May 2025 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.   

STUDENT ART CONTEST

Winner Reception - April 19

The winners from Rim High School Student Art Contest will be showcased at the Mountain Arts Gallery for the entire month of May. Don't miss out on the opportunity to see the work of these very talented young artist.

Best of Show: Photograph by Sky Maddox



Ceramics: 1st place: Audrey Siples, 2nd place: Emily Iles, 3rd place: Jamilet Chevez Barboza

Mixed Media: 1st place: Shelby Gross, 2nd place: Nina Hidajat, 3rd place: Nola Ruda Photography: 1st place: Phobe Steward, 2nd place: Amelia Garcia, 3rd place: Jazmin Bahena

Shelby Gross, Jamilet Chavez Barboza and Jazmin Bahena

Art Instructors; Jason Stehmeier (Ceramics), Morgan Stehmeier (Mixed Media) and Kristel Cobb (Photography) were present and congratulated their students on their fine work.

FEATURED ARTISTS

Sandra lives in Lake Arrowhead, California. She loves the dramatic changes of the four seasons and the abundance of wildlife and beauty. Sandra earned a Bachelor's of Arts degree from California State University, Los Angeles, and a California Teaching Credential. She taught for several years and raised a family of four children. She resumed her passion for painting after her children had grown.

She is a member of Plein Air Artists of Riverside (PAAR), CCAA, Redlands Art Association, and Mountain Arts Network. Her paintings can be viewed at the Mountain Arts Network Gallery located in Lake Arrowhead Village and The Gallery in Big Bear. Please contact the artist to inquire about the original oil paintings. 

GRAEME GALE

Thunderbird Rustic Furniture

Custom Rustic Furniture and Framing Service

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 many 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 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.

Outdoorsy folks find it hard to leave the outdoors on their doorsteps. The Thunderbird Rustic Furniture collection was created to bring a bit of the outdoors inside with warm reminders of the natural world.

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.

It is a curious fact that the Manzanita tree only grows at a specific altitude, between 4000 and 6000 feet only. The bark of this tree is usually red, thin, and translucent and often feels cool to the touch. Manzanita leaves are simple, leathery, and evergreen. Manzanita produce small white to pink flowers that bloom in bunches and mature into small fruits that are red when ripe. It is from these "little apple" like fruits that the Spanish name Manzanita originates. When the bark is sanded off, vivid striations become visible in the grain, creating a stunning visual effect. While it is illegal to cut down live Manzanita, there is no shortage of deadwood available.

Thunderbird Rustic Furniture's craftsman, Graeme Gale, offers handmade, 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 affect a rustic look. Stained/painted to order. Further customization can be accommodated.

Graeme Gale lives in Lake Arrowhead, CA., with his artist wife Lisa Cook.

Graeme Gale • P.O. Box 3130 • Blue Jay, CA • 92317 • 909-337-0499 • lisaLcook@charter.net

PHEOBE KIMBLE

Born in the snow belt of Cincinnati, Ohio, Phoebe Kimble our newest local artist moved to sunny Southern California approximately 36 years ago where she married into a blended family about 15 years ago. She has been drawing since age two and enjoys all mediums ranging from lead pencil, to acrylic and oil paints. Phoebe is fond of gardening, baking and entertaining friends and family.

Her approach to art is allowing people to enjoy other cultures and amazing ways to view portraits. The beauty is in the eye of the beholder and the eyes are the window of expression. Capturing the deepest emotions through the eyes of the portraits is the challenge she tries to accomplish while painting. Phoebe enjoys crafting with friends and creating incredible interiors for her business clients. 

REBECCA MALOOF

Born and raised in the vast outdoors of Oregon ranching country I have always felt connected to the earth and her creatures. These are major influences and recurring themes in my work. From the Pacific Coast to the desert Southwest I find, in my travels, objects of interest that entice me to include them in my wearable works of art. Many of my pieces are designed to wear alone, or in multiple layers, so that the patrons of my work can impart their own style while enjoying wearing them. My studio is located in the beautiful mountain town of Running Springs, surrounded by the everchanging forest and it's creatures.

My education started at the University of Oregon, studying fine art and special education, and ended at Pacific Oakes College with a B.A. human development and social change. With a desire to make the arts accessible, I have 14 years of experience bringing the arts to both typical and extraordinary students. I currently am one of the instructors for MAN's special needs art classes and I will once again be teaching jewelry design and construction for MAN's low-cost summer classes.

In another career I had 12 years of retail experience that began in Ferndale, CA. While there I owned a clothing store, featuring local artists. I also had a design and production studio, located in store, where I produced children and adult clothing, for sale in my shop. Following that I worked, in management, for May Co., Bullock's. and Harris Dept. Stores. In that final position, as a buyer, I had the opportunity to explore fabrics, designs and garments from all over the world.

I am currently completing, my second year of showing my work, at the Mountain Arts Network Gallery, in the Lake Arrowhead Village, on the waterfront. My current collection of vintage and blown glass is featured in the showcase, adjacent to the front register. Please come visit myself, and 35 additional artists, as we present our joyous works.

Focal beads blown by Joel D. Bloomberg of Leucadia, CA. Photo credit R. Smith.

Mother Bear. She is made of bone with sterling silver and AZ turquoise. Photo credits Sue Priest.

African sea glass necklace. Photo credits Sue Priest.

Mostly splatter painted porcelain beads, combined with other components. Photo credit Rebecca Maloof.

GALLERY NEWS

CALL FOR SUMMER ART TEACHERS

All MAN members are invited to teach summer art classes sponsored by MAN.

All variety of mediums are invited.

This is a paid opportunity for instructors.



Please contact Rebecca Maloof at 760-413-2367 if you are interested in sharing your talent by teaching a class.

RICK ROTANTE

New images from the Rick Rotante's Studio Art Class. Students who had been at the now closed CAC, are producing work with their instructor at his home studio. 

LISA COOK

Three golden alligators with turquoise beads.

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

PO Box 1275 Lake Arrowhead, CA 92352 | Phone: 909-744-8450

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