“JUDY and JAMALEE in JEROME”

The Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery presents “Judy and Jamalee in Jerome,” a two-member show featuring new works by watercolor artist Judy Jaaskelainen and ceramist Jamalee Moret. A reception for the artists will be held on Jerome’s First Saturday Art Walk, April 1 from 5-8 pm at the Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery, at 502 Main Street in Jerome.

Ceramics has been Jamalee’s medium of choice for the past 20 years. Her connection with Nature influences the unique ways she molds, forms and creates with clay. She currently creates decorative and functional art with a focus on colorful glaze combinations.  

Jamalee shares, “I find that glazing my work is the most exciting part of my process. My background in watercolor painting has prompted me to play more with the glaze color combinations, knowing that the layering of the glazes can result in either a glorious or hideous-looking piece depending on how the glazes melt and merge with each other in the kiln. Opening the kiln is always a surprise!”  

Many of her pieces in this art show are miniatures--a project she has been working on for the past six months. “Years ago,” Jamalee recalls, “I saw an exhibition at the Whitney where an artist had 100’s of miniature pots on display, and I was so inspired, I thought, ‘I can do that one day!’ Well, I don’t have quite that many pots made, but I do enjoy making them in between my other ceramic work.”

Judy Jaaskelainen’s experiences abroad have figured into many of her watercolor paintings. “Lately, however,” she relates, “I seem to be focused on Southwest images. I enjoy the vast variety of textures, colors, and shapes found in my Arizona environment. The cacti, rocks, mountains, mesas, animals, and architecture all delight and stimulate my creativity. It’s good for my soul and my health to be painting. Arizona provides limitless inspiration with its unique, natural beauty and wildlife.”

Meet Judy & Jamalee during Jerome’s First Saturday “Art and Wine Walk,” on April 1 from 5-8 pm at the Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery. Refreshments and snacks will be provided. The show runs March 30 – May 30. The Gallery is open daily from 10 am – 6pm. 928-639-4276. www.jeromecoop.com info@jeromecoop.com Currently accepting new member applications.

Visitors please Note: Free parking is available at the large brick building on the left coming into Jerome from Cottonwood. It is referred to as “the Old High School.” From there you can take a free shuttle up to town.

Jerome Co-op, “XVIII: Celebrating 18 Years of Envisioned Realism”

The Jerome Artists’ Cooperative Gallery is pleased to present “XVIII: Celebrating Eighteen Years of Envisioned Realism.” Featuring new and popular works created during Bernie Lopez’ 18-year career in art, “XVIII” will kick off with a reception for the artist on Jerome’s First Saturday art walk, February 4 from 5 – 8 pm.

As an acrylic painter, Bernie Lopez works in three distinct series of paintings: He refers to these as “The Moonlight Series, The Sunset Series, and The Landscape Series.” All his works are inspired by his extensive travels throughout the Western United States which began when he was a young man. His first extensive trip around the West stirred his interest in painting the American West. Now, with his home and studio located in Prescott, AZ, Lopez finds, “This location is the perfect jumping off point to many areas of artistic interest in the Southwest.”
Making regular trips to Colorado is one of his favorite inspirational outings. Yet, Arizona is where he garners the bulk of his inspiration because of its diverse, beautiful landscapes.
One might mistake Lopez’ finely detailed paintings to be photographs. However, rather than photorealism, Lopez refers to his style as ‘Envisioned Realism.’ This is because Lopez does not work from photographs. Rather, he pulls his imagery out of his memory and imagination.
In addition to his original paintings, Lopez provides high quality giclée prints to meet the demand for his work by making it more accessible to the public. Limited Edition releases are accented with hand painted touches that add depth, texture and uniqueness to each print.
Lopez is a long-time member of both the Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery and the Arts Prescott Cooperative Gallery where he can be found working his shifts periodically. His art is also available online and at various art shows around Arizona.

928-639-4276 info@jeromecoop.com Currently accepting new member applications. www.jeromecoop.com

Meet Bernie Lopez and delight in his celebration of “XVIII: Eighteen years of Envisioned Realism.” First Saturday in Jerome, February 4^th from 5 – 8 pm at the Jerome Artists’ Cooperative Gallery. Refreshments and snacks will be provided. The show runs Feb 1 – Mar 28. The Gallery is open daily (except Tuesdays) from 10 am – 6 pm. 

The Jerome Co-op Celebrates 2023—"New Work & New Artists”

 The Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery is pleased to present an All-Member show, “New Work & New Artists,” hailing the New Year and welcoming new members!

As a self-taught artist, Cathy Knisley enjoys exploring different painting techniques. After discovering “Abstract Cellism,” an art form using fluid acrylics, she expanded into experimenting with other abstract fluid arts, such as alcohol inks and watercolor. All these feature experimental and contemporary design. By mixing various fluid and traditional art forms, Cathy’s work has grown into multifaceted expressions of her imagination with endless opportunities for exploration.

Visualization and interpretation evoke diverse feelings, and Cathy’s work invites the viewer to take a step back and contemplate, while connecting with the composition. The viewer’s own imagination and perceptions are engaged.

Using vibrant palettes, diverse embellishments, different media and techniques, Cathy reimagines new worlds to explore.

Wood turner Keith Knisley has refined his skills and designs over many years. His bowls and platters are turned from a variety of reclaimed trees that have been downed as a result of storms, utility clearing, fire control, and so forth. His pieces incorporate a variety of designs and finishes which complement and enhance the appearance and texture of the wood grain.

Keith’s finial ornaments, boxes, bowls, and wine or whiskey stoppers incorporate both domestic and exotic woods with a smooth, durable finish. Finishes are selected to enhance the artistry, wood grain textures, utility, and durability of his turnings. All finishes are food safe.

Maryhelen Ewing wanted to be an artist since childhood, but her parallel interest in music guided her steps to The Juilliard School of Music in New York City. There, she “practiced her way to Carnegie Hall,” she exclaims! Many years later, after many part-time gigs and jobs in several orchestras in the Big Apple, Maryhelen said, “I couldn’t deny my love of art any longer!” She signed up for as many drawing and anatomy classes at the Art Students League (just across the street from Carnegie Hall), as she could fit into her busy life as a working musician in New York City.

When it came time to retire, Prescott, Arizona called, and both she and her husband relocated; they each got a horse, cowboy boots, and western hats! She is now in her element! Yavapai College, with its wonderful assortment of art classes, provided a way for her to reach her dream of making paintings. Yet it took her another 2 years before she felt brave enough to work in oils. But once she did, she said, “It was like coming home to my own heart!”

Maryhelen currently works in oils with figurative, still life and landscapes as subjects.

Bob Shuman “hangs out on the edge.” It could be the edge of the Grand Canyon, but also the cutting edge of what is possible in landscape photography. As a passionate believer in the power of landscape photography, Bob believes photography can not only please the eye, but can instill a deep reverence for Nature and the environment in his viewers. Having photographed scenes from the shores of Hawaii to the hills of New England, his favorite subject continues to be the red rocks of Arizona.

Sid Freeman is a watercolor calligraphy artist. She dives deeply into the meaning of words. “I call this painting, ‘Spoken’ “she says, “because even when we speak the same language, subtle nuances can be easily missed!”

“Spoken” was created using three separate canvases which were mounted at three different levels. She explains, “While creating this piece, I played with different calligraphy scripts that use a circle, an oval and a square. To me, the work represents people using the same language but having different accents and word meanings. This explains why each panel has its own tilt, and why,” she says, “I advise the viewer to ‘Listen Well.’ “

Judy Jaaskelainen delights in the warmth of the colors of the Southwest. As a watercolor artist, Judy mentioned, “While visiting Silver City, NM on a snowy winter day, I came upon this rustic gate and old adobe walls adorned with a bright red chili ristra. I loved seeing the textures and blends of earth tones with the chilies in the snowy setting.”

“On another occasion, about 25 years ago,” Judy continues, “there was a wonderful large shop on Main Street in the center of Cottonwood. We referred to it as the “Chili Pepper Store,” but they also sold a variety of hand-built pottery, many pieces of furniture from Mexico, as well as plants and planters. I enjoyed painting their window displays!”

Meet our new artists and greet our old friends during Jerome’s First Saturday art walk, January 7th from 5 pm – 8 pm at the Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery. Refreshments and snacks will be provided. The show runs January 1- January 31. The gallery is open daily except Tuesdays from 10 am – 6 pm. 928-639-4276 www.jeromecoop.com info@jeromecoop.com. Currently accepting membership applications in all media. See you there!