Willa Marten (monoprints) Robin Begbie (ceramics) Opening Reception: Saturday, August 2, 2008, 5:00 p.m. Exhibit remains through August 27 Dolphin Gallery

Hawaiian Patchwork, by Willa Marten

Hawaiian Patchwork is derived from an eleven year accumulation of photographs taken in and around my home at Kealakekua Bay, Hawaii. Although the images may stand alone, interconnections of natural phenomenon in this small subtropical arena lead me to the idea of assembling mandalas which are schematized representations of the cosmos characterized by a concentric organization of geometric shapes, in this case squares.

Each 8" X 8" patchwork emanates from a central "star" comprised of four juxtaposed corners of one cropped image.

About Willa Marten

A resident of Mill Valley, California after 30 years as a studio artist in Boston, San Francisco and Point Arena, Willa had been co-owner and designer at J.S. Marten Company from 1976-1993. This family business specialized in pewter castings, jewelry and small sculpture. She continues to design and produce custom work in pewter at her home in Mill Valley. Her artwork is available at galleries and craft events including ACCI Gallery, Berkeley CA.; Dolphin Gallery, Gualala; Point Arena CityArt; Art in the Gardens, Ft. Bragg; Muir Beach Quilters Show; Marin County Farmers Market and Willa Marten Studio, Mill Valley.

In recent years, Willa has returned to a former life of drawing and painting the figure. She has developed a series of monoprints inspired by the lives and poetry of friends and animals. Her monoprints and drawings may be viewed at ZIZI, Healdsburg, CA; Dolphin Gallery, Gualala; Point Arena CityArt; Mendocino Art Center Shop and Willa Marten Studio, Mill Valley, CA.

Willa has maintained a life-long, hands-on interest in photography. The primary focus of her work in this media has been wildlife and animal motifs taken in the field and in the home. Her photographs have been exhibited in shows periodically over several years.

Trained in painting and jewelry design at Skidmore College, Willa is a member of ACCI, Berkeley, Gualala Arts Center, and Point Arena CityArt. Her website is www.pewterspoons.com.

Clay forms, by Robin Begbie

Robin Begbie creates with clay.

Touching and creating forms with clay brings one close to the earth, which leaves me with a calm peace. It has become a way of speaking and telling my stories. All the elements - wind, rain, sun, etc. - affect the process of life. My work moves with these elements from the raw rough forms to the fine light bowls.

About Robin Begbie

Born in New Zealand, Robin trained as a teacher and traveled extensively before opting to study sculpture and pottery. She came to California in 1980, working first in a pottery studio in Carmel Valley and then in Forest Knolls in Marin.

She has moved to Sebastopol where she now works out of her Red Fox Studio. Robin works in large sculptural stoneware forms, a wide variety of stoneware clay, porcelain bowls and other functional forms. Her work is fired to 2400-2600^o F in a gas kiln with a reduction atmosphere.

I watch I listen I feel The movement of the wind and water, The colors of the earth, the animals the birds the people the connection to each other. My work ~ "Primitive strength With Spiritual elegance." I try to express the heart of these visions with the clay ~ High fired stoneware and porcelain. By Robin Begbie

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