Bulletin, Record, Progressive, Reporter Wednesday, May 2, 2018 7B
Painter and pottery maker Jacquie Cordova also specializes in raku pots. Photos submitted
Annual
nts held at Blue G
Gall ry Unda Erway loves the craft of pottery, creating original pieces
e that are often both functional, as they are decorative.
Stacy Fisher Linda Erway
Staff Writer Linda Erway started
chesternews@plumasnews.com working with clay in college
in the early '70s, she recalled.
Are you ready to have fun A sign on campus advertised
and maybe win a prize? a pottery sale, and Erway said
The "First Friday" series she was immediately
of artistic presentations is intrigued by the idea of
scheduled to begin at the creating her own unique
Blue Goose Gallery of pottery.
Artists, 607 Main St in "I walked into the~
Chester. showroom, looked at all the
On Friday, May 4, wonderful studentwork, and
beginning 5 p.m. and going to knew then and there what art
8 p.m the gallery will classes I wanted to sign up
feature four artists, for!"
including Linda Erway, Judy Erway is currently a retired
Wallace, Jacquie Cordova elementary school teacher,
and Gary Spence, who but during her teaching days,
will share new work and "I was slowly setting up my
demonstrate their own studio at home," she
artistic talents, said. "I love the time I spent
In addition to artist demos, working in clay, creating
door prizes, and a "Guessing original pottery that is both
Jar," there will be plenty of functional as well as
refreshments as well, all decorative."
purposed to celebrate the She added that she really
artists who enrich the enjoys hearing people say
community,wi ei how much they use the pieces
qreati ii?!iii she s made in their home for
Deb groeSser, : cooking and storing food.
46 co-op artist members that
manage the Blue Goose,
said everyone should come
prepared to "shimmy into
the gallery," while we
"kick up our heels and
enjoy the songs of the '60s,"
celebrating one of our
favorite musical groups,
the Beatles, singing this
year's theme, 'Twist &
Shout."
Although the famed rock
group will not be there in
person, "We will have a great
photo booth of props for
everyone to get into the
groove while celebrating the
summer season with us,"
said Groesser.
"All our artists are more
than happy to answer
questions about their
works," Groesser added. She
said that the gallery's
artisans enjoy sharing their
expertise with gallery guests
and students who can watch
them in the act of creating
works of art during the
after-hours showing.
In addition to watching the
featured artists at work,
attendees should, "Please
stop by and feel the
aesthetically pleasing
ambience of the gallery as
you soak in a variety of
top-shelf artwork and walk
through our large,
newly-added display room."
For information or
questions about the event,
call the Blue Goose Gallery
of Artists, 258-2600.
"All the pieces I make are
food Safe, and can be used in
the oven or dishwasher,"
noted Erway.
Master woodcarver Gary
Spence is well known for his
popular hand carved "Wood
Spirits," a number of which
can be seen at the Blue Goose
Gallery in Chester.
Bridge and the Golden Gate
Bridge in San Francisco,"
which had an inspiring effect
on her through the beauty
and design of the mammoth
structures.
In fact, much of the city
sights at the time settled into
her subconscious and later
gave her ideas for her own
artwork, as well as the forms
she found in nature.
"I love to create, and it is
rhy belief that creating
connects the artist to
everything -- other people,
the earth, God and all that is."
Cordova said she has
studied art for many years,
and has been "creating most
of my life."
Gary Spence
Master woodcarver Gary
Spence is well known for his
popular hand-carved "Wood
Spirits" at the Blue Goose
Gallery. In order to carve
Judy Wallace them, he has to drive for
Fiber artist Judy Wallace miles in search of
shared that she was lucky hard-to-fmd, extra thick
enough to have been raised in cottonwood bark.
Salinas, also known as knitted items I became very He said each piece he
Steinbeck Country, inspired I like to use two creates is crafted with a
surrounded by the fertile different complementary special individual carving,
fields of agriculture, colors and look forward to and comes with a card
Her favorite memories seeing the blended colorsexplaining the story of the
include horseback riding in come to life after the felting is wood spirit.
the "pastures of heaven" complete." "Does your home have one
where the hills roll gracefully Once she's felted the yet," he asked?
to the Monterey Bay, and the knitted item to the correct Spence said he also carves
"giant oak trees drip with size, "I shape it on a mold; the great cowboys, wine stoppers,
Spanish moss." wet wool feels good in myChristmas trees and Santas,
Her explorations along the hands when I roll, fold and along with unique pencils,
rugged beaches of Monterey shape it," she shared, one-of-a-kind boots and many
Bay, Big Sur and Santa Cruz After the hats have driedother items.
also sparked her imagination, for a day or so, she decorates He explained that creating
she recalled, them mostly using pieces left a personality in wood is "just
Beginning at age 10, her over from other sewing/craft plain fun," adding that the
mother and grandmothers projects, including lace, trim, bark and wood tell him --
taught,her to embroider and feathers, buttons and other silently, but directly -- who
sew garments, and ever since, materials, they are, and sharing his
she has felt thoroughly " Wallace said, "I get ' "tree" family with everyone
comfortable with the feel of inspiration from watchingis a true joy, knowing that
needlework in her hands, classic movies when women"each piece that's adopted
By the early '70s, Wallace 'weren't dressed' without a acquires a family."
felt the need for a change, hat." Spence is one of the
which led her to this remote featured artist's at the
mountain community to raise Jacquie Cordova happening at Blue Goose
her children in Plumas Painting, pottery and theGallery on Friday evening.
County, and then to the town art of making raku pots are Come see his collection of
of Westwood in Lassen currently Jacquie Cordova's carving tools and many of the
County. preferred mediums, she said. other pieces on display by the
"About five years ago, I "I loved looking at nature featured artists and watch the
went to a knitting group and the city at night since I magic happen!
where I was taught the art of was a youngster," she
knitting," Wallace said. recounted. "My bedroom view
"When I started felting my was of the Oakland Bay
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