Gualala Arts

Gualala Arts Basketmakers & Monoprints and Dry Point Engravings by Barbara Kelley Opening Reception: Saturday, April 7, 2007, 5:00 p.m. Exhibit remains through May 2 Dolphin Gallery

Gualala Arts Basketmakers

Gualala Arts Basketmakers, also known as GAB, began in 2005 with a class in pine needle basket making. Shortly after this class an interest group formed to work on projects, get input and help from others, and share new ideas. It is an exciting, eclectic, and energizing group of artists.

Each of our baskets is an original and represents the uniqueness of the individual basket maker. For those of us who make them, baskets represent not only something aesthetic, but sometimes magical and spiritual too. As we work on our baskets, they often take on a life of their own, dictating what should come next.

You only need to hold a basket in your hands to realize the work that has gone into creating this one of a kind piece. Gently pick up a basket and cradle it and feel the magic contained within.

The group had a booth at the 2006 Art in the Redwoods Festival where we not only showed our work but also put on demonstrations. Gualala Arts Basketmakers meets the second Thursday of each month at GAC from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and we welcome visitors and new members.

Monoprints and Dry Point Engravings by Barbara Kelley

Barbara Kelley will be exhibiting her recent works at the Dolphin Gallery in Gualala, California during the month of April, 2007. As a compliment to her latest original prints and paintings, the Gualala Arts Basketmakers, led by Gerda Randolph, will exhibit a selection of their works. The opening reception is on Saturday, April 7, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. and the exhibit runs through Wednesday, May 2, 2007.

Her participation in a group exhibit in a university gallery in the 1980's set a course for art education and exhibitions and the evolution of her work in painting and printmaking. The inspiration for Barbara's work comes in part from living environments and travels in diverse locations, including Alaska, Ohio, New Mexico, Washington, California, Europe and China. Barbara's work reflects the intensity and quality of the light that she has experienced throughout the world.

Barbara's Moon Catcher studio, designed by Sea Ranch architect, Janet Mackinnon, includes space for her 1380-pound Sturges Etching press, a large studio easel, worktables, and a well-lit gallery for visitors. When beginning work, she attempts to respond instinctively. Therefore, her printmaking and painting begins with open thinking about the feeling that the finished piece will convey. Her goal is to allow the viewer to study images and to achieve their own visceral reaction. She will occasionally paint with brushes, however the movement within her abstract and representational paintings frequently is created when she paint with her hands. This connects her most directly with the process and she enjoys the physicality of this direct method of painting.

In creating prints, Barbara applies printmakers' inks on a zinc, copper, or Plexiglas plate, using brayers or brushes and frequently draws through the inked plate using various tools. The plate is then moved onto the printing bed of her Sturges Etching press, a dampened sheet of heavyweight paper is placed over the inked plate, and she cranks the plate through the press, which transfers the image from the plate onto the paper, creating an original print, which is a Monoprint. She also creates linocuts, mixed media prints and engraved plates. She said, "Printmaking is the perfect medium for an artist to combine their passion for drawing and painting with a printing press to create original art."

Her work may also be seen when she participates in Art at the Source on June 2, 3, 9 and 10, and also when she opens her Sea Ranch studio to the public the first two weekends of September 1, 2, 3, 7 and 8, 2007. For a list of upcoming exhibits visit her website: www.mooncatcher.info.

Barbara is the recipient of numerous awards and her work is in private collections in Europe, Australia and throughout the United States. She is a member of the California Society of Printmakers, the National Museum of Women in the Arts, the Cultural Arts Council of Sonoma County, and is past President of the North Coast Artists' Guild. She is also a member of the Santa Rosa community of printmakers at The Print Shop.

The Dolphin Gallery is located at 39225 Highway One in downtown Gualala, CA, behind the post office on the south side, and is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Please call (707) 884-3896 for more information.