​     Colleen Clifford's skilled glass work is light and flowing, usually treating subjects in nature. This past year, Clifford has been concentrating on stained glass images inspired by our vast ocean. Her lines create the pattern, and the chosen glass colors create the underlying depths and reflective nature of wate. She creates these wave windows in ever-changing perspectives to express the light and texture found in the endless variety of ocean wave scenes.

    Clifford describes her fascination: "Part of the ocean's beauty is its constant rhythm; the ever-surging power of waves and tides. At times serene, at times stormy, the water ebbs and flows, lifts and drops, laps and pounds. I hoped to tap into that dichotomy of strength and serenity with my current work of different types of wave patterns."
 
     Clifford's delight in the ocean's variety is also reflected in her work with glass boxes and small mandala ornaments. The mirrored bottoms of these boxes reflect the rich, luminescent textures and colors of the glass she selects, and a simple wave on top brings a bit of motion to this precious piece of home decor. ​

    Lisa Landis has been living in Humboldt County since 1973 and has always been creating art of varying mediums. Born into a family of artists, she has six siblings that are also professional artists.  She started painting in pastel in 2005, and has studied as "artist in residence" in the Corbiere region of southern France, won "First Place" in the Pastel division at the El Cerrito Art Association's annual show.

    ​Having shown her work locally since 2012, Landis joined Trinidad Art's cooperative gallery last fall.  Her landscapes are inspired by and beautifully interpret the overwhelming beauty of our area.

   Says Landis, "I am influenced by California's rugged coast and the abundant beauty of Humboldt County, including the mountains, rivers, wetlands and backroads. When I'm painting I'm lost in the landscape and completely drawn into my attempt to express it."

   ​One of her pieces has just been accepted in the 32nd annual International juried exhibition of the Pastel Society of the West Coast.  It will be on display in Morro Bay from August 16 -September 16. ​

Trinidad Art Night Reception: Friday, July 6th, 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Wine will be poured by Rescued Pals Rescue. Music TBA.

​   Her work has been included in exhibits including 'California Species' at the Oakland Museum of Natural History; Yosemite Renaissance at Yosemite National Park. She has won numerous awards including Best of Show from Redwood Art Association and the Morris Graves Museum. She is the recipient of artist-in-residencies at 'The Lake’ from the Morris Graves Foundation. Her Trinidad Studio is available by appointment throughout the year.

   Drew Forsell is a local jeweler whose work is inspired by the sea and life here on the North Coast, such as California’s giant kelp forests, bioluminescent jellyfish, waves and eddies, octopus arms, the sand and the sun.

 This year, Forsell's travels outside the U. S.  have given him new inspiration. In the beautiful little beach town of Zipolite in Southern Mexico, he met a wire and stone artist whose work fascinated him. At the end of the visit, this artist smiled broadly and gifted Drew with an unusual stone he called Punka or Garden Quartz, saying that this was a very special stone that had been waiting for his new American friend.




His interest piqued, Forsell learned that it's official name is lodolite. Its multitude of inclusions and mineral deposits give it the look of gardens, or to some, coral reefs and billowing clouds. In metaphysical circles, these stones are said to possess magical qualities and are referred to as the "Shaman’s Dream Stone." Forsell has been collecting them ever since he returned from Mexico and will have a display of lodolite pendants wrapped in sterling silver at the Gallery show. 

Trinidad Art Night Reception: Friday, June 1st, 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Wine will be poured to benefit EPIC, the Environmental Protection Information Center.
Music by JD Jeffries.

   ​Amanita Mollier's BFA was in Photography at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, but a series of chance encounters has led her to painting on silk, the medium where she now specializes. She creates wall hangings with seascapes and landscapes that reflect the beauty of our area.

​   For the opening, she will hang three large, fully framed pieces. This year Mollier has been working on incorporating the human form into her pieces. She also designs and creates wispy, multi-hued silk scarves.

​   In silk painting each fabric takes colors differently. Even the order the colors are applied to silk changes the effects dramatically. Mollier’s experience of light in her photography brings added life to her paintings. Mollier says her work gives her peace of mind, altered sense of time, creation of beauty from nothing, and joy brought to others’ lives. ​

   Patti Demant prints scarves and clothing with actual leaves that transfer their shapes and colors onto natural fabrics such as silk, wool, and cashmere. Her pieces are soft and inviting, almost as if one had been able to drape the spirit of the forest floor around one's shoulders.


     Demant's botanical printing is an ancient fiber art from Australia. Fabric is wrapped around leaves, such as eucalyptus, alder, maple, oak and black walnut, and bound around copper pipes. Immersed in mordants such as iron and vinegar, they simmer for hours, and are opened the next day. The result always offers surprises and delights.

​Afternoon Reception: Sunday, April 15th, 3 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Music by Howdy Emerson

​     Patricia Sundgren Smith will be showcasing a large, Asian-inspired collograph, as well as four linocuts. She created the collograph “Red Bamboo” by printing a plate onto which various items were glued, resulting in a 3D effect. She enhanced the print by adding layers of Japanese papers and blind embossments. Her linocuts on display continue the Asian theme with depictions of koi, dragonflies and Japanese umbrellas.

   
    Diane Sonderegger: "As a way of getting through the rainy gloomy Humboldt winter, I have been making things that remind me of spring. Easter bunnies, little turtles, slugs and assorted wine stoppers. No serious message here. Just have a good time!



    My work these days is all high fired stoneware or porcelain. Not much raku going on. Just a different way of firing and glazing that I want to explore. So be a little frivolous and enjoy these pieces."

​ Vicki Barry: "Upon my discovery of alcohol ink, my creative mind was captured by the impulse to seriously paint with them and to begin showing my work. This is an endlessly inspiring and beautiful medium. My work has been described as happy, bright, vibrant and cheerful!

     "Because of their brilliance, alcohol inks lend themselves well to floral paintings. I find flowers and foliage beautiful in their variety and color. I enjoy the shapes and contrast of shadow when painting these subjects.

​Rick Gustafson is an Impressionist Photographer who lives and works in Eureka, California. A native of California, his colorful abstractions are created by using in-camera blur techniques. These techniques include manual exposure settings as well as perfected movements of the camera while the shutter is open.

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​Lisa Landis: "I grew up in a family of artists, so I have always been conscious of design. The need to express myself creatively has manifested itself in many forms all my life, but until I picked up a pastel stick, I realized that of all the things I've done, the process of painting with pastels is the most gratifying.

   "I am inspired by California's rugged coast and the abundant beauty of Humboldt County, including the mountains, rivers, wetlands and backroads. When I'm painting I'm lost in the landscape and completely drawn in to my attempt to express it."

​​John Wesa: "The thing I find most exciting about serigraphy is the self-publishing dynamic. I produce multiples, yet they are all originals and individual. When a good one takes off it can acquire a social life of its own. It can pop-up anywhere in the world. They can acquire a kind of currency that represents a shared value and experience. If I can produce something that makes everyone richer, that’s exciting!"

Afternoon Reception: Sunday, January 28th, 3 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Music by Margaret Kellerman

​For 5 years, Trinidad Art Gallery has graced the North Coast with the original art of 25 members in various media including ceramics, wood, glass, fiber, beads, paint, metals, and more. Join us to celebrate the continued success of our business and artwork! The gift-giving season is upon us and there is truly something for everyone at our lovely gallery.

Featured Artists, and founding members, Howdy Emerson and JD Jeffires will play music during this event!

Sarah Magnuson:
     "Since 1994 I have been working under the name Fantasy Lane Copper Fairies creating copper sculptures for the home and garden. Wild native plants, insects, hummingbirds, and mermaids are a fascination to me.
      "Many of the sculptures I create integrate obsidian wind chimes, crystals, and blown glass bottles for holding seedpods, essential oils, and air plants. I love the organic natural shapes and textures the plants bring to my work bench. I love working in my Northern California Studio creating each piece by hand."
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