Exhibiting artists
Nagui Achamallah
Having relocated from Northern California to Ventura County a few years ago, one of my primary goals was to showcase my work in a welcoming community. Fortunately, I discovered Studio Channel Islands, a gallery that not only embraced my artistic endeavors but also provided unwavering support through its responsive administration. Becoming a new member of this vibrant community has been a great experience for me.
I am eager to continue to contribute and thrive as a part of Studio Channel Islands for many more years to come.
Joseph Adams
Joined SCIART in 2019 and had met Roxie Ray briefly, not knowing it would be the only time. Roxie was amazing in those few minutes we talked, in the following year I was asked to do a memorial stone sculpture (now installed), centered within a labyrinth, for a sculpture garden that was her vision and we now hope to see as one of her many legacies. Roxie Ray’s garden has inspired a new Public Art Program, that SCIART Director, Peter Tyas has created and it is really taking off this year as we stand ready to install two large public artworks and begin a few more this Spring. Working with Peter developing these new projects, doing sculpture and collaborating with other artists and working with fabricators, engineers and architects as we move forward is very exciting. The possibilities as we expand regionally for SCIART and all the artists and businesses we work with will help in creating a very impressive destination art and cultural center here in Camarillo. Along with all the individual artists, board members, our community and Don Harper’s music programs (to name a few) we are off to a fantastic next 25 years. It is such a pleasure working with Peter and Jamie and all the rest of the artists and people involved that make this a thriving art community now celebrating its 25th Year!
Statement
Joe Adams explores nature based abstract constructs with unique gestural mark making. Observations within our ocean’s coastal tidal zone provide inspiration and focus. Biomorphic entities evoking marine flora and fauna are rendered with geological textures and dramatic light. Surrealistic environs exhibiting anthropogenic impact and the raw power of nature stand exposed. At the soul of each drawing, painting, and sculpture is the profound essence of music and dance.
Combining science and art is creating a community dialog during a time of ecological crisis. This dialog is igniting a collaborative process that supports vital environmental and educational issues (creating art and marine science programs with scientists at Stanford University’s Hopkins Marine Station has been an ongoing mission, for example working on the Strong Corals Initiative and Kelp Forest Preservation).
Currently, Joe is a member of SCIart, Camarillo, CA, working with Director Peter Tyas developing a regionally expanding Public Art Program. Designing and creating sculptures out of stone, metal, and mixed media. Collaborating with other artists, and working with fabricators, engineers, and architects from concept to final installation. 6 public art projects are in the works as of early 2024. The first completed large limestone sculpture “Celtic Nautilus “ was installed in 2023 and will be the center of the SCIart Roxie Ray sculpture garden’s labyrinth. Stone sculptures are created at Art City Studios in Ventura, CA, working with Paul Lindhard.
Biography
Born: 1955, Minneapolis,
Education: 1974 – 1978, University of Minnesota, Independent Research and Utilization of 17th century, Dutch Master, oil painting materials and techniques. 1974 – 1976, MTI, Minneapolis, MN, 2 year commercial art certificate program.
Teaching: 1992 – 1994, Pacific University, Forest Grove, OR, Instructed courses in drawing, painting and design.
35 years Commercial Art experience: Agency/Corporate Art Direction, Graphic Design, Photography, Illustration – national and international client base. And, Regional Theatre Set Design and Construction in MN and FL.
Currently, Fine Artist and Sculptor at SCIart, Camarillo and Art City, Ventura, CA: Focus on Public Art – from project concept and design to collaboration with other artists and providing production management. Also, continue doing drawings and paintings that have been evolving since the early ‘70s. A new series of bio-morphic abstract artworks starts off this year, to exhibit in fall of 2025.
Jeanne Ayers
Carolyn Barone
I was introduced to Studio Channel Islands in 1999 by my most colorful friend Karin Beer-Koller. When she invited me to the studios which were then on the grounds of CSU Channel Islands I was immediately “IN”! There was so much to do…gallery sitting, hosting receptions, working with children and many fundraising activities including fabulous, exciting Art and Jazz events. The move to a small but eloquent downtown Camarillo gallery, then acquisition of the Los Primeros school grounds, followed by opening the current gallery, brought even more to my life and I thrived on the volunteer opportunities I was involved in. Loved it. Inspired me. In 2010 I felt I had arrived, moving into my own Studio C2 when I became an Artist in Residence.
I have great respect for the Founding Members of our organization who worked so diligently to make this organization a reality, and for those who have donated their time and energy into continuing to make a difference in their lives and of those in our community. And I am grateful they opened their arms and welcomed me in without hesitation. From Day One, I felt I belonged. Now, that’s a wonderful testimony!
Statement
I am a representational artist currently using charcoal, oil, pastel and watercolor in creating my varied body of work. It is my destination those viewing my art appreciate the beauty and spirit life has to offer, images to stir the senses, to please the eye.
I was fortunate to have studied with, and be in the community of, many local, accomplished artists at the California Art Institute, Thousand Oaks, California. My studies exposed me to portraiture, figure, still life, landscape painting, etc., boundaries unlimited!
I have been a Member Artist of Studio Channel Islands Art Center since 1999, and was an Artist in Residence from 2010 until 2019. I now paint in my Carriage House Studio and plan to resume my interest in live and plein-air painting, plus experimenting with mixed media in the near future.
“Life is never dull, the creature is never bored, when he – or she – becomes the creator.” (The Pursuit of Happiness” by Pearl S. Buck, winner of the 1938 Nobel Prize for Literature.)
Mary Ann Bednar
I wanted a studio! When I was invited to tour an old building at the closed Camarillo State Hospital, (soon to be Cal State Channel Islands University), I said yes!
The building was old, dirty and creepy but we all saw the potential and the work began.
1 have been painting for a long time but I don’t think I would have worked as hard as I have at my art if I never had an art studio at Studio Channel Islands. I was challenged and influenced from the beginning by the many artists who joined our art community. Having a work space away from the distractions of home was an incentive to work hard.
I am very grateful for the vision we had to see what a wonderful and unique, opportunity it has been to be part of Studio Channel Islands Art Center.
Mary Ann Bednar, Founding Member Studio Channel Islands Art Center, 1999-
Daryl Bibicoff
My relationship with Studio Channel Islands Non-Profit Organization holds profound significance in my life, as it serves as a conduit for my passion, values, and commitment to fostering positive change within the community. This organization not only aligns with my personal ethos but also provides me with a unique platform to contribute meaningfully to the cultural and artistic enrichment of the community.
Studio Channel Islands is more than just a non-profit organization; it is a vibrant hub that champions creativity, diversity, and community engagement. Through their various initiatives, from supporting local artists to offering educational programs, Studio Channel Islands actively promotes the arts as a powerful vehicle for social transformation. This resonates deeply with me, as I believe in the transformative power of art to inspire, educate, and unite people from all walks of life.
My involvement with Studio Channel Islands allows me to play an active role in shaping the cultural landscape of our community. Whether through volunteering, attending events, or participating in their programs, I find a sense of purpose and fulfillment in contributing to the organization’s mission. The relationships forged within this community are invaluable, connecting me with like-minded individuals who share a passion for the arts and a commitment to making a positive impact.
Moreover, Studio Channel Islands provides a platform for personal growth and development. The opportunities to collaborate with talented artists, learn from experienced mentors, and engage in creative endeavors have enriched my life in ways I could not have anticipated. The organization’s commitment to fostering a supportive and collaborative environment has been instrumental in my own artistic and personal journey.
In essence, my relationship with Studio Channel Islands is a cornerstone of my commitment to community service, artistic expression, and social impact. It has become a source of inspiration, connection, and personal fulfillment, driving me to contribute meaningfully to the organization’s goals and, by extension, the well-being of our community as a whole. This partnership is not just important; it is an integral part of my identity and a driving force behind my desire to create a positive and lasting impact in the world.
Biography
DARYL BIBICOFF is a painter and digital artist with resident art studios in Los Angeles and Las Vegas. He received his BA in Art and his MA in Art from California State University in Northridge. Formerly, he was a competitive marathon runner and cyclist. Daryl’s artwork is a celebration of movement, captured through a diverse array of media compositions. His body of work includes acrylic paintings, digital art and animation, mixed media compositions, and sculptures. This series attracts viewers to take an intimate look at “In Motion” art. Validation of his visual expression of movement occurs through a close up invitation.
The mindset and fervor with Daryl is his desire to support being active and not bound to limitations. Fascinated by the concept of motion since childhood, Daryl Bibicoff has been a competitive athlete, running marathons and participating in mountain and road biking. His athleticism serves as catalyst for creating art that literally and figuratively moves, as viewers immerse themselves in his vision.
Celebrating movement, viewers are invited to embark on the artist’s own journey that pulses through moments in time, depicting transformation as pivotal, and highlighting the beauty that can be found even in the midst of chaotic evolution.
Karen Browdy
Studio Channel Islands represents a support for the arts in the community, as well as a space for the working artist to create and meet the public. Working alongside other artists provides encouragement and inspiration. My years as an Artist-in-Residence was a valuable experience and I continue to contribute as a member of the organization so that others may benefit.
Biography
Philadelphian by birth, Californian by happenstance, teacher by training, artist by compulsion and activist as needed, I am a working artist and instructor. Collage, mixed mediums and assemblage are my means of expression, providing as they do, opportunities to re-use, re-purpose and re-invent.
Karen L Brown
My association with Studio Channel Island, Blackboard Gallery and Studio Channel Island Art Center is a long one. I have been a member and exhibited with the organization during it’s residence at the Camarillo State Hospital location and before it’s current location in Camarillo’s old town. I’ve met new emerging artists, made friends, met new teachers and exhibited with colleagues. The highlight of my artistic journey is receiving the first place award in a SCIAC printmaking exhibition juried by Gemini G.E.L., Master Printmaker James L. Webb. I am honored and very grateful to have been invited in this Membership Retrospective.
Biography
After twenty plus years of being a single parent and working toward my educational goals, I returned to art. I began my exploration in art (1996) by studying with many well known teachers of each art technique that sparked my interest, most recently in a Master Class (Essence of Identity) with Donna Watson in 2023. I work in collage, printmaking, encaustics (wax) and been invited to participate in exhibitions with Hiroko Yoshimoto, Debrah McKillop and Cathy Day. I participated in many solo exhibitions with the Buenaventura Art Association and participated in numerous group shows in Southern California, Washington State and Iowa. I was selected to join the Ventura Music Festival fundraiser, and was a “Studio Tour” artist with Focus on the Masters. I was a co-founder of the San Buenaventura Printmakers and have sold pieces to an art gallery in Sweden. The highlight of my artistic journey is receiving a first place award in a SCIART exhibition juried by Gemini G.E.L. printmaker, James L Webb. I continue with my creative life from my home studio and with The Collage Lab (https://www.blurb.com/b/11624966). My goal is to incorporate once cherished, used or found ephemera into a meaningful image that will find new life in contemporary art..
Joe Cibere
As an artist in residence at Studio Channel Islands Art Center my experience has been very rewarding. It gives me the opportunity to connect with community and other artists and to experience much more than creating visual imagery. The power of art lies in its ability to inspire, challenge, heal, and connect individuals on a profound level. Whether on a personal or societal scale, art has the potential to shape perspectives and contribute to the betterment of society.
Biography
Joe Cibere is signature member of the National Watercolor Society and his painting style demonstrates his love of nature and wilderness. His”abstract realism” paintings integrate strong design and balance with a sense of illusion. He has appeared in “Watercolor Magazine” and in the International Artists book “The Watercolor Sky and Cloud Techniques of 23 International Artists”. He is also in the new book “Splash 20” and the 2019 February issue of “Watercolor Artist” magazine. His studio is at Studio Channel Islands, Room R5 in Old Town Camarillo, CA.
“The challenge is to know when to stop and let the medium take over. That’s why the most successful paintings seem almost effortless,” Joe asserts. “I always look forward to interacting with art patrons and other artists for feedback about the creative process & affirm that visual expression is one of life’s greatest joys.
Gretel Compton
Peter De Pelsmacker
Mollie Doctrow
Spending many hours working alone in my studio, I appreciate being part of a supportive art community at SCIART. SCIART connects me with a wider art community and audience, offering professional and personal opportunities, growth, and challenges. My art has continued to grow and develop within the SCIART community.
Biography
Slogging through swamps, wading through weeds, and getting off the beaten path, I sketch native habitats and make environmental woodcuts. These woodcuts are portraits of plants and plant communities; some endemic, rare, and endangered. Working primarily in black and white, I explore complex forms and aim to simplify the composition, balancing light and dark, carved and uncarved, positive and negative areas of the woodblock, highlighting the pristine qualities of native habitats.
Dedicated to promoting environmental conservation, I focus on wild places, study the habitat and work in a series. The images are based on field sketches and photographs. The process is as important as the final woodcut. It is in the field where I am inspired, where the light ignites the form of a tree, the clouds frame the composition, and I connect to the land, a place, hot, dry, wet, itchy. It is through the series that a sense of the place is revealed. I am never finished with a series, though I work in several habitats. Recent work has focused on the Mojave desert.
Art residencies at Mojave National Preserve, Petrified Forest National Park, Big Cypress National Preserve, Everglades National Park, and Archbold Biological Station have provided access to remote and pristine areas, inspiring recent work. The recipient of several grants, including a North Carolina Individual Artist Fellowship, grants from the Florida Division of Cultural Affairs, and U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services, I have also participated in many group and solo exhibitions.
Curator emerita at the Museum of Florida Art and Culture, South Florida State College, I am currently an Artist-in-Residence at Studio Channel Islands, Camarillo, CA, where my studio is located.
Adonna Ebrahimi
As an artist committed to the transformative power of creativity, I wholeheartedly align with the mission of Studio Channel Islands. The dedication to fostering a connection between artists and the community reflects my own belief in the impact that art can have on enriching, educating, and entertaining individuals. I am sure we can all agree that art serves as a universal language that transcends boundaries, and speaks to the core of our shared human experience.
I am grateful for the opportunities presented to myself, by being able to work with children during Spring, Summer and Fall camps and hope that my efforts have helped to enrich the spirit of art-making to the area’s youth.
By uniting artists and the community, Through our collaborative efforts, we can continue to create art that not only beautifies our surroundings but also serves as a source of knowledge, inspiration, and joy for all.
Statement
Instead of holding a paintbrush, I often challenge myself to use natural objects from the outdoors and discarded items from the home. The contrast of these dual sources brings competing energy to the process. I like the pleasant tension. Pressing my fingers into the deep smooth paint and onto the flat coarse canvas sparks a sensation of pure joy and energy and reveals these flowers as I enthusiastically create. I hope you can appreciate this experience and perhaps imagine how you might approach it if given the time and space.
I have always loved flowers, everything about flowers. When I plant them, I wear no gloves. I want to feel the soil as I prepare the space that will ultimately nurture beautiful blooms. I want the touch and the scent of the soil on my hands. It connects me with the focus of my art. Have you ever felt that? If not with soil and flora, then perhaps with some other tactile creation. You of course have.
Flowers have a general, basic design that repeats in thousands of forms. And yet, each one is its own miracle of intricate shape, texture and fragrance. A single flower can compel us to joy. And when one flower combines with some others – of the same species or not – in a single spot, the result can mesmerize an unsuspecting viewer. I seek that power when I paint. It is my hope that as you view my work, you feel a sense of joy and wonder.
Biography
Born and raised in the Cincinnati Tri-state area, Adonna was introduced to commercial art through a vocational – technical program in high school. She knew at a young age art was her calling. Working for small advertising agencies in Northern Kentucky and New Jersey for more than 15 years, she relocated to the West Coast in 1998 and raised a family. Eventually being led back to what she has always held dear in her heart, she has pursued the creative life. Adonnaʼs mission is to create art that inspires and uplifts people in their sacred space.
Adonna shares new work on social media platforms, Instagram and Facebook, and you can find her @ArtistrybyAdonna as well as on her website, www.artistrybyadonna.com.
Her floral interpretations invite you to experience her love of flowers and transmits onto canvas unique tools found in nature and one’s household versus standard brushes. This has resulted in a body of work that prompts viewers to take a much closer look.
Frances Elson
Biography
Welcome to my world of warm glass-a world both solid and fluid, craft and art, clarity and mystery, and always an element of surprise. As I continue to explore this exciting medium, my excitement grows with each new work, opening new doors all along the way.
From my birth in Kazakhstan, the child of holocaust survivors, I learned the lessons of survival and perseverance early and well. Throughout my professional careers as a social worker, administrator and interior designer I felt the unmistakable tug toward glass art, and after a brief introductory class, I gave myself over to this passion. For almost twenty years I have been exploring my art and honing my craft. The scope of my work is broad – fused glass landscapes, abstracts, vessels, character portraits, mixed media pieces, and my collection of glass flowers – with the emphasis always on the brilliant colors and exciting textures that are inherent in the material itself. My work has been featured in many group and solo shows, accompanied by awards and accolades. I am grateful to my many collectors for their support throughout my career.
Teaching has become a part of my practice that gives me great pleasure. Being able to light that first spark of interest, and to watch it grow as my students evolve in their own style, is a wonderful gift to receive, and l’m honored to be a part of that process.
Avery Falkner
My relationship with Studio Channel Islands began around 2013 or 2014 when I submitted work to an exhibition at the Blackboard Gallery. The name of the show was humorously entitled OVER THE COUCH. When you walked into the gallery, you met my painting, DAWN BREAKS hanging over a couch at the entrance. In 2015, I was fortunate to receive the first place award for two dimensional work in an exhibition entitled HARMONY AND MIRTH. In 2016, I had a painting entitled, SHADOWS AND REFLECTIONS in the exhibition: DYNAMIC. Later that year, there was another piece in: THE NEXT BIG THING.
In January of 2018, Joe Cibere, Blossom Friel, and I, had an exhibition titled: TRIANGULATION in the Blackboard Gallery. Over the years, I have donated paintings to some of the big fund raising events. As a cultural center, Studio Channel Islands, has provided inspiration, education, and opportunities for artists, art lovers, and the whole community at large.
BiJian Fan
Blossom Friel
I’ve been a member longstanding member of SCIART. It has expanded my horizons, given me an outlet to show my art and an opportunity to meet many interesting people. It has been a source of enriching experiences.
Gale Fulton Ross
Two sisters walking and talking on a road in Ghana. I travelled there in my late twenties to paint the culture. I am an American of African Descent, a visual artist whose work demonstrates my overriding concerns on how to construct self, how to be an artist, a woman and mother. And how do I arrange all of these selves within one body. For the past seven years SCIART has afforded me the opportunity to work out the answers.
Biography
Born and raised in Malden, Gale Fulton Ross’ 50-year career took off after she moved to New York City in 1971. Since then, her art has taken her around the world, from NYC to Africa, with stays in California, Europe, France, Beijing, Tanzania, Germany and Italy.
For over fifty years Fulton Ross has made an impression on the world with her expansive skills as an artist. Her career ambitions formed at an early age under the influence of her father, a pioneer in the nascent days of industrial design who inspired her with his concept of the Cadillac “fin”. “My father worked as a body and fender man for a small Cadillac and Oldsmobile dealership in Malden, Massachusetts,” Fulton Ross writes. “His job was to knock the dents out of people’s vehicles and repair the damage. He was not a designer for the company but he was a frustrated artist. I was seven when he brought home a beat-up Oldsmobile and an equally beat-up Cadillac. He combined them into one car, a white Cadillac convertible with the grille from the Oldsmobile and fitted it with outrageously deliberate pointed fins in the back.”
Her innate artistic talent won awards in high school and placement in art college. Thereafter she embarked on a career path that has taken her throughout Europe, Africa, and Asia, during which she developed her skills under the mentorship of established artists such as Pierre Parsus of France and Cleveland Bellow of California. Along the way she has established studios in New York, Florida and, most recently, California.
Fulton Ross creates from within, driven by the emotions borne of many diverse cultural experiences; she is a passionate voice of the Black experience in America. Her prolific body of work reflects both the abstract and the figurative. She currently works from a studio in Camarillo, California where, inspired by the racial justice movement resulting from the tumultuous events of 2020, she is creating an exhibition in homage to the black activist artists and thinkers of the 60s.
Yuliya Greben
I am an emerging artist and I highly value the artistic community that surrounds me. Here, I can receive valuable feedback, discuss art, and listen to the stories from more experienced local artists. I joined SCIART last October, and visiting the gallery, receptions, and art studios has always been a meaningful experience for me. I sincerely appreciate our local community of diverse artists who come from different backgrounds and have varying levels of experience.
Biography
Yuliya was born in Ukraine in 1971 and now lives in Camarillo, CA. She has always been passionate about both nursing and art, but she thought she could never pursue them together. As she continued to learn and grow as a nurse, she realized that her artistic skills could be used to help others in a different way. So, she works as a nurse and creates art in her free time. In spite of her busy schedule, she loves being able to use both her passions to make a difference in people’s lives. Yuliya has a Master’s Degree in Nurse Education and studied art at Milan Art Institute through its Art Mastery Program. As an emerging artist, she is a member of several associations, including the Studio Channel Islands Artists, Westlake Village Art Guild, and Buenaventura Art Association.
Maria Laura Hendrix
As an emerging artist, my relationship with Studio Channel Islands Art Center is important not only as the 2020 inaugural Roxie Ray Emerging Artist Award Recipient which awarded me access to a studio space. But also for the opportunity to continue gaining teaching experience as a teaching artist helping build the teen master class painting course. These past three years as an artist in residence at SCIART have been filled with wonderful experiences where I have continued building community connections.
Statement
In her portrait painting, the creation of multiple figures helps her visually translate her understanding of identity which she believes can be influenced by more than one culture. She deconstructs the image to re-imagine a new form, one that makes sense to how she perceives the world around her. In her Mujer/Woman series, she takes inspiration from the women around her. Women who struggle, persevere, and resist against societal labels. As a Latina and first-generation immigrant, she sees her art as a way of resistance.
Biography
Maria Laura Hendrix is a Mexican-born interdisciplinary artist raised in Ventura County. She earned her MFA from Otis College of Art and Design in 2020 and her BA in Psychology from Cal State Northridge. She is an alum of Ventura College where she currently teaches in the art department. In 2020 she became the inaugural recipient of the Roxie Ray Emerging Artist award at Studio Channel Islands Art Center in Camarillo, CA, where she recently completed her third year as an artist in residence teaching painting.
In her portrait painting, the creation of multiple figures helps her visually translate her understanding of identity which she believes can be influenced by more than one culture. She deconstructs the image to re-imagine a new form, one that makes sense to how she perceives the world around her. In her Mujer/Woman series, she takes inspiration from the women around her. Women who struggle, persevere, and resist against societal labels. As a Latina and first-generation immigrant, she sees her art as a way of resistance.
She has exhibited her work at the Santa Paula Museum, Ventura County Museum, Studio Channel Islands Art Center, Ventura College’s New Media Gallery, Cypress College Art Gallery, and Bolsky Gallery, Los Angeles.
You can follow her on Instagram @mlhendrixart or visit her website at www.marialaurahendrix.art
Erwin Hesz
As a proud resident of Camarillo, it’s an honor to be included in a retrospective of such an inclusive gallery.
Biography
A world renowned jewelry designer and sculptor, Erwin has turned to watercolors and pens on paper to capture the inner workings of his artist’s mind. Fractal, elemental, emotional- his latest work is part captured thoughts combined with memories and inspirations. At 88 years of age, Erwin continues his life as an artist without hesitation in the hopes that his life’s works will inspire and create happiness for those who make and appreciate art in all its forms.
Judith Hopkins
This painting was inspired by watching a herd of goats clear the hillsides near my home a year after the Woolsey Fire. It is both an image of hope, as well as a warning of the times in which we live. My studio at Studio Channel Islands not only gives me a space to make large scale paintings, but more importantly, it provides a safe and supportive place for art making.
Charles Karp
SCIART has been central to my journey as an oil painter from the very beginning. I began oil painting in 2007, and sought out an accomplished painter as a tutor. Noble Powell, a resident SCIART artist, graciously agreed to take me on. It was a good fit and my art journey began. Noble was also active in supporting SCIART, and introduced me to other local artists and the opportunities SCIART provided. I fondly remember painting a formidable tree in the inner courtyard on the campus of CSUCI, where SCIART was then located, and getting to know Roxie Ray, an influential painter and member of SCIART.
In the years since, SCIART has provided a wonderful ongoing opportunity for artists to show their work in dozens of juried shows. This kind of open opportunity is critical for developing artists, and was certainly critical for me. I’ve been a grateful Artist Member of SCIART ever since. Thank you, SCIART!
Susan R. Kaufman
My relationship with Studio Channel Islands is important to me because it is a place where I find others with the same interest in art as I have and I had made good friends here. It is a place where we can all give back to the community with the art education classes we give here as well as the artists educating the public on art during first Saturdays and during our events. We teach, we interact with our community, and we get reinforcements on our work that we love to do. We have an amazing big gallery that not only provides top notch art shows, but also music performance and comedy etc. We have classes in many forms of art and the public benefits as much as we do.
Statement
In my current work I am exploring the human drive to connect to others and to our human spirit. Most of my newer work is curving, turning, and reaching high up as if to lift off and fly up to higher consciousness. In shaping and working with clay my mind feels free to explore and to connect to the human spirit within us.
Biography
Susan R. Kaufman has been doing art all her life being introduced to it by her artist father. Her work has won many local as well as international awards and she has being written up in national and international publications.
Susan began sculpting with clay from live models and learning how to make them in bronze with renowned artist David Elder at CSUN and at his home studio in Ventura, Susan was hooked on sculpting from then on. She studied art with local professor Gerd Koch who was also influential to Susan’s art career and getting Susan and her work documented into Focus On The Masters with Donna Granada.
Susan was a part of the early years at CSUCI exhibiting at the gallery. She contributed a bronze to the auction at CSUCI and found out she sold her work to a future board member at SCIART who later became a good collector of her art.
A large part of her career was teaching art both privately and through the City of Ventura. Susan took part in the Cultural Arts program developing a cultural arts project she taught in the public schools throughout the County of Ventura.
One of Susan’s many favorite memories was doing a likeness of former Chicago Cubs catcher Randy Hundley. This sculpture was presented to him by friends of Randy and the Chicago Cubs on Sept 1, 2007 in Wrigley field at home base.
Maggie Kildee
As we worked together in the early days to create an art center on what would become the CSUCI campus I always thought of it as a place for other artists to work, and as a way to show the university the importance of art to the County of Ventura. I had a lovely studio in my home and did not move it to the college campus. It was only later when we moved to Old Town that Studio became personal to me. The joy of working, surrounded by other artists, the fun of sitting around a fire in the evening, having a barbecue, all of these things combined to make it a really important part of my life. And while I cannot be there now, I am so proud of what it’s become, the way Peter and the artists have reached out into the community to all ages, not only through art, but now through music. It makes me really proud of what we began so many years ago.
Statement
“The Morning Stretch” is an early piece (2002), inspired by the work of Francisco Zúñiga. She is a woman, grounded to the Earth, and ready to face the day.
Pamela Price Klebaum
Statement
This piece was a part of a solo show at Studio Channel Islands in 2014. It evokes vast ice mountains in Greenland, as described in a 1951 diary. The pristine white and blue ice are from a time before we knew this beauty would be threatened.
Biography
My art life began after my career as an attorney and college professor. I have studied kilnformed glass for over a decade, and have had three solo shows. My work explores the basic elements of ice and fire and stone and how we interact with them. Over time, my work has addressed the beauty of these elements as well as the threats to them presented by climate change.
Gerd Koch
Elana Kundell
Linda Legman
Being an artist member of Studio Channel Islands Art Center for the past eight years has been an important part of my life. From the beginning I participated in Collectors Choice, The Next Big Thing, donated art for other fundraisers and helped with events. Attending Opening Receptions and other events introduced me to the extended SCIART community. I got to know the AIRs by being part of the events and by going to their studios during Open Studios until I had one of my own.
I thoroughly enjoy the fun and inspiring cultural events, fundraisers, art exhibitions, lectures, concerts and other activities. I particularly enjoy the wonderful people who make SCIART such a vibrant community.
I am grateful to SCIART for the opportunity to have a studio outside my home. I was so fortunate to move into my studio in the O building in 2019 (Studio O-2). Having a studio away from home is a blessing. My career has grown because I have a dedicated work space in which to make art.
Friendships are an important part of our SCIART community. I love how we support each other’s growth as artists and help each other in life. Sometimes we artists get stuck and having other artists to talk with helps get us moving forward again. When we have an event, people show up to help. We can count on each other for support.
Studio Channel Islands Art Center is a such a gift in my life. I am grateful to the people who make it possible: Peter Tyas, Jamie Dilbeck, the Board of Directors, the artist and community volunteers who serve on committees, the interns, and the amazing artists who create magic in their studios on campus or elsewhere.
Statement
I am intensely interested in our human impact on the planet. Through my Vintage Map Series I hope to create compelling images that the viewer connects with at a deep emotional level and with intellectual curiosity. This is why my emphasis is on endemic, threatened, and endangered animals whose vulnerability is often unknown to many people. The California Grizzly Bear is the only extinct animal I have drawn. There were once 10,000 grizzly bears in California. The California Grizzly became extinct in 1924. Yosemite Means Grizzly Bear is drawn in charcoal on a 1958 map of Yosemite and Vicinity that I inherited from my father-in-law’s collection of California maps. I share my passion for wild places and animals by carefully drawing on old maps whose lines, shapes, and creases are interesting in their own right. I draw on old family camping maps, USGS Historical Maps, or vintage maritime maps that contain the habitat in which each animal lives. I hope my art inspires people to remember our shared responsibility to our beautiful planet and all its precious inhabitants.
Biography
I have been an Artist in Residence at Studio Channel Islands Art Center for five years in Studio O-2, and an Artist Member for eight years.
Art was my full time career in the late 1970s and early 1980s. I studied with Marvin Harden at California State University, Northridge, where I received my BA in Fine Art. My career included many commissions for graphite, watercolor and batik portraits: two book covers, The Bear Tribe’s Self Reliance Book by Sun Bear, 1977 and Resource Careers: Options and Opportunities in Environmental and Natural Resources Law, edited by Robert Kutler, 1979; the cover of a national magazine, The Libertarian Review, September, 1981; designing and illustrating a book, Ladybug by Catherine Drum Scherer, 1983. I used batik as a fine art medium to create batik portraits, still life, fantasy, historical commentary, and figurative paintings. I created batik hanging banners with Native American, wild flower, and Women’s Movement themes. My first solo show was in Spokane, Washington at Gallery Dupris in November of 1979. My most exciting solo show was at the grand-opening of the new Spokane City Hall Art Gallery in October of 1982. Both shows exhibited my graphite portraits as well as my batik paintings and banners.
Upon my return to California, I went into corporate sales for a decade, yet I continued to make art with other figurative artists. I was a classroom teacher for the Conejo Valley Unified School District in Thousand Oaks from 1993 to 2016, and was also the district Art Mentor who taught teachers how to teach art to children. I taught painting workshops at the Conejo Valley Adult School.
During the last three years that I taught, I focused on teaching my students about the Channel Islands, which are known as the Galapagos of North America. Teaching my students how to draw the Channel Island animals began my journey into drawing wildlife, and that eventually led me to my Vintage Map series.
Andy Lepe
My relationship with SCIART started with an award given to me by this community, specifically Pat Richards-Dodds. While at CSUCI, I applied to be part of a show called Emergence. After receiving Best of Show, I felt supported by all the artists and the organization I met that day. I am thrilled now that I can be part of this supportive community for so many up-and-coming local artists.
Biography
I’ve cultivated a creative mindset practice called “Color Flow,” designed to quiet my hyperactive mind and enhance clarity while retaining information. Drawn to tranquil vibes in my surroundings, stimuli, and emotional energy, I’ve discovered an untapped focus through slowing down, translating it into a rhythmic, calming flow that infuses my art. This nurturing, meditative practice is centered around serene, minimalist paintings, showcasing simple shapes and subtle color transitions. “Color Flow” encourages tuning into a harmonizing creative stream, facilitating a shift in frequency and unlocking inner greatness.
Charles Magallanes
My relationship with Studio Channel Islands Art Center is very important to me. I consider my art to be my career. Since becoming a resident artist here, I feel a great loyalty and kinship toward my fellow artists and enjoy the opportunities to present my art to a wide community of like minded people and those who are new to the art experience.
Mary McGill
I have been a resident artist here at SCIART since 2013. My studio is where I go to take a breath… work, experiment, find my flow. I am most happy amongst the many stages of clay in my studio. I wake up each day eager to go to work, and feel blessed to have found my bliss here. I have found a community of like minded individuals and have loved participating in the growth and elevation of this organization.
Statement
As a ceramics artist, my work is a reflection of my deep appreciation for the art form and its rich history. I am fascinated by the way that clay can be molded and transformed into vessels, sculptures, and functional objects that are both beautiful and practical. My creative process is centered on experimentation and exploration. I approach each piece with a sense of curiosity, allowing the clay to guide me as I work. Whether I am hand-building or throwing on the wheel, I am constantly seeking new ways to push the boundaries of the material and create pieces that are truly unique. One of the things that draws me to ceramics is its tactile nature. The process of shaping and forming the clay is a deeply physical experience, and I love the way that my hands become an extension of my creativity. I also appreciate the meditative quality of the work, and the way that it allows me to slow down and focus on the present moment. In my work, I am often inspired by the natural world, and I strive to create pieces that capture the organic beauty of plants, animals, and landscapes. I also draw inspiration from traditional pottery techniques and historical styles, incorporating these influences into my contemporary designs. Ultimately, my goal as a ceramics artist is to create pieces that are not only aesthetically pleasing, but also imbued with a sense of meaning and purpose. Whether I am creating a functional vessel for daily use or a sculptural piece that tells a story, I hope to bring joy and inspiration to those who encounter my work.
Biography
A native Californian, I invested my early years raising three children and earning an interior design degree. I began to develop my talent for ceramic art in 1997, while working in design. I learned to throw on a wheel while attending Moorpark College in California, and continue to refine and explore my style and skill with my primary focus on hand-building.
Arlene Mead
Studio Channel Islands has been my happy place to work for the past 24 years! From color palettes to materials to impromptu critiques, from new inspiring work in the gallery to inspiring conversations in the hall, sharing studio space with other talented artists has inspired me in innumerable ways over the years. I am truly grateful to have a beautiful studio in a place filled with great people.
Statement
There is a vast amount of information compiled about each of us that multiplies with every keystroke and every place we go. We give away boatloads of this information willingly; by installing that “free” app or “liking” a post on facebook, by swiping our “rewards” card or placing a call, by documenting our every move via a growing list of social media. Appearing anywhere in public nearly guarantees a trail via cameras owned both publicly and privately.
And yet, we quaintly continue to shred paper documents as if it begins to protect our privacy. I have taken these shreds of confidential documents that were intentionally rendered unreadable, and made them public again, testing the illusion of privacy by holding it up for scrutiny.
Biography
Born: Patagonia, AZ
Resides: Thousand Oaks, CA
Education: 1983 BFA Printmaking, California State University Long Beach
Arlene has been a maker and artist since childhood. After earning a BFA at Cal State Long Beach, she embarked on a decades-long career as a decorative artist producing faux- finishes and murals in commercial and residential spaces all over Southern California.
The benefit of all this mixing and layering of paint proved useful when she started a studio practice in 1999 at Studio Channel Islands in Camarillo, CA.
Working in various media, she began with painting, collaged shredded documents for a number of years then returned to painting.
Her current works utilize the depth and layer-building possible with resin and metallic paints, as well as a long held fascination with words as an element of the image.
Margie Murray
Sigrid Orlet
After longing and yearning to spread my creative wings, Studio Channel Islands offered a vibrant community overflowing with creativity, joy, and generosity. Like an afternoon breeze from the Pacific, the creative life on campus felt like a breath of fresh air. Excitement, energy, and dedication lived behind every single studio door. While I had the privilege to be part of the Studio Channel Islands community, this infectious creative energy of the place supported my creative growth in countless ways.
In 2016, I left the studios for family reasons. I now live and work in Europe. Yet, no matter where life will take me, Studio Channel Islands is always going to hold a special place in my heart. Thank you and warmest congratulations to all. And last, but not least, a big shout out to fellow artists Nurit Avesar and Janet Neuwalder for moving heaven and earth to get this work to the show on time. Thank you.
Sigrid Orlet, Artist-of-Residence 2012 -2016, Studio O2
Statement
My personal life experience and my investigation of symbol formation in deep scientific inquiry challenged me to question my most firmly held beliefs. Today, “not knowing” informs my art-making.
I produce a variety of media including painting, sculptural object and installation. In all these works, I am concerned with unearthing the roots of being human as an aspect of the coherent whole of existence.
In our increasingly high-speed virtual world, I go beneath the smooth and shiny surfaces to immerse myself in solitude and deep silence. I use my brushes and other tools to patiently express the rawness, textures, and layers of a seemingly unending process of unfolding—of what I do not know.
Biography
Sigrid Orlet was born near Soest, Germany. She moved to Los Angeles in 1985. She earned a MA degree in Psychology/Art Therapy (2001) and a PhD in Psychology (2006). In the field of Creativity Studies, Orlet investigated the phenomenon of symbol formation in scientific inquiry. She subsequently published an essay on “An expanding view of incubation” in the Creativity Research Journal, 20(3), pp. 297-308 in 2008.
Orlet was an Artist-in-Residence at STUDIO Channel Islands, Camarillo, CA from 2012 until 2016, when she moved back to Germany for personal reasons.
She was a member of the Los Angeles Art Association until her move abroad. She maintains her membership with the Women’s Caucus for Art, Los Angeles.
Sigrid currently lives and works near Soest, Germany.
Julia Pinkham
Being part of a dynamic artist group fuels my desire to create and show my art. SCIART helps me get my work in front of the public and to maintain a professional presence in the art world.
Having a studio to go to work in every day allows me to set aside distractions and just focus on my art.
Statement
My painting method uses concepts developed in Surrealism, which employs automatism to create a dialogue between unconscious impulses and purposeful “left-brain” deliberation.
I sometimes work with my brushes attached to long sticks, seeking to blend random actions with controlled, intentional ones to gradually reveal the images that appear in my paintings.
I often work on more than one painting at a time, which allows me to avoid over-valuing certain aspects of my works that are in progress and come back with a fresh perspective.
Biography
Julia Pinkham’s passion for nature expresses itself in her vibrant biomorphic compositions. Her lively abstractions are often based on natural forms and images that develop from her imagination.
Julia has been self-employed as an artist for all of her life.
Her current series of abstract paintings, done with mixed media and acrylic on both canvas and paper, reflect her ongoing interest in both the Surrealist’s “automatic painting” and the Abstract Expressionist movements in American art.
She works full time at her art from her studio at Studio Channel Islands Art Center in Camarillo, Ca.
Jordan Poe
Statement
The background to the piece and the series is what inspired my aesthetic and storytelling method throughout a series of photographs. I started to capture liminal spaces at sites with interesting and obscure histories. Medicine Lake is one of the most northeastern towns in Montana with a population just over 200 that my great grandfather founded in 1910 and was the town’s first mayor and pharmacist. My grandfather took over the roles after WW2 until he retired in 1985. Since it was founded, there have severe unique stories from the time my great grandfather was called out to to a homesteader’s ranch in the middle of the night to treat the rancher who had been kicked in the head by livestock (one of the locals would return an empty bottle of ether to my dad at one of the local bars a few years back from that night) to the time the local daredevil landed his plane in front of that very same bar on main street to settle a bet. The color mixing and film grain I use for each series matches the tone of each location’s history.
Peggy Pownall
Being accepted as a SCIART Artist-in-Residence some sixteen years ago was a dream-come-true. From day one, my studio has been my sacred space, filled with creative possibilities, infused with energy from the incredible artists working all around me and others who offer so much in support because they believe in the power of art. I’ve been fortunate to work alongside them, as a board member, and serving on various committees. Through these years, SCIART has weathered storms and opportunities with grace and vitality. Likewise, my life has shifted in monumental ways I couldn’t have anticipated. Through it all, my studio has always offered soulful sanctuary and endless creative energy. And then there are my fellow artists and friends — always inspiring, encouraging, and eager to explore new ideas.
Statement
I’m interested in a visual expression of themes such as identity, longings, personal mythology, iconic memories, and the turning-point significance of any given time and place. My work always has a strong underlying personal narrative. From a series that explores the dichotomy of childhood exuberance and reluctance, “Walking on Stones” recalls the pure pleasure of jumping from boulder to boulder while following the river, not knowing what was beyond the bend. By “drawing” with stitched thread, I suggest life’s pathways and spaces — some chosen by us, some chosen for us. Circles speak of our need for wholeness, our longing to make sense of our existence in the midst of an uncertain, chaotic world, juxtaposed with our deep, yet elusive, desire to fully experience each of life’s moments.
Biography
Peggy Pownall is a Southern California mixed media painter and an Artist-in-Residence at Studio Channel Islands since 2008. She is a longtime member of the Los Angeles Art Association and has exhibited her work across the region. Peggy received her B.A. in art from Pepperdine University and has undertaken further studies at Studio Art Centers International in Florence, Italy, an experience that has had an extraordinary impact on her work.
Interested in a visual expression of themes such as identity, longings, memories, and healing, her work has a strong underlying personal narrative. Stitched thread and pieces of ephemera feature prominently in her work. The repetition of shapes, particularly circles, speaks of the human search for wholeness, our need for order, purpose, and hope amidst an uncertain, chaotic world.
Bob Privitt
This organization provides aesthetic/artistic experiences to the general community and the region, and also provides excellent opportunities for children to enhance their artistic abilities. The Blackboard Gallery is becoming an increasingly important art venue for the area.
Bonnie Raphael
Pat Richards Dodds
In 1989 a small group of artist met in the old art therapy unit of the former California State Hospital to create a professional artists enclave, serving the region of SoCal, from Malibu and Agoura Hills, north to Ojai and east to Moorpark, Santa Paula and Fillmore. This opportunity was given to the artists by the Planning President of newly established CSUCI. J. Handel Evans was interested in establishing an arts program on the newly developing university so he asked a small group of us to create a cultural hub on the campus. That vision quickly became a reality. Famed artists, such as John Nava, Hiroko Yoshimoto, Gerd Koch and others were exhibiting in the galleries that the founders created in what was once a sad and rundown building. My time there as an artist in residence was a turning point in my life as an artist. We became close friends, offering friendly critiques and sharing talents. Today SCIART has grown beyond what even the founders had envisioned. It is an honor to be a working artist in my wonderful studio and to be associated with such a fine organization.
Michael Rohde
I’ve been involved with the organization from near the beginning, initially as friend of many of the founders, as an exhibitor in many of their exhibitions, later as a committee member of the Standards Committee and on the Board of the organization. It continues to be a very pleasant and nurturing place. I’m ever grateful and amazed at how it has survived with strength and growth to this twenty-fifth milestone.
Statement
The medium in which I choose to work is fiber, primarily flat woven pieces. I’ve picked this less than common medium, having been drawn to the possibilities of relationships between subliminal texture and the interaction of light and color.
Having taken this route, the weavings can become an embodiment of the freedom to explore how colors relate to each other and to the surface properties of the fibers used. Pure color and specific color combinations of color have the power to speak to each of us, often producing differing responses in each person. By limiting the vocabulary to color and woven texture, the works are better able to stimulate reactions and emotions that these raw color and spatial relationships can have on the viewer.
Recent pieces of work over the last several years have addressed the impact of human and natural causes on the homes and lives of people. These include houses that disappear into the sands of war, are filled with rising flood waters or simply vanish as the natural consequence of time. The most recent work is a group of tapestry woven pixelated faces, touching on abstraction of reality at the same time.
Yet, without the foreknowledge of what is behind the creation of these images, the works stand as objects of quiet beauty: begun with white yarns of wool, silk, linen and other fibers, I add my own dyes to achieve a range colors and contrast not available in commercially dyed materials. Like a painter, I mix my own colors to create something new.
Biography
After pursuing dual careers in biochemistry and weaving, I left behind a job as director of a biotechnology research lab in 1998 to devote full time to this work. Weaving has been a fervent activity since 1973. Formal training in drawing, color and design came from the Alfred Glassel School of the Houston Museum of Fine Arts. Over the years, activities included lectures, workshop teaching, juror, show organizer and exhibitor in many local, national and international juried and invited shows.
Recently work has been included in the United States Department of State Art in Embassies Program, exhibits at the Textile Museum in Washington, DC, the American Craft Museum in New York, the invitational Triennial of Tapestry in Lodz, Poland, from Lausanne to Beijing (twice), Houses for Nomads (a solo exhibit at the Janina Monkute-Marks Museum in Lithuania), an exhibition at the Mingei International Museum in Balboa Park in San Diego and the permanent collections of the Mingei, the San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles, the Ventura County Museum of Art and The Art Institute of Chicago.
Melanie Roschko
I joined Studio Channel Islands as an Artist In Residence in 2013. Having my own space, a fabulous studio mate and so many experienced and professional artists in close proximity has been a rewarding experience. My creative mind has been continually challenged and my work has grown because of it. I can’t imagine not being a part of this community.
Statement
My work is based on the study of forms, shapes and lines in a spatial atmosphere that I intuitively express as colorful abstract paintings or prints. The lines allow me to explore spaces as they dance and spin and the colors and textures create depths to examine. My work is lyrical and elusive, inviting the viewer to delve into my inner world. Painting is a means to create whatever comes to me. It is a creative process that becomes a conversation with myself. The paintings sometimes resolve immediately and other times with a struggle. However the process unfolds, hopefully it will be honest and valid as art is open to interpretation it should speak on it’s own.
Biography
I was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. I was a student of Fine Arts at UCLA and also studied Landscape Architecture. I worked for landscape architecture firms in Los Angeles and owned a landscape design and construction company in Aspen, Colorado. I am a retired PSIA certified ski pro. Having taught skiing in Aspen for twenty years, I loved stopping with a client to observe “Kodak” moments. These views are an important part of my memories.
Sebastian Sarti
I like the organization because of the many opportunities it hast to offer, from classes, to events, and exhibition calls. I love also the fact that there are so many artists working in different media. I’m inspired by all of them and the way they are able to express their ideas in the space. I’ve been a fan since 2017 and hope it continues to grow and becomes more recognized in the near future.
Statement
In my work I like to make common items and people be part of uncanny situations. Many of my photos reference editorial photography from magazines and social media. I use this type of material as a catalyst because you can fabricate small narratives that seemingly have no beginning or end. With this in mind, the pattern throughout my works is always the desire to fabricate a false identity, not in an evil way, but as a way of protection. Much of it stems from the idea of conformity within systems of “normalcy” or idealized versions of them, like masculinity within a cisgender spectrum or as part of a community within the American context as a way to mimic the specific ways in which the “American Dream” functions against other lifestyles.
Biography
Sebastian Sarti (B. 1996) is originally from Guatemala City, Guatemala. He immigrated to the United States with his parents when he was thirteen years old and has been living in Southern California since then. He received his Honors B.A, from the Department of Art at The Claire Trevor School of the Arts from the University of California – Irvine in 2019.
He has had the chance to exhibit his work at the University Art Gallery in 2019 as part of his group thesis show titled Of Impermanence. He has had work published in La Horchata Zine in 2018. In 2020 became an honorable mention in Float Magazine’s online Exhibition titled ANNUS HORRIBILIS (Horrible Year) curated by artist Adam Cable He has been part of two online exhibitions at the online platform the Curated Fridge in the Spring of 2021 and Winter of 2023. Most recently, on of his works is currently on view at the Los Angeles Municipal Gallery, Open Call: Apophenia which is on view through March 16th.
Carolyn Schlam
Carolyn Schlam was a resident artist at SCIART from April, 2017, when she moved to California from New Mexico, until January, 2020. Living in California and being part of this artistic community brought much success to Carolyn, both as an artist and writer. She published two books on art during her residency and has two more being released this year. Carolyn enjoyed her sojourn at SCIART tremendously, and is happy to make a contribution of this very recent work,” Looking Back.” It seems so appropriate as she now looks back to the camaraderie and fellowship of her fellow artists and a happy time at SCIART. Sending thanks and good wishes to all involved in this wonderful organization.
Sherron Sheppard
Statement
My scratchboard art is a blend of creativity, imagination and a drive to capture beauty with texture created with my etching tools”. With each delicate and precise stroke of my scratchboard tools, I try to bring to life landscape scenes and realistic renditions of animals”. For those who aren’t familiar, scratchboard is a form of etching on a clay-coated board that allows the use of tools to scratch away the black layer and reveal an intricate and detailed scratched piece of art. I also dabble in paintings and photography, but there’s something about the delicate process of scratchboard that draws me in. I love to explore the interplay between light and shadow in my pieces. Each scratch on the board is a deliberate and calculated stroke that helps me express my artistic vision.
Biography
From an early age Sherron had a love of painting and drawing and over the years she has studied and practiced many different mediums. Even though she has had little formal art training, she has studied under numerous award-winning instructors in multiple mediums.
When it comes to art, one of Sherron’s greatest enjoyments is trying different art mediums and experimenting with new techniques. One of Sherron’s passions is Scratchboard. She finds the detailed textures and the resulting expressive strokes exciting and very soothing. Over time Sherron has developed her own unique, painterly scratchboard style that resembles other traditional painting strokes. In 2023 Sherron achieved the level of Signature Scratchboard Artist with the International Society of Scratchboard Artists for exemplary technique and skills in the Scratchboard medium and was asked to speak at the 2023 International Scratchboard Society conference. In addition to Scratchboard, other mediums that Sherron enjoys are colored pencils, oil paints and acrylic paints and fine art jewelry design.
Sherron is also an award-winning photographer. She has won numerous awards including, California’s (PPC) Photographer of the Year (5 times), Canon Par Excellence Award, 2 PPA “Platinum Photographer of the Year” awards, 4 Fuji Masterpiece awards, 3 Kodak Gallery Awards, and 7 Judges Awards. Sherron is a Master Photographer, Master of Electronic Imaging, and Photographic Craftsman. Sherron’s photography and paintings have won several awards including an Honorable Mention in the Colored Pencil Society of America, Los Angeles Chapter “Pencil Paintings” 2021 Exhibition for her “Cascading Water” colored pencil painting and an Award of Excellence for her scratchboard “Living on the Edge” from the 2022 International Society of Scratchboard Artists Exhibition.
Sherron has taught numerous painting classes including eight years as a seasonal art instructor at Yosemite National Park’s Art Center. Currently she is teaching Photoshop and Composition workshops to artists and photographers.
Regina Vorgang
Red My Mind is an early weaving I did just after I moved into the studio in 2012. I followed and admired many of the SCI artists and appreciated the organization and how everyone worked together. When the opportunity came up to move my studio here I jumped at it. You Red My Mind.
Biography
A professional graphic designer since 1980, Regina Vorgang garnered awards for her design projects and built a successful graphic design studio in Stamford, Connecticut. She and her husband, photographer W. Scott Miles, joined their businesses together in 1996 to make a creative services studio that offered a variety of advertising and marketing services for their clients.
After many years as a graphic designer working on a computer, Regina longed to get back to creating artworks by hand. Trained in traditional arts along with graphic design, she was always intrigued by the art and craft of weaving. She participated in a variety of weaving workshops and classes in Connecticut and New Mexico until she found her love of weaving functional, artistic wool rugs, table runners and tapestries.
In 2002 Regina and Scott moved to California where she was able to turn her focus to combining her unique graphic vision and weaving skills to create handwoven rugs, table runners, and tapestries. Regina merges her vision with traditional craft and contemporary color and design for one-of-a-kind pieces. Her work has won awards at fiber and craft exhibitions and gallery exhibits.
See more of Regina’s handwoven rugs, runners and tapestry designs on her website, www.ReginaDesign.com
Her studio is located at Studio Channel Islands in Camarillo, CA. She shows and sells her work at her studio, gallery exhibits and her online shop.
Kathy Waggoner
I have been with Studio Channel Islands from very near the beginning. Helping to build the organization and being a member of the Board for many years gave me a great deal of satisfaction in watching it grow and become an important part of Ventura County and beyond. Personally it gave me a place to work, continue growing after finishing my Masters degree, exposure to the public and many wonderful friendships with artists and collectors.
Statement
Chetna is an East Indian word meaning consciousness rising. The work represents the pride and recognition of native women’s importance in their culture.
Biography
Kathleen Waggoner received a Master of Arts degree with emphasis in sculpture and Ceramics from California State University, Northridge. Her work has been widely exhibited in California and across the United States. Waggoner has worked with Akko Takamori, Tom McMillin, David Elder, Kevin Meyers and Bob Bassler.
Waggoner’s emotionally charged imagery explores the physically manifestations of emotion and human behavior. Myths, identity stereotypes are the issues that define and support her work. Her current series of seductively tactile figures are richly embellished with narrative fragments and intricate carving representing the artist’s experiences, memories and dreams. She is inspired by native cultures and indigenous art forms that are based more in the spiritual realm than the intellectual.
Daggi Wallace
Biography
Born and raised in Berlin, Germany (b. 1962), Daggi is a self -taught award winning painter specializing in contemporary figurative realism and portraiture. She spent more than 40 years living in the USA where she has reached the level of Eminent Pastelist of the International Association of Pastel Societies, Master Pastelist of the Pastel Society of America and Distinguished Pastelist of the Pastel Society of the West Coast.
Working primarily in pastel and charcoal she pushes the more traditional boundaries of the medium by incorporating other materials into her work and presentation. Inspired by her dual cultural life she mixes realism with abstraction and personal narrative with social and political undercurrents.
Her work has been shown at the National Arts Club and the Salmagundi Club in NYC, the Butler Institute of American Art, OH, The Zhou B. Art Center in Chicago, The Wausau Museum of Contemporary Art and is in several permanent corporate collections as well as private collections throughout the U.S. and Europe including The Bennett Art Collection Of Women Realists and the Lucille Packard Children’s Hospital in Palo Alto, CA. Galleries that have shown her work include RJD Gallery, NY, 33 Contemporary, Chicago, Vose Galleries, Boston and Abend Gallery, Denver. She has won numerous awards in national and international exhibitions. Her work has been published in many magazines and books, including Poets and Artists Magazine, American Art Collector, Southwest Art, Professional Artist Magazine, International Artist Magazine, The Pastel Journal and Pratique Des Arts in France.
In 2021 several images of her work were selected for ‘The Peregrine Collection’ time capsule to be archived on The Moon via Astrobotic’s Peregrine Mission One.
From 2012-2023 Daggi was an artist-in-residence at Studio Channel Islands and served on its board of directors for a time.
Besides creating work for exhibitions and teaching workshops Daggi accepts portrait commissions throughout the year.
Judy Winard
This piece represents both sides of life. The harshness and the fragile. Using clay that is coarse and then adding porcelain which is extremely smooth. Combining the two, which in theory should not work but does. Life. It was also made during covid and represents the spikes of the disease.
Marion Wood
For 12 years, this organization has provided me with a community to inspire me, a safe place for experimentation and exploration of my work, and an exciting place to watch grow and be a part of its expanding mission
Statement
I am totally enamored by the process and adventure of creating. The endless possibilities, the tranquility and sometimes distress of the journey. A roadless landscape where one can feel completely alone and very free. The work focusses on the simplest elements of artistic expression, where all representational elements are extracted and reduced to a momentary impression or deep expression. I love to experiment with color fields and texture, and allowing the paint to meander in rivulets through the cracks and crevices using only the force of gravity. There is something raw and beautiful about the process, and I strive for that connection in each painting until the work settles into its final completion.
Gerald Zwers
