The featured artists for May, Betsy Roeth, and Diane Larson, have some qualities in common. Both have degrees from Berkeley, both have been influenced by experiences abroad, and both are driven by a conviction that art is a personal expression. The joint exhibit at the Dolphin runs from May 7 to June 1. The opening night reception is on May 7, from 5 to 7.

Betsy Roeth will exhibit paintings in oil and acrylics. After graduating from UC Berkeley she lived in India for two years where she studied with ceramicist Sardar Gurcheran Singh. Later, she did graduate work in painting and silk screen with Sister Corita, a well-known Southern California artist and teacher.

A Central Coast resident, Ms. Roeth teaches ceramics, sculpture, and painting to both children and adults at her Aptos studio. She has had numerous commissions in the Bay Area including banners and flags at both Fisherman's Wharf and Ghiradelli Square. Besides collections in Northern and Central California, her paintings hang in Dallas, New York, Washington State, and San Jose, Puerto Rico.

For Ms. Roeth art is a private expression that transforms the artist. When that expression touches the viewer, the artist gains strength to expand further. This process has led her from realistic landscapes to intuitive painting using composition, line, color, and the flow of light and dark to create the desired mood.

The second featured artist, Diane Larson, who lives in Fort Bragg, is exhibiting carved and etched glass. After receiving a degree in painting at Berkeley, she did additional studies in fashion illustration and in painting at the University of Mexico City. On the Mendocino coast she continued to explore techniques through workshops at the Mendocino Art Center and College of the Redwoods, where she has taught classes in glass art, sculpture, and costume and set design.

Ms. Larson first exhibited in Mendocino in 1979 and her most recent exhibit at North Coast Artist Gallery in Fort Bragg was a one-person show in 2003. Her work is currently displayed on the gallery website at northcoastartists.org.

Most of her commissioned work is custom designed glass panels for architectural installations. She has explored a wide variety of forms - bronze sculptures, porcelain sculptures, pastels, oils, etched glass, stained glass, and both set and costume design for stage plays and operas.

"I enjoy working with different materials for their unique characteristics," Diane explains, "but my interest is in conveying a moment or personal impression. The challenge of creating anything is to follow the path towards understanding and to relish the process."

Visitors to The Dolphin Gallery this month will be treated to expressions in painting and glass of personal journeys taken by two gifted artists with extensive experience in a wide variety of media with broad backgrounds and training. Exhibit information is also available online at gualalaarts.org under the "Exhibits" link.