November 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.   

11x14 Acrylic on Canvas by Michael Gaines

MARLY WALTERS

I love to learn new ways to think about painting and life. I came from a creative, inventive, do-it-yourself family. My mother was a dress designer and at the age of five I tried to copy her fashion illustrations. In high school I was encouraged by my art teachers and friends to pursue art. I won a scholarship to Chouinard Art School in Los Angeles, California.

It was in the 70's that I discovered abstract. At first, I didn't like it much, but I wanted to loosen up my style, so I started wasting a lot of expensive Arches watercolor paper as I was discovering new ways to paint with ink. I liked the experimenting but wasn't sure if I liked the end result. Now, of course, I love abstract and some of those first attempts were actually pretty good.

When I first moved to the mountains fifteen years ago, I painted a lot of trees and little cabins. I got to a point where I couldn't bring myself to paint another tree and remembered how much fun I had in the 70's painting abstracts. I had discovered a video by George James about Yupo paper. Yupo paper is a smooth white plastic surface. It allows the watercolors to sit on top and dries into a clean vibrant layer of color.

Since I like to experiment and try new ways of doing things, it was a perfect medium - unpredictable, challenging, and exciting. I paint with watercolor only and a lot of ways to apply it. Brushes, rollers, bubble wrap and anything else that give the appearance of texture. The results are wonderful. You can find more about Yupo on YouTube.

I don't always plan what I paint. I start with color, and composition and maybe shapes, the rest seems to unfold little by little. When creating abstracts I usually start with a blank piece of paper, and from there, I seem to let it happen. The tricky part is to know when the painting is finished.It's always a surprise even to me.

I love to learn new ways to think about painting and life.

Website: marlysart.com Email: marlyw@earthlink.net

JOHN SMEBY

John Smeby is, for the most part, a “self-taught” artist. He will always consider himself one who is emerging-simply because with every year he discovers new inspiration and enjoys pursuing different mediums. Raised in Pasadena and educated at the University of Redlands, John has lived in Big Bear Lake for nearly two decades. 

His experience in 2019 as a guest artist at Quorum Gallery in Laguna Beach gave him a thirst for ocean air and a renewed desire to continue emerging as an abstract acrylic artist.

He has been a resident artist in Mountain Arts Gallery in Lake Arrowhead Village and Wild Coyote Gallery in Big Bear Lake for many years. He recently exited 23 years in education (English teacher, middle school counselor and varsity tennis coach) and has published two books: “Stories from the Classroom”(2017) and “fusionart”(2016). 

Please visit John's website at" www.johnsmebyart.com

JOHN TOBIAS

I began expressing myself through photography as a Peace Corps volunteer in Afghanistan from 1970 through 1972. I roamed the crowed bazaars of Kabul in search of photo opportunities which presented themselves generously in the form of faces rich in character, framed in colorful and exotic scenes painted with a timeless brushstroke. 

I now have a catalog of nearly 1000 images that beautifully capture that peaceful sliver of time in Afghanistan’s history prior to 40 years of war. I also have an extensive portfolio of photographs from India, Nepal, Malaysia, Singapore, Jamaica, Europe and the United States. These include landscape, portrait and street photography. I pride myself on strong composition, rich color presentation of intriguing places and faces.

I have been a licensed addiction counselor (LAADC) for thirty years with a MS degree in Counseling. I specialize in group therapy, and often use my photography as a therapeutic tool. My wife, Laurel, and I reside in Crestline, CA with our dog and cat, Fiona and Taji. I have been making Eye Contact with the World for 50 years. I intend to continue until the final click of the shutter.

CLAUDE ROBERT

Born in New Orleans and raised in Seattle, Claude Robert is a self-taught metal sculptor now based in Southern California.

With over 45 years of experience in the visual arts, he has worked in a variety of media, including paint, glass, mosaic tile and metal.

Claude is a retired educator and spends much of his time hiking and backpacking; it is the outdoors that inspires his work. His passion is reclaiming and recycling found objects and transforming them into decorative interior and exterior pieces that draw attention to both environmental and social issues.

Website: www.claudegrobert.com

MICHAEL GAINES - NEWEST GALLERY MEMBER

A native of Arkansas, my family roots are in the Ozarks. My ancestors lived for generations in the southern foothills of the Ozark Mountains. I lived there as a child and spent much of my formative years there. I also lived in the southwest area of the Mississippi Delta. In 2021, following the passing of my wife of 39 years, I relocated from Little Rock, Arkansas, to California to be close to my son, Mike. 

I have been painting for over 50 years and my self-taught art is reflective of my many years of living. Trained as an attorney, I spent over a decade in Washington, D.C. with the U. S. Department of Justice and the judicial branch of government. I retired as an attorney a few years ago and have been painting full-time ever since. I divide my time between homes in the Hollywood Hills West area of LA, and Lake Arrowhead. Many of my works have focused on my surroundings - the Hollywood Hills, the Sunset Strip, the mountain scenes in and around Lake Arrowhead, and the endless SoCal locations I want to paint. I also paint works inspired by my Southern roots - the gorgeous Ozarks, rural scenes, Delta blues and the Delta-influenced rock and blues I grew up loving.

I paint primarily in acrylics. I also enjoy exploring new techniques and working with stains, collage, and acrylic-enhanced artist prints. My most recent exhibition ended on October 10 with 23 music-inspired works at the Song-Word Art House on the Sunset Strip. Other exhibitions include a 2022-23 show at Galerie XII in Bergamot Station, Santa Monica, the Presidential Library and Museum in Little Rock, and the ArtPrize Festival in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I have paintings in personal and corporate collections from Washington, D.C. to Beijing. michaeljgaines@gmail.com

“Art is a line around your thoughts.”

– Gustav Klimt

 "WHAT A BEAUTIFUL GALLERY" ~ Robert Thompson, Running Springs

KELLY LEWIS

Kelly Lewis recently showed in the SLOPOKE Western Art show in Solvang, CA and won the “People's Choice Award” for the show. The 14th annual SLOPOKE Fine Art of the West juried Art show took place September 27-29, 2024 in Solvang, CA. It was held at Flag is Up Farms, horse ranch of legendary horse trainer, Monty Roberts and his wife and sculptor Pat Roberts. https://www.the-slopoke.com

RICK ROTANTE - Check him out on YouTube

The Art Gallery e-magazine produced this Oncore spread for their November's issue - a comprehensive study of the work by artist Rick Rotante. (Gerald Lee Wall, Publisher Editor)

LISA COOK

Gold Arrowhead necklace with faux pearl beads.

GRAEME GALE

Custom Oak root lamp.

First Wednesday of each month

Community Arts Center, Lake Arrowhead

www.mountainartsphoto.com

  For more information, email mtnartsphoto@gmail.com

Meeting starts at 7:00 PM

Doors open at 6:30 PM for social time

Location: Community Arts Center, Lake Arrowhead

Join us for our Mountain Arts Photographic Society (MAPS) meetings! Guests are welcome to attend their first meetings at no charge.

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

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