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.
Nov 2021 Spokane Jewelry Guild
December 2021 Guest Artists:
Spokane Jewelry Guild
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
Oct 2021 Janie Edwards
October 2021 Guest Artist:
Janie Edwards
July 2021 Ruthie Franks & Nan Drye
Nan Drye
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.
Ruthie Franks
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!
May 2021 Yasuke Mayhew
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
