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!

June 2021 Ruthie Franks & Lynne Jacobsen

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!

Lynne Jacobsen

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

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

April 2021 Sandy Aaronson

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.

March 2021 LR Montgomery

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.

Feburary 2021 Sally Lancaster & Genevieve

Sally Lancaster

Bio

Sally Lancaster was born in Spokane and attended Washington State University where she received a bachelor’s degree in Fine Art. She taught jewelry making and papermaking while living in California, displayed in galleries, and participated in group shows.

Sally’s work is focused on mixed media, a culmination of all of the types of materials she has worked with – acrylic painting, fabric, papermaking, printmaking, and jewelry making.

Artist Statement

The mixed media pieces I create focus on working with form, texture and space. By layering and using different materials, I strive to create that feeling of balance and harmony as in nature – the smooth and the textured, the bold and the soft working together.

I don’t always work from a preconceived notion. I let the ideas flow as I begin to work the materials I choose – experimenting with acrylics, colored pencils, papers, fabric and thread until a work emerges. My pieces are created out of the sheer joy of creation itself.

Genevieve Arnold

Genevieve studies nature and artists for her inspiration. Her work usually contains animal imagery. She lives with three beautiful dogs and two cats, an endless source of inspiration and humor. She often looks at the work of Eduardo Kac, Eva Hesse, Mark Dion, Cia Guo-Change, Faith Ringgold and Adrian Piper for inspiration. 

She loves living in Spokane with its beautiful parks and close proximity to nature. Her favorite things, other than making art, are walking her dogs, chatting with neighbors and enjoying a cup of hot coffee with friends and family.

January 2021 Juaquetta 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 12th year as the January guest artist at Pottery Place Plus.

December 2020 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.

November 2020 Guest Artist The Spokane Jewelers Guild

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. 

https://Idahogirlart.etsy.com 

Instagram.com/lynn_c_gardner 

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.”