Umbrella Project Artist Bios

Umbrella Project Artist Bios
Yvonne Goldberg
Displayed at: Black Iron Grill
Ecobrella
Yvonne Goldberg resides in Penticton and displays her artwork at YGO Fine Art Gallery, 101-207
Main Street, Penticton BC, V2A 5B1, 250-276-3414.
"Ever since I was a little girl I didn't know what to love more, painting or playing the piano. So I
did both. And it has never changed.
My mother came from a very artistic Dutch family. Her mother was a concert pianist and all her
twelve children grew up playing instruments, singing and making chamber music. My mother
kept this tradition alive by teaching me classical music and exposing me to opera, ballet and art.
There was never a doubt in my mind what to make out of my life.
I studied music at the Conservatory and painting at the Art Academy of Muenster, Germany. I
earned a Master’s Degree from the Hochschule fuer Musik und Theaterin Hannover, Germany.
I earned my living by teaching music and painting portraits. I immigrated to America in 1985
and started a new life with my husband, who is also a musician, and my three children. In
California I continued my art studies at the California Art Institute near Los Angeles. I participate
in group and solo exhibitions, selling to private collectors and painting on commission. I teach
classical piano and art. I enjoy expressing myself in different styles, but my true love lies in
impressionism. My subjects range from portraits to landscape and still life. I admire the old
masters and like to copy them through my own eyes. One of the social issues that concerns me
most is the violence and oppression that is so prevalent in today's society. In an effort to make
a positive contribution to awareness and tolerance, I've painted an Anti-Violence series.
My greatest passion lies in life itself. In my paintings I strive for freedom of expression and over
the years I've developed an enthusiasm for the boldness of color and stroke. I am the most
happy when I am painting in my studio listening to the music I love."
http://www.ygo-fineart.com/
Ingrid Mann-Willis
Displayed at: Kim Kelly Law
Summertime
I was born in Bandung, Indonesia in 1939 but spent my formative years in The Netherlands.
Since then I have lived in Edmonton and Athabasca, AB and immigrated permanently to Canada
with my family in 1982 and in 1992 settled in the Okanagan Valley. Following my dream to a
fine arts degree later on in life, in 1996 I received a BFA from the University of Victoria.
I am most inspired by the colours of time-worn carpets and the ancient façades of East-Indian,
Turkish and Indonesian architecture and try to explore those energies connected with colour
and meditation. I spend time removing the layers of paint to bring the work back to its core, its
abstract essence, its spirituality. Manipulating the paint, developing the surface, peeling, adding
and subtracting layers, looking beyond the surface seen by the eye and exposing fundamental
differences between layers brings me great spiritual satisfaction.
My focus is also on beholding the ephemeral nature of gardens and especially flower petals,
from their robust youth to their delicate, ethereal withering, for I feel that objects that perish
slowly have a nobility of their own.
http://www.lloydgallery.com/mann-willis/mann-willis.htm
Marcia Stacy
Displayed at: Sass Boutique, Summerland
Celebration
Over the past 20 years, my theme has stayed fairly consistent, but my medium varies
greatly. Celebrating, dancing, loving figures emerge from everything I do, evoking positive
thoughts.
I began a career in the arts in 1972 and over the next 15 years I worked as airbrush
artist, custom car decorator, logo designer, mural painter, sign maker and silk screen printer.
Vancouver Island became my home in 1987 where commercial artist, seamstress,
jewellery designer, illustrator, artist’s assistant, graphic designer and photographer were
among my titles. My husband Ron (also an artist) and I had a studio and gallery in Sidney BC,
and in 1994 I began to dedicate full time to my “Celebration” series miniature paintings and
jewellery.
In 2007, we decided to move back to the Okanagan where family called. As well
as paintings, my repertoire includes jewellery, original fine art dolls and miniature fashions.
Stacy Studios is open by appointment year round; my paintings can be found in various shops
across Canada, and at http://www.stacystudios.com
Eswen Blagdon
Displayed at: Elephant Island Winery
A Walk through the Rainbow
She came from a tiny island.....where art and music are everywhere...where bongos bang and
the people erupt into a frenzy of flailing limbs.....and it is magic....Salt Spring style.
So naturally, Eswen started to draw.... then she began paint....
She eventually left the island behind but the island has never left her.
http://www.eswenart.com/
Sarah Fahey
Displayed at: Lakebreeze Winery
In the Heart of the City
Originally from Ontario, Sarah Fahey has lived in the Okanagan/Similkameen area for over 10
years. A student of life, Sarah has explored art making with many materials from puppets to
alternative building techniques and from clay to metal and of course paint.
Recently Sarah completed a diploma in Writing & Publishing at Okanagan College in Vernon.
Returning to Penticton, Sarah ran the art collective The Golo Art Project from August to
December 2011. New projects include community mural development and writing features for
oook.ca, an Okanagan online arts & culture magazine. In her home studio she is exploring
various silk-screening techniques and working on a series of landscapes.
As a self-taught painter Sarah is driven by an inner source to create with her hands, to
express a sense of being, and of movement. With people as her main subject matter,
explorations in plant life and buildings, clothing and landscape are added to the layers of what
we are and what surrounds us. Most recently, writing has been added as yet another layer, it
speaks of the influence of words and language in our daily lives, the gap between our inner and
outer worlds, and the need to express these thoughts in a public forum; unlike dance or music
that can be performed, writers and artist struggle in boxes and vacuums and in silence, looking
for walls and materials in public places to say I was here, I am here, I will continue to be here.
Studies in communications theory, typography, book making, graffiti and street art have
profoundly influenced Sarah’s most recent work. Sarah continues to explore surfaces to paint
on from bodies to buses to public walls.
You will soon be able to see more of Sarah Fahey’s work at Penticton’s newist gallery, M
Gallery / Book at 202 - 219 Main St, Penticton, opening mid July 2012.
artfahey@hotmail.com
Julie-Ann Miller
Displayed at: Last Call Liquor Mart
My Penticton
An active member of the Canadian Federation of Artists – South Okanagan Similkameen
Chapter, Julie-Ann enjoys the rich subject matter of the sunny Okanagan. After living in Alberta
for more than 35 years, working in Healthcare, Social Work, Human Resources and Training,
Julie-Ann moved to Penticton BC in 2007.
Teachers and mentors throughout her life who encouraged and trained her built upon a lifelong
love of art and an inherited ability. As a student, she developed a passion for drawing and
painting animals. As an adult she enjoyed several courses in Grant MacEwan College – Fine Arts
Program and through workshops with Edmonton artists Frank Haddock and Willy Wong. Since
moving to the Okanagan she has regularly joined well-known Canadian artist Kindrie Grove’s
studio sessions. This focused work has allowed growth as an artist and excitement about
sharing her art. Using acrylic, watercolour, oil, ink and charcoal she continues to be focused
primarily on birds and animals, figurative, life drawing and portrait work, but often explores
abstract, still life and landscape work.
http://laketolakestudios.weebly.com/index.html
Meghan Westfall
Displayed at: Giardino’s
Dia de los Muertos
Mom. Nurse. Artist. Derby Girl.
I am a single mom to a beautiful boy named Eli. I studied art in Medicine Hat, AB, where I
obtained a bachelor’s degree in Visual Communications. My focus was drawing, painting,
graphic design and sculpture. After becoming frustrated with my place in the graphic design
community I decided to take on nursing and do art for fun. I then found a little thing called
Roller Derby which has been my biggest muse and inspiration. I play for the Penticton Pistoleras
with a fabulous group of women who are strong on and off the track. Check us out!
www.sorda.ca
Marianne Meyer
Displayed at: Red Rooster Winery
Loving Hearts
Although born & raised in Switzerland, Marianne and husband Walter found themselves
desiring the dream of an alternate lifestyle. In 2000, the dream became reality and they moved
to the Okanagan to fulfill their passions. Painting primarily with acrylics, Marianne’s desire to
experiment with colour and moods are reflected in her colourful abstract paintings. A sense of
happy optimism catches the viewer’s eye. The studio is named after her one of a kind dog
Thirteen!
www.thirteensown.com
Teri Warner
Displayed at: Bogner’s of Penticton
Teri Warner was born in Penticton and received a degree in Fine Arts from Simon Fraser
University. She began her artistic pursuits (painting, drawing, and writing) at a young age,
experimenting with various mediums and techniques. Teri returned to the Okanagan in 2003
where she continues to paint, primarily impressionistic landscapes with acrylic, and draw
figures and portraits, using pencil and charcoal. While she has primarily kept her art personal,
friend and art guru Cindi Tomochko encouraged Teri to spread her wings and take on the
challenge of painting an umbrella for The Umbrella Project.
Janis Blyth
Displayed at: Forest Green Man Lavender, Naramata
Life on the Bench
Originally from Victoria and Vancouver, Janis now resides in beautiful Naramata in the
Okanagan wine region with her husband. She graduated from the University of Victoria, with
honours in a Fine Arts Degree. Moving to Vancouver in 1982, Janis worked in retail clothing for
many years. This experience reflects in her work, as the women she paints in her canvases are
similar to the dressing up of a customer and creating a character. When shestarted to raise a
family Janis gave up retail and went into her art full-time. She has participated in numerous solo
and group shows and Janis’ artwork can be seen in public collections on the westcoast. The
pictures are rich in colour and statement, often depicting women in humorous and soulful
reflections. Living amidst the lush wineries, she has incorporated into her artwork wine related
themes. Working mostly on canvases she sometimes goes astray and creates one-of-a-kind
painted objects and antiques.
http://janisblyth.com/
John Salsnek
Displayed at: Lakeside Resort
Dragonfly Table Lamp
John came to Canada from Europe as a child, moved across the provinces and after numerous
business relocations finally made the life changing decision to hang up his suit and tie, settle in
the Okanagan and pursue his passion for painting. By 1990 he was in his Studio full time and in
1998 the Salsneks renovated their Willowbrook hobby farm to include a Gallery run by his wife,
Stephanie. They expanded in 2005 to their now popular year round destination 'Paw Prints
Studio & Gallery' featuring John's originals, limited edition prints and giclées, collectables and
gifts. John continues to capture nature on his canvases, preferring realism for his style, acrylics
for his medium and our breathtaking back country with his stunning Palomino as his muse.
www.ArtofJohnSalsnek.com
Endrene Shepherd
Displayed at: Ruby Blues Winery
Ogopogo
Endrené Shepherd (BFA) is an artist living and working in Penticton, BC. She is a multifaceted
creator with a passion for the bright versatility of acrylic paint, preferring images from life,
nature, and her own imagination for inspiration for her works on canvas. She also loves to paint
in a large scale, and her murals grace more than ten locales in the South Okanagan. Endrené
has been a part of many group shows in BC (and one in Japan), and recently had her first solo
exhibition at the Summerland Art Gallery
www.facebook.com/endreneshepherd
Terry Isaac
Displayed at: Ruby Blues Winery
Polar Bears
Internationally acclaimed wildlife artist, Terry Isaac, grew up in the Willamette Valley of
Oregon, and it is there that he began his love affair with wildlife. Drawing inspiration from his
own backyard and from the captivating vistas of the Northwest, he began to create dramatic
wildlife art. He now calls Penticton, British Columbia, Canada “home” and, since moving, has
continued to create paintings capturing unique characteristics of wildlife and their habitat.
Terry travels around the world to capture exciting images, but his main painting focus continues
to be on North American birds and mammals.
Terry’s formal art began with an interest in animation and drawing cartoons. After art college,
he was interested in children’s book illustration but soon re-discovered his childhood passion
for wildlife. Since the mid 1980’s, he has created realistic wildlife art with a focus on
particularity and dramatic light. He is inspired by large panoramas as well as close-up views, and
by subjects ranging from whales to hummingbirds.
During his successful professional career Terry has been the featured “Artist of the Year” at a
number of prestigious art shows/expos, placed in 12 stamp and print competitions, been
commissioned to create for the Audubon Society handbooks and hired to develop the main
character in a Walt Disney production. His works are housed in prominent permanent
collections such as Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, Bennington Center for the Arts,
American Airlines, First National Bank of South Africa and in many private and corporate
collections around the world. His paintings have appeared for sale and re-sale at
Christies Auction House, London, England.
Isaac continues to participate in several important art competitions, including Leigh Yawkey
Woodson Art Museum’s prestigious “Birds in Art” exhibition, in which his art will have been
featured 14 times and the Society of Animal Artists annual exhibition. He is invited to
participate in a number of prominent gallery art shows on an annual basis.
Terry is an accomplished teacher, and his approach to painting is outlined in his own
book“Painting the Drama of Wildlife, Step by Step” now in its second edition (North Light
Books, 1998). The book’s success led to the creation of a DVD, “Painting Wildlife in
Acrylic” (Creative Catalyst, 2005). Terry’s art has also been featured in several other
books,“Painting Birds Step by Step” (cover/North Light Books, 1996), “The Best of Wildlife
Art”(cover/North Light Books, 1997), and “More Wildlife Painting Techniques of Modern
Masters”(Watson-Guptill Publications, 1996). Terry continues to teach annual workshops, with
students attending from all over the world.
Demand for Terry’s originals has remained high, partly due to the fact that his technique of
painting and the detail he captures means that he paints relatively few paintings per year.
Terry’s work was published by Mill Pond Press for almost 20 years, and many of his limited
edition prints are sold out. Terry is now a self-published artist, who strives to create works of
art for the discerning collector and only prints a select number of his paintings with very small
edition sizes.
Karolina Born-Tschuemperlin
Displayed at: Valley First Cherry Lane branch
Summer Storm
Karolina was born in 1964 in Lucerne, Switzerland and moved to Canada in 1995. She studied at
Cambridge University, UK, Université de la Sorbonne in Paris and holds a degree in modern
foreign languages from the Dolmetscher Schule Basel, Switzerland.
With her husband Doug and her dog Otis, she owns a small lavender farm in Naramata, B.C. In
her spare time, she paints and plays music with her band "Slapdog Four plus Joe."
Tara Kelly
Displayed at: Penticton Community Centre
Pears
Tara Kelly earned her Diploma of Fine Arts at Langara College in Vancouver. While there, her
studies centered on sculpture and printmaking. Currently, she is focused on drawing and
painting in acrylics.
While she feels that drawing accurately is an important skill to start with and to continue to
improve, she also loves to capture her subjects expressively, especially while they are moving
(as is often the case with children.) Everything is interesting, and Tara is never lacking for
something to draw, but her favorite themes are portraits, pears, and her three boys. Tara is
passionate about sharing the skill of drawing well, and as such she instructs classes at the
Penticton Community Center.
When Painting in acrylics, Tara likes to stretch her own canvases. She works the paint up in
layers, and will often add something unexpected to tie it all together. Tara uses intense and
vibrant colour to create drama in landscape and still life paintings. Depth is created in street
scenes with the use of line and light.
Tara's work has been exhibited and sold in galleries both in Penticton, and Vancouver. She also
creates unique wine jewelery which can be purchased at Lake Breeze Winery in Naramata,
Desert Hills Winery in Oliver, and at Cottage Fever here in Penticton.
Tara Welcomes your response and your questions about her work, her process, or whatever
comes to mind while perusing her gallery.
Colette Clark
Displayed at: Ruby Blues Winery
Peace and Love
Colette Clark’s interest in the visual arts has been a lifelong encounter, having grown up in a
house hold of artists. Her father Glenn and mother Camille are both art school graduates and
have achieved success as artists. In 2010 she graduated from Pen High winning the prestigious
Most Outstanding Fine Arts Award, an award which she was the recipient of for four years in a
row. She also won the Drawing and Painting awards for the Top Art Student in both grade nine,
and again for Arts 12 Studio Arts Program. Her academic achievements also saw her win the
Penticton and District Community Arts Council Grade 12 Scholarship Award, and the Fine Arts
Class of '55 Award. She is currently focused on drawing and painting, along with an ongoing
interest in photography.
Allie Arnst
Displayed at: SS Sicamous
Chakra Waves
Allie Arnst is an abstract artist and enjoys working with texture and creating large pieces of art.
Inspiration comes from items found in nature and tactile objects. Allie is also a fused glass
artist and hobby photographer, as well as a Sound Therapy Practitioner.
Originally from Saskatchewan, Allie started painting in her late teens.
After 20-some years living and working in Calgary, Allie relocated to the Okanagan in 2010.
Allie now lives in Keremeos, BC, nestled among orchards and wineries, and is putting the
finishing touches on her very own studio/gallery. Watch for "TimeLight Studios" grand opening
in the fall of 2012. Currently, Allie has four large textured pieces hanging at the Fresh Healthy
Café at 325 Main Street, Penticton. Allie currently creates artwork for both residential homes
and commercial spaces. Meanwhile, go to www.art-sublime.com for a sneak preview!
Erika Maurer
Displayed at: Visitor’s Centre
‘O’mbrella
Born 1951 in Munich I soon longed to leave the regulated prosperity of Germany behind and
see what else this thing called “Life” could be. The opportunity arose when my future husband,
an equally unruly spirit, decided to immigrate to New Zealand in 1974. From there I came
to Canada in 1976, worked as waitress, dispatcher for a small air service, tourist guide, florist,
horticulturist, … and tried self-sufficiency together with my husband clearing land and building
a homestead near Telegraph Creek, BC. There we lived for 15 years with interruptions needed
to earn the cash to afford the luxury of life in the bush.
I moved to Whitehorse in 1991 to escape this precarious hold on existence, became a florist,
and continued a life of hiking, climbing, skiing and generally trying to be outside as much as
possible.
In 2000 I moved to Italy where I lived for 3 years before returning to Canada in 2003. I still do
everything: I am painting walls with a roller, working and designing gardens and grow as much
of our own food as possible.
In my painting I try to find the colour, chaos and humour of the life I had so far.
http://www.erikamaurer.com
Dennis Evans
Displayed at: Downtown Penticton Association
Pines at Sunset
Dennis Gordon Evans was born in Viking, Alberta in 1946. As a youngster, the prairie landscape
began to shape his awareness. In 1964 he enrolled in the Alberta College of Art (now the
Alberta College of Art and Design) in Calgary, Alberta, graduating in 1968 with a major in
pottery and ceramics.
In 1976 Dennis made a career decision to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts at the
University of Calgary, and upon its completion, he went on to study for a Master’s degree at the
University of Houston, graduating in 1980.
Returning to Calgary in 1980, he became the production manager for a major pottery
manufacturing company producing hand-crafted wares that were sold across Canada. In 1986
Dennis opened a production studio under the name, Nant Mill Pottery, in honour of his Welsh
roots which produced a functional kitchen-ware line. While working as a production manager
and in his own studio, he was contracted as a consultant which took him to Africa, twice. He
also worked as a consultant on a First Nations economic development initiative which created
gift ware items sold across Canada.
Business commitments in Calgary kept Dennis away from his own studio until January 2006
when he retired to Naramata, British Columbia. Two years before, he had built a small studioworkshop and with his wife, Patricia, they set about creating a garden setting to surround the
studio which is built upon property that had been an old roadway, adjacent to their home.
No longer constrained by the conventions of the workplace, Dennis was able to return to his
creative side. Challenged by his new environment, he has begun orienting himself to the new
visual experience found in the Okanagan, and this is reflected in his landscape painting. He also
launched his face studies series. Using colour to portray emotion, the faces of friends,
neighbours and relatives are transformed into works of art. Limited edition pottery items are
also being created. This time, shapes and forms are chosen by the artist to reflect his moods
and his new found freedom to create, resulting in pieces with passion.
http://dennisevansnaramata.weebly.com
Peter Corbett
Displayed at: Giardino’s
A Spin through the Valhallas
Peter is a professional fish and wildlife biologist with extensive experience throughout British
Columbia. Peter’s current efforts are being directed at the conservation of the native Westslope
Cutthroat Trout, a species currently considered to be at risk. Peter is also an enthusiastic
mountain climber, back-country skier and fly fisher. Mountains are a central theme in his life, as
reflected in both the style and content of his work. Most of the images presented here have
been painted outside, en plein air. The challenges of painting outside force one to paint quickly
to capture the play of light on the multitude of shapes presented by the landscape, leaving
details to the imagination. With his vast knowledge of the local mountains, Peter often acts as a
guide to groups of artists in an ensemble of outdoor enthusiasts, setting up easels in a variety
of great painting locations and sharing insights on plein air painting as well as the surrounding
mountain ecology. He combines his scientific powers of observation with his emotionally driven
passion for the mountains to create paintings that are charged with the memories of great
moments.
Kristine Lee Shepherd
Displayed at: M Gallery, 219 Main st.
Rising from the Wildfire
Raised in the Penticton area almost my entire life it’s not hard to be inspired by the beauty
around me. Besides high school and the odd OSSA course I am self-taught. I mainly work in
acrylic on canvas and plaster with spray and squirt bottles and sea sponges, but I have been
known to dabble in all things creative. I am drawn to bright jewel colors and like to use alot of
black but I don't see my paintings as dark.
If you want see more of what I do check me out on facebook at "Smudged Paint"
https://www.facebook.com/smudgedpaintbykristinelee
Johan Wessels
Displayed at: Upper Bench Winery
Upper Bench Dogs
Johann Wessels was born in the small town of Bloemfontein in the center of South Africa.
After completing high school and compulsory military service, he studied a 4 year BA Fine Arts
Degree with majoring in History of Art, Drawing and Printmaking. He was awarded the prize for
best art school student in his final year.
He taught History of Art, Printmaking and Drawing at a number of universities in South Africa
before leaving for Canada in 1999 where he settled in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan for 10 years.
In this time he worked in the film and TV industry and was the recipient of a Saskatchewan Arts
Board Grant in 2010.
He moved to Penticton, BC in 2011.
"Wessels’ work reads like a surprisingly beautiful puzzle. Aged trompe-l'oeil surfaces channel
circus sideshow or travelling snake-oil salesman or perhaps some wild combination of the two.
Photography is continually referenced even though there are no actual photographic images...it
is all painted. Clues to personal history abound, but are left open ended and intriguing. The skill
of this artist is never in question, although the enigmatic and mysterious quality of the subject
matter leaves the viewer wanting to know more."
Heather Smith, Curator Moose Jaw Art Gallery
http://johannwessels.com/
Reasha Wolfe
Displayed at: The Bench Market
Reasha Wolfe grew up in BC and Alberta. Her family settled in the Okanagan area at the end of
high school. Returning to the area years later to work on a ski hill Reasha found that Apex ski
resort had the qualities she was looking for, a down to earth environment. An avid
snowboarder and forest activist Reasha also does design work for the Penticton & Area
Women’s Centre website where she has been involved with projects and initiatives over the
past ten years. Until the Street art festival in 2009 Reasha had not been compelled to do work
for the public. With the support from people expressing how much they liked her work and new
supplies she has continued to create work using a combination of stencils and tape with spray
paint. Future projects include more elaborate stencils of local musicians and digital collage.
Lorie Meyer
Displayed at: Ramada Inn & Suites
Summer Daze
Originally from Edmonton, Lorie now calls Penticton home.
For 20 years she operated Earthworks Pottery from her home based studio. Her work was sold
in many galleries across Canada including Terwilligers in Penticton.
Lorie has embarked on a new artistic path of watercolor painting using the beautiful
surroundings of the valley as her inspiration.
Education:
Banff School of Fine Arts
University of Alberta Fine Arts
Metchosin International School of the Arts
Red Deer College Arts Program
Olds College Floral Design
Michele Rochon-Woitzik
Displayed at: SS Sicamous
Lunar Cycles
The inspiration for my umbrella design, The Lunar Cycle, stemmed from my experience as
owner and operator, along with my husband, of The Galactic Garlic Farm in Summerland. The
name of our farm reflected our organic gardening practices in that we followed the phases of
the moon and the astrological signs for all of our gardening activities. For example, in the
waxing new moon it is preferred to plant things that grow above ground. During the third
quarter, after the full moon, it is preferred to plant root crops. The Lunar Cycle represents each
of the phases of the moon.
Lauren Hamilton
Displayed at: St. Germain Café-Gallery
Field of Iris
Charlie Utz
Displayed at: Giardino’s
Crazy Daisies
Sean Riley
Displayed at: SS Sicamous
Hieroglyphics
Debra Formo
Displayed at: City Hall, sponsored by Mayor Ashton
Little Peachy
Martin Bouchard
Displayed at: Guerard’s Fine Furniture
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
Maiya Robbie
Displayed at: Community Centre, sponsored by Kenyon and co.
Sky Rider
Stef Laramie
Displayed at: Visitor’s centre, sponsored by Kemp Harvey Kemp
The Zen of Summer
Sarah Campbell
Displayed at: SS Sicamous