Originally from New York City, my wife and I moved to California in 1976. Over the last 34 years we’ve lived in Carlsbad, East L.A., Pasadena, and Pomona. We now live in a century old historic home in south Redlands.

I’ve been a member of the Redlands Art Association only since January 2010 after joining at my wife’s suggestion. As a Vietnam combat veteran having been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (P.T.S.D.) because of combat experiences, art and writing poetry have been, and are, both therapeutic and cathartic. I recently had some of my poems published and will have some others included in a second book. Retiring in 2009 has given me more time to paint and write poetry both of which revolve, for the most part directly or indirectly, around my P.T.S.D. and combat experience. I am also a docent at the Lincoln Memorial Shrine as well as volunteer time weekly at the Braswell Colonial Care facility.

Over the years, or should I say decades, I’ve given most of my pieces away as gifts. As well as winning several ribbons, for memory/shadow boxes at the L.A. County Fair I also make and sell crafts. These include painted cigar boxes, greeting cards, door hangers, decorated mini X-mas trees and magnets etc as fundraisers. I’ve sold them at the Redlands Y.M.C.A. Christmas boutique and The Art in the Park. The proceedings all go to support a Christian church and Muslim children’s orphanage in Sierra Leone Africa.

My favorite medium is acrylic on non-traditional material such as wooden puzzles and geometric shapes if possible, if not then on cardboard canvas. I would describe my style as eclectic symbolic collage art with an approach of “art outside the frame.” My philosophical view on my art is that frames tend to limit, restrict and cramp my creativity. Art, in my view, should “stimulate” either positively or even negatively so that a negative reaction to a piece, such as “what is that supposed to be?” is better that a ho-hum “oh that’s nice” reaction. My favorite color combination, cobalt and sky blue, comes from Genesis 1:3-5 representing a type of Judeo-Christian nadir if you will. I paint alone and use it as a time of therapy, creativity, meditation and introspection. Rather than duplicating what I see outside myself I try to project what I perceive and feel inside in a sort of free association of ideas and images. Thus my pieces tend to be, in a way, “rorschachesque.” Some of my favorite artists are Peter Max, Salvador Dali, Max Ernest, M.C. Escher, and Rene Magritte whose influences are evident in most of my work.

A mother of two and grandmother full time, she is able to escape all cares in her studio at home. Antionette is new to Southern California, having lived previously in Washington , Arizona and Grass Valley California. Her latest endeavor was with an online personal development company. This company decided to change marketing strategies, which has freed her to pursue her love of Silk Painting.

She continues to build on her skill set as an artist and is always eager to learn from fellow artists. She will be offering a beginning silk painting class for children and encourages any adults who may have an interest to contact her for information on a private class or upcoming workshop.

This is my last column as your President. At the Annual Dinner Meeting on June 2nd, the new slate of officers and committee chairs was installed. I have enjoyed being your President, and I thank you all for your support during this last year. It has been a busy and rewarding year, with many activities and changes. I know that our new President, Gail Brownfield will do a great job. Remember that in an all-volunteer organization such as RAA, it takes many people to make it all work. Let’s all see how we can support Gail in her new leadership role, and in what ways we can contribute to the smooth running of RAA.

See you in the gallery……Judith Sparhawk

I have appreciated the opportunities and events sponsored by R.A.A., including the open studio on Thursday mornings (which I did for many months and made some friends there), the many programs, workshops, and classes I have attended, the opportunity to show/sell some artwork, both from the gallery and at other art events RAA has hosted like Art in the Park and Art on State Street (every sale makes me feel really terrific!). When I think about all the reasons I love to paint I think of the enduring quality of art. It is something of interest. I am pulled to create and I enjoy the process as much as the end result.

I have stacks of photos that beg me to recreate them in paint—using my own interpretation. This gives me a constant source of projects that I can tackle in my home studio. Then on other occasions (good weather permitting) I can get out and paint directly from life (en plein air). I enjoy doing this in small groups so I can see what other artists are producing as well as on my own when I go out of town. It is something I can do without being dependent on a team. It captures a moment and a feeling that can be conveyed in perpetuity. Art often makes me wonder about what is not said and the rest of the story. It makes me think. For all these things I am grateful.

Coming up on June 2nd is the Annual Meeting and Dinner.  This year it will be held at Redlands United Church of Christ, 168 Bellvue in Redlands.  (That’s the Art For Heaven’s Sake church).  The potluck dinner will start at 6pm, and after eating lots of yummy food, we will have the installation of the new slate of Officers and other Operating Committee members for the new year.  We will also recognize the hard work of those who have participated during this last year.

Remember this dinner is open to all members.  If you are new to RAA, this is a good opportunity to meet other members, learn more about RAA, and have an enjoyable evening.  Bring a salad, maindish or dessert to share.  Sign up in the gallery, so we will know how many tables and chairs to set up.  Let’s see everyone there!

Judith Sparhawk, President

Redlands United Church of Christ,

168 Bellevue, Redlands

6 p.m. Wednesday, June 2nd

This is a potluck dinner, so bring your special dish—salad, main dish, or dessert.  Beverages and table service will be provided by RAA.

This is an important evening every year for RAA, with recognition of those members who have contributed so much of themselves to the running of the organization during this past year.  The new slate of Officers and Operating Committee members will be installed.  It is a celebration of the fine organization we are, and all that we do.

Sign ups are on the clipboard in the gallery, so we will know how many to expect.  Let’s all be there!

For questions, contact Judith Sparhawk at (909) 793-1876 or jsparhawk746@yahoo.com.

Rhona has found more time and greater opportunity for painting since a career change in 2009.  Before that she had been widely known for over 30 years as a successful music teacher in the Inland Empire and earlier employed in the medical-scientific field.

Her two previous careers have provided insights into her new avocation. Her involvement in music has always sustained a deep interest in art as she took workshops and classes in Australia, Vallejo, Riverside, Orange County, Capetown/South Africa, Bulawayo/Zimbabwe–wherever the family was living at the time.
Opportunity to become more active in the creative side of art has proved rewarding. With about forty canvases completed this last year she is continuing to develop her insights and skills.

She is a member of the California Art Club, PAAR (Plein Air Painters of Riverside), the Corona Art Association and the Redlands Art Association.

I like to work in oils.  The smell and texture of the paints, the gestures of applying it with the various hardness and softness of brushes and palette knives, the decisions making relative to value, composition and tone, the seeking out of harmonious subject matter–these are all are challenging, joyful and healing to the spirit.  I continually find parallels between music and painting; concentration in either field can lead one into a dream-like state of suspension where time stands still and there is deep pleasure in just being.”

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