Under the instruction of Professor Chiura Obata, Nicole Ours studied Japanese brush painting at Mills College and became inspired by instructor Ralph DuCasse. After years as a special educator, author and parent, Ours retired and began to concentrate on the pursuit of her artistic vision. Through travels and time spent in the studio, her work flourished and is now featured in collections throughout the United States and Canada.

Entitled "Pathways and Portraits," Oursâ exhibit is a reflection of the connection between the artist and subject. She explains, "In a sense, my every painting is a portrait. To create these portraits÷whether of people, animals, still lifes, landscapes or seascapes÷I form a special relationship with the subject. My path as an artist is full of challenges÷and joy."

In the early â90âs, artist Chris Johnson attended several basket making and gourd classes at the Canning Shop in Berkeley. She later joined the Bay Area Basket Makers and traveled to Australia with another gourd artist to teach the basket makers in the Melbourne area. Her work has been featured at Art Under the Oaks in Livermore and galleries in Fremont, Dublin, Castro Valley, and Danville.

Johnson has a passion for gourds. "Each gourd is uniquely shaped, and it often suggests what I should do with it. My artistic style had its origins when, as a newly married navy wife in 1960, I lived in Japan, and fell in love with an Asian motif. Since then, my travels have taken me to many Asian countries which inspire the design of most of my creations, however I still enjoy U.S. southwestern designs, natural designs, and contemporary designs."