((Left) Cahuilla Hills (Right) Ross Mercer) Abstract painter Ross Mercer likes his paintings to have a story. From his background in physics and math, he hides equations or scientific images in his colorful works. If you are viewing one of his paintings, it may just seem like an abstract work with a somber background punctuated…
(Tammy McCullough) Creatures of the forests and meadows fascinate Tammy McCullough. Dragonflies, hummingbirds, mice and rabbits are just a few of the beings that she fashions into soft felted works of art. Her woodland tableau is on display in April at Red Chair Gallery. Dragonflies and hummingbirds are among the newest forms McCullough makes out…
(Artwork by Janice Rhodes) Janice Rhodes loves to paint faces and figures, both human and animal. After painting for more than 17 years, “That’s always been my favorite subject,” she says. The artist seldom depicts real subjects; they are visages and poses that she conjures up from her imagination, usually adding “a little bit of…
(Photography by Sue Dougherty) Wildlife photographer Sue Dougherty has traveled all over the world seeking exotic animals and birds to photograph. Her favorite species, however, may be the smallest of all: hummingbirds. The combination of their speed and agility in flight, combined with their brilliant colors and unique behavior makes these little creatures fascinating. “Hummingbirds…
(Jennifer Bakker) Many famous artists have been inspired by music. In contemporary American art they include Keith Haring, who loved The Grateful Dead and gained appreciation with his subway art in New York City, and Jean-Michel Basquiat, a neo-expressionist who was also a jazz afficionado. At Red Chair Gallery, Jennifer Bakker, who describes her art…
(Cathy Jordan| Photos courtesy of Red Chair Gallery) Woodworking has been part of Cathy Jordan’s life since early childhood. Even when she was too young to work with tools, she spent a lot of time with her father, a professional welder who enjoyed woodworking as a hobby. “I hung out with him while he was…
(Left) Pour Boys (Right) Justin LeBart) Potter Justin LeBart loves to inject humor into his work. While art can often veer into the stuffiness of so-called “fine art,” LeBart tries to “put the fun into the functional.” He sees his role as “making smiles and creating respites of happiness.” His pottery is showcased at Red…
(Jewelry by Sara Krempel) Looking at a sterling silver pendant made by Sara Krempel is like gazing at an aerial photograph of the Deschutes River. The river forms a squiggly line of negative space through a landscape textured to look like rocky banks fringed with reeds. Krempel loves to combine “organic shapes and man-made shapes…
((Left) Mary Moore in her studio. (Right) Lion and Lamb by Mary Moore) Among Pablo Picasso’s memorable quotes is this one: “Everything you can imagine is real.” A vivid imagination inspires Mary Moore to create ceramic sculpture that transports the viewer to mythical worlds. It’s a place where human figures have animal heads, wizards or…
(Pendant by Denise Harrison) “Don’t forget to be present, or you might miss something unbelievable.” That’s jeweler Denise Harrison’s advice for everyone. Each day, she tries to practice a mindfulness that allows her to find interesting textures and patterns for her jewelry. These range from beer bubbles left in glasses to tree branches, brick walls…
