Celebration of Fine Art

It’s not entirely unheard of for an artist or a craftsperson to change direction mid-career and move from one mode of artistic express to another. What’s perhaps most interesting about Whitney is that she not only changed direction; she added a dimension.

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.

“It is as if one were wandering languidly amongst dancing Lotuses waiting airily on clouds of gold…” is how an observer describes the works of Rosa Leung Trombitas. By blending traditional Chinese methods with Western styles, Rosa has created an array of emotionally charged paintings that can rival nature’s own brushstrokes. Bold colors and painstaking detail highlight her paintings. Through the application of many layers of color, she has achieved a sense of depth and tranquility within her work.

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

At the age of 7, Michael found his first arrowhead. This discovery ignited his passion for ancient history and prehistoric cultures. This passion, combined with the beauty and enduring qualities of fabricated steel, fuels his artistic career.

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.