Art Walk 17 Is On

Meet the Artists…

Michael Gibbons, Landscapes in oil. An aspect of his work is his facile use of subject matter. Known for his soft oil landscapes of the Northwest, Southwest and the British Isles, Gibbons has now painted an industrial series. He is beguiled by the Toledo’s mill and port and has begun a series of that subject. He likes industrial settings and invites the public to this special showing. His landscapes may be seen in the Vicarage Garden, Gallery Michael Gibbons (140 NE Alder) and at www.michaelgibbons.net. He is a member of Allied Artists of America and Oil Painters of America, and his awards include NYC Antonio Cirino Award “La Paz”, 1988 Chicago “Award of Excellence”, OPA National 1997; Laguna Plein Air Painters Association (LPAPA); First Prize “Quick Draw”, Laguna Art Museum, 1999; and a Stobart Foundation Award.

Ivan Kelly paints marine themes, landscapes and animals in oil. The Irish-born Kelly has painted the Western landscapes in the US, Canada and coastal environments since 1972. His work is founded on keen observation of nature’s moods, light and seasons, made authentic by painting on location. He is a “Signature Member” of the American Society of Marine Artists and a four-year jurist for the National Academy of Plein Air Painters. Kelly has showcased his excellence in art at his Toledo Studio-Gallery since 1993. Kelly has won numerous awards including the American Society of Marine Artists and Oil Painters of America. He has been selected for several prestigious juried exhibits by Allied Artists of America; Oil Painters of America, the International Marine Art Exhibit, the International Museum of Contemporary Masters of Fine Art, and the National Art Museum A.S.M.A. Tour. Visit the Ivan Kelly Gallery and Studio at 207 E. Graham.

Douglas Haga, paintings. Largely self-taught, Haga explores many stylistic aspects of painting including Surrealism and Impressionism. After moving from San Francisco where he first exhibited in 1973, to Neskowin, Oregon, Haga established a studio and began a transition towards nature as a subject, eventually turning to plein air studies both as finished art and as a basis for larger work. Always mindful of the transition from the external, observed world to the interior personal vision, Haga has strived to bring both the freshness of spontaneous recording as well as mindful understanding to his work. An early influence from studying Classical Masters helped him appreciate the value of Drawing, Perspective and Dynamic Composition while reviewing the works of Rembrandt, Salvador Dali, Pre-Raphaelite Art. Impressionism and Contemporary American Masters were an inspiration to explore new horizons while continuing to rely on a foundation of traditional skills. The paintings in the current Founders Show illustrate the pathway to such a transition culminating in “View of Yaquina Bridge” which stands as an example of Haga’s artistic exploration.

Sam Briseño’s portfolio as a metal artisan spans more than 25 years. His original designs range from eloquent decorative pieces to home furnishings, residential and commercial gates and railings, and freestanding sculpture. Toledo Mayor Sharon Branstiter initiated a project to pair Briseño craftsmanship and creativity with a local art in public project in 2005. The Business Hwy. 20 improvement project was nearing completion and Sharon envisioned a series of art benches that would adorn the Hwy. 20 Boulevard. With Sam’s agreement, Branstiter began campaigning for individuals and groups to commission benches. To date, Briseño has crafted and placed twelve benches in Toledo and one bench in Newport. For a poster of Briseño Benches to date, stop by Gallery Briseño during Art Walk.

Caroll Grant-Loomis will show weaving and fine art gourds in her Skybound Gallery studio As a teenager, she lived in Northern California and learned to make twined baskets of willow roots and sticks from a Yurok basket weaver, and later mastered coiling and beadwork. She took drawing and watercolor classes from Bill Kucha, Joyce Gaffin and Bet Borgeson. For 30 years she has lived next to a small salmon spawning stream between the Siletz and Yaquina Rivers. Grant-Loomis has works in private collections all over the world and is a member of the Osage Nation.

Frank Jones, photographer, is the guest artist at the Toledo History Center (208 S. Main) where he will exhibit his work. Jones has been photographing the world around him since 1983 – people, places and things. Much of his work harmonizes with the folk music he plays.

Becky Miller exhibits her paintings and drawings in her studio at Skybound Gallery (305 N. Main). Miller has been obsessed with art since childhood, and began drawing “when she was old enough to hold a pencil.” She has shown her paintings and drawings in several galleries in California and Oregon. Over the past twenty years, in addition to creating her own fine art work, she has created several large and elaborate custom ketubahs (Jewish marriage certificates), a large wall mural, numerous custom graphic design projects, and many book illustrations and covers. In her personal quest to call attention to the beauty of everyday subjects, Miller especially enjoys incorporates non-traditional subject matter or views.

Dave Silwones is the owner of Skybound Gallery, where he has his wood-turning studio. He lived in the Pacific Northwest for most of his life, and has a special appreciation of the natural world, and chooses the medium of wood to express that appreciation. His studio celebrates the one-of-a-kind wood craftsmanship woven throughout our history, and hopes to pass it to future generations. While “hand-made” is sometimes forgotten, Silwones believes it should still be very much treasured.

Larry Sommer is a fused and blown glass artist whose studio is just outside Toledo (82 Sunnyridge Road). In the past eight years Sommer has created pieces ranging from glass floats to intricate sculptures incorporating both methods. At present, Sommer has chosen to return to the art of fusing, creating both functional pieces along with his whimsical sculptures.

The Toledo Arts Guild, show at Port Station One (496 NE Hwy 20). Guild members Berta Sergeant, Scott Blackman, Sandy Blackman, Malcolm Cole, Nancy Jane Reid and Becky Miller will display their works, including photography, mosaics, original oil and acrylic paintings, handcrafted wearable art, drawings, and collage. Port Station One’s outdoor sculpture garden features a sculpture by Logsden metal artisan Harold Lofton and five outdoor sculptures and two benches by Sam Briseño. The Guild continues to seek new and local member artists who demonstrate their high standards for quality and professionalism. The Guild includes painters, photographers, fiber artists, sculptors, and a glass blower and showcases the wide variety of art created in and around Toledo.

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