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May 2024 Newsletter
published by The Mountain Arts Network
A Non-profit 501-c organization.
"Inspiring Visual Arts
in the Mountain Communities"
This e-newsletter is expressly for members, patrons, artists and fans of the Mountain Arts Network, The Mountain Arts Gallery, The Mountain Arts Community Art Center and The Mountain Arts Photographic Society, all located in the Lake Arrowhead Village in Lake Arrowhead, CA.
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THE CREATIVITY OF SPRING! | |
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LISA COOK
Lisa Cook was born in Lake Charles, Louisiana, and raised in New Orleans. She spent much of her childhood in the shadow of the infamous French Quarter.
The visual maelstrom of female strippers and dancers in sequins, jewels, and stage costumes informs her painting, as does her extensive collection of vintage burlesque memorabilia and posed pin-up models of the 1940’s.
Lisa has a Bachelor of Arts in Studio and Fine Arts from Loyola Marymount University.
Lisa is the author of “Consecrated Ground: Funerary Art of New Orleans”. (1998), an extensive collection of her black and white photographs of historic New Orleans cemeteries and grave monuments.
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Her painting techniques evolved as she experimented on her own with media and artist's tools, refining what succeeds for her work and discarding what does not. The result is an undeniably unique artist's voice and vision. Lisa is driven with an artist's passion to encounter, and in painting, this exploration results in acknowledgement of beauty in what is often maligned or passed over.
Lisa started designing and making jewelry out of her Los Angeles, CA apartment in 1982. Over the years and throughout her travels, she gathered a collection of curiosities and used them to develop a line of jewelry with an emphasis on craftsmanship and affordability. The collection grew exponentially, as has her fan base. There seems to be a never-ending demand for locally made, affordable environment-inspired jewelry, designed with a sense of humor. She is inspired by nature, many cultures and traditions as well as the organic and fluid lines of the art nouveau era.
Lisa lives in Lake Arrowhead, CA, with her wood-crafter husband Graeme Gale, six cats. lisa@llcook.com | http://llcook.com.
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GRAEME GALE
Graeme Gale is a southern gentleman, from southern England, that is! Graeme transplanted to the US over 30 years ago from his hometown of Brighton, England. He and his wife operated a record store in Los Angeles for 20 years, then relocated to Lake Arrowhead in the San Bernardino mountains. He began creating with wood as a hobby, but he quickly discovered a passion for the Manzanita tree in particular. As he sands the purple bark away, the hidden beauty of the wood grain is revealed and he "reads" the wood and decides the best way to incorporate it into a functional object. His designs are elegant, delicate and wildly organic in form. No two pieces are alike, he crafts one-of-a-kind unique works of art.
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He created the Thunderbird Rustic Furniture collection to bring a bit of the outdoors inside with warm reminders of the natural world. www.ThunderbirdRusticFurniture.com
Graeme uses reclaimed lumber and trees that have been harvested from the California San Bernardino National Forest due to Bark Beetle damage, land management and forest thinning tree removal. Thunderbird Rustic Furniture uses the finest reclaimed Manzanita, Pine and Oak woods. Knots, bark and individual characteristics remain untouched to give you a unique, one of a kind look.
Thunderbird Rustic Furniture offers hand made, hand crafted, lodge furniture, rustic furniture, and log furniture for your lodge, cabin or home. Graeme is dedicated to creating a handcrafted piece of one-of-a-kind furniture to last for generations to come. Cabin and rustic furnishings includes: rustic tables, outdoor furniture, cabin chairs, rustic stools, rustic coffee tables, rustic fireplace mantels, and custom rustic "made to order" furniture and accent pieces. Whether your lifestyle preference is log furniture, lodge or cabin, rustic, western, country, or cottage, Graeme can make the furniture piece that will be perfect for you.
Graeme's custom hand crafted frames are of the highest quality with the appearance of very distressed and aged wood. Each frame is meticulously assembled and manipulated to effect a rustic look. Stained/painted to order. Further customization can be accommodated.
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I grew up South Jersey, reaching high school in the turbulent times of the Vietnam War in the early 60’s. I visited the Army recruiter seeking enlistment options. At the time, the Army had a program that allowed a high school graduate to attend flight school as a Warrant Officer candidate pending the passing of the FAST test, successful passing of a Class 1 flight physical, was 18 and completed Basic Training. After graduating high school in 1967, I was off to flight school.
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Upon completion of flight school in 1968, I was assigned to the 254th Medical Evacuation Detachment (Dust Off) based in Nha Trang, Vietnam. I was transferred to the 48th Assault Helicopter Company where I served 2 tours flying Slicks and gunships. I returned from Vietnam in July of 1970. I was assigned to Ft. Meade, MD where I completed my active duty obligation. I joined the Pennsylvania National Guard at Ft. Indiantown Gap where I served in a variety positions as a line pilot, Aircraft Maintenance Officer and maintenance test pilot, instructor pilot in a variety of aircraft and my last duty assignment was a Chinook Instrument Examiner and Standards pilot.
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I have always been involved in some type of woodworking projects, from remodeling to building furniture. Several years ago my wife and I were at an arts fair in Fredericksburg, Texas. A particular vendor caught my eye. He had a display of several pieces that incorporated turquoise granules set in resin into veins in a mesquite lazy Susan. The pieces really intrigued me and I began researching the “how do you do this” part of the project. I began experimenting with making charcuterie boards with natural edged wood pieces and various colored resins. I attempt to utilize wood pieces sourced locally from the San Bernardino mountains and have also used pieces of walnut/black walnut and olive wood sourced from the central valley.
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The process from obtaining/selecting the wood piece to the finished product can take several weeks. Once the wood is selected, it is placed in a mold and the resin is colored and poured. It typically takes 3-4 days for the resin to cure before it can be taken from the mold. The piece is then trimmed on the edges on a table saw and then the thickness dimensioned using a planer. After sanding with increasingly finer grits of sandpaper, the piece is then coated in a cutting board oil several times and left for a few days to absorb the oil. After the installation of the handles and board feet, the piece is ready.
I am currently working on my next steps. That is making a coffee table. The piece is 4’ x 2’ x 3” thick. It is black walnut with a terra cotta resin. I have completed the piece and am now waiting for the frame to be made from ornamental iron. I’ll soon see how this challenge comes together.
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Sandra graduated from California State University Los Angeles with a B.A. in Art. She earned a California teaching credential from Chapman University. She lives in Lake Arrowhead with her husband. She paints in her dining room which has a stunning view of the Pinnacles and high desert. The mountain environment offers abundant creative inspiration with the four seasons and wildlife.
Sandra loves impressionism and how light and color interact to create a story and set a mood. She has a free style with her paintbrush and paints mainly in oil. She loves the challenge of plein air painting, but also paints from reference photographs and still life set-ups when weather is an issue. She paints mainly in oils but the past year has been exploring the world of fluid acrylics. Acrylics dry very fast and are an excellent medium during the winter months.
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Her series fondly called “Sandy’s Personality Bears” began when young cubs and momma bear visited her back deck several years ago.The bears are painted mainly in an impressionistic style with free brush strokes and use of color. The bear paintings summon your imagination as to their personality, and to what their thoughts might be. Gallery guests will usually engage in conversation with their own stories about the whimsical bear paintings and their interpretations. They are very fun and the artist enjoys creating them.
On a personal note, Sandra would like to thank her family, neighbors, friends, collectors and Mountain Arts Gallery for all the well wishes and support during her medical treatments in 2023. She is happy to share with you that she is now Cancer free!!! She cannot wait to go out and enjoy plein air painting her local favorite flower fields, lake and mountain vistas.
Stop by the Mountain Arts Gallery and say “Hi”! Please contact the artist to inquire about the original oil paintings. You may visit www.Sandra-Charlebois.artistwebsites.com to view more original artwork.
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2024 Student Art Contest Awards
The Student Art Show and Reception was held at the Mountain Arts Gallery on Saturday, April 20, 2024. The event was a huge success!! Family, friends and Gallery members attended to show their support for these wonderfully creative students. Dave Ficke was the MC and did a great job in presenting the awards to the winners.
The awards were for 3 different categories...Mixed Media, Photography and Ceramics. The monetary prizes ranged from 1st Place $300.00, 2nd Place $200.00 and 3rd Place $100.00. Best in show was $500.00. The students were excited and proud of their artwork!
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Going up the stairs from L to R: Lilyan Allen, Tomas Viramontes, Brianna Nikas, Alexandria Shugard, Mackenzie Cerwin, Isaiah Stiansen, Jasmine Bahena, Zoe Brotzler.
We want to thank all of the Gallery members and family who helped with the reception, bringing fabulous homemade food and drink for the event, displaying the artwork of the students and supporting these students. Thank you also, to everyone who attended this inspiring Art Show!
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Isaiah Stiansen - 1st Place - Ceramics | |
Christian Serrato 1st Place - Mix Media | |
Jasmine Bahena 1st Place - Photography | |
Mackenzie Cerwin Best of Show - Ceramics | |
Mountain Arts Gallery is awarding 4 students from Rim High School with scholarships. The scholarships will be presented to the students on Monday, May 20, 2024 at Rim High School Auditorium. Mountain Arts Network continues to educate the community by collaboration with schools and charitable organizations and to promote the arts and culture in general. | |
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"You have beautiful stuff, love this Gallery."
Suni, from LA
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PLEIN AIR PAINTERS - Spring daffodils
Debbie Pekarcik, Nancy Grace, Sue Schatz, and Jon and Natalie Olson all met to paint the Twin Peaks Daffodils on our first beautiful and warm day!!! | |
PATTY WOODS-GAWLIK
Patty recently taught a class for the special needs, "Mountain of Promise". | |
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"Painting needs to be more than meets the eye,
it needs to be a parable and layered with meaning."
Trent Tate - American Painter
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AT THE COMMUNITY ART CENTER | |
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TUESDAYS
CHARCOAL DRAWING
with RICK ROTANTE
from 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm
In Progress
Email: rickrotante@aol.com or 909-233-0425
Cost is $30.00 per (3 hours)
Classes are Pre-Paid for the month.
No refunds for missed classes.
Payments are due, in full, on the first of each month.
If you are frustrated, your artwork is off, not drawn well. Classes will show how to construct any form or object and create amazing finished drawings.
Supplies list:
18x24 newsprint pad, Several General 6B soft charcoal pencils, Stadler hard eraser, Kneaded eraser, Stick of white blackboard chalk.
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WEDNESDAYS
OIL PAINTING
with RICK ROTANTE
from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
Starts May 1st
Email: rickrotante@aol.com or 909-233-0425
Cost: $35/session; $125 for series of 4 sessions.
If you new or have taken oil painting before and wish to continue your study, I look forward to meeting you and helping you learn new skills.
Bring your own supplies.
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PLEASE REVIEW LOW-COST CLASSES FOR DATE CHANGES | |
MOUNTAIN ARTS PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY | |
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Join us for our Mountain Arts Photographic Society meeting on Wednesday, May 1st, 2024, starting at 6:00 pm (doors open at 5:30 pm for social time).
April's 2024 photo challenge is "Features". A “news feature” is an image that tells a little story that you might find in a local newspaper to illustrate something of interest in the community.
For example, a news feature might be:
- Someone fishing on a beautiful spring day, or a group of blooming daffodils in a meadow.
- Or, it might be dramatic clouds blanketing the valley below with mountain tops peeking through.
- People might be gathered together to view the solar eclipse.
- Often a news feature will have some central subject that is the focus of the image. Most often this will be a person, or an animal or a landscape feature that helps illustrate the value of the image.
Please create 1-3 news feature photos for our next MAPS meeting.
Send Challenge Photos to: mapschallengephotos@gmail.com
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MEMBERSHIP INFO - JOIN MAN | |
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ATTENTION ARTISTS
Please consider supporting
Mountain Arts Network with your membership.
Want to Join MAN or Renew Your Membership?
MAN Memberships are good for one year from the date of joining.
CALL (909) 744-8450
or check our website for more info: mountainartsnetwork.org
ART GALLERY PARTICIPATION
is based on a jurying process.
For more details, please contact JO ROBINSON
jomamacita@hotmail.com
818-720-3682
Memberships: $30 Individual, $20 Seniors (55 and up), $20 Student (17 & under), $10 each additional family member
Enjoy the benefits: 10% off all Gallery items, Invitations to special events and receptions, Open Studio opportunities, teaching & volunteer opportunities.
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MOUNTAIN ARTS NETWORK COULD USE YOUR HELP!
Download and print this Donation Form
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Mountain Arts Network
PO Box 1275 Lake Arrowhead, CA 92352 | Phone: 909-744-8450
News@MountainArtsNetwork.org | Copyright © 2019. All Rights Reserved.
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