Tom spent much of his youth on the Indian Reservations in Montana and Wyoming. During those years he developed a deep admiration for Native American culture leading him to learn the centuries-old techniques of making war bonnets, drums, whistles, bows, arrows and beadwork. His skill at ancestral tool making has been documented by Wyoming Public Television and his tools are in the Yellowstone National Park Sheep Eater Indian Collection.

His oil paintings preserve this vanishing culture. Inspired by his childhood memories of Charlie Russell, Tom always had a deep desire to create art of the Western culture. His lifestyle as a cowboy, mountain man, hunter, trapper and outdoorsman serves as the ultimate foundation for his art. His passion for being creative was always waiting to be fulfilled by the next canvas. Tom’s scope of work includes still lifes, landscapes and wildlife subjects. He paints with emotion while capturing a culture. Tom has been accepted as an Associate to the Oil Painters of America and is also a member of the Western Artists of America. He has received many awards for his works of art over the years.

Tom’s interest and passion of ancestral tool making has led him to be documented on PBS in such films as Sheep-Eaters: Life in the Mountains and Archers of the Yellowstone. Known as Tomahawk Tom in the Mountain Man arena, Tom has mastered replicating Indian artifacts, many of which are subject in hip paintings.

Be sure to make it a point to visit with Tom next time you are at the Celebration of Fine Art.

All of Rob’s paintings are original works of art. Every piece is unique and a “one and only”. His contemporary southwest/tribal depictions of Warriors and Shamans are paintings of his very own tribe to honor and give respect to the many people who walked the earth before us. Each piece portrays great strength and spirit with a bit of whimsy.

Rob creates abstract paintings that include color studies based on his love of modern architecture and landscapes inspired from his many years of traveling. His pieces are extremely detailed and portray great depth and texture using many layers of paint to create a strong, colorful and vibrant effect. His paintings may be contemporary yet fit with all decorating schemes and decors. Rob’s “Tribe” continues their 10th year of existence at the 2012 Celebration of Fine Art. Is it your year to add a piece to your collection?

Rob’s daily words of inspiration, “Never let the odds keep you from pursuing what you know in your heart you were meant to do.”

He spends hours layering his canvases with additive and subtractive methods, varnishing, taping and adding paint, burnishing and removing areas of color and plaster. Oils and acrylics, combined with different glazes, create a weathered and cracked patina indicating the essence of time. An essence of peace and calm is the focus of each painting.

Inspiration derived through education at Pratt Institute in New York City and his time spent in New York museums has provided the abstract sensibility in his landscapes.

2012 marks Cary’s third year at the Celebration of Fine Art where he will continue with his highly textured process enhancing the depth and sophistication of each of his works of art. You will be sure to be captivated by his deep and emotional paintings as well as his passion for capturing a moment in time.

The simple, strong beauty of those designs and symbols from the past, have collectively unconsciously found their way into the paintings and sculptures which she creates today. Primitive, bold and contemporary, slathered with layers of color, abstract forms and deep textures, Jenny’s work is a celebration of colors, creatures and the spirit of life.

Her constant goal is to create pieces that speak to the heart immediately, stirring strong emotional reaction. Spontaneous and strong. The challenge is to create personality and expression, always aware of the balancing act of keeping it simple and not going too far with detail. Too much attention to the realistic aspects of the subject, she believes, takes away the energy and charm of her unique style.

Jenny’s style has been described as purposely reckless, primitive yet contemporary, gentle while being strong, bold but sweet, powerful, joyful and refreshing. She likes the “purposely reckless” description the best. You will be energized by a conversation with Jenny during your next visit to the Celebration of Fine Art!

In describing her work, Jenny says “Few things compare to completely letting your imagination run wild – to allow the palette and brush to take over, watching new images simply emerge, capturing the moment and knowing when to stop. I personally do not believe this process can be taught. It is natural and innate. People smile when they see my work. It is simply meant to bring a bit of joy to the observer’s life – kind of a childlike happiness we all once knew. If I can evoke that happiness in someone for a moment and take them away from the everyday stress life offers, I feel I have succeeded.”

The Celebration of Fine Art is proud to have Vala as part of our distinguished group of exhibitors. Her quiet strength and attention to detail can be seen in each of her works on display. It is what keeps her collectors coming back year after year.

Vala finds inspiration from her observation of life. Even the most mundane circumstance will spark an idea. The sheer joy on the face as she feels the breeze sweeping across her body and flowing through her garment of Vala’s Spirit of the Senses demonstrates a simple moment of every day life.

In early 2009, Vala was inducted into the National Sculpture Society. The National Sculpture Society is the oldest organization of professional sculptors in the United States. Leading U S sculptors and architects founded the NSS in the 19th century to “spread the knowledge of good sculpture”. Today, NSS continues to encourage excellence in sculpture throughout the United States. The society runs many programs dedicated to encouraging good sculpture, and to educate young artists in the medium.

Vala says, “All we have in life at any given time is the very moment we are living and that moment is of importance. I would like to inspire myself and others to have awareness and appreciation for our life.”

Take a few moments to stop and watch Vala as she works on hew newest pieces at the 2011 Celebration of Fine Art January 15 – March 29, 2011. You’ll enjoy your time with her and be inspired by her vision.

Whitney Johnson Peckman painting a fine art gourd

Whitney, a native of Rochester, New York for 30 years pursued the fine art of tapestry weaving a two-dimensional medium of color and pattern. When she first came to the Celebration of Fine Art, she found that her weaving loom would take up too much room in her studio and had to be left at home. As these are working studios for the artists, she could not work or demonstrate how she created her gorgeous tapestries.

In 1990, she decided a change was necessary, not only for her aching back but it was time to find a new interest. A weekend artists’ retreat introduced her to painting on gourds. Whitney recalls, “I saw the possibilities in the natural, organic shape of the gourds. The first one I studied, for instance, suggested a woman. She just appeared to me.” Better yet, gourds, paints, brushes and carving tools were portable.

Whitney moved from the two-dimensional world of weaving to the three-dimensional world of the often tall and shapely Zucca gourds she still buys from a grower in southern California.

Finding that she could work out her creative ideas much faster on a gourd than in tapestry weaving, she sold all of her weaving equipment and supplies and moved virtually full time to gourds and started doing more paintings. Whitney says, “The gourds, for me, have always fallen into the decorative arts category. While the paintings cross over from decorative arts into a psychological space, so I tend to be more experimental – more abstract with the paintings.”

Spend a few moments with Whitney at the 2011 Celebration of Fine Art and be inspired by her view of the world. You can meet her from January 15 through March 27, 2011 under the big white tents.

Rosa was born in China where she studied art at Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts in Singapore and later in Hong Kong with renowned masters of traditional Chinese art. Relocating to Arizona, has expanded Rosa’s imagination by creating paintings of the indigenous flora.

Her paintings portray different themes that represent her Chinese culture, as well as her extensive travels. The result is a Western influence to the more disciplined Chinese tradition. In the summer of 2009 Rosa traveled to Asia for creative inspiration as well as to stock up on art supplies unique to Chinese painting. She also had occasion to visit her old Master of Chinese painting, under whom she studied, who is now more than eighty years old.

Rosa creates from imagination. Her artwork, inspired by the beauty of her surroundings, represents a composite of richness of life around her. Her subjects range from delicate floating lotuses to flowering cacti to koi swimming in ponds ringed in sunlight. It is her courageous use of color, however, that captures the observer and draws them into worlds brimming with reds, yellows and golds.

Celebration of Fine Art has been Rosa’s working studio from mid January through March for over ten years. Stop by her studio during the show to see what her latest creations inspired by her trips to Asia and the everyday beauty of the Arizona desert. Her energy is contagious!

Visit her at the Celebration of Fine Art January 15 through March 27, 2011

Michael has been following his heart for over twenty years by creating pieces that edify and preserve the heritage and history record left by the indigenous people of the Northern Plains. His desire is not only to preserve the record, but to actively aid and educate others of the relevance of this legacy to our present world. Each of his works of art are hand forged from steele the old-fashioned way. He creates a large number of custom commissioned pieces – fireplace grids, gates, wall pieces and furniture – each year for his ever growing client base!

Many of his outdoor adventures are centered around researching these ancient cultures. Michael is an extreme outdoorsman – hunter, fisherman and backpacker. He loves being out in the woods! In his spare time, his adventures have taken him to the Yukon on a great wilderness sheep hunt and fishing trip. (He always carries his fishing rod.) One year, Michael was in the wild Northwest Territories, where he took a world class moose, a mountain caribou and a Rocky Mountain goat. When he’s not creating in his studio or off on one of these adventures, he enjoys gardening around his historic Montana home. He also spends a great of time hiking with his wife in the beautiful mountains and spending time with his children and grandchildren.

2011 will be Michael’s 11th year with the Celebration of Fine Art, where he looks forward to another great season with old and new friends. Visit with him at the Celebration to experience his artwork and learn the ancient symbolism of each sculpture. His welcoming smile and warm personality will greet you in Studios 257 & 258.

Gregory Sievers received his Associate of Fine Arts Degree from Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho and a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. His graduate thesis was a compilation of still lifes depicting aspects of the early west to receive his Master of Fine Arts Degree from Utah State University in Logan, Utah.

The inspiration for Greg’s pioneer scenes comes from American history. Having grown up in the Rocky Mountains, he draws from the experiences of his youth to capture the essence of the American West. He strives to portray the courage and nobility shown by those pioneers who crossed the plains, and he seeks especially to show the lives of pioneers on an individual basis. He does this by depicting individual families or groups facing the hardship, as well as the vastness and beauty of the west. By doing this he hopes that those who experience his work can better relate to the heritage that we as Americans share.

Greg has traveled extensively in Europe over the past decade, painting “Plein Air” in Paris as well as in the European country side, including the Italian and French Rivieras, Venice and Rome, Madrid and Barcelona, Budapest, Strassborg, England, Wales and Prague. He uses historical books and images to place the streets and figures in the 18th century, adding a sense of romance and history. The monuments and historic landmarks of the cities of Europe provide beautiful icons in these city scenes, and allow all who see his work to experience both the time and place depicted.

A unique form of impressionism can be seen in Greg’s style. Many of the early impressionist styles were far more detailed than most realize. Though Greg’s paintings appear to be quite detailed, a closer look will reveal expressive brush work and charming impressionistic textures.

As an artist, Greg feels that his work can affect people on many levels. He enjoys painting a variety of subjects and themes, and is always finding new ways to express his romantic leanings.

Greg has been painting at the Celebration of Fine Art in the Big White Tents since 1998. In 2010 his son, Matt Sievers joined the Celebration. It was great to have both of them painting and sharing their talent with the visitors.

Bruce wants to represent the blinding truth of those “Aha Moments” of true insight as well as the confusion and uncertainty we all experience along our paths. His presence of the circle in his paintings represents the elemental almost primal journeys and lessons that keep coming back around. In observation, no single point on a circle is more important than any other point reminding us that every point on the path is an equally significant part of the journey. Whether we think of it as a good or bad experience, it’s all helping us to our destination.

Expressing this intricacy and depth on canvas involves creating multiple layers of images. Bruce begins each piece with a very vivid and energetic palette knife composition, with thick swirls and streaks of saturated color slashed across the canvas. He then layers coat upon coat of sheer glazes over his base, creating a delicate balance between what is hidden and what is allowed to bleed through. Per Bruce, “This gives it subtext. Just like in life, the most interesting stuff is what’s below the surface. That’s where I want my paintings to resonate”.

2010 represents the sixth year at the Celebration of Fine Art, where he and his Pekingese, Matisse, look forward to another great season with old and new friends. Drop by the Celebration to perhaps experience journey through his paintings.