Plumas Arts


	QUINCY'S MAY DAY ART WALK Spring will spring- you know it will. So rain or shine gather what gear you need and make your way to downtown for the next Quincy Art Walk on May 2nd. Main Street galleries and businesses will host opening receptions for many local artists, restaurants will be bustling and you are likely to find music indoors and on the streets. Stop by the Vet's Hall for some beverages and the nacho bar at the Quincy Chamber of Commerce Cinco de Mayo fundraiser. Opening times are set from 5 to 7pm Certainly much will go on after those hours. The Plumas Arts Gallery and the Eagle's Nest host first time exhibitions for a trio of local artists. The Studio Gallery features paintings by Kae Knight and figure drawings by Hope Smith and Epilog hosts Michael Kerby. The Plumas County Museaum will be open for a photography display by Martha Flynn Photography.You can also stop in at Pangaea Café and Pub to see the Feather River College Student Art Exhibit. Plumas Art Gallery will open the first public exhibition of photography by Luiz and Darlene Gutierrez's Reflections in Photography. When the two began journey into serious professional photography three years ago, the digital age had begun in earnest. They realized that "the precision of the initial capture had become more demanding, and a whole new range of necessary skills in the use of computer and software were essential in producing that one lasting image. State-of-the-art equipment and techniques are demanding masters. We quickly realized that merging our individual skills was the best way to achieve our final vision in any particular image."


	The question arises: Whose vision is responsible for the final image? Fortunately for the duo,


	their artistic style and standards are very similar. "We see in much the same way.

On wedding shoots, when we review and organize the first cut and begin to make post-processing decisions, there are times when neither of us is sure who took the original shot." So, the answer to the question above is usually: both.

What happens on the few occasions when they don't agree? Well, Luiz enjoys Darlene's gourmet cooking style, and would very much prefer to continue enjoying it. Enough said.

What you see in this exhibition is the result of two photographic visions blended into one. "If you look closely at the portraits, you may see that the subject and the photographers are together, now, in that space. What you see is the energy of that time. When you look at the nature images, you may see a celebration of color, shape, and, of course, light. A giving back of joy for the joy nature gives us daily. We work from what we feel and think, to how we see."

"The camera lies; it is our job to make it lie beautifully."

The Eagle's Nest hosts an exhibition of figure drawings and paintings by Tammy Masters

Born and raised in Susanville, she was introduced to painting by her 7th grade art teacher. "We used linseed oil and turpentine mixed with powered tempera. Here I found that I loved the feel of a paint brush in my hand and the way the paint worked to bring a painting to life."

Masters took art classes throughout her high school years and continued with art in college. Though her major in college was general education she found that she "took as many art classes as I could get away with. Here is where I began my love of figure drawing. In the spring of 1979 I won a Certificate of Merit for Outstanding Achievement and Performance in the field of Painting and Drawing."

A busy life of marriage, relocation and raising children left little time for art. "Though I did creative crafts and jewelry making, my painting and drawing was put on the back burner. It was not until several years ago that a friend talked me into taking a drawing class on the face and hands that rekindled the fire that had just been smoldering for all those years. I did not get the fire burning again until just the last couple of years."

With the encouragement of family and friends, "the fire is burning brighter every day. I have been taking classes at Feather River College that give me the opportunity to continue to learn and hone my skills. It has also given me the confidence to show my work."

Epilog host a display of watercolor paintings by Michael Kerby who makes his home in these Sierra Nevada Mountains because this is where he feels the special kinship created by living close to the. Michael's concern with humanity's spiritual bond to the Earth is apparent in his work, which expresses the need to both touch and be touched by the Earth.

Michael is a native Californian, raised near Yosemite National Park. He was encouraged to draw and paint at an early age. Although primarily a "self-taught" artist, he has studied at Sierra College, and taken several workshops from renowned artists. His artistic philosophy has been influenced by his travels to the Far East during a tour with the U.S. Coast Guard in the early 70's and by his nearly thirty years service as wildland firefighter.

Michael is currently a full-time artist working primarily in watercolor and acrylic, where he continues to explore

the possibilities of the mediums in creating what he refers to as "dreamscapes", feeling that a painting is "a manmade dream produced for those who are awake".

Studio Gallery features oils paintings by Kae Knight and figure drawings by Hope Smith.

Kae Knight revels in the parallels between art and jazz music- "Jazz musicians and painters use space in a similar way. The variety of the size of the negative space is very important to each, as is the rhythm of the shapes. The color of a note is as important as the color of a brush stroke.

Knight believes in the ability of art to transform… that "if people were surrounded by more beauty, took more time to see it in nature and include it in their lives and work that we would rediscover our humanity and treat each other with more civility."

She seeks to refresh our eyes and spirits with gemlike paintings of radiant color and innovative composition.

Hope Smith is the owner of the Studio Gallery, The Drunk Brush and the Courtyard Suites above. It was her vision and efforts that built these amazing spaces that have helped to transform Quincy into a cultural destination.

She is also a talented artist. For this exhibition she will present us a return to her foremost love of figure drawing and painting, reminding us all (as well as herself perhaps) of the multifaceted expressions of her talents and energy.

After you visit the studio Gallery go out back into the courtyard off Gover Alley to visit the Drunk Brush wine bar, shop and gallery and the Alley Cat Café. Begin what we know will be a great affection for this little space to gather just off the main street where we know many hours and evenings will be spent come the warm summer evenings ahead.

For more information on this and may other cultural events check the Plumas Arts website at plumasarts.org or call 283-3402.