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.
October 2020 Mike DeCesare
Artist Statement:
Photography is my first language, expressed in images that draw the viewer inside a scene to see, feel, interact with, and add their personal interpretation of a place or a time when light, color and form, combined to create a unique and memorable human experience.
Bio:
Mike uses an academic foundation of technical expertise from his formal training at the New York Institute of Photography, along with a deep and abiding love and respect for the outdoors, to create images that interpret and respect, nature's grand and beautiful elegance, or serve as a time portal to a place where people once lived and loved, and left their mark behind.
Every image is photographed and then hand crafted solely by Mike DeCesare to render a final work that interprets the natural world and the bond between nature and people.
Mike has been invited to exhibit at prestigious art shows, including: Spokane's Artfest, Coeur 'd Alene's Art on the Green, Salt Lake City's Urban Arts Festival, and the Beverly Hills artShow.
Mike's work has been featured in Hidden Treasure Art magazine - the editor called his work "Absolutely breathtaking." Mike has been a featured artist on the influential Artsy Shark website, included in Volume XII of International Contemporary Artists, and his portraits were featured internationally by Agefotostock, one of the top international photo agencies.
In February, 2019, Mike received a "Special Merit" Award for his image, "Parisian Cafe," in the 9th Annual International UrbanScapes competition that attracted 500 entries from 22 countries. Mike has also received awards from the Las Vegas Red Room Art Gallery, and the international Centre of the Picture Industry.
Mike's images appear on handcrafted Maple bookmarks and other environmentally sourced wood products made by Mitercraft and his friends Julie and Ron Flint.
Mike lives in Spokane, Washington, but travels and photographs around the country and internationally.
September 2020 Karen Robinette & Gloria Fox
Karen Robinette
Karen is an award-winning graphic designer, and a watercolor artist. She applies her understanding of design concepts and color relationships, as used in advertising and publishing, to her watercolor paintings. Since 2016 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.
Glorai B. Fox
Born in Texas, I moved to Spokane at the end of first grade. Imagery and color have been life-long interests, earning art awards and scholarships during 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 various volunteer organizations. Membership in Spokane Watercolor Society, River Ridge Association of Fine Arts and garden clubs 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 thoughtful and engaged way.
August 2020 Rosemary Barile
Rosemary Barile was born in 1955 in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania. She received herMaster of Fine Arts Degree from the University of Washington in 1997. The focus of her studies were Fiber Arts and Buddhist Art History in Asia. As an undergraduate she traveled to Nagoya Japan for the International Shibori Symposium. This trip proved to be a pivotal in influencing her art, as well as, her personal life. While in Japan she was introduced to Buddhist and Shinto spiritual practices and Japanese Tea Ceremony. As a graduate student she went on to study the ritual of Tea Ceremony with the Seattle Urasenke Foundation and began her ongoing exploration of Hatha Yoga. Rosemary left the Seattle area in 2005 to live on the island of Maui. While living in Hawaii she was represented by Maui Hands Gallery and her work was selected for Art Maui in 2006. She returned to the mainland in 2008 and now lives and works in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Rosemary’s work has been exhibited at the Center on Contemporary Arts (CoCA) in Seattle Washington, the Prichard Gallery at the University of Idaho, The Sun Valley Center for the Arts, and the Henry Art Gallery at the University of Washington. She is currently represented by Laura Rathe Fine Art in Houston and Dallas, Texas, and by Patricia Carlisle Fine Art in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
July 2020 Bonnie McMahill
Spokane area potter, Bonnie McMahill, discovered her love of clay upon retirement from a 40+ year career in the healthcare field. She took many art classes in junior high and high school, however gave these up in college to focus on the sciences. While busy with her career and three children, she found artistic outlets by sewing dance costumes and creating beautiful and functional hand knit gifts. Retirement allowed for time to explore clay art, and she was hooked! She is interested in many types of pottery finishing techniques, including underglazes, sgraffito, tape-resist, and silk screening. She draws inspiration from her family, pets, and the outdoors to create fun and functional pieces of art.
March 2020 Cindy George & Ian Kelly
Cindy George
I have been painting in acrylics for most of my adult life. Primarily, I paint on small canvases with an edge, so the scene can be continued all the way around, allowing the painting to be viewed from all angles. I originally started painting on this size canvas due to time constraints but now I love to work on this size! I find they can be tucked into so many interesting places such as corner shelves, coffee tables, counter and desktops, usually displayed on a miniature easel or set free standing.
The northwest is full of inspiration for everything I love to paint, from the northeast corner of Washington to the Olympic Peninsula! I also find much of the subject matter for my art, nature and wildlife, right where I live. Last autumn there was a large herd of elk in the field at the bottom of our driveway for over a month. This summer I frequently walked to a large commercial sunflower field just a half mile up the road. I am always in awe of how even the simplest landscape can be transformed by changes in light and atmosphere. This is what truly inspires me, attempting to capture that snippet in time of nature’s unending beauty and surprises!
Ian Kelly
I am a graphic designer, user experience graduate student and artist living in Spokane, WA. My work is graphic in nature and relies heavily on strong silhouettes to create depth and color to convey mood. My art is heavily influenced by the wonder and imagination of The Great Outdoors. Through emotive minimalism, yes I made that up, my goal is to provide enough narrative to draw you in, at which point you are encouraged to use your imagination to fill in what's not presented. My landscapes often explore the beauty, magic, and mystery that resides in the woods which represent a provocative dichotomy; pleasure/relaxation and mystery/suspense. I hope you find yourself getting lost within the story.
Without the distraction of fine details, you are free to use your imagination to complete the narrative presented, to revel in the pure use of color and shape. Each illustration begins a story and allows you, the viewer, to continue the tale with deep reflection. All of these landscapes tell a story, but what is it? How do your experiences shape and change the narrative?
February 2020 Toni Spencer
Toni Spencer has been showing her batiks as Guest Artist at PPP for many years. A resident of Idaho since 2001, she has taken part in art shows from Alaska to California for more than 30 years. All her batiks start with her original drawings often inspired by the shapes and colors of nature. They may start there but sometimes they take on a life of their own and turn out very different than originally planned. The batiks are created with either Silk Broadcloth or a Silk Jacquard. A wax mixture is used as a resist and vats of dye are used to apply the color, working from the lightest color to the darkest. The distinctive crackle found in batiks is created when the wax cracks and allows dye to penetrate to the fabric. Some of the crackle happens organically and some are manipulated by Toni to enhance the design.
Road Trips of the Northwest. The Columbia Gorge, Glacier Park, Lake CdA, the St Joe River, the Palouse Hills, and just traveling along Northwest Highways all have inspired the many Batiks for this show. The layers of trees, hills and mountains fascinate my artist’s eye and challenge me to try to capture the feelings they evoke.
January 2020 Jauqetta Holcomb
Juaquetta Holcomb hand spins rustic art yarn from fleeces grown on sheep and alpaca, right here in this area. Each day finds her washing, dyeing and spinning fibers into yarn. She then knits, crochets and weaves hats and shawls with these yarns. Juaquetta lives east of Spokane and sells her work at the Kootenai County Farmers market and local art festivals. This is her 11th year as the January guest artist at Pottery Place Plus.
December 2019 Jerry Simchuk
ARTIST BIO: Jerry grew up in the Northwest where he began to develop his keen eye for wildlife and love of nature. Days spent fishing, hunting, hiking, and caring for a variety of animals on his family's farm filled his days, while his nights were spent painting and exploring his growing affinity for art. The knowledge and sensitivity gained during this time would become the hallmarks of his realistic, highly detailed Fine Art Bird Sculptures.
In 1993, Jerry found woodcarving to be the perfect medium to express his artistic talents. He was drawn toward bird and fish sculptures, and deep down he knew this medium would be most rewarding, allowing him the ability to turn his love of wildlife into an art form. Soon after finishing his first carved bird, Jerry entered his work in the Boise Woodcarvers Show in 1994 where he took top honors in his division.
Since his first competition in 1994, Jerry Simchuk has competed regularly at top-level bird carving shows around the country, including the Ward World Championships. He has received numerous high level awards for his wildfowl and fish carvings, and his work has been selected to appear on the cover of Wildfowl Carving Magazine in 2007, 2008, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2018. As one of this nation's most respected and premier wildlife artists, Jerry Simchuk has been invited to judge many prestigious shows, including the Ward World Championships since 2004. With his passion for creating realistic bird sculptures in both wood and bronze, Jerry continues to share his knowledge and skill with others, offering seminars, classes and writing articles. Jerry finds it very rewarding to know he is helping others grow in there passion for this art form.
Jerry currently resides in Spokane Valley Washington with his wife Jean where he continues to build his reputation as a full time wildlife artist, sculptor, judge, and instructor.
November 2019 Spokane Jewelry Guild
November Guest Artists:
The Spokane Jewelry Guild
This group is made up of Spokane's premier artisan jewelers working in a wide variety of materials, styles and techniques.
Joan Ashworth
My name is Joan Ashworth. I am a Spokane life time resident. I’ve always had a fascination for glass and the beauty of nature, so why not combine them in a one of a kind piece of wearable art. I never really know where the beads and stones will take me, but the end results always amaze me. And if someone likes my creation, that is the icing on the cake. Peace!
When I pick up a polished stone, I look for the beauty within the stone and add the beads that I believe bring out the hidden beauty. Some stones are believed to possess special properties and with that in mind, I like to convey that to the new owner by adding a note about the focal stone. Intrigue!
Each beaded creation is a one of a kind. My creations are stitched together using thread, foundation, a focal and beads of various sizes and shapes. The small beads are added one or two at a time to keep the creations neat and tight, then I finished off on the back as well. Each piece, when finish, is a complete surprise to me. Love!
I am a member of the Spokane Jeweler’s Guild, The Spokane Northwest Bead Society and the Spokane Rock Rollers.
I hope you like.
Janet Z Brougher
My current focus is on finding ways to combine semi-precious gem stones with copper and silver sheet and wire. My aesthetic is evolving as I become increasingly familiar with the working properties of the stone, metal, and my tools. My favorites are pieces that have classical shapes and allow the interplay of metal and stone to “star.”
Helga Hirsch
Helga Hirsch
Designing and fabricating jewelry has been my hobby for 36 years. I have participated in many workshops where I worked with national and international master artist. I regularly attend the Tuscan Gem for trends in design and techniques.
Kris Howell
Sarah Peterson
Metal smithing has become the next step in my creative process. My previous work with ceramics give me the love of fire, texture and creating art with my hands. As an interior designer I have always been inspired by nature’s color and design which has guided me in creating pleasing spaces. Now as I work in jewelry I enjoy contrasting different metals, putting movement into my pieces, embellishing them with natural stone and now adding color through the process of enameling.
I have shown my work at Pottery Place Plus, New Moon Art Gallery, Spokane Gallery and Framing and the Entree Gallery at Priest Lake
Sandra Phoenix
October 2019 Spokane Doll Club
The Spokane Doll Club
We are a local Spokane group of women who focus on creating and making dolls. Founded in 1991 at the urging of artist and doll maker Elinor Peace Bailey, the group meets monthly in member’s homes, challenging each other to create, grow and expand our knowledge in the craft of making cloth dolls and animals. Many in our group also quilt, and we look for ways to incorporate our dolls and art into that platform as well. We occasionally hire professional doll makers and teachers to assist us in learning new techniques, and to help stretch our imaginations in fun and whimsical ways. Membership in our group is open to any interested cloth doll maker, but we may have to limit membership due to meeting in homes.
Bozzo, Elise
I have been creating dolls, bears and miscellaneous crafts for over 45 years and have taught many classes in these fields. I participate in occasional seasonal boutiques and shows, and am currently at Avenue West Gallery in Spokane. It was only after retiring from nursing that I had time to venture into the fields of fiber art and painting, and produced my first original art quilt that won juried recognition. Since then I have primarily been making small art quilts, felted and silk fusion vessels, related fiber items and holiday collectibles. For “playtime” I enjoy experimenting with various mixed media techniques that I incorporate into my projects.
Burger, Sue
Doll designing and creating related fiber items has long been something I really enjoy doing. I originally started out making dolls and selling them at local high school craft shows, and currently still participate at Shadle High School craft fairs. In the past my work has been shown at several shops in the Spokane area, including 5 local Galleries. You can also see my creations at the Custer Spring and Fall shows at the Spokane Interstate Fairgrounds. Recently two of my artistic grandchildren, Taylor, age 11, and Alivia, age 5, are participating with me in my craft booths. They share my love of art and even join me in stuffing dolls. Continuing art into a 4th generation in my family!
Carlson, Gayle
I have enjoyed making dolls for about 25 years, and currently live in Liberty Lake, Washington. My “doll journey” began after a dear friend invited me to attend a local cloth doll club meeting. Playing with fabric and collecting treasures at flea markets and garage sales to embellish dolls has become a lifetime passion of mine. I have been told that my unique sense of humor and love of detailing can be seen in my whimsical creations.
Hudson, Shirley
I am Shirley Hudson of Hudson’s Holidays Designs. Over the past 20 years I have created over 400 sewing patterns for embroidery, quilts, holiday décor and dolls. I love to create using materials that are easy to find, yet might be considered unusual. Most of my time is spent designing patterns, contributing to magazines, helping my daughter grow her own business, playing with fabric design and writing my new embroidery book Lovely Little Hand Embroidery, which is expected to be available March, 2020. My favorite dolls to make are prim, yet painted …. a vintage feel that is still fun and cheerful.
Nichols, Beth
I began sewing as a young girl in seventh grade. My concentration then was having fun making clothing for myself and my younger sisters. After marriage I continued sewing clothing for my own children as well as others, and started making stuffed animals and a few basic dolls. When my children became “too old for home made clothing”, I searched for new directions for my sewing. I ended up taking a class with a local doll maker and member of our now Spokane Cloth Doll Club back in 1989. She was teaching an elinor peace bailey doll … the Mermaid, and I was hooked! I have been sewing dolls ever since, concentrating in the Art Doll area. I have also given talks/presentations of and about my dolls to groups and gatherings over the years. I love to mix colors, fabrics and patterns as well as experiment with ideas and shapes. Whimsy is a favorite area to play in. I continue to create, sew and be inspired by fellow doll makers both here in Spokane, across our country, and from around the world. It is truly great to “play with dolls”.
Vaughn, Joanne
I have been making cloth dolls and quilts since 1994, when I joined our cloth doll group on the South Hill. I have a portrait doll of the first “Miss Spokane” in Japan, and “Chief Joseph” in Ireland, that I created for Spokane Sister Cities projects. In approximately 2005 our doll club did a month long show at the Chase Gallery here in Spokane, that was well received by the public. My favorite dolls to make are portrait dolls which I have made of many people.
Grey, Kathryn
Doll making is my passion! I have been creating cloth dolls for 45 years. When I first started out I was making Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls, embroidering their faces in fine detail. As time went on, I began designing and painting original faces using acrylic paints on cloth. For several years I have taught doll making under the penned name “Dolls Extraordinaire”. Probably the most extraordinary thing about my dolls is my faces, choice of fabrics, and attention to detail and embellishments.
September 2019 - Lynn Gardner & Brenda Everett
September Guest Artists:
Lynn Gardner & Brenda Everett
LYNN GARDNER IDAHO GIRL ART
Bio:
Lynn Gardner is a self taught enamelist living the dream 40 miles south of the Canadian border. Lynn combined her love of painting, fused glass and silversmithing into creating whimsical organic torch fired enamel jewelry.
She lives with her artist husband, five horses, six chicken, an ornery barn cat and her faithful sidekick Daisy, an old black lab. Lynn puts on many workshops in her studio and garden in pottery, jewelry and mixed media painting
You can find her work at numerous galleries in Montana, Idaho and Washington. Magic, serious magic, happens every time I find my way to the studio. My never ending love affair is where color meets metal, where I create torch fired enamel jewelry for the eclectic soul. Add color and imagination along with a big dash of whimsy and you’ll describe my work in a nutshell.
Artists Statement:
My studio is nestled in the Idaho Panhandle, among three mountain ranges, meandering rivers and the beautiful Lake Pend O'Reille. Inspiration is everywhere…..in the trees on the trails I ride my horse on, in the water of the rivers I kayak on, in the songs of the birds I listen to in the early morning hours.
My work starts with that inspiration of form and color. Using sheet copper I cut out my shapes using either a metal shear, a hydraulic press, or a jeweler saw. The pieces are filed, shaped and then the magic starts with the enamel powder. Layers of color are fired on it’s put to the flame where the powder melts and fuses with the metal. My time in the studio is like going to a party and I almost always close the door at the end of the day with a happy heart and a smile on my face.
BRENDA EVERETT
Brenda Everett is a PNW native with an endless love of costal beaches, art, guitar playing, family and friends. Brenda lives in Spokane with her husband, two kids and two Welsh Corgis. She had a BA in drawing, painting, and printmaking from Portland State University, and a former life as a Social Worker.
“Carving into wood and linoleum is my passion. My work is inspired by the natural world, music and figures. Slowing the world down while gazing at a slice of everyday life is a key piece of my subject matter. Weaving narrative, and colors are important, though some prints are destined to be black and white.”
August 2019 Terri Grove Griffin
Terri Grove Griffin earned a degree in fine art from the University of South Alabama in painting and printmaking. As a military spouse, she lived small towns and big cities across the United States and now resides in Spokane. Moving frequently inspires themes of transition in her work. But, the goodness of people and the beauty of nature in all of the places she calls home inspires themes of love, humor and joy. Terri’s work is eclectic and she chooses the medium and style best suited to capture her vision.
You can find Terri on Instagram @terrigriffinart
or visit her website: terrigriffinart.com
July 2019 - Liz Montgomery & Twyla-Lea Jensen
LIZ MONTGOMERY
I grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, spent most of my adult life in Barrington, IL and finally settled down in Southeast, Florida. I have been retired for many years now and live on a small island in the Florida Keys.
My work has been published in several newspapers. My photograph was on a book cover. I have had many solo exhibits at the Marathon, Fl Community Theater. An image of mine has been on the 2015 – 2016 brochure for the theater. The Shady Palm Art Gallery in Marathon, Fl is where I currently have my work.
My Mission: To reveal God’s beauty through my lens for all to enjoy.
I currently work in the photo canvas medium. Landscapes, flowers and landmarks dominate my canvases presently. I also have a sub-specialty in photo note cards.
Email – sealife3@bellsouth.net
Twyla-Lea Jensen
Twyla-Lea Jensen is an alcohol ink and resin artist. I have been working in these mediums for approximately 3 years and am continually expanding and branching out. Art has been a part of my life since the time I was a childa nd I have always created something and had some kind of project going on. I am also an avid cyclist and runner and occasionally compete in triathlons.
Recently I launched a new arm to my art called Spirit Soul Teasures. It will specialize in creating “Treasures” using cremains of loved ones in colorful and beautiful resin pieces.
I also love to teach and have held numerous classes teaching the basics of alcohol ink painting.
Feel free to reach out to me at tjstreasures4you@gmail.com.
June 2019 - Joe Simonsen
Joe Simonsen
I started woodworking as a young boy helping my father with some of the projects he was doing. I went on to working in a cabinet shop building cabinets and counter tops. Although I have worked in several different fields and held different positions throughout my work history, woodworking has always been my passion. Since my retirement over a year ago I started having a lot more fun doing what I love to do. Give me a block of wood and I’ll make something out of it.
May 2019 - Katie Frey
Katie Frey
Katie Frey has painted and studied art all over the world, including Australia and South America. She graduated from Walla Walla College in 2007 and has been teaching and creating art in Spokane ever since. Her areas of focus are acrylic painting and mixed media texture art. These paintings range from realistic to abstract, and most paintings include some form of collage, found objects, or texture medium to emphasize depth and create layers of interest. For her, inspiration and texture are synonymous. Inspiration might be on the inside of a coffee sleeve, in the layers of peeling graffiti beneath a Spokane bridge, or found in the erosion lines of a rock.
It’s all about Texture
Katie Frey creates mixed media paintings that stretch from realistic to abstract.
Her abstract work is usually done in acrylic and often with mixed media materials such as found paper, metal foils, and texture mediums. These paintings often take on a geologic or strata inspired appearance.
Katie also loves painting trees and landscapes. Many of her landscapes are done with a palette knife to create bold strokes in an impressionistic style, while others include textures such as sand, sea glass, broken shells, and found objects.
Her third love is whimsical paintings of animals. Whether they live in the forest or in your living room, her cats, bears, and bunnies have a charming storybook quality.
Katie Frey also teaches classes and workshops all over Spokane. You can find her classes through Act2 and the Corbin Art Center, as well as on her blog: artwithkatie.blogspot.com.
April 2019 - Sharon Ronning & T Kurtz
T Kurtz
T Kurtz has had a long history in the Art World. For many years she managed the art business for her mother's professional fine art career as she attended shows and exhibitions across the country. T considers this to have been the College of Art Exposure, and coupled with her Art degree from Washington State University as well as her years in gallery sales she knows what makes fine art and how to do it. While she understands and has worked in various media, pastels are her main love for the richness of the pigments and the delicacy of line.
Sharon Ronning
As a collage Artist, my journey is to explore the fusing together of textiles, found and painted, into Art. The goal with each work is to find a narrative of minimalist abstract design creating whimsy with a fabric palette.
After a career as an Electrical Sign Designer in Seattle and with training in illustration and design from Cornish College of Art (Seattle, WA), my lifelong interests in color and form have melded with textiles and Art.
I have participated in many juried shows in Seattle and Spokane. Among those have been Yuletide 2008 and 2010.
My work is represented at Artisan’s Wares in Spokane, WA.
March 2019 - Gayle Havercroft
Gayle Havercroft
I am a lifelong resident of Spokane. As I think back over my life, I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t interested in art. The first endeavor into art in my childhood memory is of doing a drawing of a stagecoach when I was probably around four years old. In my mind’s eye it was a masterpiece. Seeing it years later showed that it not very good.
As a child, I looked up to an uncle who was a good artist and oil painter, and I wanted to emulate him and be an artist. Art and music were always my favorite subjects in school. Going into high school I had to make the choice between the two and I chose to follow music (although I did take 2 years of architectural drafting to help fill my art fix).
I had the opportunity to go back into art in my early 30’s by going to SFCC in their fine arts program. Working, building a house, raising a growing family, raising livestock and just life in general, kept me from having time to get real serious with doing my art. So it has just been the last couple of years that I have chosen to be serious about it again.
Why I do realistic style of art:
The last name for my family is old English that means “small oat farm”. Though I’m the first generation not to truly grow up on the farm, there was enough of the rural roots left in my family that a rural lifestyle was something that I longed for. I’m not an overly sophisticated person, so I look at life through the eyes of what is solid, real and before me, so my art is a reflection of what I can see, touch and experience. Much of my art has rural, scenic and outdoor images. Weathered buildings particularly fascinate me with showing mankind’s struggles with time, the elements and age. The endless cycle of building up and falling down. Buildings also point back to my interest in architecture, and working in the facility maintenance field for the last 30 years.
February 2019 - Betsy Pozzanghera & Mike DeCesare
B. Pozzitive
My name is Betsy Pozzanghera, (and I am Pozzitive). I have been involved in creative endeavors such as ceramics, sewing, cooking, copper enameling, candle-making, since childhood.
Three (3) Christmases ago my mother-in-law gave me the gift of an online Craftsy.com course of my choice. I chose “Making Leather Bags” ---- the rest, as they say, is history.
After making my first leather bag I wondered if I could make a bag from my old pair of leather boots…yes. Then a jacket I bought at the thrift store, then … then … then…
My process involves the deconstruction of used leather jackets, skirts, boots, etc. Together with used leather belts, horse reins, gifted hair-on hide, and new leather I create one-of-a-kind bags and purses - giving them new and different useful lives.
Most of the leather pieces have natural wear, raw edges, holes, and markings. This contributes to their story.
Each piece I create is unique.
Custom orders from an idea, a beloved jacket, or “Dad’s old boots” are very welcomed.
My hope is that the bag you choose will lift your life.
Betsy
Mike DeCesare
Artist Statement
Photography is my first language, expressed in images that draw the viewer inside a scene to see, feel, interact with, and add their personal interpretation of a place or a time when light, color and form, combined to create a unique and memorable human experience.
Mike DeCesare Bio
Mike uses an academic foundation of technical expertise from his formal training at the New York Institute of Photography, along with a deep and abiding love and respect for the outdoors, to create images that interpret and respect, nature's grand and beautiful elegance, or serve as a time portal to a place where people once lived and loved, and left their mark behind.
Every image is photographed and then hand crafted solely by Mike DeCesare to render a final work that interprets the natural world and the bond between nature and people.
Mike has been invited to exhibit at prestigious art shows, including: Spokane's Artfest, Coeur 'd Alene's Art on the Green, Salt Lake City's Urban Arts Festival, and the Beverly Hills art show.
Mike's work has been featured in Hidden Treasure Art magazine - the editor called his work "Absolutely breathtaking." Mike has been a featured artist on the influential Artsy Shark website, included in Volume XII of International Contemporary Artists, and his portraits were featured internationally by Agefotostock, one of the top international photo agencies.
Photography by Mike DeCesare has received awards from the Las Vegas Red Room Art Gallery, Light, Space & Time Nature Art Competition and the international Centre of the Picture Industry.
Mike's images appear on handcrafted Maple bookmarks and other environmentally sourced wood products made by Mitercraft and his friends Julie and Ron Flint.
Mike lives in Spokane, Washington, but travels and photographs around the country and internationally.
January 2019 - Juaquetta Holcomb
Juaquetta Holcomb
Juaquetta Holcomb has been teaching knitting and fiber related arts her entire life with a Home Economics degree from Iowa State providing a good foundation. She learned to hand spin yarn in the early 1990’s. A typical day finds her at home in Spokane valley, washing locally grown wool, and then immersing it into roasters of colorful dyes, then hand spinning it on her Louet spinning wheel. Her minimal processing helps preserve the original beauty of the fiber and keeps the colors distinct. Her yarns can be found at Spokane, Coeurd’alene art festivals, Kootenai county farmers market and on her website www.GardenPartyFibers.com and ETSY shop.
“The fiber I use is from locally grown sheep, alpaca and angora goats. I wash, dye, and spin these fibers into one of kind rustic yarns. Seeing the true colors of the fleece come out as I wash the wool, playing with colors in the dyeing process, feeling the texture as I spin these fibers into primitive yarns; every step of the yarn creation is an adventure. Inspiration comes to me from life. Every color has a story. My workshop looks out over the north Idaho mountains and as I spin I watch the sky show over the mountains. From sunrise to sunset, cloudy and clear skies the view is always amazing. Especially exciting, is to see what you have created with my yarns. ENJOY!”
