced as an “Artist.” Never quite buying into the moniker, Lauren called himself a craftsman. As things change, after being a member of Pottery Place Plus for 7 years, and other professional associations, he finally has had to reluctantly agree with the descriptor “Artist.”

To maintain mental health Lauren needs to be making things. For nearly twenty years he made hand crafted pens. Currently his passion is making boxes of various types. Not content with the natural beauty of woods he has pioneered techniques for infusing/casting resins into the wood and into his fountain pens.

Not having much experience with woodworking has been oddly helpful to the “artist” side of Lauren’s personality and to the style he has developed. “Pretty much making it up as I go along” is the way he describes it. The result is a fresh look in box making and a true expression of his personality.

“I am excited to put my current work forward for all t

March 2023 HEATHER STRONG BROWN

Heather Strong Brown is the artist and children's art teacher at HeatherThymeArt in Spokane Valley. She works in watercolor, acrylic and oil paints. Her work is heavily influenced by the natural beauty around her as well as her faith. 

Heather grew up in LaCrescenta, California with parents who were very supportive of her artistic nature. As a child, she would spend hours creating with any materials she could get her little hands on, including self-portraits on tissues. As a teenager, she took art classes in impressionist painting, which heavily influenced her personal style. 

She began college at Brigham Young University as an illustration major, but quickly realized that having someone else dictate everything about her artwork took all the joy out of the creation process. She switched programs and graduated with a degree in Elementary Education in 2019. 

Heather moved to Spokane Valley in 2020 for her husband to attend medical school. After having a few different jobs in childcare, tutoring, and even cleaning houses, Heather got her art supplies back out in 2021 after almost 7 years of not using them. She began painting again and named her business HeatherThymeArt. She soon realized she could blend her two passions of teaching and art and began offering children’s art classes out of her in-home art studio. 

Now Heather teaches a variety of art classes for kids of all ages where she focuses on nurturing creativity and developing artistic skills and techniques. She gets to paint in her free time and sells her work on Etsy. She loves painting commissioned work where she gets to work closely with clients to make their vision a reality. 

FEBRUARY 2023 CINDY GEORGE AND AMBER WYCKOFF

CINDY GEORGE - ACRYLICS

My name is Cindy George and I live in the Inland Northwest.  I have been painting in acrylics for most of my adult life.  As my children have grown, I find myself committed to doing more of what I love, which is to paint, paint, paint! Primarily, I paint on small canvas with an edge so that the scene can be continued all the way around, allowing the painting to be viewed from all angles.  I initially started painting on these small canvases due to time constraints but now love to work on this size.  I find they can be tucked into so may interesting places such as corner shelves, coffee tables, counter and desktops, usually displayed on a miniature easel or set free standing.  It is also fun to change them around with the seasons or just to stir up a memory.



I find most of the subject matter, nature and wildlife, for my art right where I live.  Last Autumn, there was a herd of elk in the field at the bottom of my driveway.  This summer I frequented the large commercial sunflower field just a half mile up the road.  I never have to go far to find something to paint.  I love how even the simple landscape can be transformed by color, light and movement of atmosphere.



This is what truly inspires me, capturing that snippet in time of Nature’s unending beauty and surprises.  My goal would be for the viewer to want to be zapped into the painting, feeling transported into the scene, experiencing that mini-break we all need from time to time.


AMBER WYCKOFF - JEWELRY

Hello! I am Amber Wyckoff, the artist behind A.Wyckoff Handmade Jewelry.

My artistic vision is expressed through the use of mixed metals; silver & copper. The creative journey begins with raw materials. I saw, stamp, solder and stone set all my pieces by hand. I LOVE working with fire! Every piece I make is beautiful yet functional, making it the perfect thing to wear casually or for that special touch at an important event. I believe jewelry should be worn every day, no matter the occasion, and I design my jewelry to achieve this! My studio is located in the Pacific Northwest- in Nine Mile Falls, Washington. If I am not in my studio you will spot me out exploring the mountains!

Happy Adornment!~ Amber

JANUARY 2023 JUAQUEETTA HOLCOMB

Juaquetta hand spins local wool and alpaca into rustic art yarn. She does all the fiber processing, making her yarn, hats and shawls, truly local creations. 

Garden Party Fibers, YARN, handspun by me, Juaquetta, with local Pacific NW grown fibers. I have been selling my handspun yarns since 1993. I also knit, crochet and weave shawls, hats and scarves with my handspun art yarn. Every day I am washing, dyeing fleeces and spinning more yarn, creating new yarn colorways. Textured, bulky, rustic colorful YARN is great for gifts or a treat to yourself!

Thank you for continuously supporting my passion, hand spinning yarn,  which in turn, helps support local Pacific Northwest sheep growers.

DECEMBER 2022 MARY PAT KANALEY

Mary Pat Kanaley loves creating stories, whether in words or pictures.  Her latest works

dive into the stories she hears and sees in music and songs.

Mary Pat is a lifelong storyteller who has published several books and has her art in

collections around the country.  She currently resides in the Pacific Northwest with her

family

NOVEMBER 2022 SPOKANE JEWELERS GUILD

The Spokane Jewelers Guild formed in 1982, and consists of an ever-varying membership with a variety of specialties, backgrounds and interests. Guild members this year work in sterling silver, titanium, copper and mixed metals, as well as vitreous glass enamel, polymer clay, fibers, found objects, crystal, and precious and semi-precious gemstones. Techniques include silversmithing, beadwork, weaving (wire, fibers, beads), designs strung with gemstone beads, fusing, riveting and much more.

Valerie Fawcett

Holly Swanson

Phoenix

Janet Brougher

Helga Hirsch

Linda Malcom

Kris Howell

Michele Bournonville

Bunny Webster

Sarah Peterson

Joan Ashworth

Cynthia Smutny

Amber Wycoff


OCTOBER 2022 PAM HANSEN

PAM HANSEN

Washington native Pam Hansen is an intuitive abstract textile artist who lives a short walk from the Spokane River in historic Millwood. She finds inspiration for her art and renewal for her soul hiking forested trails and paddling quiet Northwest waters. Her fascination and curiosity with textiles as an art medium was honed early, leading her to study textiles as both function and art at Central Washington University. The individual interpretation and mystique of abstract expressionism is reflected in her work through the organic layering of colorful textiles and finely stitched detail

SEPTEMBER 2022 GLORIA FOX & KAREN ROBINETTE

SEPTEMBER 2022 GUEST ARTIST

GLORIA FOX & KAREN ROBINETTE





GLORIA FOX



My art is my way of responding to the world around me.  I draw inspiration from the drama of nature with its colors, light, shadows, patterns and the mood of a particular place or subject.  Watercolor is a challenging, gratifying medium through which to capture the nuances of life that bring joy to the senses.





KAREN ROBINETTE



Associate member of Northwest Watercolor Society and signature member of Spokane Watercolor Society

Showing watercolor originals since 2016

August 2022 Sally Lancaster

August 2022

SALLY LANCASTER

Sally Lancaster was born in Spokane, Washington and attended Washington State University where she received a bachelor’s degree in Fine Art. She has taught jewelry making, paper making, and art classes. She has participated in group shows and displayed in galleries along the West coast. Sally’s work is focused on mixed media, a culmination of all of the types of materials she has worked with – acrylic painting, colored pencils, papermaking, printmaking, and fabric.

The mixed media pieces I create focus on working with form, texture and space. By layering and using different materials, I strive to create that feeling of balance and harmony as in nature – the smooth and the textured, the bold and the soft working together.

My compositions develop spontaneously – they plan and develop themselves. Generally, I don’t have an exact theme or preconceived notion in mind since it is an organic process for me. I love to experiment and let the ideas flow as I begin to work with the materials until a painting emerges. My work suggests, allowing the viewer to use their imagination.