Envisioned Realism 2020

The Jerome Artists’ Cooperative Gallery features a new show by member acrylic painter Bernie Lopez, entitled “Envisioned Realism 2020.” The show opens on February 1 with a reception for the artist during Jerome’s First Saturday art walk from 5pm to 8pm.

“As an artist,” Bernie says, “I like to recreate nature to give a different perspective of a certain subject or landscape. I’m inspired by nature’s work, whether it’s a fiery sunset or a cloudy horizon, and I enjoy the process of taking what’s in front of me and presenting it in my own design style so others can envision a different realism, too.”

Bernie Lopez was born in Escondido, Ca. and grew up with an interest in the natural world all around him. At an early age, he started sketching his observations and this is how he discovered his passion for creating art. 

In his 20’s, Lopez traveled around the Western United States, absorbing the beauty that it offers. Inspired by his journey, he became interested in landscape and abstract painting. Working with acrylics, Lopez began painting landscapes in a realistic style, working from his travel photographs. As he continued to explore and expand his painting process, Lopez added elements of abstraction to his realistic paintings until he found a comfortable balance of natural landscapes combined with precise geometric elements, in a monochromatic color scheme. This combination is now a unique feature of Lopez’s work that is sought after time and time again by his collectors and new patrons alike.

Lopez resides in Northern Arizona and works from his home studio where he paints and publishes his artwork. Lopez’s work is featured throughout the United States in both private and corporate collections as well as solo exhibitions and festivals throughout Arizona. To see more of his work, visit his website www.bernielopez.com.

Join the Jerome Artists’ Cooperative Gallery in celebrating Bernie Lopez’ new work with an artist’s reception on Jerome’s First Saturday Art Walk, Sat, Feb 1 from 5 pm – 8 pm. Refreshments will be served. The show runs through March 31. The gallery is open daily from 10 am – 6 pm. Located in the old Hotel Jerome at 502 Main St, Jerome.    info@jeromecoop.com   928-639-4276   www.jeromecoop.com

 

Celebrate 2020

Jerome Artists’ Cooperative Gallery kicks off Jerome’s First Saturday art walk with a new show in the new year. “Celebrate 2020,” is an all-member art exhibit featuring a wide variety of unique works of art created locally by thirty-five  member-artists. A reception for the artists will be held on Jerome’s First Saturday art walk from 5 pm until 8 pm on January 4 at the Jerome Artists’ Cooperative Gallery located on the ground level of the historic Hotel Jerome. Refreshments and merriment will be served.

Chris Ryback presents a featured original oil painting entitled, “Monument Valley.”  She states, “I have been to Monument Valley probably three times and have always been impressed with its vastness. The last time I was there, I saw two riders on horseback making their way across the valley, and I decided to include them in the painting as they provide a perspective to the vastness of the region.” She continues, “I am fairly new to oil painting and have been taking lessons on and off for the past couple of years. I found giving the foreground its form to be the most difficult part of the painting. My instructor, Mary Burnham, also a Co-op member, acknowledged my struggle by saying, ‘you have a problem, and you have to solve it!’ Then, once I got the foreground sand to look the way I wanted it, I painted in the horses. That’s when it all came together!”  

“Windows of Words,” is the latest mixed media creation by Jerome Co-op artist V. Norton. “As a professional calligrapher for the past thirty-five years,” says Norton, “I like to play with words and quotes. What makes this piece unique is the form in which you view these ‘words for the soul.’ I have mounted nine small tin boxes on wood, covering the outside of each with an image, either handmade paper or something I liked. It is reminiscent of the holiday calendar where you choose a window each day for inspiration. You must open the box to see that there are quotes on the lid and the bottom. Using several styles of calligraphy, such as Italic, Uncial and Roman connects to the insight of the words. There is even a poem I wrote,” says Norton. “I invite the viewer to participate in this discovery for themselves.”

Robert Hughes, a solo artist working from his studio in Prescott, Arizona, has been working with clay for over thirty years. He started his studio, Kiote Clay Pottery, in 1992. Prior to that, he worked as a production potter in Southern California for fifteen years. Currently, he shows regularly at art shows across the Southwest and sells his work through several galleries. Hughes describes his process: “I design most of my own glazes and use a variety of decorative techniques that I have learned over the years, including over-glaze, engobes, matte glazes, sgraffito, wax resist, carving, and incising. Since I work alone, all my pottery reflects my personal creative nature and my high personal standards. Most of my designs are inspired by nature and the desert Southwest. I start with a lump of clay and an idea…then, working through the many stages, I finish with a piece that you can use and enjoy for years.”

Kick off your new year with a new look at new work at the Jerome Artists’ Cooperative Gallery show, “Celebrate 2020!” Reception for the artists from 5 pm until 8 pm with refreshments served. Jerome’s First Saturday art walk on January 4 at 502 Main Street, Jerome. Open Daily 10 am to 6 pm. Email:  info@jeromecoop.com website: www.jeromecoop.com  Tel: 928-639-4276

Jerome Artists’ Cooperative Gallery Holiday Show 2019

The Jerome Artists’ Cooperative Gallery kicks off the Holiday Season with their annual “Members Holiday Show.” This is a full-on fun event to see and experience since all thirty-five Co-op members participate in this show with new work and holiday themed works that might only be on display during this time of year.

Kicking off the holiday season, mixed media artist Marjorie Claus (yes, related to Santa!) associates red as a fun, outgoing, lively color. Therefore, it is aptly used in her new abstract horse, “Red,” where she strives to capture movement and essence in favor of precise rendering of her subject. Marjorie admits, “I love red for its aliveness and how it reminds me of Arizona in so many ways, especially the feelings of hot deserts and beautiful sunsets. My idea of painting my horse red is to simply bring attention to the red color. As such, red becomes the subject.”

Photographer Mark Foltz finds inspiration anywhere he goes. In the case of, “Road Trip Memories,” the old car door reminded him of when he was a kid in the back seat of the old Desoto. He recalls,” I enjoyed watching stuff go by as much as I enjoyed anywhere we stopped.”

In “Evening Lull,” Foltz enjoys the time between the day tourists and the evening bar scene. He notes, “There’s a brief period when there’s nothing happening. I love this time of day. It feels like Jerome is catching its breath between workouts!”

Magic is a part of any holiday season, and V. Norton brings this subject to life in her new mask entitled, “Magic Spirit.” This creation is part of the new, evolving round shape with horsehair that she has been working with recently. “It takes two firings to create the finished product,” she states. “The first is in the kiln which hardens the clays and sets the colors. The second firing is in the actual fire, a primitive style used for centuries by clay people. This firing is the one that adds the feeling of timelessness I am after.” Standing about 12 inches tall, what makes this mask unique is that there are feathers as well as the horsehair and shell beads as decorative elements. “I am lucky,” said Norton, “because I have a friend who has an aviary of exotic birds. Therefore, I have a source for feathers. Ancient ruins have shown evidence of these types of feathers being used in ceremony, implying a trade with distant cultures. Since birds naturally molt, there is no harm to use their discarded feathers as they grow the new ones. Norton has travelled to Mexico, North and South America, Europe and Africa. “In every country,” she says, I have seen the indigenous people creating their masks for many ceremonial reasons. I am sure I have been influenced by my journeys,” says Norton, “but often I cannot tell you exactly how. The clay gives me my direction when I start to work with it.”

Mosaic artist, Janet Farwell, has a variety of offerings at the Holiday Show. Her work includes colorful ornaments, trinket boxes, and mosaic pictures featuring whimsical children. One of her pieces, “Christmas Cookies” is sure to bring memories to mind, and her “Holiday Ornaments” capture both winter and holiday childhood memories that we all may have in common. 

There will be a reception for the artists on Jerome’s First Saturday art walk at the Jerome Artists’ Cooperative Gallery at 502 Main Street in Jerome from 5-8 pm. Refreshments will be served. Open Daily 10-6. Tel: 928-639-4276  www.jeromecoop.com      info@jeromecoop.com   LIKE us on Facebook!