Artist Spotlight - Lisa Peterson

Lisa Peterson, having spent most of her life on horseback or combing the shoreline, get's her inspiration from nature.  From the materials she finds, whether from the beach, salvage yards or antique shops comes the spark of an idea of what they may become.  In addition to her sculpture, Lisa incorporates her love of nature into her line of unique jewelry creations.  Lisa is # 10 on the tour this year and is looking forward to the weekend.

Artist Spotlight - Cathleen Rehfeld

Experience a true “colorist” by visiting local Hood River artist, Cathleen Rehfeld on the Gorge Artist Open Studio tour this weekend, April 12, 13, and 14, 2013.   Cathleen’s passion for exploring the effects of light and shadow on color relationships is evident in her vibrantly painted still life subjects, the figure, and landscapes. An oil painter, committed to the process of daily painting, Cathleen finds herself willing to take risks with each painting.   This keeps her process fresh and loose, as she pushes the envelope with expressive brushstrokes and beautiful color combinations. 

Cathleen’s work can be seen on www.dailypaintworks.com, which is host to painters from all over the world. She sees herself as a member of a globally connected artistic community and is inspired by contemporary artist, Roos Schuring from the Netherlands.  

When asked what advice she would offer to a young artist, Cathleen says, “Get as much training in the fundamentals as you can. Develop your skills in drawing, and understanding value and composition.  These are tools you can use for the rest of your life.”  Cathleen also teaches at the Columbia Center for the Arts in Hood River.

If you’d like to learn more from Rehfeld on overcoming creative blocks link to the free download in the Art Tutorial Section on “Collective Insight on Blocks” at www.dailypaintworks.com. Enjoy the 2013 Gorge Artist Open Studio and begin your collection of one of Rehfeld’s daily paintings!! 

Artist Spotlight - Elizabeth See

Painting with oils, Elizabeth See creates her art on site and in her studio.  Getting inspiration from in and around the Gorge area, her subject matter ranges from animal life, (both wild and domestic) to colorful landscapes and floral imagery.  This particular painting is the big fat red squirrel that hangs out at the park near Horsefeathers in Hood River.

Elizabeth is # 12 on the tour and will be displaying her paintings at her great grandfather's studio he built in the 1930s where he painted after retiring from running an orchard.

Columbia Gorge ART & WINE! Passport Weekend April 12, 13 &14

Artist Spotlight - Linda Steider

Linda Steider is known to her friends as the “Queen of All She Touches”.   This woman has the magic that not only produces fine art but the magic that takes her friends into the same wonderful journey.  Her journey for over 15 years has been in the realm of art glass.   After taking a lamp-working class from an acquaintance and subsequent classes at Bullseye Glass in Portland she launched her own art glass business.  Linda’s work is very recognizable.  She does “in-depth” powder on iridescent glass.  She has practiced this technique for many years and is quite proficient.

Linda is truly a “giver”.   She has a history of being involved with local charities raising funds from the art that she donates.   She has also worked with Arts in Education and has helped many youth in her community learn about and make glass, from jewelry to architectural tiles.  Examples can be seen at Providence Hood River Hospital, the Middle School cafeteria in Hood River and the skylight project at the Middle School in White Salmon.

Linda is a highly respected glass artist that residents of the Gorge should be proud to call one of their own.  Her web address is www.steiderstuidos.com with a blog at  http://steiderstudios.wordpress.com/ and a Facebook page at  http://www.facebook.com/SteiderStudios.

Linda will be one of the artists that will be showing at the Gathering of the Guilds’s Glass Gallery show at the Oregon Convention Center on April 26^th, 27^th, 28^th, 2013 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Artist Spotlight - Bill Sturman

Bill has always dabbled in art growing up. He retired in 2000 and took a class in water color, as a result of that class, he became a serious water color artist. 

Bill gets his inspiration from his garden, ornamental plants and the birds that visit it. He tries to find his individual expression creating beautiful paintings.

As a water color artist, “I love what happens on paper when water transforms my images. It can be a random and unexpected event.” The hardest thing, according to Bill is coming up with ideas. A lot of his time is devoted to planning how to get the effect he wants.

Bill loves living in the Gorge, everything about it. The four seasons, the natural settings, the way light plays on the water making up the “many moods of the Gorge” these are what he tries to capture in his water colors.

Artist Spotlight - Mary Rollins

If you are one who hikes the trails and waterfalls all seasons of the year here in the Gorge, you may have met up with artist an naturalist, Mary Rollins.  Mary studied botany nearly as much as art when she was in college.  Her hikes through forest, grasslands, and streams allow her to collect photographs from which she paints.  Before the painting begins, you can be assured she has researched the fish, wildflowers, animals and their habitats and interrelationships.  Mary's understanding and deep appreciation of the natural world are evident in her large, compelling watercolor paintings.

Mary's process involves appying five to six layers of watercolor to bring forth the intensity and vibrancy of the natural landscape.  Mary says of the Gorge, "There is no other place I'd rather live."
She hopes her paintings evoke a connection with the ecology of the land, inspiring people to protect our resources.

Mary's advice for a young artist, "Do something every day! This is especially important if you feel like you don't have a style.  Your style will naturally evolve.  Be inspired!!"  VISIT STUDIO #19 on the Gorge Artist Open Studio tour.