Tell us about your artwork.
Hi, I’m Stacey Lamothe. I love narrative pieces, some things that tells a story. It’s not the same story for everyone. It surprises me when a client tells me why they love their piece and what story it tells them and it’s different than my version. I love that! I like texture, abstract, yoga, nature, plants and animals. These all inspire my art. I also delight in putting text on pendant backs and inside band rings. It’s like a little surprise, mantra or vibe that makes everything more special ❤️

Describe how art is important to society.
My work is uplifting and comforting. It is meant to be a talisman that inspires hope, humor, joy and/or goodness to the wearer. It can also be a connection for like-minded individuals.

How would you describe yourself as an artist?
I am a positive and heart minded woman who looks for beauty in ANYthing. I can’t walk across the yard without tripping on an epiphany 😉 I love humorous and positive quotes/mantras and I incorporate them into much of my work.

Has your style changed over time?
I no longer allow sales to dictate my style. I have spent years honing my craft. I learn through doing and sometimes by lucky accidents. I know my groove, have my tribe and happily create my art to bring joy.

Describe your dream project.
I am pretty much living my dream. Most days I walk across the driveway to work in my happy place (studio)💓 Every thank you note/text/email I get from customers lets me know I’m on the right track.

What superpower would you have and why?
I would like to be a better listener. I think it would make me a better human.

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Read Stacey’s previous interview here.

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Tell us about your artwork.
Hi, I’m Meg. I am a jeweler and work with sterling silver, gold (primarily as accents), gold-filled and other metals. I enjoy using all sorts of gemstones.

Describe how art is important to society.
Art invokes feelings of all sorts. I believe it helps people enjoy things as well as think about things. Art brings a lot of joy to people every day.

How would you describe yourself as an artist?
I really love making jewelry and playing with metal and stones. I sometimes lose myself in the process. While I did not think of myself as an artist for many years, belonging to the Auburn Gallery has helped me realize that I have a lot to offer.

Has your style changed over time?
Last month I sized an opal ring that I had made years ago for a client. Surprisingly, I couldn’t even remember making it, although I knew it was my work without a doubt. So, yes, it has.

Describe your dream project.
To make pieces with even more gemstones in them.

What superpower would you have and why?
I would love to be able to magically clean and polish my jewelry pieces without getting my hands dirty in the process. Oh, and that power just might include setting the stones magically, too.

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Read Meg’s previous interview here.

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Tell us about your artwork.
Hi, I’m Doug Parks.  I am a fine art landscape photographer. I work in the digital space but made my start in the film days. I started in photography in my early years. I became more involved in the photographic world when I became a camera repairman. I then branched out to camera sales and printing.

Describe how art is important to society.
Photography can capture time unlike any other media. Landscape images can be used to show the effects of climate change and document the other changes in our natural world.

How would you describe yourself as an artist?
I am an artist that works with a purpose. There have been many changes in the photographic world and you must constantly examine where you are and adapt to those changes.

Has your style changed over time?
As one who started in film, and primarily black and white, digital has completely changed how I approach my work. I constantly make verbal and written notes when on location so that I do not need to rely on memory when post processing my digital images. In this way I can ensure that what I felt, saw, smelled and experienced comes out in my final image.

Describe your dream project.
I would love to be able to teach photography to children to give them the feeling of time since they really have no concept when young.

What superpower would you have and why?
Patience. Something you must have in the landscape if you want to make images that speak.

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Read Doug’s previous interview here.

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Tell us about your artwork.
Hi, I’m Diane Tharp.  I primarily paint in watercolor and water media. It is a passion! I paint realistically with stronger colors than is usually associated with watercolor. My inspiration comes primarily from nature, and I especially love to paint birds. My paintings often tell a little story or have a touch of whimsy which makes them even more fun to paint. I have been in many juried shows and have won many awards for my artwork which is always such an honor.

Describe how art is important to society.
People have a connection to art, whether it brings back a memory, a passion, or just makes them feel good. I’m loving that communities are now supporting public art and it’s common to see murals, sculptures, and other art pieces in public places. I feel it fosters a sense of pride in our communities and certainly beautifies those areas. And it also brings art up close to communities’ members who might not usually be exposed to art. I volunteered to paint a large utility box at the Gold Country Fairgrounds with rodeo scenes and it always gives me a sense of pride and satisfaction when I visit the fair and see it.

How would you describe yourself as an artist?
Painting is an enjoyable, meditative process for me, and I don’t put pressure on myself to paint the perfect painting. I love networking with other artists and supporting our local galleries and art organizations. I’m a proud member of the Auburn Old Town Gallery and High Hand Gallery in Loomis. I’m also part of the North Auburn Artists Mother’s Day Tour and the Placer Artists Studios Tour in November.

Has your style changed over time?
Although my style hasn’t really dramatically changed over time, I can see the personal progress and improvement of my skills as a painter.

Describe your dream project.
My dream project at this time would be to paint a full sheet painting of my beloved animals at our ranch home in Auburn. We have an amazing llama, dwarf goats, and sheep that have captured my heart. There will always be a new dream project to replace the current one once it is painted!

What superpower would you have and why?
I’d love to have the superpower of not needing rest or sleep! There is so much to experience and enjoy in this life and just not enough time to do it all! Life is a blessing, to be appreciated every minute of the day!

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Read Diane’s previous interview here.

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Tell us about your artwork.
Hi, I’m Christina Salazar, a jeweler at Auburn Old Town Gallery. My artwork is a simple style. With different textures and with or without stones.

Describe how art is important to society.
The beauty of art can communicate information and make a social statement.

How would you describe yourself as an artist?
I know myself as a natural jewelry artist. My designs are different and simple. I don’t like to repeat the same designs.

Has your style changed over time?
Yes, it is more exciting and unique. Texture and shape.

Describe your dream project.
My project would be a pearl creation with an image of under the sea.

What superpower would you have and why?
To give everyone the power to find their inner creation.

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Read Christina’s previous interview here.

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Tell us about your artwork.
My name is Barbra Paitich.  I paint on silk, making scarves and wraps and I combine silk with torch-cut metals for wall art.

Describe how art is important to society.
All art mediums (painting, sculpting, music, dance etc.) inspire all of society. Our souls are nourished and healed by beauty, curiosity, experimentation, creating.

How would you describe yourself as an artist?
I’m a silk painter who has added ways to display my work in multiple ways by incorporating metal (steel, brass, copper), plant life, (twigs, small branches, leaves, flowers). In my career as school counselor, I used art as a therapeutic tool.

Has your style changed over time?
My style of work is organic and free flowing and has always been, but the means by which it evolved was a lovely journey as a progression. Watercolors transported me into dyes on silk. Raising sheep and spinning the wool pointed me to texture and to silk. The need to display my paintings led me to welding classes.

Describe your dream project.
I’ve had a few of large projects; the largest was a 17 ft. x 14 ft. project of silk hung on steel that hangs in a home in Nevada County.

What superpower would you have and why?
The ability to heal by touch. I feel that our world needs compassion, a kind word, and a gentle touch. Fear has invaded our world.  I’d like to be part of the shift away from that.