There Is Always Something Happening At The Mendocino Art Center

18
There Is Always Something Happening At
The Mendocino Art Center
October Gallery Exhibits
Abramson Gallery
CECILE BRILLET
“Bacci Perugina”
Ceramic & Sculpture
Nichols Gallery
DAVE FRIEDMAN
“That’s Entertainment”
Photography
Main Gallery
BOB ROSS
“Intelligent Design”
A 70th Year
Retrospective
November Gallery Exhibits
Main Gallery
PETER DOBBINS
Photography
Nichols Gallery
ART & ABALONE
Abramson Gallery
CHARLES LOBDELL
“Nature Abstracts”
Pencil/Pastels
December Gallery Exhibits
Main Gallery
2010 EXOTIC
CALENDAR
ARTWORK
Photography by
Larry R. Wagner
Abramson Gallery
MENDOCINO COAST FURNITURE
MAKERS
“Toy Show”
Nichols Gallery
TOM REED
“The Granite Avatars of Patagonia”
Photography
Upcoming Events
Art & Abalone
Wine & Mushroom Festival Event
November 14
Visit www.MendocinoArtCenter.org for updates
2nd Saturday Artists Receptions each month at 5 pm
Mendocino Art Center
45200 Little Lake Street at Kasten Street, Mendocino
707 937-5818 • 800 653-3328 • www.MendocinoArtCenter.org

Photo by Marge Stewart
Experience Inspiration At
The Mendocino Art Center
Monthly Gallery Exhibits
• Paintings
• Ceramics
• Photography
• Sculpture
• Jewelry
• Wearable Art
Retreat Style Workshops
Ceramics • Fiber Arts • Fine Arts • Jewelry • Sculpture
Mendocino Art Center
45200 Little Lake Street at Kasten Street, Mendocino
707 937-5818 • 800 653-3328 • www.MendocinoArtCenter.org
Photo by Marge Stewart
19

20
MAC’S
20-MONTH
CALENDAR
By Peggy Templer
Mermaid, Jessica Jade Norris
You might not expect that the Mendocino Art
Center would come up with something way out of
the ordinary for a fundraiser, but, with the help and
artistry of photographer Larry Wagner, that’s just
what they’ve done. The 20-month MAC calendar
(January 2010 – August 2011) is unlike any other
nude calendar you’ve ever seen or heard about. It’s
fun, titillating, beautiful, unique, erotic, exotic, provocative,
artistic, naughty (but nice), and very high
quality. This is not just a calendar – it’s a keepsake!
Larry Wagner, the author of Artists of the
Mendocino Coast, Volumes I and II, was able to convince
nearly two dozen artists and friends of MAC
– men and women – to bare it all for this enterprise.
There was a deliberate decision made to have no
particular theme for the calendar. The artists/models
collaborated and brainstormed with Larry to come
up with the motifs for their own pages. The result is
a highly imaginative and eclectic mix of mermaids,
Turkish harems, tableaux vivant of famous paintings,
classical poses, wood nymphs, call girls – in other
words, expect to utter a gasp of surprise and delight
at each turn of the page. Each month’s image is so
strikingly rendered (a tribute to the enormous time
put into the project by Larry, as well as to his skills
as a photographer and with Photoshop) that you will
not want the month to end because you will not want
to change the picture!
The cliché “every picture tells a story” is certainly
appropriate for the MAC calendar. Most of
the models had a vision or even a personal statement
in mind, but bringing that vision into focus required
many, many hours of collaboration between Larry
and the model. Each image presented its own challenges
– finding the right background, locating the
right props, dealing with the elements for the many
outdoor shots, capturing the right mood, overcoming
numerous technical difficulties, and even coaxing

Harlequin, Loraine Toth
As Free As An Artist Can Dream To Be, Maureen O’Hara Petersen
Art Critic, Dale E. Moyer
some of the shyer models out of their clothes!
Here are some of the calendar stories:
• Four of the calendar models are breast
cancer survivors, and their appearance in this
calendar is a tribute to their courage. Artist
Loraine Toth surrounded herself with her own
vividly colored paintings of nude, full-breasted
mannequins, and donned a plastic breastplate
painted like Joseph’s coat of many colors, and a
pink wig, for her calendar page. The result is a
uniquely compelling image, especially when you
know the story behind it. Georgia Ann Gregory
posed as bookends in front of a richly paneled
library of leather-bound books. Suzi Long
tackled the elements in nothing but her cowboy
boots and three unwieldy scarves which nearly
lofted her right off the ocean bluff. She eventually
settled for just one billowing orange scarf
(and the boots) in front of a spectacular sky.
Elyse Wyman posed with partner Don Paglia in
a recreation of Jean-Leon Gerome’s “Pygmalian
and Galatea,” incorporating their own art in
an image which is both funny and incredibly
clever.
• Several artists, in addition to Suzi Long,
chose the Pacific Ocean as a backdrop. David
Russell managed to find a few rocks at Belinda
Point comfortable enough to sprawl out on au
natural. Former model Jennifer Taylor donned
a pink dress and posed on the dunes at Cleone
for “Splendor In the Dunes.” Jessica Jade Norris,
calendar cover girl, had the ocean and even her
21

22
mermaid’s tail photoshopped on for a winning
image. Originally baffled by the effort to find
a mermaid’s costume, Larry went on-line and
found a stock photo of a fish (and some scales)
to create Jessica’s spectacular tail.
• Sculptor Dan Frei was a challenge as a
model, but up for anything. Fortunately, Dan
has a family full of young, leggy, attractive
women who were willing to don provocative
clothing and pose with him, in front of a limousine,
as his escort service. (Don’t miss the
tee-shirt that Dan is wearing for this image – it
makes this shot one of the funniest of them
all!).
• Local dancers Glenn Rude and Sunshine
Taylor are caught, of course, in a dance pose,
but the background makes this image a stunner.
The background is the San Francisco Bay
and the Transamerica Pyramid taken from
the Mark Hopkins, fireworks exploding in the
night sky, and a huge full moon. On seeing the
image for the first time with the background,
Sunshine exclaimed, “We fell in love in San
Francisco!”
• Globe trotting Marge Stewart took full
advantage of her hundreds of photos documenting
a recent trip to Turkey to create a
very sexy Mata Hari in a rich harem setting,
complete with hookah pipe.
• A mother and daughter team, ceramicists
Alexis and Amanda Moyer, paired up in a visually
striking and dream-like image of a genie
being conjured from a magic pot – and the pot
Galatea and Pygmalion, Don Paglia and Elyse Wyman
Three Graces, Barbara Kastner
Mata Hari, Marge Stewart

is one of their own creation.
• Just as film producer/director Alfred
Hitchcock always managed a low-key cameo
appearance in his own movies, so Larry Wagner
puts in a very subtle appearance in the Garden
of Eden, with his lovely wife Marilyn as Eve.
There are other models, other images, and
other stories, but we don’t want to spoil the
surprise completely!
Once you actually have this calendar in
hand, you will feel oddly compelled to pick
out your favorite month and image and fervently
argue your choice against all comers. So
once you have the calendar, be prepared for
some friendly bickering, whether you know the
models or not. My personal favorite is graphic
designer Dale Moyer as “The Art Critic” a la a
Norman Rockwell painting by that name. Get
your copy of this limited edition calendar now
so that you can stake out your favorite pages!
Calendars are available for $25 at the Mendocino
Art Center and at several retail stores, or can be
ordered on line at www.MendocinoArtCenter.
com. Calendars can be mailed for an extra $5.
The production costs for the calendar were
covered by individual and business sponsors for
each month, so that all proceeds directly benefit
the programs of the Mendocino Art Center.
23

24
by Pete Halstad
Of the many reasons which drive an artist or
craftsperson to create, none is more complex, or, arguably,
more admirable, than the preservation of his or
her culture. Christine Hamilton, a soft-spoken sixtythree
year old native Pomo basket weaver, began making
baskets as a teenager largely for that reason. As she
told Sojourn Magazine in the late 1990’s: “When I was
nineteen years old, I began to study basket making with
Elsie Allen. That was thirty-three years ago. I studied
with her for several years – starting with a basket class
and then at her house. I also learned by sitting and
talking with her and with Annie Lake. I used to attach
myself to the elder women of the tribes around the valley
– where I felt the knowledge was. Later I became
wild and didn’t study with them again for a long time.
I have been doing baby baskets from the beginning.
Every one is different. When I started, I used to think
about them all the time. I fell in love with them, and
then I had to let them go. It was like pulling them out
of my arms.”
Christine is a member of the Yokaia band of
Pomos, whose ancestors have lived in Mendocino
County for more generations than anyone can count.
Her great-grandfather, Captain Charlie Pinto, was one
of the four tribal leaders in whose name the Yokayo
Rancheria lands on the east side of Ukiah Valley
were purchased, in October, 1881, as a permanent
and, they hoped, inviolable home for their families.
Despite innumerable threats to its security, the Yokayo
Rancheria is, today, “the longest-held communallyowned
Indian property in California” – if not the entire
United States.
Christine’s grandfather, Tom Mitchell, was a
friend and ethnographic consultant to the artist Grace
CHRISTINE
HAMILTON
POMO BASKET MAKER and CULTURAL MENTOR
Carpenter Hudson and her husband, Dr. John Hudson.
Grace Hudson often used Mitchell or his family members
as subjects in her widely admired oil paintings.
“The Seed Conjurer,” a portrait of Tom Mitchell in
Pomo ceremonial attire, is an especially beautiful
example. Christine told me that looking at The Painter
Lady, Searles Boyton’s richly illustrated 1978 book
about Grace Hudson and her work, “is like looking at
my family album.”
The afternoon I met Christine, at Todd Grove
Park in Ukiah, she brought with her, in addition to an
assortment of her beautiful handmade baskets, a scrapbook
of photographs, newspaper articles and honoraria
which helped me understand and appreciate her strong
identification with her native culture, and her commitment
to helping it flourish. Included in her scrapbook
were letters from museums in Marin and Merced counties,
and from the Smithsonian Museum of Natural
Science, attesting to those institutions having acquired
her baskets for their permanent collections. Christine
figures prominently in Native American art expert
Brian Bibby’s book Precious Cargo: California Indian
Baskets and Childbirth Traditions, a companion book
to the Marin Museum of the American Indian’s exhibition
tour of the same name. The Smithsonian collection
includes two of Christine’s baby baskets, as well as
a pair of her miniature baby cradle earrings, a photo of
which adorns the webpage for “The Language of Native
American Baskets – From the Weaver’s View,” published
by the Smithsonian National Museum of the American
Indian.
As Grace Hudson Museum Director Sherrie Smith-
Ferrie explained to me recently, Native American
basket making has gone through several transitions.

O r i g i n a l l y ,
baskets were
primarily
utilitarian.
Baskets of
various shapes
and sizes were
used for storage,
cooking
and burden
( i n c l u d i n g
baby) carrying. Highly decorated baskets were used as
gifts or for ceremonies. Miniature baskets might be used
as a form of currency. Beginning in the late 1800’s Pomo
baskets began to be prized by wealthy American and
European collectors. In response to this new demand,
native basket makers began competing with one another
in introducing colorful and intricate designs and decorations.
The baskets thus began serving a commercial purpose,
as highly marketable works of art. By the middle
of the 20 th Century, however, the demand for art baskets
had virtually disappeared. Also, by that time, because
Pomo people had embraced – willingly or otherwise – a
more “modern” lifestyle, baskets were no longer particularly
useful. As a consequence, by the time Elsie Allen
began making baskets, in the 1950’s, basket weaving was
in danger of becoming a “lost art.”
After learning to make baskets as a young woman,
and though she continued to “gather” willow and sedge,
and other basket materials, Christine did not do any of
her own weaving for many years while she was raising
her four kids, and, she admits, raising her fair share of
hell. Out of respect for the spiritual aspect of basket
making, she refrained from practicing the art during all
those years. Everything changed, however, when her
son Jonquil was stabbed to death at a “teenage drinking
party,” in February, 1990. To cope with her anger,
and find solace from her grief, she stopped drinking,
and went back to weaving baskets. At the same time
Photo by Tom Liden, Photography
she began to dedicate herself to helping Pomo children
appreciate the richness of their cultural heritage, through
instruction in the arts of dance, language, regalia making,
and basketry. For almost twenty years she has worked
regularly as a mentor, in tribal education programs,
through local, state and federal educational programs,
and as a director of Ukiah’s School for the Performing
Arts and Cultural Education (SPACE).
In her own words: “I don’t want to leave this earth
having done nothing. Doing baskets helps me bring out
the spirituality that I keep inside me. I do baskets because
I feel chosen. They also let me make a connection with
kids. I teach basket making at Coyote Valley Reservation,
at the public elementary schools, in clean and sober classes
for at-risk kids in high school and junior high, and in
ethnic and teacher training classes at the college. We use
contemporary material – rattan – for twining because it
is easy for people to work with. If Native American kids
look like they are willing and interested, I’ll teach them
to use the traditional materials that we collect and gather
from around the county. What do the students learn?
Keeping their minds and hands working; it’s concentrating
on what your hands are doing – and remembering.”
“My father always said that we have to go along with
the world: ‘The world is moving and we have to move
right with it.’ We have to integrate what we believe into
what is happening in the world today. We can’t stay back
in the past. We have to bring it forward. There will be
changes, but we try to keep certain traditions alive and
abide by them.”
In February, 2004, Christine was honored by the
Women’s History Coalition for her outstanding contributions
to the life and culture of Mendocino County.
Christine Hamilton’s handmade baby cradle baskets may
be seen at the Grace Hudson Museum Gift Shop.
25

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“MORE USED BOOKS, PLEASE”
MAIN ST. BOOKSHOP
990 MAIN ST. MENDOCINO
937-1537
OPEN DAILY
“THE ONLY USED BOOKSTORE
IN TOWN”
Just steps to the beach and
a stroll to fine restaurants, galleries
and the Mendocino Art Center.
ocean views • decks • fireplaces
An enchanting refuge for
rest and renewal...
On Main Street at Evergreen
Mendocino Village
800 780-7905 • 707 937-5150
www.oceanfrontmagic.com
Studio
& Gallery
OCEANFRONT INN
& COTTAGES
MENDOCINO
gems
Custom design & repair
10483 Lansing St. • Mendocino
937-0299
Mendocino Hotel & Garden Suites
“California Menu that’s right on the mark”
-ZAGAT SURVEY 2007
Full Service Hotel • Heart of the Village
51 Luxurious Rooms • 24/7 Concierge
Ocean & Garden Views • Fireplaces
Balconies • 2 acres of Botanical Gardens
Children and Pet Friendly
The Wine Spectator “Award of Excellence”
45080 Main Street, Mendocino
800-548-0513 • 707-937-0511
www.mendocinohotel.com
Mendocino
Sandpiper
Affordable Jewelry
since 1987
Featuring Jewelry
by Tabra
“Where The Locals Shop”
937-3102
45280 Main Street,
Mendocino
Open Daily
At west end of Main St.
Roxanne Vold, Proprietor
Featured in “Murder She Wrote”
Spectacular Views of the Pacifc Ocean
Fireplaces• Balconies• Restaurant
Steps to ocean, shopping and beaches.
Complimentary Continental Breakfast
10701 Palette Drive, Mendocino
800.422.0554 • 707.937.0554
www.hillhouseinn.com

@@@@@
In the garden filled corner of
Main and Evergreen streets
Comfortable rooms & suites with
private baths, beach access,
fresh baked continental breakfast
800-780-7905
www.alegriaquartet.com
Jewelry Artists
Chris & Shani Christenson
show fine Celtic and nature
inspired jewelry and specialize
in Custom Celtic Wedding rings
KALEIDOSCOPES
45050 Main Street, Mendocino
Entrance on Albion
Open Th – M 10 am to 5 pm
937-0173
Start your day, catch up on e-mail or
meet with friends at Moodys
• Internet Café with wireless (Wi-Fi)
• Art Gallery • Organic Espresso, Teas,
Iced & Blended Drinks
Organic Munchies • 6 am to 8 pm daily
707 937-4843 • 10450 Lansing St,
Mendocino
www.moodyscoffeebar.com
Kaleidoscopes G Glass G Mirrors G Jewelry
Corner of Main and
Kasten Streets (upstairs)
Mendocino • 707-937-1223
www.celticcreations.com
27

28
Mendocino County Gallery Guide
FIRST FRIDAYS IN FORT BRAGG
Most galleries and businesses holding First Friday art openings
are open from 5:30 to 7:30 pm.
SECOND SATURDAYS IN MENDOCINO
Most galleries and businesses holding Second Saturday art
openings are open from 5 to 7:30 pm.
FIRST FRIDAYS IN UKIAH
Opening art receptions the First Friday of every month 5 to 8 pm.
LAST SATURDAYS IN WESTPORT
Galleries & businesses holding Last Saturday art openings are
open from 5 to 7:30 pm.
WESTPORT
GALLERY THIS
Highway 1, Main Street
707 964-2027
FORT BRAGG
ART @ 3g
Company Store at N. Main
707 964-9666
ART EXPLORERS
305 E. Redwood Avenue
707 961-6156
BRAGGADOON
435 N. Main Street
707 964-5050
DAN HEMANN SCULPTURE AND
THE GREEN DOOR STUDIO
121 E. Laurel Street
707 964-6532
DIRT CHEAP
17975 N. Highway 1
707 964-4211
EDGEWATER GALLERY
356 N. Main Street
707 964-4668
ERIN DERTNER STUDIO
137 E. Laurel Street
707 964-7781
FABRIC INDULGENCE
101 B. Boatyard Center
707 964-6365
FAMILY HANDS
200 Redwood Avenue
707 961-0236
FRAME MILL ARTWORKS
116 Laurel Street
707 964-6464
GALLERY L337
247 North Main Street
707 964-8300
GARDEN ART & GIFTS
1230 N. Main Street
707 964-7897
GLASS FIRE ART GLASS GALLERY
18320 N. Highway 1
707 962-9420
A unique display of art glass,
including jellies, vessels, lighting,
sculpture and jewelry. Visit the
working studio.
HEADLANDS COFFEEHOUSE
120 E. Laurel Street
707 964-1987
MENDO BISTRO
Company Store at N. Main
707 964-4974
MENDOCINO COAST DISTRICT
HOSPITAL
700 River Street
707 961-4610
MENDOCINO COAST
PHOTOGRAPHER GUILD
& GALLERY
301 N. Main Street
707 964-4706
NORTH COAST ARTISTS
362 N. Main Street
707 964-8266
PARTNERS GALLERY
335 N. Franklin Street
707 962-0233
PIACI PUB & PIZZERIA
120 W. Redwood Street
707 961-1133
PRENTICE GALLERY
17701 N. Highway 1
707 962-0732
RACINES OFFICE SUPPLY
344 N. Franklin Street
707 964-2416
RUBAIYAT BEADS
222 E. Redwood Avenue
707 961-0222
SEAVIEW GALLERY
18877 N. Highway 1
707 889-0962
TOTO ZAIDA
142 E. Laurel Street
707 964-8686
V’ CANTO
124 E. Laurel Street
707 964-6844
MENDOCINO
AMERICAN PIE
45050 Main Street
707 937-3235
ARTISTS CO-OP OF MENDOCINO
45270 Main Street
707 937-2217
CELTIC CREATIONS
Above Gallery Books
707 937-1223
COLOR & LIGHT GLASS STUDIO
10525 Ford Street
707 937-1003
DAZZLING LITES ON THE COAST
42580 Little Lake Road
707 937-0837
707 226-2815
GALLERY OF THE SENSES
45104 Main Street
707 937-2021
GARTH HAGERMAN
Nature Photography Gallery
45021-C Little Lake Street
707 937-1987
HIGHLIGHT GALLERY
45052 Main Street
707 937-3132
ICONS
10483 Lansing Street
707 937-1784
MENDOCINO ART CENTER
45200 Little Lake Street
707 937-5818
MENDO BURGERS
10483 Lansing Street
707 937-1111
MENDOCINO COAST
PHOTOGRAPHER GUILD
& GALLERY
301 N. Main Street,
(In the Company Store)
Fort Bragg
707-964-4706
The Bald Eagle by Ron LeValley
Devoted to inspiring
photographic excellence on
California’s North Coast.
OLD GOLD
6 Albion Street,
Mendocino
707 937-5005
Where you will find beautifully
detailed jewelry fabricated in
the original art form of die striking
and hand chasing.
MENDOCINO ART CENTER
45200 Little Lake Street,
Mendocino
707 937-5818
John Fisher sculpture “The Three
Ages of Woman.”
New gallery exhibits each
month featuring emerging and
established artists. Open daily
10:00 am - 5:00 pm
MendocinoArtCenter.org

MENDOCINO BAKERY & CAFE
10483 Lansing Street
707 937-0836
MENDOCINO CAFÉ
10451 Lansing Street
707 937-6141
MENDOCINO GEMS
10483 Lansing Street
707 937-0299
MENDOCINO JEWELRY STUDIO
45104 Main Street
707 937-0181
MENDOCINO SANDPIPER
45280 Main Sreet
707 937-3102
MOODYS ORGANIC COFFEE
BAR & GALLERY
10450 Lansing Street
707 937-4843
OLD GOLD
6 Albion Street
707 937-5005
PANACHE ON MAIN
45120 Main Street
707 937-0947
PANACHE GALLERY
10400 Kasten Street
707 937-1234
PRENTICE GALLERY
45110 Main Street
707 937-5205
REFLECTIONS KALEIDOSCOPES
45050 Main Street
707 937-0173
RUBAIYAT BEAD & RUG
GALLERY
Corner of Lansing & Little Lake
Street
707 937-BEAD
STANFORD INN BY THE SEA
Hwy. 1 & Comptche-Ukiah Road
707 937-5615
THE WORLD OF SUZI LONG
611 Albion Street – Watertower
707 937-5664
WISDOM HOUSE GALLERY
45280 Main Street
707 937-3360
ZACHA’S BAY WINDOW GALLERY
45110 Main Street
707 937-5205
LITTLE RIVER &
ALBION
GLENDEVEN INN
8205 N. Hwy. 1, Little River
707-937-0083
LEDFORD HOUSE
3000 N. Highway 1, Albion
707 937-0282
STEVENSWOOD FINE ARTS
8211 N. Highway 1,
Little River
707 937-2810
ELK
ARTIST’S COLLECTIVE IN ELK
6031 S. Highway 1
707 877-1128
GREENWOOD PIER INN/CAFÉ
& COUNTRY STORE
5928 S. Highway 1
707 877-9997
POINT ARENA
THINK VISUAL THE ART OF
PHOTOGRAPHY
215 Main Street
707 882-4042
GUALALA
ALINDER STUDIO GALLERY
39165 S. Highway 1
707 884-4884
BLUE CANOE
Anchor Bay
707 884-1800
THE DOLPHIN GALLERY
An associate of Gualala Arts
Center
39225 Highway 1
707 884-3896
GUALALA ARTS CENTER
46501 Old State Highway,
off Highway 1
707 884-1138
HENLEY’S ART & INTERIORS
Cypress Village
707 884-1531
PLACEWARES + LYNDON
DESIGN
Cypress Village
707 884-1184
THE SEA RANCH LODGE
FRONT GALLERY
An associate of Gualala Arts
Center
The Sea Ranch
707 785-2371
S/K GALLERY
Cypress Village
707 884-3549
STUDIO 391 FINE ART GALLERY
Cypress Village
707 884-4484
HWY. 128
MAPLE CREEK WINERY
20799 Highway 128, Yorkville
707 895-3001
The Gallery at Maple Creek
Winery features the artwork
of Vintner Tom Rodrigues.
ARTEVINO - art & wine.
ROOKIE-TO GALLERY
14300 Highway 128,
Boonville
707 895-2204
UKIAH
Art Center Ukiah – The Annex
203 S. State Street
707 462-1400
Classes Adult & Children
Rotating Exhibits
CINNABAR CERAMICS GALLERY
106 W. Church Street
707 621-1135
Unique, Italian-style china, handpainted
by artist on site.
Mon.- Sat., 11 am - 7 pm
CORNER GALLERY
201 S. State Street
707 462-1400
A cooperative gallery featuring
24 local artists. Visual arts, photography,
ceramics, metal work,
textiles, and more.
CRAFTSMAN ESTATE
FINE ART & ANTIQUES
396 N. State Street
707 463-3900
DREAMSCAPE ART GALLERY
407 S. State St.
707 462-4063
GRACE HUDSON MUSEUM
431 S. Main Street
707 467-2836
GRACES ON MAIN/
HOYMAN-BROWE STUDIO
323 N. Main Street
707 462-5911
707 468-8835
MAHVAY & ALDEN
TECH DESIGNS
203 S. School
707 972-9040
MENDOCINO ENVIRONMENTAL
CENTER & GALLERY
106 N. Standley
707 468-9800
NOMAD’S WORLD GALLERY
290 S. School Street
707 463-2949
T B GREENE GALLERY
104 W. Church
707 462-5756
TIERRA
312 N. School Street
707 468-7936
WILLITS
BLUE SKY GALLERY
21 S. Main
707 456-9025
WILLITS CENTER
FOR THE ARTS
71 E. Commercial Street
707 459-1726
LAKE COUNTY
ANTIQUES
9495 Main Street, Suite 4
(Corner of Main & 1st Street)
Upper Lake
707 275-8762
DIEGO’S GALLERY
9495 Main Street, Suite 3
Upper Lake
707 350-4209
GRACIOUS LADIES
9460 Main Street
Upper Lake
707 275-2307
KONOCTI ART GALLERY
FINE ART
6193 E. Hwy 20
Lucerne
707 274-1033
PERLZ
3970 Main Street
Kelseyville
707 279-2080
THE GOURD GALLERY
6197 E. Hwy. 20
Lucerne
707 274-2346
29

30
dyecolour painting on silk
by Susan Louise Moyer
In 1990, during the process of writing my first
book, Silk Painting: The Artist’s Guide to Gutta &
Wax Resist Techniques, I became interested in exploring
the potential of one of the techniques I touch
on in my book. At that time, the technique was
called the direct method or painting on treatment.
“Painting direct” refers to painting without the
use of traditional resists used in silk painting such
as gutta or wax. “Treatment” refers to a substance
applied to the surface
of the silk to stop the
capillary action of
liquid dye. Like sizing
on watercolor
paper, the treatment
on silk allows liquid
to penetrate but not
flood uncontrollably.
The treated silk
gives artists control of
the dye so they can
create a painting using
traditional watercolor
techniques and
watercolor brushes.
This is not a new con-
Leafy Sea Dragon by Susan Moyer
cept. For centuries silk has been coated with various
substances to give the artist control over flowing
dye and paints. The process of sizing or treating
the silk facilitated Chinese brush painting and
some of the painting techniques used in Japanese art.
Today there are a variety of substances that can be
used, each substance having a set of characteristic pros
and cons. There are commercial fabric finishes, diluted
water soluble resist, Stop Flow, Anti-Fusant and other
products developed by the dye manufacturers plus my
current favorite, latex treatment. To help define and categorize
them I took the liberty of lumping all the substances
under one medium, DyeColour Painting on Silk.
DyeColour painting on latex treated silk gives
the artist a smorgasbord of techniques that go beyond
traditional watercolor. Traditional silk painting techniques,
stencils, airbrush as well as resists such as wax
and gutta can be combined with watercolor techniques
on latex treatment to
give the artist a vast
repertoire of creative
possibilities far beyond
those techniques available
with watercolor.
As the inspired artist
comes up with ideas
that involve multiple
techniques, the potential
of this creative
medium expands to
meet the needs of the
artist. The diversity
of the medium allows
the artist to grow.
As I have explored
DyeColour painting on silk with my students, I have
picked up many comments and there are a few that I
hear on a consistent basis. For example, a traditional
silk painter might say: “It is harder to control the dye
on treated silk than working with a resist line. You need
to put the color where you want it because the dye does
not flow as it does on untreated silk.” “I can’t draw
so I can’t do this.” “I have background in watercolor
and I love it!” “I am really ready to go beyond working

within a resist line… this is
just what I was looking for.”
A traditional watercolor
artist might say: “This is
easier than working on paper. I can work back into my
painting without rubbing up the paper.” “It is really
hard to mix mud.” “The dyes are transparent so the
colors are clean and easy to mix.” “The quality of the
dye color on white silk is amazing. The color is more
intense and brighter.” “Because I am painting on a fabric
there are many more applications for my painting. I
can quilt and embellish it. I can wear it. I can sculpt it.”
On the other hand, watercolor artists lament that the
process of DyeColour painting on silk includes additional
steps and special
presentation. The silk
must be stretched and
treated before painting.
Once the painting is
finished the dyes must
be steam set and the
treatment removed. For
longevity, paintings for
display need to be protected
from direct sunlight
by either framing
them behind Den glass
or Plexiglas with UV
protection or mounted
on a canvas using acrylic
varnish containing UV
protection. For me, the
beautiful color, array of
techniques available for
my artistic expression,
Iris by Nancy Collins
Landscape by Erin Dertner
the joy of painting on silk
and the results are worth the
additional steps in process
and presentation.
Little did I know in 1990 that my interest in exploring
DyeColour painting on silk would lead to writing
my fourth book and a new dilemma. Since there are not
many artists working in this medium there could be a
potential problem in finding inspiring artwork to feature
in my book. One of my solutions to this dilemma is to
teach professional watercolor artists in my community
the technique in exchange for an image of their painting
for my book. This exchange has been a door that
has opened to new friendships, professional acquaintances,
and a wealth of
knowledge as I exchange
ideas, information and
watch the artists develop
their paintings in a new
medium.
Since my fine arts
background consists of
only a little experience
in watercolor painting, I
started exploring watercolor
techniques by joining
Nancy Collins’ open
studio. Her group paints
together on Thursdays
at the Mendocino Art
Center. I also participated
in a watercolor
workshop with Nancy
at MAC. Later, Nancy
and I collaborated on
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32
choosing a palette of 21 mixing colors and she studied
DyeColour painting on latex treated silk with
me in my studio. You can see Nancy’s dramatic and
colorful watercolor paintings on the walls of the
dining room at Little River Inn. Erin Dertner also
spent a few days working with me in my studio.
Erin works in both watercolor and oil. Her serene
and inviting landscapes can be seen at various places
in Mendocino and her gallery in Fort Bragg. Both
Nancy and Erin produced their first DyeColour
painting on latex treated silk which you see featured
in this article. Mariko Irie, Serifina Andrews, Marge
Stewart and Suzi Long have also spent time with
me in my studio and have paintings in progress.
My vision for the artists interested in pursuing
DyeColour painting is for them to find the information
and inspiration they need in my book to pursue
the journey of expressing themselves on silk. Once the
artists have worked through my book, they will have the
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Window shop at our historic picture
window in the heart of Mendocino.
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foundation they need to pick up a beautiful watercolor
technique book or study with a watercolor instructor of
their choice and continue their journey, thus expanding
their ability to meet their artistic goals on silk.
There is still a lot to discover and learn about the
process but getting the word out is the first step. As
more artists work in the medium there will be more
knowledge to share and questions to answer. My first
question is, when a mounted or framed DyeColour
painting on silk is entered in a show, what category
does the artist place it in? Fibers, or, since dye is an
aqueous medium, will it be accepted in a water-media
category?
If you would like to join me and learn more about
DyeColour Painting on Silk, I will be teaching a threeday
workshop at the Mendocino Art Center on October
31 – November 2. You can check out my website at
moyerdesigns.com or additional teaching venues.
10483
Lansing St.
Mendocino
Owner/
Broker
David
Coddington
707 937-5071
www.BigRiverRealEstate.com
FIDDLES & CAMERAS
Camera bags • tripods • cameras
lenses • filters • darkroom supplies
repair service • digital memory cards
binoculars • music books • guitar tuners
metronomes • hand percussion instruments
passport photos • strings & reeds + more
Major credit cards accepted
400 N. Main Street at Laurel
Ft Bragg 964-7370 or 964-9203

Lynn Thompson
" The English Kitty" 16"x20" Watercolor,
Signed Numbered Limited Edition Print
Originals • Commission • Prints
Private Art Lessons
707-462-2449 • lndst@att.net
Art Center Ukiah
Corner Gallery
A Cooperative Gallery featuring 24 local artists
- In The Annex -
Classes • Workshops • Events
Class Schedule: www.artcenterukiah.com
201 S. State Street, Ukiah • 707-462-1400
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