I began using maps in my artwork several years ago when I was trying to solve the dilemma of painting a toucan's large beak and keeping it interesting. I decided to collage an antique map of the toucan's homeland underneath the bird, and I was thrilled to find a picture of a small section of a South American map drawn in the 1600’s…
We each have emotional work in our lives, "soul work" you could call it. Along with the play involved in any creative work, my soul work finds its way into my painting; struggles caught in images. In considering a theme for the new work in my current show, the idea of home seemed to capture the pieces that were developing…
Perhaps because of my scientific background and my lack of formal training as an artist, I have taken many risks and explored new techniques in my work. My textural surfaces are built with paint; many layers of paint built up one over the other. I don’t use modeling paste or other fillers, just paint, straight from the containers, mixed right…
Born Nerys Wendon Williams, I was raised in North Wales, and Welsh was my home language and I learned English when I was eight years old. My formative years were spent at a Welsh language school with a high level of cultural education. It had a close community where the Welsh language chapel sought to reinforce the culture. My grandfather, an accomplished…
This past fall my talented partner, Ed Ralston, pulled out drafting paper and pencil and we marshaled resources to construct a new structure on my property designed explicitly for one purpose: to serve as a gallery, to permanently display my various types of arts and crafts. This structure is positioned at a special spot on my property, which is more…
Two OCAG artists have been producing collaborative paintings for about a year and a half. Luna Lee Ray and Shelly Hehenberger have been asked to write about their process and here is what they have to say. Luna Lee Ray: Shelly and I have found a great format for collaborating that works for us: we take turns working on each surface,…
On NPR some time ago, I heard part of an interview with someone who was discussing a depression era photographer by the name of Walker Evans. He quoted Mr. Evans as saying, “the truly hard part [of photography] is capturing the light in the air.” I realized in that moment that this is exactly what I am continually trying to…
Thirty six members of the Orange County Artists Guild were assigned quotes to illustrate for a sequel to the book TREE: a Community of Artists Explores the Meaning of Nature. This meandering blog is about Ruthananda’s experience creating her illustration for RIVER. Planning ahead is a really important part of any project and many details are considered along the way…
After much heartache, my husband and I decided to sell our 30 foot sailboat, Sea Otter, last fall. Our final vacation on the boat was to Cape Lookout, the southernmost outer bank of North Carolina. This trip was memorable as neither of us almost died and nothing on the boat broke. We didn’t even run aground once. Despite all this, the…
I have always been interested in exploring the theme of community. In this series titled Women in the World, I examine the supportive essence of womanhood. In the past I've lived and worked in communes where I've felt the strength that comes when everyone works together for the common good. Since the beginning of time, women have come together to…