Who are you and what do you do?

Hello, my name is Linda Whiteside and I use the medium of clay to create expressive ceramic pieces that reflect the whimsical beauty of God’s special creatures. I use the ancient art of raku-firing to create unusual “one of a kind” sculpture.

Why do you do what you do?

I find great joy in the creative process. I couldn’t imagine not being able to express creatively in one medium or another. It is just something I must do.

What themes do you pursue?

The majority of what I do involves animals. I enjoy using whimsical poses that seem to connect us to God’s special creatures. I like thinking that when someone purchases my work, it brings a bit of joy to those that see it.

Describe a real life situation that inspired you.

In 1991, after completing a degree in commercial art, I was drawn to explore the ceramics department at Riverside Community College. It changed the course of my life. I was hooked from the moment I discovered the joy of “playing in the mud”.

What jobs have you done other than being an artist?

I have worn several “hats” during my life to date. Aside from being the mother of two and grandmother of 3, I co-owned and operated a landscape business, HVAC business, and both a residential and commercial construction company. Later, while still living in the Fresno-Clovis area, I went into real estate sales. After a move to Riverside CA. in 1988, I went back to school and studied commercial and fine art. It was here that I developed a passion for working in clay.

We moved to Sacramento in 1994 and purchased a home with a studio. This provided an opportunity to create and sell my work in local and out of state galleries.

In 2010 I was drawn to working with the elderly and went to work for Eskaton, where I was the program manager for their community outreach program, Telephone Reassurance. Since retiring in 2020, I once again devote full time to “playing in the mud”.

What are your hobbies?

Aside from working in the studio (the best “hobby” ever) I spend time transporting seniors, who no longer are able to drive, get to essential medical appointments and grocery stores. I also enjoy spending time with friends, reading, Scrabble and staying on top of current events.

Who are you and what do you do?

I’m Stacy Pedri and I am a photographer.

Why do you do what you do?

I got into photography during a very rough period of my life and I love the peace it brings me to be out in nature.

What themes do you pursue?

Mostly wildlife but I do love to find treasures left from the past and occasionally a good landscape.

 Describe a real life situation that inspired you.

I feel inspired everyday by being surrounded by my fellow Gallery members.

What jobs have you done other than being an artist?

My main job is a cosmetologist for 30 plus years and also have some bookkeeping experience from being self-employed.

What are your hobbies?

I love to shop thrift stores and yard sales, read and spend time at my home away from home in Oregon.

Who are you and what do you do?

I’m Laura Bracken.  I make jewelry using metals, stones, and enamels.

Why do you do what you do?

Creating makes me happy.  I enjoy turning raw materials into an emotional narrative that may speak to someone else.

What themes do you pursue?

The themes I’m drawn to include an exciting use of color, the style of  the Arts and Crafts Movement, Japanese minimalism with clean lines, and the world of fantasy.  My work is unapologetically “all over the place”.

Describe a real life situation that inspired you.

I was 16 when I saw my first recognizable artwork in a museum, a Maxfield Parrish painting.

After years of seeing his fairy tale illustrations in my beloved childhood books, looking at an original painting in person was a profound and moving experience.  Experiencing firsthand how art can affect a person was definitely a turning point in my desire to create.

What jobs have you done other than being an artist?

Research scientist, belly dancer, lead guitarist in a few bands, motorsports journalist.

What are your hobbies?

Cooking, which is very much like working in my studio because it’s all about experimenting and creating.

Who are you and what do you do?

My name is Louise McGowan Bezark and I am 1 of 2 gourd artists at Auburn Old Town gallery. My gourd sculptures are typically minimal in nature, with a focus on plant and animal life. Often they are thought to be ceramic or glass.

Why do you do what you do?

Creating art and expressing creatively has always been one of the many joys of living. I can be incredibly inspired by a color, texture or architectural or natural element. Expressing creatively is as natural as breathing, my studio and gallery time are a delight.

What themes do you pursue?

I love botanical and natural elements and the range of color and texture in both. Ginkgo Biloba is a favorite as well as the grace of koi. The last year has been quite fruitful with studio time and I can see my work evolving more than ever before.

Describe a real life situation that inspired you.

Observing family and friends who face struggles both internal and external and come through them to be more insightful and compassionate to themselves and others is one of the most powerful elements of nature. The human ability to persist, grow, change and enjoy life is always a source of great inspiration. I am humbled by the vast number of friends who have triumphed after emerging from dark times.

What jobs have you done other than being an artist?

I spent many years in HMO marketing, hotel and off premise event planning and logistics, catering and menu creation, and real estate sales. Prior to full time artistic endeavors, I spent 13 years in the ministry field. Many of the inspirations I have illustrated are spiritual in nature as a result of the study of the world’s faith traditions.

What are your hobbies?

I love to be near or in water, love to kayak and hope to own one in the near future. I enjoy cooking and gardening, dreaming of someday living in a green prefab simple home on beautiful land.

Who are you and what do you do?

I’m Darlene Riel and my medium is photography.    I’m known for travel photography, featuring images from around the world.

Why do you do what you do?

If I have to be completely honest, my passions in order are travel #1; and photography #2.

I love to explore new places and cultures.  And while I’m exploring, I happen to be a shutter bug!   What I suppose is different about me is that I do not intentionally go on “photo shoots”.

So I capture what is presented to me at the moment.   I know that it is cliché, but I like sharing my love of travel with others through my photographs.   It brings up conversation of a place, a moment, a memory.

What themes do you pursue?

I’m very much attracted to old structures of stone, aged woods and metals.  The weathered patinas of old doors and windows are an absolute addiction! 

Describe a real life situation that inspired you.

My first visit to Europe was to Rome, Italy.  The artifacts, ruins and the history really made an impact on me to want more exposure to foreign countries and cultures.  Have you ever stayed in a country farm house with a stone fireplace so large that you can walk inside of it?  I get goosebumps thinking about those stays and the stories the house could probably tell!

What jobs have you done other than being an artist?

I’m a registered veterinary nurse or technician (RVT) with a veterinary specialty (VTS) in small animal internal medicine.  The majority of my career was with UC Davis’ School of Veterinary Medicine working as in internal medicine nurse.  I lectured nationally and internationally on the topics of endoscopy, enteral feeding devices, and medical diagnostics.   I’ve authored chapters for veterinary reference books and participated in published scientific research papers.  My last 10 years at UCD before retirement, I was the manager of a large clinical teaching center. 

What are your hobbies?

Travel, hiking, cooking and vegetable gardening.

Who are you and what do you do?

My name is Suzanne Hambleton and I create fine art photographic images. The genre that is displayed in the Auburn Old Town Gallery is tabletop still life photography. Most of the images are considered low key. I have been studying and creating this type of work for about five years.

Why do you do what you do?

I took my first photography class in high school and learned how to develop and print black and white images. I had found my passion. But it took years before I really studied and practiced fine art photography. There is a Zen to creating and styling a still life image. And I enjoying learning new skills that I can bring to my craft.

What themes do you pursue?

My goal is to manipulate several strobe lights to draw attention to specific parts of the scene. The scenes are flowers, fruit and flowers, with various props. I love color relationships. My favorite colors are warm colors; shades of yellow, orange, and reds and various shades of these. I seek to create color harmony in my work. I also edit my images by painting them in an editing program.

Describe a real life situation that inspired you.

Every time I visit an art gallery, I’m inspired by the old masters paintings of still life. I try and recreate this type of masterpiece in my work.

What jobs have you done other than being an artist?

I’ve worked for the State of California in various science related jobs before working full time as a fine art photographer.

What are your hobbies?

I love to garden, and I am a Master Gardener and community gardener in Sacramento County. In addition I enjoy traveling and hiking.

Who are you and what do you do?

I’m Jenn Norpchen and I create three dimensional animal gourd art using wire armature, metal mesh and clay to create their features. I embellish the pieces with inks, feathers, glass and wood.

Why do you do what you do?

My purpose is show people what you can do with gourds and the length of creativity you can add. I’m all about collecting sticks, rocks, or anything your creative heart desires. 

What themes do you pursue?

All animal themes.

Describe a real life situation that inspired you.

My sister grew gourds years ago and was inspired by their beautiful organic forms. I started researching gourd art and was amazed by the all the beautiful art people created.

What jobs have you done other than being an artist?

Architectural designer.

What are your hobbies?

Hiking, paddle board, golf, collecting driftwood, rocks and snow skiing.

Who are you and what do you do?

I am Cathy McAllister. I am a mixed media up-cycle artist. I love shopping for used items to use for my art. I then paint and create the items into fun whimsical and colorful art items.

What themes do you pursue?

Love very colorful and whimsical themes.

Describe a real life situation that inspired you.

I am inspired by Nature’s different colors, also fun shows, movies, magazines, books etc. Everywhere you look there’s some great inspiration.

What jobs have you done other than being an artist?

I’ve been a retail manager for a lot of years and I am also a real estate agent.

What are your hobbies?

I love going for walks at the canyon. I love riding my bike. I have a great time when I crochet. And I always like to take new classes such as welding and paint classes … anything just to keep me motivated and young.