Meet the Artist

Meet the Artist - Tracy Perkins and Bill Gillette

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 22:14:00 GMT

Tracy Perkins

Tracy Perkins is a photographer and Ph.D. student in Sociology at the University of California, Santa Cruz. She is the Director of “25 Stories from the Central Valley,” which uses photography, theater, oral history, the news media and teaching tools to help educate the public about environmental justice advocacy in the San Joaquin Valley. Tracy holds a B.A. in Development Studies from UC Berkeley, a M.S. in Community Development from UC Davis, and a M.A. in Sociology from UC Santa Cruz. She has worked for International Accountability Project, the UC Berkeley Labor Center, International Rivers, Hesperian Health Guides and Amigos de las Américas. She is a member of the board of directors at Greenaction for Health and Environmental Justice.

You may view a slideshow of the exhibit here.

Bill Gillette

Las Manos de la Tierra

Land and Labor in the San Joaquin Valley
A photo essay by Bill Gillette

This photo essay is part of a 1989 project by the California Institute for Rural Studies (CIRS) called “seeing the invisible: Mega-Farms and the Rural Communities of California.”

As part of larger program entitled Agriculture and the Common Good, this exhibition travelled throughout California, accompanied by poets and writers representing the ethnic and cultural diversity of rural California.

The goal of this project was to bring together a broad range of people to examine what we have in common. To explore crucial public policy issues in the Central Valley in non-threatening ways, CIRS organized a series of public forums examining Agriculture and the Common Good. The photos shown here were essential parts of that project.

The photo journalist, Bill Gillette, hoped to gain connections to farmworker communities so that he could document the hard work of agriculture -- the real lives of people in the fields and on the tractors in the San Joaquin Valley. He lived in the communities he photographed, gaining insight into the lives of the people he represents here. He took photographers throughout two full seasons.

Tamela Ryatt and Karen Johnston

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 22:35:00 GMT

"Faces of India" is a personal journey of human discovery brought to you through the lens of photographer, Tamela Ryatt.

When asked about her 2007 trip to India, Tamela said," The first time I went to India, I was amazed by the beauty, color and textures. I knew before I left that I would have to return."

Tamela Ryatt embarked upon her second journey to India in 2010. Her primary objective during that trip was to connect with individuals she encountered and capture the essence of their humanity through her lens. Enchanting, intense and uniquely personal, Tamela has brought this vision to life. This exhibition is a collection of works from her second trip and is a testament and celebration of her success. "I find the faces of India compelling. They embody so much emotion. Their facial expressions and the beauty within their eyes enchant me. Then, of course, there are the fabulous adornments.."

Traveling in a country whose language you do not know can be daunting for some world travelers but, for the most part, Tamela found it easy to connect through smiles, gestures and sharing views of her photography with her subjects. However, the language barrier and her goal of "two fabulous portraits per day" did eventually collide. " I was traveling with a driver who was supposed to speak English and the local languages. It was near sunset and the lighting was perfect. We came upon two women walking through a blooming mustard field. I asked our driver to stop and get permission to take their picture. He spoke to them then told me to go ahead. When I stepped out of the car and raised my camera, one of the women pulled a dagger from her hip and began to chase me while screaming maniacally. Naturally, I ran back to the car screaming 'Go!' while I jumped in. When I gave him an incredulous look, he merely shrugged his shoulders. To this day I am not sure if he even her language or if he was trying to get me killed!"

When Tamela is not traveling, she is keeping the tradition of black and white photography alive, teaching at Sunnyside High School. Tamela has also established herself as a portrait artist in the foothills north of Clovis. She utilizes the seasons on her property as an ever changing backdrop.

About Karen:
“Sculpting with metal is violent and dangerous. Molten steel, flying metal particles and a torch flame test the flesh daily. My art requires all of my strength, patience, and surprising subtlety. I can’t imagine anything more rewarding.”

Steel dominates Karen Johnston’s thoughts, time and artistic expression. Since childhood Johnston has expressed her imagination with pencil, acrylic, oil and fused glass creations. In 1995 she discovered metal as an artistic medium and began a passionate and prolific body of work.

The natural world is the catalyst for Johnston’s material—from the spartan cacti of New Mexico to the lush botanicals of Hawaii and Florida, and most especially the diverse and whimsical creatures who inhabit her San Joaquin Valley hillside property. Johnston reciprocates for this inspiration by incorporating art into her daily life. In addition to her fine art pieces, she sculpts chairs, benches, tables and gates. For Johnston, any practical object is worthy of her creativity.

While much of her work is housed in private collections, Johnston’s public commissions include installations at The California Cancer Center and Sierra Endocrine & Associates Medical Group, in Fresno, California and Table Mountain Casino in Friant, California.

About Tamela:

"From sublime Peruvian faces, urban fashion environs to bold slashes of tropical color, Tamela Ryatt’s photography is a wild ride through varied styles and emotions. Exotic journeys to Mexico, Africa, India, Peru and others often serve as a background for Ryatt’s captivating, and strikingly beautiful photography. The simplicity of forms and vibrancy of color that dominate Buddhist art find their way into her visual vocabulary.”

Fresno Magazine

Tamela Ryatt began her pursuits of photography in the early 80’s as the yearbook photographer at her high school and then traveled to Europe the summer she graduated and return home with images that were instinctively artful. After a year of consideration and general studies, she declared Art as her major and focused on photography.

While working on her bachelor’s degree, Tamela took a job photographing for a couple of local newspapers and found that she was being asked by local merchants to make images for their advertisements and marketing. Work progressed and through the 90’s Ryatt found a niche that she excelled at and found her images published in magazines and winning prestigious awards with the submission of the photographs she would take for her interior design clients.

Ryatt also loves to share her passion for photography with others, which led her to a teaching career at Sunnyside High School where she has been bringing the traditional art and technique of black and white photography to more than 200 students every semester for the past 10 years.

Tom Greteman and Stephanie Pearl

Thu, 17 Feb 2011 17:49:00 GMT

Artist Bios

Tom Greteman
Tom Greteman is a contemporary abstract artist who creates large-format pieces in various media. Some of his art is multi-dimensional and some is on canvas. Still, they are always thought-provoking and inspiring works. Tom has shown primarily in Southern California. However, since moving to Fresno from Los Angeles in 2005, his works have been on display at the Broadway Studios in Downtown Fresno. He has also collaborated with fellow abstract artist, Larry Hill, at the K-Jewel Art Gallery. Between 2006 and 2008, he was represented at Urban Home Furnishings. And just last year, he was part of a collective of four artist at the Gallery at the Park Place in North Fresno.

The best description of Tom’s work is in his own words. “My art reflects the blending of line, form, and color. I am most comfortable producing art that does not state the obvious. The abstract nature of art is what appeals to me. While I am attracted to the mixed-media three dimensional format, some of my artistic expressions are better suited to oil on canvas.”
{module_photogallery,17766}

Stephanie Pearl

Modern, contemporary artist utilizing acrylic and mixed media on canvas and wood to express her view of the natural world.

Stephanie Pearl rose to prominence in California, where she has lived her entire life, through a work that embodies the natural world and captures it with a fresh post-modern eye. While eclectic and varied with media choice, Pearl has blossomed into a formidable talent utilizing canvas and wood.

A native of Madera, California, Pearl has had a bit of formal artistic training, but is primarily self-taught, not something one would surmise after viewing her work. Initially raised in Madera, California, a rural farming community—the heart of the central valley and home to several mammoth produce collectives—Pearl soon found herself restricted and claustrophobic. After graduating from high school in Madera, she moved to San Francisco in 1988. Like anyone with considerable ambition and a need to create, Pearl’s nomadic instincts allowed for an enlightening—an artistic and personal awakening of sorts.

Spending much of her time haunting museum floors and attending gallery openings, Stephanie Pearl focused on what she really felt a passion for—creation. This creative fervor allowed for a fresh commitment to art. Influenced by many, Pearl studied Picasso and Segal, Rauschenberg and Dali as one would a sports or movie star. Without any real formal education in art, Pearl willed herself to the throes of the artistic. In such an influential location and in such a significant time for art, Stephanie focused on her experiences and created bonds with like people. Not until her migration to Fresno in 1994 did she begin to take part in what was to be her future.

Initially, Pearl manipulated the three dimensional form, constructing collage and box assemblage. These story boxes, while helping to fuel Pearl’s focus, seemed restricted and unyielding. After about a year, she meandered toward other conventional mediums—wire sculpture and metals, but quickly gravitated toward canvas and wood surfaces; and has continued for over a decade.

In 2008, Pearl felt inspired to share her love of art with those who were less likely to have the opportunity to experience the life changing effects of creating. With two of her most trusted friends, Andrew Watrous and Aimee Brantly, Pearl founded Downtown Community Arts Collective (DCAC). As far back as she can remember, Pearl has had a passion for working with underserved populations from volunteering at the Blind Center in her youth, to working with Fresno’s first Food Not Bombs grass roots organization in her late teens. DCAC has afforded Pearl the opportunity to give back to her community in a way that is not only rewarding, but relevant considering recent arts program cuts within the educational system.

Pearl has gathered inspiration through many, both home and abroad, but is now playing a somewhat different role as inspiration to others. Her work transcends the boundaries of “formal” contemporary art, as does her spirit parallel to nature.

To Contact or View Stephainie's Work, please visit her website: http://stephaniepearl.com

Meet the Artist - Don Parkey

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 16:22:00 GMT

We have new artwork at the Fresno Regional Foundation! The art work on display for the next 6 months comes to us from the very talented Don Parkey.

We have compiled a sideshow highlighting a few of Don's other art pieces.

Meet the Artist - Donna Locati and Patti Calvert

Wed, 31 Mar 2010 16:41:00 GMT

About the Artist

Donna Locati holds a BA in Art from California State University, Fresno. She attended Chouinard Art Institute studying costume design, though briefly at Fresno State in the Field. After more than ten solo watercolor shows at William Rogers/Cuvier Gallery, she studied printmaking with Leon Osborne at Fresno City College and Mary Maughelli at Fresno State.

Donna has had two residencies at the Fresno Art Museum and also two teaching residencies showing watercolors, three-dimensional paper with Acrylic angels and Intaglio Prints. Saint Paul Newman Center in Fresno regularly displays her paper sculptures, angels, and enlargements of the Intaglio Print in the proper seasons.

Donna has provided the artwork for five books, Abundant Harvest and four Sergio Negro Homily Books, Times and Seasons I-IV, all 5 Edited by Sharon Young. She is a founding member of the Fresno Printmakers Guild, which regularly exhibits as a group.

PRICE LIST/INVENTORY FOR DONNA LOCATI
1	"Afternoon Tea #2"	Donna Locati	350.
2	"Bird Cage"	Donna Locati	250.
3	"Vineyard Market #1"	Donna Locati	800.
4	"Vineyard Market #2"	Donna Locati	800.
5	"Above Millerton"	Donna Locati	NFS.
6	"Nectarine & Memory"	Donna Locati	400.
7	"Amtrak South"	Donna Locati	300.
8	"Green Onions"	Donna Locati	500.
9	"Iris Farms"	Donna Locati	350.
10	"Bring A Light"	Donna Locati	450.
1 1	"Angel Parts"	Donna Locati	NFS.

Patti Calvert was introduced to Printmaking by way of Leon Osborne at Fresno City College in 1995 & has been a member of the Fresno Printmaker's Guild for 14 years. She approaches her art with spontaneity, a lack of inhibition & finds the Monotype process fascinating. Using an intaglio press she produces a single print by using pressure to transfer an image drawn, rolled or painted on one surface to another surface. The quality of color changes as it is transferred from one surface to another in the printing process. The luminosity and transparency of the printed color
are unlike any painted surface. The beauty of printmaking is that one never knows until the final stage of pulling the print what image you will get. Many of the images are like watching clouds - you think you are seeing the image and then suddenly another one forms. She also likes to incorporate Gold Leaf and other mixed media.

Previously pursued a fine art degree at CSUF which led to a career in Graphic Design.

Also designed and fabricated original Stained glass panels with businesses in California and Hawaii from 1974 to 1983 (Gallery 1, Calvert Glass & Sign)

PRICE LIST/INVENTORY FOR PATTI CALVERT
1	"Night Vision"	Patti Calvert	325.
2	"Seance"	Patti Calvert	220.
3	"Call Waiting"	Patti Calvert	375.
4	"Stardust"	Patti Calvert	350.
5	"Pot of Gold"	Patti Calvert	450.
6	"Polarity Shift"	Patti Calvert	350.
7	"Aloha"	Patti Calvert	275.
8	"La Coeur Est Un Mystere"	Patti Calvert	250.
9	"On Track"	Patti Calvert	275.
10	"Balancing Act, Revised"	Patti Calvert	450.
1 1	"The Past is Prologue"	Patti Calvert	350.

Meet the Artist - John Sierra

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 22:34:00 GMT

My art is a mixture of strong tradition with a keen sense of new age. My research, self-evaluation, and awareness of my heritage evolved into a direction I have found to be exciting, challenging, and educational. I present an image that offers the beauty, grace, dignity, and strength of a proud people. These are the people of the Americas. The mystiques of ancient rituals, chants, fetishes, and offerings, their hieroglyphics, sculpture, architecture, plus the colors of the ceremonial costumes are all sources of inspiration.

My approach to my work has always been intuitive. I try to allow the image to develop on its own. There are clues at times as to where I can direct some of these images, other times; I just enjoy the freedom of the process and experimentation with new materials.

One of my greatest influences is Rufino Tamayo; his work impressed me from the start, especially his ability to express his "Mexicanness". Tamayo believed that artists invent each time they create art ... "each one of us involved in inventing do it in a different way." I attempt to apply that same attitude toward my work. My work has been described as ethereal, spiritual, subtle and luminous, I appreciate this particular view because these are qualities I try to create.

F. John Sierra

Will Portis

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 22:35:00 GMT

Will Portis began his career in art while still in high school as a Display Artist for the Goodrich Tire & Rubber Company. Since then he has created hundreds of works of art, both commercially and as a private fine artist.

Mr. Portis is an accomplished portrait artist as well as a master of landscape art. In addition to his paintings on canvas, Mr. Portis' work can be seen on the numerous murals he has completed over the years.

In his dedication to art, Mr. Portis has spent time as an artist in Residence at the Mansfield Museum of Art, and the African-American Cultural and Historic Museum. He has also conducted a number of art and art related lectures, seminars, and classes over the course of his career as an artist.

Will Portis, who describes his style as a "natural realism", has been hailed as a Modern Renaissance Artist by many. His paintings have been noted for their dynamic lighting and bringing out the character of his subjects.

Mr. Portis attended the University of Akron for the Fine and Commercial Arts and holds a Masters degree in education.

In addition to being a working artist, Mr. Portis is also available for private instruction.

Rowena Rowman

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 22:38:00 GMT

Rowena Bowman

Originally from New Orleans, Rowena Earned a degree in Fine Art from LSU Baton Rouge. This Training emphasized printmaking and commercial art.

In 1993, she was granted studio space at Glen Echo Park, MD, outside Washington, D.C. During that time, she took classes at the Corcoran School of Art, the Torpedo Factory, and The Yellow Barn Studio to improve basic painting and drawing skills. This influenced Rowena's personal style in mixed media and digital graphics.

After Rowena returned to Louisiana in 2001, Hurricane Katrina destroyed much of her artwork. The trauma of the hurricane and the long aftermath became the subject matter for her cut paper artwork.

In September 2006, Rowena was selected as the only visual artist among many performing artist from Louisiana and Mississippi, who were honored at the Kennedy Center’s Open House as Survivors of Katrina. She came to the Fresno in 2007 to be near family.

Rowena currently resides in Boston, Massachusetts.

Ann Stewart

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 22:39:00 GMT

Ann Stewart

Aileen R. Imperatrice

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 17:35:00 GMT