Humboldt Artist Gallery

The new Humboldt Artist Gallery located in the Morris Graves Museum of Art is designed as an artist cooperative featuring the exceptional work of Humboldt County artists currently working in our region. The Humboldt Artist Gallery proudly offers a wide variety of original artwork and selected fine crafts from some of Humboldt County’s most talented artists. Founded in 2011, the Humboldt Artist Gallery is operated by a group of dedicated artists, and has become the heart of Eureka’s artistic community.

The artists work in a variety of media including: representational and abstract paintings, prints, jewelry, photographs, ceramics and glass art. The Humboldt Artist Gallery is the perfect place to come to find affordable, unique one-of-a-kind handmade works of art. Located in the historic Carnegie Library, now the Morris Graves Museum of Art, at the hub of Old Town Eureka’s burgeoning arts district, the Humboldt Artist Gallery boasts an unmatched selection of media and styles to suit the tastes of casual shoppers and serious collectors alike.

The Humboldt Artist Gallery is open Wednesday through Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. The Humboldt Artist Gallery is located inside the Morris Graves Museum of Art at 636 F Street in Eureka, California. For more information please call (707) 442-0278.

Julia Bednar

Creating art has been part of Julia’s life since she was a small child. Nature is her inspiration; from the beauty of a flower or a landscape, to the power and majesty of a rock formation or the charm and mystery of a cat. She works in watercolor or oil, painting in an impressionistic or realistic style, depending on the subject and her emotional response to it. Painting is her way of experiencing the beauty and wonder of nature and sharing that experience.

Julia serves on the Board of Directors of the Redwood Art Association and the Humboldt Arts Council and is active in several art groups, including the Representational Art League and the Fortuna Arts Council.

Julia maintains an art studio at her home where she lives with several cats, strays who came from the gully to live with her and who often become subjects of her paintings. Her studio is open by appointment during the year.

According to ancient Chinese philosophy… to make art good enough to enter peoples’ hearts is called “making stone into gold”. That has become Julia’s mission and her mantra.

Karen Berman

For nearly two decades watercolorpainting has been my passion. The memory of that first moment I dropped some watercolor paint into water still gives me a thrill! And I’ve been in love with watercolor painting ever since.

Living in beautiful Humboldt County for much of my life has inspired my life’s work. After graduating from Humboldt State University, I dedicated myself to a career working with North Coast California non-profit organizations that support the arts and the community. Since then I have devoted myself to painting as a full time pursuit.

Thomas Bethune

Thomas has been interested in photography most of his life. He started taking photographs when he was eight years old. His early subjects were trains and engineered structures as well as landscapes and family portraits. His interests and vision have matured, but the subjects that catch his eye continue to be of the same genre as his early vision.

It is not his intent to follow the rules of how photographs “must” look. He asserts that each image should be accepted for what it is- a unique expression of the artist’s vision. Thomas believes that when it comes to viewing art that most labels are unnecessary, and that each image should be valued on its own aesthetics and emotional appeal.

He ran a dark room in the military, earned an AA degree from College of the Redwoods, and a BA degree as an Archival Photographer from Humboldt State University. He is an active member of the Redwood Camera Club, Eureka Photoshop User’s Group, Humboldt Arts Council and the Redwood Art Association.

Gilbert Castro

Gilbert draws inspiration from nature and the beauty which abounds on California’s Northcoast. Lush redwood forests, rugged ocean coastline, wildlife in all its exquisite variety are reflected in the designs of his unique ceramics and one-of-akind jewelry pieces. In addition, his rich hispanic heritage can be seen in his use of many images from Mexico such as his Dia de los Muertos tiles.

Gilbert began his artistic career as a reconnaisance photographer in the Air Force during which time he traveled extensivelythroughout the Pacific. He realized early on that there was something very special in the creation of lasting images reflecting the world around us and how we relate to nature.

Karan Collenberg

"The subject of my art is a reflection of my life in the Arcata Bottoms. I identify with the bovines at all different stages of life (theirs and mine) and use them as my muse when I begin a piece of art. My subject matter also includes my surroundings like the Mad River, the fields, and my family.

I am fascinated with the complicated process of Intaglio and the time and preparation it takes to make one print. First I prepare the copper by cleaning it and applying a ground (a wax coating) to the surface. Then I think of an image and use a needle to scratch the image into the ground, exposing the copper. I then put the copper plate into a mordant (an acid bath) and wait until the acid bites into the copper that has been exposed. After enough time has passed, I take the copper out of the mordant, remove the ground, and warm the plate. Then I apply black ink to the warm plate and wipe the surface clean. Finally, I place the finished copper plate on the press bed and put a damp piece of paper over the top. I cover this with three felt blankets and then turn the wheel of the press to roll over the plate and make the print. I pull the paper from the copper and the results are what you see hanging on the walls here.

I love this medium because of the contrast between the visual simplicity and such an involved process. It can be very rewarding to take part in the evolution of an idea from its conception to the final print. Sometimes I have to be willing to let it go and start over if something goes wrong and that is an important lesson to learn. Other times, I can manipulate a plate after it has been printed by making additional or deeper scratches or by using different grounds or mordants to create the effect I want.

My newest project is a book about an adventurous cow that will feature some of the etchings you see in this show. Enjoy these original works of art. Each one is a unique print that has been made with a lot of love and I hope they make you smile as they do me." ~ Karan Collenberg

Joyce Jonte

"Born in Berkeley, California in 1957, I moved to Arcata from the Bay Area in 1974 to study art at HSU, graduating in 1979 with emphases in representational drawing, landscape painting, and life drawing, working primarily in watercolor. I have continued taking watercolor classes over the years, developing as an artist and creating a large body of work.

My paintings have always been inspired by the exquisite world we live in. the subject matter varies, but my response to form, contour, light and shadow remains constant.

In the summer months I paint wildflowers on mountain hikes; in winter I work from my photographs of plants, landscapes and daily life. I am a dedicated member of a life drawing group which meets for four hours each week. I have studied the human figure since I was sixteen, intent in my pursuit to express the vitality and mood of every gesture." ~ Joyce Jonte

Fran Kuta

A little about myself...regarding art Iam mostly self taught. Growing up I always loved to read illustrated books, especially those illustrated by Norman Rockwell (Louisa May Alcott's "Little Women" and Mark Twain's "Huckleberry Finn etc). I loved the pictures and would always draw them, trying to copy them as best I could. Whenever I was bored...I would draw. Whenever I wanted to delve into my imagination...I would draw.

I wanted to go to Art school but my dad strongly discouraged it. Instead I studied Nutrition and have worked as a Food Scientist for the past 20 years.

In 2004 I decided life is too short to not take my art seriously and enrolled in a drawing class at the local community college. This class moved too slowly for me. I began searching for a teaching studio where I could focus more intensely. I believe if you have passion and drive...this is the best way to learn. I found Jeff Watts Atelier in Encinitas and began taking courses there. I also studied at Studio 2nd St in Encinitas. I learned much from the teachers at these studios. I also took workshops from artists I respect and admire...Sunny Apinchipong was one. On Monday night's I painted at Davy Liu's studio in Laguna Canyon, CA. Davy was a wonderful, inspiring teacher. Between Sunny and Davy...I learned more about color and light...and for me....a painting is all about color and light.

I prefer to paint portraits and still life...but also love getting out to paint the countryside.

Jim Lowry

Jim Lowry received a bachelor’s degree in Art History at the University of Long Beach in 1968 and went on to do extensive post graduate studies in drawing, painting and sculpture at the University of Long Beach as well as Humboldt State University. His work has been shown and collected internationally. He is currently on the Board of Directors at the Morris Graves Museum of Art where he chairs the Exhibition Committee.

"To say that working in the digital medium is a stimulating experience would be an understatement. With digital art the potential for exploration is vast. The computer and digital camera combination gives me the feeling of freedom to do whatever comes to mind. There is a sense of newness to this medium, and i enjoy being near the edge of new directions in art." ~ Jim Lowry

Digital Prints:
Most of these images were acquired with digital cameras and loaded into acomputer. Some were captured on film and scanned into a computer. Extensive software manipulation produced the resulting images. The prints have been produced on an Epson Photo 2200 using archival inks and paper.

Cathy Ray Pierson

Linnea Tobias

Linnea has painted for many years and works with oil, pastel, collage, jewelry, and ceramics. She received her Bachelor’s in Fine Art from Evergreen State College in Olympia, WA, studied painting, art history and printmaking at The Aegean Center for the Fine Arts in Paros, Greece, and graphic design and ceramics at Humboldt State University.

Linnea enjoys painting modern, colorful interpretations of nature. She finds inspirations from her daily walks and the changes she observes from day to day. The birds, trees, plants, light and color emerge later in her paintings. Her use of watercolor and acrylic paint, combining collage and texture with abstract forms and patterns, reflects the inspiration she has found in textile design, in the connection between the physical and spiritual worlds, optical illusions, and the changing of the seasons.

Linnea also creates monotypes. Each painting or print has multiple layers of color to heighten contrasts and create an inner glow. She currently lives in Arcata with her husband and daughter and is a member of the Arcata Artisans.

Claire Iris Schencke

Schencke's paintings have been exhibited at Stanford Art Spaces, The Broome Street Gallery in NYC, Stanford Faculty Club and Schwab Center, Point Reyes National Seashore, Turtle Bay Exploration Park, Humboldt State University's First Street Gallery, The Morris Graves Museum for the Arts, The Ink People, Piante Gallery, in juried North Coast shows and also in Sweden. She has studied studio art at Konstfack in Stockholm, at Il Chiostro in Venice, at Humboldt State University and College of the Redwoods in California. She received a minor in art history from Stockholm University.

She is a mixed media painter, print maker and iPad artist. Her favorite themes include Northern California coastal scenes, glaciers, and lovely bugs. Her iPad paintings focus on live jazz performances. At HAG she will show original paintings as well as limited series of signed archival art prints.

David Steinhardt

Laura Wellman

With a degree in graphic design from the University of Central Florida, I started my adult creative journey by way of advertising and publishing. Although enjoying the process and results of this work, I was always drawn to more hands-on art (graphics having moved onto computer screens as the years passed), working in ceramics, stained glass, batik and photography. It was only when I discovered fused glass that I truly felt I’d found my calling as an artist. Using the vast array of colors and textures available with dichroic glass, I continuously explore new techniques to create unique & practical glass art.

Loryn White

Loryn White’s wheel-thrown, hand-built, and hand-altered pottery is the result of many influences and many years of seeking tranquility in form and color. Her pottery is a blend of both Eastern and Western cultures with the natural beauty of the north coast playing a particularly important role. She looks to Japanese architecture and brush painting for the graceful lines and simplicity, and Japanese gardens for the colors, textures and peacefulness they provide.

Loryn also worked for a time as a fish biologist and gained inspiration from the sense of serene, fluid motion she’d feel swimming downstream in a fast-flowing river; swirling with the current around obstacles and moving effortlessly through a breath-taking landscape of greens and blues. The textures and colors of the stones that make up the stream bed figure prominently in her work.

Most importantly, Loryn loves experimenting and learning something new from each piece, furthering both her technical and philosophical journey as an artist. Loryn strives to never stagnate and always keep on flowing through her river of pottery dreams.

Dave Zdrazil

Dave Zdrazil is a clay artist and an Associate Faculty member at College of the Redwoods in Eureka, California. Since completing his M.F.A. at the University of North Texas in 2005, he has taught at several institutions in addition to giving guest lectures, workshops and private consultation related to ceramics and kiln building. He has presented at the National Council on Education for Ceramic Arts in the U.S. as well as ceramics conferences in France, Australia and Germany. His work has been exhibited in many countries and is found in collections around the world.