By Jima Abbott Artists are an experimental bunch, always ready to ...

By Jima Abbott18Artists are an experimental bunch, alwaysready to add new tools, materials and processes totheir repertoire in the drive to express their creativeurges. This is certainly evident in relation to therange of opportunities offered by an ever-expandinguniverse of digital tools in the form of digital cameras,scanners, advanced computers, graphics software,high quality inkjet printers and the Internet.The odd phenomenon of constantly increasingquality and constantly decreasing cost helps makethis technology widely available. Our current generationis growing up immersed in it, along with cellphones, text messaging and iPods.Many artists, working in a diverse field of creativeendeavors, have jumped in to play in this digitalworld of tools and toys. Painters, illustrators,graphic designers, craftspeople, musicians, photographers,filmmakers and others are taking advantageof a wide range of useful digital devices.Using these tools, artists are able to mix scansof their drawings and paintings with digital photographs,scanned objects and computer generatedimages in seamless and powerful ways to createunique and original images.Desert Door by Jima Abbott.The image taken with Nikon Coolpix 990 and then enhanced and manipulatedin Adobe Photoshop. Contact jima@mcn.org

Little Ballerina by Marge StewartThe unlimited natural media possibilities using CorelPainter are amazing. Choices of natural brushes and a limitlessarray of paper textures allow the artist to combine differenttechniques not possible with traditional artmaterials.Digital Art SoftwareWith the image editing software Adobe Photoshop,collages and montages can be created by placing separateparts of the total composition on independently editablelayers that can be changed and re-changed at any time.Just think of being able to go back to your original artyears later and add an additional element or make achange based on newly acquired images, ideas or skills.Some artists feel immediately at home with the softwareCorel Painter, which has tools that mimic traditionalmedia such as oil, watercolor, pastel, charcoal, air brushand many others. Using a pressure sensitive stylus andgraphics tablet is like using a paintbrush, pencil or pen.Some very interesting hybrid art forms are being createdthat combine traditional media handwork and digitaladditions and manipulations.Adobe Illustrator is a drawing program that allowsartists to create sophisticated artwork, technical illustrations,graphics, and page designs for print, multimedia,and the Web. Illustrator offers a full range of drawing andpainting tools, as well as type in a postscript format.Artists will appreciate the wide range of creative tools,Cold Blue by Patrick Davis. Digital photography“ My digital work flow starts at the camera (a Nikon D2x) and an eye forthe unusual. From there I adjust the color in Capture NX then do thefinal sharpening in Photoshop with printing via a RIP (Image Print) tothe final product.”including warp effects; liquefy controls; arc, grid, andshape tools; editable drop shadows, glows, and othereffects; and editable compound shapes.Mandala by Janet AshfordAdobe Illustrator. Janet is one of the Mendocino Art Center’s digital artinstructors. See her workshops on page 48.19

Golden Girl by Marge StewartLayered multiple images. Digitally painted in Corel Painter,Photoshop and Kai’s Power Tools. Custom images and digital paintingsavailable. Contact Marge Stewart at margcrft@mcn.orgKaleidica makes the computer come alive withbeautiful symmetry, magical patterns, and creativeimagery of all kinds — all under the control of a mouseand keyboard. The Kaleidica is truly a one-of-a-kindproduct that is ideal for children, as well as both aspiringand professional artists.The Kaleidica allows the artist to make wonderfulstill art and record every step in the creation of art andplay it back as a full-screen animation set to music.Studio Artist is a software program that can automaticallypaint and draw. Studio Artist examines asource image or video and then re-renders it in the stylethe artist chooses, automatically or interactively. StudioArtist’s Graphics Synthesizer module has hundreds ofeditable controls. This kind of control enables StudioArtist to produce unlimited lush dynamic and complexpaints while allowing for the randomness or happy accidentsof real art materials. But realistic oil, chalk, watercoloror wet paints are only a part of the picture. StudioArtist travels way beyond the world of natural mediaand into the realm of Wow! Watch paint brushes interactwith a virtual canvas to create truly unique paintings,drawings and processed video.Castle Bowls by Virginia Sventek"Working from original photographs, colour adjustment and layeringare done in Photoshop. The image is completely redrawn by hand onthe white canvas in Studio Artist using a stylus and graphics tablet asone would with pen and ink or brush and paint. Actions are notused. I move between Photoshop and Studio Artist continuously toadjust color and tonality or to "dampen down" the more stridentaspects of the drawing. The final images are printed on 100% ragheavy water colour paper with pigment inks and have been sold atgalleries in Edinburgh, Scotland. Studio Artist is a difficult mistress:because I am highly non-technical. I find teasing secrets out of herdifficult, but when she decides to smile, she glows."email: virginia.sventek@talk21.comUsing Kaleidica, the artist can create limitless images and then cangenerate these images as animations, set to music if desired.20

Tribe by KKC Bauder,New Media Artist Specialization: Abstract Digital Art. Program: UltimatePaint, a combination of digital rendering and image manipulation landsmy artwork in the category of Digital Mixed Media. I draw the initialimage, then working with a combination of digital shaping tools, I workthe piece until the desired result is achieved. Dreamwork Digital Art &Photography.http://dreamworkdigitals.com • creations@dreamworkdigitals.comMany other programs exist, restricting digital artistsonly to the limits of their imagination.Digital for EveryoneEven artists who don’t use the tools directly in theirwork find them valuable in their art, life and business. Theyuse digital cameras to take painting source photos and documentwork, scan finished art, and use inkjet printers toprint limited edition prints and make their own businesscards, flyers, mailers, postcards and websites.Learning Digital Art at theMendocino Art CenterSeveral years ago, through generous donations andgrants from PacBell and PG & E, the Mendocino Art Centerdeveloped a digital arts studio with computers, graphicsGlobal Warming by Jim Thompson.Using Corel Photo-Paint 9 to edit the image, the Clone Tool was used toadd the ocean water with different settings on the transparency to get thedesired effect up to the buildings. With the Effect Tool set to tint, the baseof the buildings was darkened where the water would come in contact withthe buildings. A mask was then created around the sky so a sky fromanother photo could be added. Email – jmt_wan@yahoo.comtablets, graphics software, high quality inkjet printers &high-speed Internet access.A wide range of workshops covering a number of differentcomputer art programs are offered each semester tostudents at different skill levels. The emphasis is on learningto create art with the computer rather than just learning thesoftware.For complete information on digital art workshopsat the Mendocino Art Center, check the website atwww.mendocinoartcenter.org or call the office at707-937-5818 to be sent a printed catalog. For more informationabout the computer art program, contact MargeStewart, program director, at 707 937-0999Another opportunity is to use the digital arts lab in theweekly open studio each Wednesday evening from 6-9 pm.For the nominal fee of $8 you can use the equipment, havehigh-speed Internet access, and be assisted in projects andlearning by the studio host. If you have questions about theopen studio, email jima@mcn.org.21

PanacheGALLERYFine art, sculptureglass, furniture& designer jewelryPerspicacity, Hilary Eddy, Oil on CanvasMendocino45110 Main Street707-937-094710400 KastenStreet707-937-1234www.thepanachegallery.comPainting • SculpturePhotography • JewelryHandwoven RugsOutdoor Water SculptureFANCY THAT■Casually ElegantApparel and AccessoriesRegular and PetiteGALLERY at GLENDEVENCONTEMPORARY ART“This spacious artist-administered gallery displaysnotable contemporary art.”Via Magazine8205 NORTH HIGHWAY ONE,LITTLE RIVER 95456THURSDAY - MONDAY 10-5 707.937.3525www.partnersgallery.com■ In the heart of Mendocino Village ■■ Open Daily 10 - 6 ■ (707) 937-0448 ■22

2007 North CoastArtists’ GuildStudio DiscoveryTourThis year’s North Coast Artists’ Guild Studio DiscoveryTour, September 1-3 and 8-9, has drawn over 40 exceptionalartists who will open their creative studios to the public. “Thisfree, self-guided tour along a 60 mile stretch of Highway One,from Stewart’s Point to Little River, is the perfect way to spenda leisurely day or an entire weekend,” explains tour directorScott Chieffo.Colorful and intriguing artists from potters and glass blowers,weavers and paper workers to painters, sculptors, woodturners and photographers are participating. Every year, newartists join the tour, keeping the experience fresh and full of surprises.With the variety of art on display, there should be somethingto satisfy the craving of every art lover.A free 32-page, full-color catalog will help you make themost out of your tour. It contains a description of each artist,along with a detailed map and directions to each studio. Whileon the road, look for the bright yellow signs to help guide youalong the way. Note that the catalog is a must when visitingartists in The Sea Ranch since directional signs are not allowedalong that section of Highway 1.You can begin your adventure by stopping at the DolphinGallery to preview the work of all Tour artists and to pick upextra catalogs with maps. The Dolphin is located at 39225Highway One in Gualala and can be reached at 707 884-3896.Catalogs will also be available at the Gualala Arts Center, theMendocino Art Center, and various local galleries and businessesalong the way.To receive your catalog by mail, e-mail the Tour Director, ScottChieffo, at schieffo@mcn.org, or call the Gualala Arts Center at707 884-1138. Additionally, you can download the catalog andpreview individual artists at the official Studio Discovery Tourwebsite, www.Studio-Tours.com.Diane CochraneCliff GloverCynthia Myers23

Gallery Guide24FIRST FRIDAYS IN FORT BRAGGMost galleries and businesses holding First Friday art openingsare open from 5:30 to 7:30 pm.SECOND SATURDAYS IN MENDOCINOMost galleries and businesses holding Second Saturday artopenings are open from 5:00 to 7:30 pm.UKIAH – LAST SATURDAYS ARTS IN MOTIONUkiah businesses and galleries hosting Arts in MotionOpen from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, Main Street Program 463-6729FORT BRAGGART @ 3g303 N. Main Street, Suite 3g707 964-9666ART EXPLORERS138 E. Oak Street707 961-6156BRAGGADOON435 N. Main Street707 964-5050Gallery of photographs and otherartworks for your enjoyment. FirstFriday receptions. Fine art printing.DIRT CHEAP17975 N. Hwy 1707 964-4211EDGEWATER GALLERY356 N. Main Street707 964-4668ERIN DERTNER STUDIO137 E. Laurel Street707 964-7781ESTATES GALLERY330 N. Franklin Street707 961-0932FABRIC INDULGENCE101 E. Boatyard Center707 964-6365FRAME MILL ARTWORKS116 Laurel Street707 964-6464GLASS FIRE ART GLASS GALLERY18320 N. Hwy 1707 962-9420A unique display of art glass,including jellies, vessels, lighting,sculpture and jewelry. Visit theworking studio.HEADLANDS CAFÉ120 E. Laurel Street707 964-1987MENDO BISTROCompany Store at N. Main707 964-4974MENDOCINO COASTPHOTOGRAPHER GUILD& GALLERY301 N. Main Street707 964-6704NORTH COAST ARTISTS362 N. Main Street707 964-8266PIACI PUB & PIZZERIA120 W. Redwood Street707 961-1133PRENTICE GALLERY17701 N. Hwy 1707 962-0732Showing local artists’ paintings,sculpture, photography, jewelry,wood turnings and ceramics. Onsite jeweler Wed. Largest custompicture frame shop on the NorthCoast.RUBIYAT222 E. Redwood707 961-0222SEAVIEW GALLERY18877 N. Hwy 1707 889-0962TOTO ZAIDA142 E. Laurel St.707 964-8686V’ CANTO124 E. Laurel Street707 964-6844MENDOCINOARTISTS CO-OP OF MENDOCINO45270 Main Street707 937-2217ART THAT MAKESYOU LAUGH©Corner Main and Lansing707 937-1354CELTIC CREATIONSMain & Kasten Streets (upstairs)707 937-1223COASTSIDE GALLERY45055 Albion Street707 937-4960COLOR & LIGHT GLASSSTUDIO10525 Ford Street707 937-1003DREAMSCAPE45040-A Albion Street707 937-2269GARTH HAGERMANNature Photography Gallery45021-C Little Lake Street707 937-1987HIGHLIGHT GALLERY45052 Main Street707 937-3132MENDOCINO ART CENTER45200 Little Lake Street707 937-5818MENDOCINO BAKERY & CAFE10483 Lansing Street707 937-0836MENDOCINO CAFÉ10451 Lansing Street707 937-2422MENDOCINO CANCERRESOURCE CENTER45040 Calpella Street707 937-3833MENDOCINO GEMS10540 Lansing Street707 937-0299MENDOCINO JEWELRY STUDIO45104 Main Street707 937-0181MENDOCINO ART CENTER45200 Little Lake Street,Mendocino707 937-5818Cloisonné necklace with freshwaterpearls by Marge Stewart and burlwood box by Steve Kale.Four gallery exhibits eachmonth featuring emerging andestablished artists. Unique,handmade gift items in theGallery Shop. Open daily,10:00 am - 5:00 pmOLD GOLD6 Albion Street,Mendocino707 937-5005Mark Hileman, OpalWave BraceletWhere you will find beautifullydetailed jewelry fabricated in theoriginal art form of die strikingand hand chasing.PANACHE ON MAIN45110 Main Street707 937-0947PANACHE GALLERY10400 Kasten Street,Mendocino707 937-1234Jewelry by Barbara WestwoodTwo locations in Mendocino.Fine art, sculpture, glass,furniture and designer jewelry.Featuring artists such as HilaryEddy and Gerald Stinski.

ART THAT MAKESYOU LAUGH©Corner Main and LansingMendocino707 937-1354“Counsel Approaching The Bench”The fine art of humorist JeffLeedy + pastel landscapes ofElaine Leedy. Most fun gallery inMendocino.HIGHLIGHT GALLERY45052 Main Street,Mendocino707 937-3132Wall Cabinet by Martin McCarthy,Vessel by Mike PhillipsEnjoy our representation of finelycrafted woodwork, paintings,sculpture, pottery and jewelry inour beautiful bay view location.MOODY’S INTERNET CAFÉ& GALLERY10450 Lansing Street707 937-4843OLD GOLD6 Albion Street707 937-5005PANACHE ON MAIN45110 Main Street707 937-0947PANACHE GALLERY10400 Kasten Street707 937-1234PRENTICE GALLERY45050 Main Street707 937-2021RUBAIYAT BEAD & RUGGALLERYLansing & Little Lake Street707 937-1217STANFORD INN BY THE SEAHwy. 1 & Comptche-Ukiah Road707 937-5615THE WORLD OF SUZI LONG611 Albion St. – Watertower707 937-5664TWO VISIONS PHOTOGRAPHYGALLERY45104 Main Street707 937-3898WISDOM HOUSE GALLERY45280 Main Street707 937-3360ZACHA’S BAY WINDOW GALLERY560 Main Street707 937-5205WILLIAM ZIMMER GALLERYCorner of Ukiah & Lansing St.707 937-5121LITTLE RIVER & ALBIONLEDFORD HOUSE3000 N. Highway 1, Albion707 937-0282LITTLE RIVER INN7751 N. Highway 1,Little River888-INN-LOVEPARTNERS GALLERYat Glendeven Inn8205 Highway 1, Little River707 937-3525Local artists exhibiting painting,sculpture, photography, jewelry,water sculpture and handwovenrugs. Thursday-Monday10 am-5 pmSTEVENSWOOD FINE ARTS8211 N. Highway 1,Little River • 707 937-2810ELKELK STUDIO & GALLERY6031 S. Highway 1, Elk707 877-1128GREENWOOD PIER INN/CAFÉ& COUNTRY STORE5928 S. Highway 1, Elk707 877-9997POINT ARENAPOINT ARENA CITYARTSMain St., Point Arena707 882-1726THINK VISUAL THE ART OFPHOTOGRAPHY215 Main Street707 882-4042GUALALAALINDER GALLERY39165 S. Highway 1707 884-4884ARTSEA GALLERYSea Cliff Center707 884-4809DOLPHIN GALLERY39225 Highway 1707 884-3896GUALALA ARTS CENTER46501 Old State Hwy.,off Highway 1707 884-1138S/K GALLERYCypress Village707 884-3549SPINDRIFT GALLERYCypress Village707 884-4484STUDIO 39139150 S. Highway 1707 884-9065HYW. 128K. HOWLAND GALLERYHwy. 128, Boonville707 895-3880MAPLE CREEK WINERY20799 Hwy. 128, Yorkville707 895-3001The Gallery at Maple CreekWinery features the artworkof Vintner Tom Rodrigues.ARTEVINO - art & wine.ROOKIE-TO GALLERY14300 Highway 128, Boonville707 895-2204To be listed in this Guide contact:Mendocino, Fort BraggSteven P. Worthen,707 813-7669UKIAHGRACE HUDSON MUSEUM431 S. Main Street707 467-2836GRACES ON MAIN/HOYMAN-BROWN STUDIO323 N. Main Street707 462-5911 • 707 468-8835MENDOCINO COLLEGEART GALLERY1000 Hensley Creek Road707 468-3207MOONLIGHT FRAMER& GALLERY290 S. School Street707 468-7921ONE EARTH CLAY AND GLASSSTUDIO AND GALLERY310 Mason707 467-0200RED FROG GALLERY106 W. Church Street707 463-5547T B GREENE GALLERY104 W. Church707 462-5756THE BLUE GOOSE1252 Airport Park Blvd.707 462-2660TIERRA312 N. School Street707 468-7936WILLITSBLUE SKY GALLERY21 S. Main707 456-9025MENDOCINO COUNTYMUSEUM400 E. Commercial Street707 459-2736WILLITS CENTERFOR THE ARTS71 E. Commercial Street707 459-3956InlandJill Schmuckley, 707 391-8057Hwy. 128 & South CoastAlyson Blair, 707 937-019125

MendocinoSandpiperAffordable Jewelrysince 1987We Make Everything GroovyUniqueClothing & GiftsUnder NewOwnershipMiss MeFine Quality ClothingExclusive10481 Lansing Street, Mendocino • 707-937-0937Featuring Jewelryby Tabra“Where The Locals Shop”937-310245280 Main Street,MendocinoOpen DailyAt west end of Main St.Roxanne Vold, ProprietorSALLIE MACHOME & GARDENGIFTS & ACCESSORIES FROMTHE EUROPEAN COUNTRYSIDEONE-OF-A-KINDFRENCH ACCENT PIECESEUROPEAN POTTERYFINE BATH & BODY PRODUCTSELEGANT GIFT WRAPPING FREESHIPPING ARRANGEDGIFT CERTIFICATESBead Shop& Rug GalleryBeads, books, jewelry, incense,oils, tarot decks, Tibetan rugs,statues, Palm & Tarot ReadingsLansing & Little Lake StreetsMendocino937-2323 (BEAD)Studio& GalleryMENDOCINOgemsCustom design & repair10540 Lansing St. • Mendocino • 937-0299Behind Sallie MacCOME FOR THE EXPERIENCELEAVE WITH A TREASURE10540 LANSING STREET, MENDOCINO937-5357 • OPEN DAILY 10 - 6WWW.SALLIEMAC.COM2nd Location – 961-0222222 E. Redwood Ave. Ft. Bragg26

Janet’s first exposure to fine art was a school trip tothe Baltimore Museum of Art to see the ConeCollection of post-Impressionist and 20th centurycontemporary art. Viewing the colorful, original masterpiecesup close and hearing stories of the artists’ lives, shedecided then and there that art must be a very importantpart of life. The actual idea of becoming an artist cameabout in the ninth grade when the class was given aptitudetests to determine which high school to attend. When theresults came in, the school counselor called Janet into heroffice and asked if she realized that she was an artist.Picturing herself in a beret and hanging out in coffeehouses, Janet asked what exactly an artist is. The counselorsmiled and replied that sheneeded to discover what thismeant for herself. And so shedid, going on to a school offeringa specialized art curriculumto study both fine and appliedarts. In her senior year theMaryland State Legislatureawarded her a full universityscholarship to study studio art atthe University of Maryland,College Park.To make a living Janet begana career in graphic design formany years, returning to heroriginal interest of painting in2002 as an artist-in-residence atthe Mendocino Art Center. Tobecome reacquainted withdrawing and painting media, shestarted out creating small workson paper with oil-based coloredpencil, then moved on toabstracted watercolor landscapes.Then a few years ago sheFrom Stardust began painting large acrylicworks on paper and also aseries of oil paintingsexploring the phenomenonof light and luminosity.Her current body ofwork is based on improvisationaltechniques,painting without preconceivedideas or planning,to create original imagesspontaneously expressiveand unique to the individualartist. Though thepaintings are createdquickly, by mixing colordirectly on the paper, theyare mostly introspective,visual meditations with Red to Orangean enigmatic, etherealquality. She says it isalchemy of a certain sort, working with intuition andmaterials in a way that have no certain outcome. For Janetthe process is a journey into the mysteries of creativity.Through the exhibition of these paintings she hasbecome interested in a deeper understanding of the visuallanguage of abstract art and how it activates a viewer’simagination and sense of wonder. This dialogue betweenthe viewer and a work of art has become part of the effortof her work, observing how the elements of color, form,and line speak to both the viewer and artist.It’s a return to that original realization that art isindeed an important part of life.Janet Seifert can be contacted at PO Box 1747, Mendocino,CA 95460-1747 or 707 937-3054. Studio visits and commissionswelcomed.27

Roy FalkandAbstractMysticismAfter a career in telecommunications, mywife Carol Ann and I came to Mendocino, where Iresumed painting, my true artistic passion.My paintings are abstract realizations thatinvite viewers to bringtheir own narrative intothe viewing experience.I am exploring the interplayof hues and contrastswith the rhythmsand sense of motionthat they evoke in juxtapositionto one another.I depict fiction overlappingtruth, while transparency,symbol andnarrative dance togethervia paint on canvas.I approach theprocess of painting as acomponent of my spiritualpractice. When Iquietly look insidemyself I catch glimpsesof my true self, which ismanifest in my heart. Iexperience my paintingsSacred Heartemanating more from my heart center than frommy rational mind. My hope is that my paintingswill be an opportunity for others to reflect a memoryor dream from within themselves.My narratives areworks of fiction based oncountless fragments oftruth that I have experiencedin my life. My colorsand forms aremosaics of the NorthernCalifornia environment.Shapes are depicted inthe midst of dramas anddances which also haveoverlays of fictional, theatricalqualities in whichonly a few details areexplicit.My work is characterizedby a joyful use ofcolor and abstractrhythms. I attempt todepict the mysteriousforce that draws us one toanother. Color and compositiondraw their sym-28

olic meaning fromthe same primalRed Runnerattracting force thatbinds the solar system and the galaxies to one another.Shapes and shadows are inextricably alluring, notonly to one another on the canvas, but to the vieweras well. I am drawn to organic shapes, cruciforms,hearts and dramatic gestures which draw the viewerinto the mystery.Subtle and bold,the gestures unifythe symbols into an orbit of sensual attraction.Art can evoke the randomness of a cosmologywhich acknowledges the oneness of all creation. Themiracle of random, turbulent selection thataccounts for our presence at this very moment issymbolically depicted viamy abstract vision. Paintand canvas provide amomentary experience ofthe mysterious pull of theattractive and the attracted.Roy Falk’s paintings can beseen at the EdgewaterGallery, 356 N. MainStreet, Fort Bragg.Blue Heart29

“MORE USED BOOKS, PLEASE”MAIN ST. BOOKSHOP990 MAIN ST. MENDOCINO937-1537OPEN DAILY“THE ONLY USED BOOKSTOREIN TOWN”racinesfortbragg.com30on line or in the store we have best selection ofdecorative papers in Northern California.bring in a copy of your Art Center class registration andwe'll give you a piece free!344 North Franklin Street, Fort Bragg707-964-2416 • 866-374-6972

f romArtthe HeadlandsDesigns and Cappuccinoby Heather SmithAs a teenager, I spent countless hours at HeadlandsCoffeehouse, drawing on napkins, filling many sketchbooksand drinking copious amounts of coffee. Naturally,this manifested in my career. After working at Headlandsfor a few years, I noticed my boss, Dave Gealey, etching adesign onto a cappuccino. I liked the way it added his owncreative touch to his cups.So for a time I switched my canvas from paper tofoam. My designs evolved from simple swirls into flowers,animals, and faces. Mary Gealy suggested turning my coffeeart into a Headlands photo exhibit. A friend and customer,John Griffen, offered to take the photographs. Hiskeen sense of design and composition gave tangibility tomy perishable medium. Greg White further refined,cropped and printed the final results. I couldn't have doneit without them.Because of the combined support of the entireHeadlands family, I have realized a new outlet of expression.31

Not Writingis Worse —The Art ofJerry Juhlby Michael PottsJolly, quiet, and brilliant: it’s hard to imagine anyMendocino Coast resident bringing more joy to morepeople around the world than our Jerry. He elevated playfulnessto an art.Jerry came to California from the Midwest as ayoungster, and found his art as a puppeteer before highschool, when he earned money writing and performinghis own puppet shows. His father was a scoutmaster, butJerry, ever an individualist, was too busy “wiggling dollies”to join a troop. He took his inspiration from Kukla,Fran and Ollie (the TV show) and especially Walt Kelly’sPogo (the comic strip). He found his writing talent early,as editor-in-chief and head writer for his high schoolpaper. While studying speech and drama at San Jose Statehe also produced an hour long, five-day-a-week showSylvie and Pup on San Jose’s NBC-TV channel. Jerry metwife and working partner Susan, there. Both decidedagainst getting the teaching credential that usually goeswith being speech and drama majors, despite parentalurgings: they didn’t want to “fall back on” anything.After graduation, Jerry did puppetry with Oakland’sRecreation Department. As that job wound down, he performedat the national puppetry convention at Asilomar,where he met Jim Henson, who was seeking someone tohelp with his nightly network show Sam and Friends, aforerunner of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, onlywith puppets.Jerry lived in the Hensons’ basement, and did everythingon the show, building sets, writing scripts, makingpuppets, and performing. Jerry and Jim began assemblingthe company of gifted puppeteers, writers, and staffthat still works together.He had an uncanny ability to capture a puppeteer’spersonality in a puppet. The immortal Kermit the Frog,for example, was written by Jerry, but personified JimHenson. Asked if Jerry had a favorite Muppet, Susan firstdemurred, saying “No, he didn’t. That wouldn’t be fair tothe others,” but then admitted that Jerry loved writing theSwedish Chef’s gibberish.Jerry had a simple but demanding program forartistic success. Learn your Craft. Spend many lonelyhours practicing and polishing – for puppeteers, this isspent in front of a mirror. Then, crucially: Be in the rightplace at the right time.32

The Muppet Show (Jerry was the Head Writer) airedfrom 1976 to 1981. During Poland’s Solidarity movement,no demonstrations were scheduled when TMS was on.Everyone was home watching it. In response, the Muppetswore beautiful puppet-sized Solidarnosí buttons – undertheir clothes, of course, so as not to offend PolishAuthority.The television series Fraggle Rock probably gave Jerrythe most pride. Airing in 1983, it was the first Americantelevision to broadcast in the Soviet Union. Some people,including the editor of this magazine, consider Fraggle oneof the best television shows of all time. Seen in 80 countriesand produced in 13 languages, Fraggle certainly madea difference to the children of the world. Fraggle earnedpraise from the DAR “for nurturing the souls of Americanchildren” and from anarchists, who appreciated the thirtyminuteworkweek.Jerry loved the art of collaboration, working withperformers as well as writers. Karen Prell, who was RedFraggle, the enthusiastic, ever-bouncingFraggle with the pom-pom hair,came up for a script conference on“Playing Till It Hurts,” and insisted,despite the show’s theme—pain isnot good—that Red would “playthrough”—and the script got better.Henson insisted that the writeralways be present during taping orfilming, because, with puppets, onenever knows when something maynot be possible, and a rewrite calledfor. Often, for inspiration as well aslaughs, Susan and Jerry would go tothe puppetry shop to see what was upwith the new characters and mouthpieces.Puppets, of course, cannot dowhat most actors can. “It’s easier for apuppet to grow a new head than answer the phone,” Jerryremarked.When members of the company tell stories, thephrase “laughed until we cried” is often spoken. Susanremembers the first project begun in Caspar in 1987 butsadly never finished: "Into the Teeth of the Demons ofDeath," also to be known as "The Cheapest Muppet MovieEver Made." It started out on location in Bali but sincedirector Gonzo the Great spent the whole budget on titles,it ended up being filmed on the same Santa Rosa streetcorner with cheesy sets to indicate different locations.When there wasn’t enough left to pay Miss Piggy, a cardboardcut-out of the porcine prima donna was usedinstead. Planning the movie in Jerry’s aerie above CantusCove in Caspar, Henson, Susan and Jerry “laughed untilwe cried.”Other classics were born in Caspar, including TheMuppet Christmas Carol. Jerry wrote a letter to a fan in1992, "I'm writing this on the final day of principal photographyof The Muppet Christmas Carol. It may be quitedifferent from what you are expecting, however. Manypeople assume that we're doing a parody of the story, butin fact, we are treating the Scrooge story with considerabledignity. It is not a tale one wants to belittle. In fact it's oneof the great stories in the English language. We have triedto tell the Scrooge story honestly, while surrounding itwith a lot of goofy Muppet stuff. Scrooge's bookkeepersare all rats, for instance. Fozzie plays the Fezziwig characterwho, of course, becomesFozziwig. Gonzo claims to beCharles Dickens and narrates thestory, with the help of his buddyRizzo Rat..."Jerry never stopped working,and was starting an autobiographicalglimpse into a Muppet-centered lifewhen he died of cancer in September2005. “I spent 37 years writing forthe Henson Company, and now I'mtrying to write again, trying to find anew voice, and this is very challenging,”he told me in February of thatyear. The Fraggles (and, of course)the Muppets continue timelessly todelight. Is there a truer test of art?33

@@@@@@Jewelry ArtistsChris & Shani Christensonshow fine Celtic and natureinspired jewelry and specializein Custom Celtic Wedding ringsCorner of Main andKasten Streets (upstairs)Mendocino • 707-937-1223www.celticcreations.comOCEANFRONT INN& COTTAGESJust steps to the beach anda stroll to fine restaurants, galleriesand the Mendocino Art Center.ocean views • decks • fireplacesAn enchanting refuge forrest and renewal...On Main Street at EvergreenMendocino Village800 780-7905 • 707 937-5150www.oceanfrontmagic.comwww.mendocinovacations.com707 937-5033800 262-7801❇Vacation HomeRentals❇Bed & BreakfastInns❇Visitor Information45084 Little Lake StreetMendocino, CA 9546034

Mendocino County Restaurant GuideMendocino County Restaurants –Something for every dining desireMendocino County boasts a bountiful array of uniquerestaurants, with memorable dining experiences, magnificentviews and delectable delights to satisfy any craving.Locally produced and organically grown ingredients, as wellas freshly baked goods, are a hallmark of many restaurantsthroughout the county. You'll find cuisine ranging fromThai to Italian to French to North Coast favorites, andenjoy ambience spanning from fine dining to cozypubs to comfortable, relaxed coffee houses. Pick one.You can't go wrong!Check Out These Special RestaurantsThe Ravens’ Restaurant:Conscious Diningby Gus T. TorreyOutside generous western windows, a kettle of ravensgyres above the trees lining Big River. “They’re digging upthe garden,” grumbles our host, but we can tell he’s not reallycomplaining. These birds named his gourmet vegetarianrestaurant, and a little late winter forage is not begrudged.The folks at The Ravens Restaurant at Stanford Inn are seriousabout the serving of local, slow food. Their ambitiousmission is to demonstrate that healthy and satisfying foodcan be produced and cooked with a lighter touch on ourenvironment, and to “seduce” those who doubt that a meatlessdinner can satisfy.Gracious table settings, accommodating service, and apromptly served amuse bouche—bright orange carrot patéserved with dark, tasty flax crackers—let us know this willbe no ordinary meal. I ask about the crackers, and our serverenthusiastically lists their ingredients and explains thatthey are dried, not baked, whole-food style, to preservetheir goodness.We begin our meal with futomaki rolls: daikon radish,shiitake mushrooms, carrots with green tea infused ricerolled in locally harvested nori, accompanied by shoyu,toasted sesame dotted wasabi, and superb house pickledginger.The Caesar salad is inventively seasoned and surprisingyet still easily conformsto the definition ofCaesarness. A beet saladmatches mellow PointReyes Bleu with yellowand red beets on a bedextraordinarily rich infresh tiny lettuce leavesperfectly dressed withMeyer lemon vinaigrette.The menu is seasonalbecause so much of the produce is grown in the certifiedorganic gardens visible below. These colorful gardens, 21years in the making, are the mainspring of the restaurant.It’s late April, a quiet weekday evening, but the windowtables are all filled with appreciative diners. We try a newentrée, Lemongrass curry with bok choi fresh from the garden.We note with pleasure that the ambience, service, andpresentation are outstanding even among local restaurants,formal enough to honor the fineness of the food, yetrelaxed and homey. One of the house cats strolls alooflythrough the room. We all clean our plates and smile at eachother in satisfaction, replete without the heaviness thatsometimes accompanies meat.Our server hopes to tempt us with the all-vegan (noanimal products) desserts, and they do sound delicious. Wepromise that next time we will order conservatively fromthe Local Specials menu (ID may be required), and saveroom for dessert.Coast Hwy One & Comptche Ukiah Rd. 707 937-5615or 800 331-8884. Website: www.stanfordinn.com35

Fine Dining in Hopland – Shotgunby Pete HalstadShotgun Restaurant is an elegant dining place in downtownHopland, an eclectic blend of Old World, Wild West,California Mission-style and Northern California WineCountry. It is a marvelous addition to the little town that hasseen such wonders as the Hopland Brewery, Bocce Ball atBrutacao’s, the Solar Living Center and the famous (now,alas, defunct) gardens at Valley Oaks.Located on Highway 101 in Sanel Valley at the southernentrance to Mendocino County, Lawson’s Station providesvisitors with first-class lodging, dining and wine-tasting.Local entrepreneur Jim Lawson, whose partner in McNabRidge Winery, John Parducci, is the dean of Mendocinowine makers, spared no expense in creating the hotel andart-filled restaurant to showcase the local landscape, viticultureand cuisine.Shotgun’s menu features lean and delicious (as well ashormone and antibiotic-free) bison meat from Lawson’sown “J Bar S” Ranch near Potter Valley and highlights localMendocino County wines, such as Monte Volpe, Fife, Jerikoand, of course, McNab Ridge.Restaurant Manager Timothy Lindsey points withpride to a feature of the Shotgun menu, its emphasis on“handmade” food. Executive Chef Taj McMinn (a localproduct who grew up in Redwood Valley) presides over“made-from-scratch” delicacies like various fettuccine, linguineand ravioli dishes,bison salami and pastrami,prosciutto, duck patés, confitsand terrines and aiolisauces. Even the “too-goodto-be-true”desserts of icecream, sorbets, gelatos,cookies, brownies andcakes, are handmade by Tajand his skilled staff.Tim recommends the unique Bison Filet Mignon,served au poirve with brandy peppercorn cream sauce,mashed potatoes and a vegetable dish. The lunch menushowcases pasta dishes (try the handmade linguine withchicken breast, andouille sausage, and chipotle sauce).Shotgun Restaurant is open for lunch from 11:00 a.m.to 3:00 p.m. and dinner from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m., Wednesdaythrough Saturday. Sundays dinners are served from 4:30 to9:00 p.m. The menu is seasonal, with nightly specials. Therestaurant also hosts periodic “Winemaker Dinners,” fivecoursewine and cuisine pairings featuring presentations bylocal winemakers.Guests at Lawson Station may arrange for wine tours,which include a beautifully appointed hotel suite and achauffer-driven tour of selected local wineries.13441 South Highway 101, Hopland—707 744-1988 or744-1977. Website: www.lawsonsstation.comSpecializing in GreatBreakfast Burritos • Organic SaladsMexican & Grill SpecialtiesConvenient ShoppingBeer • Wine • Liquor • GasAlways With A View7746 N. Highway 1707 937-5133Open 7 days36