November in the Bear Gallery

NOVEMBER 2017 EXHIBITION

Ina Timling and Vladimir Zhikhartsev

On View: November 3-25

Opening Reception: November 3, 5-7pm

Ina Timling

Starry night over the Tanana_2015_cropped_C_Ina Timling_web-size
Starry Night over the Tanana

“Extracting the essence is what I find in science and printmaking.”

 

INA AND OTTER cropped_web-sizeIna grew up in East Germany. Her love for the North led her to UAF, where she studied soil microbes across the Arctic and graduated with a PhD in Biology in 2014. After graduating, she wanted to translate the northern landscapes that she had seen during many expeditions into prints. Several printmaking classes at UAF allowed her to start fulfilling this dream.

The Arctic is characterized by stark contrasts of light and darkness. In her wood- and linoleum cuts she tries to explore these stark contrasts. “My goal is to let the viewer realize that we recognize light only because there is darkness.”

Vladimir Zhikhartsev

Vladimir Zhikhartsev, 5th Ave_web-size
5th Ave.

Artist Vladimir Zhikhartsev_web-sizeLiving in Alaska provides an abundance of scenic beauty. I’ve always loved being outdoors, whether hiking, camping, fishing or walking in the park. Painting the landscape En Plein Air gives me an opportunity to study the lay of the land and observe the nature, while composing a painting, matching the colors that I see. I think that painting on location is a must for every landscape painter. While you painting you can feel the place, smell the fresh air and observe all the life around you. Mixing colors of the landscape that are constantly changing with the sunlight is always fascinating challenge. Peaceful valleys and mountain places where people go to relax and spend time, and the roads that lead beyond are the things that inspire me most to paint. Life observation of nature influences my painting technique and subject matter. Color and light are the elements I’m try to capture. Painting is a way for me to share my observations of the world that surrounds me.

Beginning 1991, I was able to regularly participate in the Ice Alaska’s Ice Art competitions  held annually in Fairbanks, Alaska and actually won 15 Gold medals in International Ice Art Championships worldwide. Immersion into a different medium, which, on its technical side, requires precise understanding of the relationships between elements and natural forces has enriched my painting with more accurate lighting qualities and greater three-dimensional depth.

Since 1996, Alaska has been my permanent residence, where I live and work as a painter, ice sculptor and art instructor. Drawing inspiration from the geographical and cultural continuities between Alaska and Russian Far East, I strive to continue celebrating, through painting and carving ice, the lavish majesty of the Northern Splendor.

 

For information about Vladimir’s classes and painting, visit http://vladimirzhikhartsev.com.

 

 


 

Gift Shop Artist of the Month

November 2017

Deb McQueen

Dredge_Deb McQueen
Dredge

Deb_McQueen_artist photo_croppedDeb Mcqueen is an award-winning Seed Bead Artist residing in North Pole, Alaska.

As a self-taught artist Deb has studied the beadwork and bead making styles of many cultures, both historical and current. She has mastered many bead techniques and is still learning others. Her favorite is her own style of bead embroidery. Deb’s art incorporates natural stones and objects along with semi-precious gemstones.

Using new and antique seed beads as her paint pallet, Deb is able to create the flow of water or the wave of wind through a grassy field. The scenic natural beauty of Alaska greatly influences her art.

Deb’s art has been accepted into numerous Juried Art Exibitions. She has received several Honorable Mentions, 3rd and 2nd place awards as well as a few of the coveted Jurors Choice Awards.

Deb’s art can currently be found at:

  • Alaska House Art Gallery, Fairbanks, Ak.
  • The Bear Gallery Gift Shop, Fairbanks, Ak.
  • Cabin 13 Pioneer Park  (summers), Fairbanks, Ak.

For more information about Deb’s artwork visit:


Watercolor Corner Artist

November 2017

 

Daisys in the Sunlight (1)“I Came to Alaska in 1980 from Crookston, Minnesota. I have been involved in Boy Scouts, Girls Scouts, and in my church. I was getting stressed out so my spiritual director told me, it was time for me to do something for myself, something that would help me relax. I painted my first painting in the fall of 1999. I enjoy the outdoors, so painting God’s beautiful nature was relaxing to me. It has even taken pain away at times.

In 1999 Gail Marakami taught me to mix colors. She helped me to look at the world differently. Sue Cole was my true mentor, she taught me to look outside the box. She helped me to go beyond my dreams and expectations. To paint what I saw and what was in my heart. I will never forget the love she had for the ones she taught. Now I am a member of the “Fairbanks Watercolor Society” the “Fairbanks Art Association” the “Summer Arts Festival” and just for fun the “Red Hat Society”.  So if you are over 50 you are invited to wear a red hat to the Friday art show.”

-Peggy Mantei-