Please introduce yourself and briefly describe your art.
Hello! My name is Jane Markham and I’m a 76-year young woodworker. I create keepsake and treasure boxes out of Claro (Black) & English Walnut, as well as Maple Burls that we salvage from decay or destruction. We are preserving our beautiful Northern California hardwoods.

What led you to be an artist and to share your art in Auburn Old Town Gallery?
I worked with my late husband, a carpenter/contractor, for 20 years when he retired and returned to his love of art and wood!  Over time we created a fabulous wood shop and I wanted to learn everything I could. Since his passing 16 years ago, my family and I have carried on his legacy of exquisite woodworking craft, expanding our skills. We did several years of many art shows around the western states, and I continued to travel for 13 years. I am honored to be an artist at the Old Town Gallery where my woodworks are displayed. My work has improved over the years, and I love being a part of a cooperative art community of local artists.

Where are you originally from?
I grew up in Southern California and lived in Palm Springs where my mom and dad owned & ran a small cafe as well as an early convenience store in the 50’s. My parents wanted a small town for us to grow up in, and we settled in Sunnymead, then 5,000 people; and now has grown to 350,000!  We owned a hardware store, and we were all involved in our community. We brought our first high school to our valley, and I was in the first graduating class.  It was lots of orange groves & potato fields.

What did you want to be when you were younger?
My paternal grandmother influenced me greatly as a young girl. After a career teaching in Utah, she was teaching English in Iran through a university in the 50’s.  She and my step-grandfather travelled the world for years, entertaining us with their adventures. In the 60’s they joined the Peace Corps, but medical issues kept them from going to Liberia. They bought property in Encinitas CA, where we spent a lot of time at the beaches and enjoyed the flowers. I always wanted to be a teacher because of my “Granny’s” life-long passion for learning. A couple years after I received my Master’s degree, I taught a variety of classes at my Alma Mater for 4 years and “graduated” with my seniors. My next move was teaching at 2 colleges in Lake Tahoe. My move to Grass Valley brought me to Adult Education which I loved—”English as a Second Language” and a “Memoirs Writing for Seniors” class that I developed and taught for years.

I also began my 29-year involvement as “The Tree Lady”; a facilitator for Talk About Trees, a program designed to teach 3-6th graders about our forests & the importance of trees in our everyday lives. I was also learning more each day that I could refine in our wood shop. Now I love to tell people about our local woods that will “Keep the Spirit of the Tree Alive.”

Tell us about a compliment that you’ve received that you’re most proud of.
A favorite compliment I received as I first showed my own creations came from a gentleman at a special art show.  He said after a thorough examination of my work…” every one of these boxes is a perfect treasure”!

 What’s one thing that has made you smile recently?
My 4-year-old grandson Nova & my daughter Lilia have lived with me for 2 1/2 years. It is my joy to be part of his growth and maturity. He entertains us constantly with his perspectives on life and actions that make us laugh!
___________

Read Jane’s previous interview here.

___________

Please introduce yourself and briefly describe your art.
Hello, my name is David Roseberry, a professional gourd artist. My personal connections to the Southwest and a strong passion for basic colors has led me to a truly unique position among other fine art gourd artists. I create gourd models that are made, almost entirely, from gourds and gourd parts manufactured by me in my tiny shop. I have created gourd models as large as eight feet tall to as small as two inches and have covered subjects from Kokopelli to coocoo birds and almost everything in between.

What led you to be an artist and to share your art in Auburn Old Town Gallery?
I have been an artist my entire life, I guess I was born that way, but it was my extreme interest in Southwest art that led me to a part time career in the arts about thirty-five years ago. Having participated in way too many outdoor art venues to count, I’ve managed to learn a lot about location and traffic flow and feel my artwork requires a slower pace and maybe answers to a question or two. AOTG provides both of these things for me quite nicely.

Where are you originally from?
I was born in Sacramento California and never really ever left.

What did you want to be when you were younger?
As a small child I was very much a momma’s boy. I baked cakes and pies with my mother from a very young age. I knew that I wanted to be a chef when I grew up, and became a chef’s apprentice many years later at the Mansion Inn in Sacramento.

Tell us about a compliment that you’ve received that you’re most proud of.
It was at the first gourd festival I participated in. I was doing a hands-on demonstration for the kids in attendance and had a table laid out with all the components needed to assemble a simple gourd rattle which they could then take home and decorate. It was my job to assist each child with the assembly. The event was hugely successful but suddenly became very emotional in tone when a young vision impaired person with huge glasses and even a bigger smile asked for my assistance on that wonderful autumn morning. Now some thirty years later, I can close my eyes and hear the rain he made that day and the smiles on his parents’ faces will, forever, be all the thanks I’ll ever need.

What’s one thing that has made you smile recently?
Many observers of my work might guess that I’m a big fan of birds and they would be right as I have a handful of Parakeets in my patio observatory at home. Nothing brings me greater joy than watching them destroy a brand-new toy in minutes. That’s how I roll.

Please introduce yourself and briefly describe your art.
Hello. I’m Carol Robin Crockett, AKA Crockett Tiles. I work in high-fired (2200 degrees) ceramics. I use slabs, coils, and hand-building. I make tile, vessels, and sculptures.

What led you to be an artist and to share your art in Auburn Old Town Gallery?
I was born into an artistic family in the Bay Area and have always made things with my hands. My first love was fabric and sewing, which I learned at the side of my beloved grandmother. She taught me about textiles of all sorts and the integrity of every stitch. I have also always been drawn to carving, which I learned from my dear father and grandfather. I carved bones, wood, sticks, soap, and whatever I could get my hands on. My father also taught me about architecture and the work of early twentieth-century California tile makers, such as Ernest Batchelder, Clay Craft, Malibu Potter, and others. When I was divorced in 2004, I wanted to continue staying home with my four children, so I started Crockett Tiles as a home-based business. I received a call from Louise at Auburn Old Town Gallery early last year. She encouraged me to apply, and I am so glad I did!

Where are you originally from?
I am a fourth-generation San Franciscan. I lived in the City much of my childhood but also spent time with my father in Sky Londa (Woodside) just south of San Francisco, and my Grandparents in Healdsburg, an hour or so north of the City.

What did you want to be when you were younger?
For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to be a mother and have four children! Which I did!

Tell us about a compliment that you’ve received that you’re most proud of.
Eight years ago, when my eldest daughter was pregnant, we were driving looking for a daycare provider. She turned and looked at me and told me she wanted to quit her state job and stay home with her children so she could raise them the same way she was raised. Which she did!

What’s one thing that has made you smile recently?
I have many things that make me smile. This morning when I woke up, our Border Collie Hank was curled up on the end of the bed, with our dear all black cat Coal curled up on top of him.

Please introduce yourself and briefly describe your art.
I’m Jane Welles and I paint the landscape in oil and gouache.

What led you to be an artist and to share your art in Auburn Old Town Gallery?
I was always drawing and painting as a kid and I am proud to be part of AOTG.

Where are you originally from?
I grew up in a Navy family and grew up moving every few years.

What did you want to be when you were younger?
An artist living in Wyoming and Montana.

Tell us about a compliment that you’ve received that you’re most proud of.
That my paintings have a peaceful feeling.

What’s one thing that has made you smile recently?
My dog, Raven.

___________

Read Jane’s previous interview here.

___________

Please introduce yourself and briefly describe your art.
Hi there. My name is Therese May, I am a weaver, fiber fanatic and a creative.

What led you to be an artist and to share your art in Auburn Old Town Gallery?
My husband was given a 36″ oak loom, and we bought a “how to” book and started weaving. I so enjoy the artistic community and visiting people interested in art. That is what led me to AOTG.

Where are you originally from?
Although born in Sacramento, I was raised in Modoc county. It is the most northeastern county in California.

What did you want to be when you were younger?
I thought I was going into nursing but couldn’t handle the math. Little did I know weaving required lots of calculations! I have become more mathematical thanks to many threads.

Tell us about a compliment that you’ve received that you’re most proud of.
People tell me I am a good listener.

What’s one thing that has made you smile recently?
I must confess that I love looking at the reels on Facebook of babies. As a grandparent of twins, the multiples are the best. I always smile and sometimes chuckle.

___________

Read Therese’s previous interview here.
___________

Please introduce yourself and briefly describe your art.
Hello, I am Diane Tharp, and I am a watercolor artist living in beautiful Auburn, California.

What led you to be an artist and to share your art in Auburn Old Town Gallery?
I have always loved dabbling in art and over the years this dabbling became a passion. After trying many other mediums, I came to realize that I just love painting with watercolors, with its transparency, fluidity, and unpredictability. I have always been a huge fan of Auburn Old Town Gallery and the wonderful artists showing here. I was so excited to be juried into this gallery and have enjoyed every year of my involvement with this gallery.

Where are you originally from?
Millbrae, California.

What did you want to be when you were younger?
A scientist, biologist, or an astronaut. 

Tell us about a compliment that you’ve received that you’re most proud of.
“Your artwork always touches me with its whimsey, humor, or beauty.”

What’s one thing that has made you smile recently?
My grandkids! They make me smile every day!

___________

Read Diane’s previous interview here.

___________

Please introduce yourself and briefly describe your art.
I am Susan Stoll. I am a photographer and a painter. The inspiration for my work is provided by the never-ending beauty of nature.

What led you to be an artist and to share your art in Auburn Old Town Gallery?
Artistic expression has been a part of who I am for as long as I can remember. I can’t imagine seeing the world around me and/or expressing myself in any other way. I am proud to be a member of Auburn Old Town Gallery with its talented group of artists. An added perk is meeting all the customers from both near and far when they visit the gallery.

Where are you originally from?
I was born and raised in California. I have lived in Auburn for over 30 years.

What did you want to be when you were younger?
I have always wanted to be an artist.

Tell us about a compliment that you’ve received that you’re most proud of.
Rather than listing a complement, I will list an observation. As a former Montessori teacher and art instructor, observing students flourish academically, socially, and creatively warms my heart. In my observations, children are naturally drawn to nature and the arts.

What’s one thing that has made you smile recently?
When I think about my family, friends, and community, I smile with gratitude.

___________

Read Susan’s previous interview here.

___________

Please introduce yourself and briefly describe your art.
Hello, I’m Christina and my art medium is sterling silver jewelry. I call myself a jewelry artist.

What led you to be an artist and to share your art in Auburn Old Town Gallery?
I worked as a bench jeweler for over ten years and decided it was time to create my own designs. Auburn opened a larger venue, and I decided to sign up.

Where are you originally from?
I am originally from Sacramento.

What did you want to be when you were younger?
When I was younger, I wanted to be an artist; I didn’t know it would be a jewelry artist.

Tell us about a compliment that you’ve received that you’re most proud of.
I was complimented on how I make original pieces, and I was happy someone noticed because this is a gallery.

What’s one thing that has made you smile recently?
The sun setting through the trees gave me the idea of creating an art piece.

___________

Read Christina’s previous interview here.

___________