Juaquetta hand spins unique yarn using local wool and alpaca. After washing she dyes and prepares these fibers to spin rustic yarns. She also knits, crochets and weaves garments to keep you warm. This is her 20th January as the guest artist at Pottery Place Plus.
Accessories can pull an outfit together, dress up plain clothing, or help us express ourselves. Fiber jewelry is an extension of that. This special show features a little of both. Earrings, cuffs, bracelets, necklaces, collars, and scarves all made from small pieces of fine fabric. Many of them are made from upcycled materials as well.
watercolor by Katie Frey
Katie Frey graduated from Walla Walla University with an English and Art degree and worked as a teacher for years before deciding to step into the unknown and begin art as a full time career. She primarily paints landscapes and animals. Her artwork is inspired by her time spent in nature; by the textures and patterns of rocks and plants, and both the ease and energy of wild animals. She wants her watercolors to look as spontaneous and joyful as it feels when she creates them.
“My inspiration is always nature, it provides perfect design, if I pay attention.”
Apis Joy by Marcia McDonald
When I paint a landscape, my inspiration is not the scene, but rather the composition of the light and dark in the shapes, more of a design or pattern, than a painting of the actual scene. I try to stay away from worrying about getting the colors just right or making sure the depth of field is correct.
When painting an abstract, it is more about the colors and the way they can move the eye around the painting. How they interact with each other, warm against cool, intense next to muted or sharp edges relating to soft edges. With an abstract painting I try to solicit an emotion using color.
Marcia McDonald
Artwork by Bernadette Beeman & Charles Ayars
Although a San Diego native, Charles’ interest in photography began on the plains of South Dakota taking pictures of old barns. He retired after 36 years as a Presbyterian pastor having served in six states. Over the past eight years, Charles has expanded his artist’s eye to capture not only the beauty of nature, but the transformation and layering of images to create unique photo collages and abstracts. They are usually printed on metal but can be printed on canvas or paper. Charles’ prints have been juried and sold in galleries. Charles currently lives in Liberty Lake, WA with his dog.
“I grew up here in North Idaho. I’ve been working with watercolor since I was 8 years old, and moved on to learn pencil soon after. I’ve had the great opportunity of studying under many different and talented teachers through the years. In college I went on to practice acrylic, oil, and even welding. Currently, I enjoy exploring abstract acrylic work, sharpening my hyper-realism pencil skills, and growing in overall creativity. Besides art, I enjoy hiking, riding horses, hanging out with my church family, and eating great food!”
Kay West has been around making art, playing with different art media, teaching various techniques, for a very long time. But she’s always finding new methods and new materials with which to play and create. This show brings together a number of different acrylic paintings, collage, baubles, fiber ... all involving or including BUTTONS.
Raspberries In Glass by Bari Federspiel
Watercolor painting was something I always dreamed about doing. But I didn’t have time; I was too busy working as a different kind of artist. Life changed, and I knew I needed to make my dream a reality. I’ve been painting since 2003 – my work constantly changing as I keep learning and doing new things. I paint subjects I love and strive to glorify God through my work which includes series of still life, pet portraits, and florals. You may notice a few chickens! Lots of different subjects and styles – attribute that to my ADHD. I have fun painting, but take it very seriously – learning as I go, trying new subjects and different ways to look at everyday scenes and objects. I’ve won a few ribbons here and there – many of them “First Place” and some “Best of Show.” It makes my heart happy when others relate to and enjoy my work.
I was born in Arkansas to two struggling college students, including a dad who had just returned from WWII and was getting his education on the GI bill. Because he returned to the military as an officer after earning his degree, we lived all over the world. Both parents are artists; my mother did oils, dad did watercolors, both painted in acrylics. I married Pete Graves in 1967 – a government employee who moved us all over the United States while our children were growing up. During that time I worked as a cake decorator, a splash artist, a piano and theory instructor, and a pre-school teacher. Pete passed away after 36 years together. I realized how short life is, and my dream of watercolor painting needed to happen. I retired from my sign painting/graphics art/splash art 28-year career and found watercolor instructors. I remarried in 2004 to Frank Federspiel who lived next door and had lost his spouse as well. Besides painting, I enjoy crocheting, camping, being in the water, and making messes around the house.
Mary Pat Kanaley is a Spokane, Washington based artist. She works in varied mediums from chalk pastel to acrylics and watercolors, often combining all three together. Over the years, she has been a commissioned artist, freelance illustrator, art director and art teacher. She is never without a sketchbook or travel paint set and is always on the lookout for inspiration, especially when traveling and exploring new places and cultures.
1. Linda Malcom
2. Michele Bournonville
3. Bunny Webster
4. Sarah Peterson
5. Valerie Fawcett
6. Sandra Phoenix
7. Janet Brougher
8. Holly Swanson
9. Helga Hirsh
10. Kris Howell
11. Joan Ashworth
Artist Biography
Born in Texas, I moved to Spokane at the end of first grade. Color and imagery have been life-long interests, which earned art awards and scholarships throughout my youth. As a young adult, I attended EWU for two years and graduated from UW with a BA in General Art, a BFA in Sculpture and a Secondary Teaching Certificate. Since that time, I have offered children’s summer art camps, continue my 30 year involvement providing programs and events for the Museum of Arts and Culture, and lend my efforts to many volunteer organizations. I am a member of River Ridge Association of Fine Arts, signature member of Spokane Watercolor Society and participate in several garden clubs, which keeps me connected and learning. I have exhibited in a number of shows and events in the Spokane area, winning numerous awards as a watercolorist. My goal is to keep growing as an artist and continue my watercolor career in a meaningful and engaged way.
Artist Statement
As an artist I am inspired by many things – patterns, light and shadow, color and the mood of a particular place or subject. I am often influenced by the drama of nature. Artistic expression is my means of responding to the world around me. It’s an attempt to capture the essence of what is attracting my attention and to communicate the emotional and visual aspects to others. Watercolor is a challenging and gratifying medium for this expression.
Contact information: gloriabfox@gmail.com, (509)499-1812, instagram at @gloriabfoxarts
ARTIST BIO
Karen is an award-winning graphic designer and watercolor artist. She applies her understanding of design concepts and color relationships, as used in advertising and publishing, to her watercolor paintings. Since 2016, after a long career as a graphic designer, Karen has taken watercolor classes and workshops, and has exhibited her work from Spokane and the surrounding area to the west side of Washington State. Mostly inspired by nature, Karen’s watercolor paintings reflect her interest in remote places in the outdoors, as experienced on hiking and bike trails, as well as national, state and city parks, and botanical gardens.
ARTIST STATEMENT
I spend many hours yearly on hiking and bike trails, photographing and doing studies on-site to later use in my watercolor compositions. As a watercolor artist, I combine color and design to create unique artistic expressions based on my experiences exploring nature.
My background in oil painting and working as a landscape designer was the artist part of me for 30 years. In about 1998 I took a fused glass class and made a cute bowl. It was not until 2005 that a friend asked me to go to a Portland art studio to make fused glass Christmas ornaments. This is when I fell in love with this medium.
I did my first year of experimentation at the Portland artist's studio and attended a basic fused glass class at Bullseye Glass located in Portlan, OR. In 2006 I moved to Newport, WA. It was at this time that I purchased a kiln for my studio.
Usable art is the most fun to create. It can be a colorful spoon rest, bowls or serving plates. Creating a glass object for someone's home or business is always very rewarding. Sometimes when I am experimenting with the glass, I receive the most wonderful surprises.
I take great pleasure in watching people run their fingers over my work as they respond to the energy and vibrant colors. When they smile I know they have made that wonderful connection with my craft
I work with plants and plant dyes on natural fibers to make beautiful, useful things. I am fascinated with the colors achieved from many humble weeds we overlook every day and the rather magical processes used to get them to give up their secrets. I have always been a bit obsessed with the passage of time, and this art form fits right in. The time of year and the stage of growth of a plant can affect what color it will give. The process itself can not be rushed-open the bundle too soon and it is ruined. This work teaches me mindfulness, presence and patience.
I started growing gourds 20 years ago to provide a supply for various art projects. I find growing gourds is an art in itself; to create mature, strong, well-formed gourds that can be turned into colorful display pieces. The process includes a long grow season, plenty of hot weather and water.
The drying process takes six to eight months followed by thorough cleaning. Thick-skinned, smooth, unblemished gourds are the desired end product.
I carve designs on the gourd and use various dyes, stains and paint that will bring out the character each gourd reveals by it’s own unique size, shape and texture. Enjoy!
I started growing gourds 20 years ago to provide a supply for various art projects. I find growing gourds is an art in itself; to create mature, strong, well-formed gourds that can be turned into colorful display pieces. The process includes a long grow season, plenty of hot weather and water.
The drying process takes six to eight months followed by thorough cleaning. Thick-skinned, smooth, unblemished gourds are the desired end product.
I carve designs on the gourd and use various dyes, stains and paint that will bring out the character each gourd reveals by it’s own unique size, shape and texture. Enjoy!
I am a native of the Pacific Northwest, my palette and choices of subjects generally reflect the sunny warm light of Spokane and the Palouse or the cooler light and softer shadows of Anderson Island in Puget sound where I have lived over the past 12 years. I have painted my entire life with the goal of capturing moments in time, tiny spots of beauty and focus that capture my heart.
I grew up as a child of the sixties, which means much of my early artistic development focused on the emotional impact of art. As I continued to grow as an artist, I realized I needed to get back to basics working on drawing and classical painting techniques to enable me to tell my story as a “woman of a certain age”.
My retirement from a long career in nursing gave me even more time to work on my art and allowed me to find and develop my own techniques and work on my story telling in painting even more. My art continues to be focused on using classical methods to bring in the serenity and calmness of beautiful everyday objects. My vision is to share the beauty and light you can find in the most mundane subjects. Light is a recurring theme in all my work.
2020 brought me back to Spokane. I am thrilled to be in a larger community and am looking forward to meeting other artists, hearing other stories and continuing to grow in my personal artistic journey.
My new home has a large studio with good light, and I continue to be blessed with my supportive husband Dave and entertained and inspired by our big goofy dog, Finley.
“I’m in fine fettle and fired with a desire to paint”
Claude Monet
Just before facing an empty nest, I started ceramics at Spokane Art School about 15 years
ago. I made an instant connection working with clay. Shortly after the Spokane Art
School closed its doors, I joined The Clay Connection and created a lot of art pieces with
passion for 4 years. As a child, I was totally fascinated with nature, so it came naturally
that I started expressing my love and admiration for any type of beautiful, little creatures
through ceramics. In order to portray animals, birds, and amphibians realistically, I first
researched all the images from different angles, thanks to the Internet. Then, I challenged
myself to transform hard and heavy clay to look light, warm, rough, smooth, or fragile.
During the coloring process, I always painted eyes first and painted layers of glazes with
my hope that each piece would come alive with a soul.
After spending countless weeknights and weekends at the kitchen table as an amateur
ceramic artist, I eventually became burnt out and stayed away from clay for a long time.
My production became limited to a single piece for Art on the Green every year, where I
was lucky to be awarded cash prizes 4 times at the Juried Show.
Five years ago, a strong urge to create returned to me. All of a sudden, the idea of
humanized animals popped into my mind. My dog started playing the violin, and a moose
started playing the guitar. Two years ago, which was the zodiac year of the wild boar, a
face-painted Kabuki boar started to dance.
I eventually attended a raku firing at The Clay Connection. I had previously avoided raku
because I wanted to have as much control as possible over my process. However, I have
since totally accepted and enjoyed the unpredictability of raku firing. On display, there
are several subjects finished in both regular firing and raku firing so that you can see the
differences in color effects. I also enjoyed making replicas of ancient Japanese Jomon
vases and artifacts in different colors and with some original concepts added on. I have
realized that there is no limit to ceramic creation. Whatever I want to create, there are a
hundred ways to express it. I wish to continue to expand my horizons in art.
My last ceramic exhibit was almost 9 years ago, and some pieces on display were created
during those early production years. Hopefully my assortment of old and recent pieces
will show you my artistic growth. I pray that my delicate creatures can make you smile,
gently speak to your soul, and bring back some warm, sentimental memories of your pets.
Please come and enjoy my enchanting ceramic world.
Yasuko Mayhew
Have you ever been mesmerized by a great book or musical score? I get the same response when I see a ray of light transmitted through a flower petal in my garden or the way it plays along the back of an old cat sleeping in a sunny window. Color has intrigued me in many ways, since childhood, when I learned to embroider and knit. I soon moved on to pastels and paints. I used color collaborations in jewelry, utilizing gemstones and sometimes hand-blown glass. I observed the works of the great masters and became inspired by some wonderful instructors along the way.
Which brings me to the present I am still on my journey of the explorations of light and the interplay of delicious colors around us. I am inspired by the Hubble telescope pictures and the "what happens if I use this color" methodology. Sometimes I strive for a more subtle, reflective viewpoimnt of everyday places and things. Other times I go crazy trying to capture a brief interplay of shadows when the sun comes out after a rain. I am ever challenged to attempt to show you, the viewer, a small corner of that world on canvas or paper. So let us begin on our humble journey...........and may you find a small glimmer of the joy this searching brings to me.
PS I have been asked about my use of the name Upchurch. I use it to honor my maternal grandmother who was a homesteader near Orofino, ID. She survived some terrible times and kept a sense of humor. She was a source of inspiration in so many ways.
WHO HE IS
LR Montgomery creates original oil, impressionistic landscape paintings of our beloved Northwest.
His paintings bring the ambiance and memories of our outdoor experiences into homes, work spaces, and recreational abodes.
As an artist with a heart for conservation and sustainability, he paints nature, exposing its intricacies and boldness, lights and shadows, wide-open spaces, and hidden secrets.
Montgomery’s images float through the boundaries of realism and impressionism, reflecting a sensitivity and close interaction with the environment and the Northwest outdoor life style. His recognizable, prolific outpouring of works show a respect for life, nature and the beauty of God's creation.
STATEMENT
I applaud those with the foresight and determination to conserve our natural areas for enjoyment, environmental stewardship, and education. Our rugged yet fragile natural areas, (like art) are a gift from the past, a gift for today, and a gift for the future. Through art, I strive to conserve and grow the great gift of our natural areas, and share it with others.”
COLLECTIONS ~ INFLUENCE ~ AWARDS
LR Montgomery’s work is found in the collections of corporations, private individuals, environmental groups, museums, and educational institutions throughout the USA, Europe, Russia, China, Mexico, Canada, Africa and Japan.
Collecting entities include Kaiser Permanente, Spokane Eye Clinic, Pacific Lutheran University, Washington State University, City of Spokane, Dishman Hills Conservancy, The NW Museum Of Arts & Culture (The MAC), Layola Marymount University, Shriners Children’s Hospital, and Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center.
Montgomery has produced signed limited edition etchings or print images for organizations such as The NW Museum of Arts & Culture (The MAC), St Georges School, The Friends of Manito, WSU Intercollegiate School of Nursing, and Dishman Hills Conservancy.
Awards include Los Angeles Printmaking Society National Exhibition Purchase, The Artist's Magazine National Art Competition Finalist, Artistry In Wood Featured Artist, and Valley Art Center First Place.
Montgomery has been featured in Spokane Coeur d’Alene Living Magazine, The Spokesman Review, Columbia Basin Herald, Silver Valley Voice, Signals, and on KSPS Public Television.
LR Montgomery is the Artist In Residence for Dishman Hills Conservancy. DishmanHills.org
His influences include Renoir, Monet, Van Gogh, Sorolla and Chevreul.
PERSONAL
LR Montgomery lives in Spokane WA with his wife Carole. His studio and gallery are located near Manito Park. He can be reached at LRMontgomery@LRMontgomery.com
PS
LR Montgomery is a bit of a rascal and a great story teller. Click here to receive his occasional e-newsletter where you can read his insights, learn about upcoming shows, and be among the first to see his new paintings.
