PAINTINGS, POTTERY & JEWELRY

Published 5:20 pm Thursday, April 29, 2004

Three local artists will show off their talent at the Spring Art Show and Sale next week.

Jan Beitel, Gayle Weatherson and Glennis Phillips are displaying paintings, pottery and jewelry at the Oxford Suites on May 6 from 5 to 9 p.m.

Beitel has been painting since 1977. She and her husband Bob owned Jan and Bob’s Signs for many years before they retired. Her work has been shown in many art galleries through Oregon and Washington.

Beitel paints in different mediums from watercolors to acrylics. Her subjects range from flowers to old buildings, portraits to wildlife, western scenes and rodeo themes. Many of her paintings have been made into prints and notecards, which will be for sale at the show.

“I try to make my art affordable,” Beitel said, “for the average budget.”

A trip to Tahiti last year with her sister gave Beitel another avenue for her art. One studio wall is lined with portraits of native people and colors.

“We followed in Gauguin’s footsteps,” Beitel said. “It was a wonderful experience.”

Beitel has taken a number of art classes over the years, which is where she met Phillips.

“Glennis’ work is functional as well as decorative,” Beitel said.

The pottery she creates is a way for her to find her center, Phillips says.

“My work in clay is a powerful, spiritual antidote for loss of center,” Phillips said. “It is a way of being and learning.”

Phillips approaches her art with a sense of humor. Her work includes fish swimming through vases, lizards and torso-shaped vases and urns. Phillips attempts to reach out to the observer with her work, she says.

Phillips has shown her work in Baker City, La Grande, Pendleton and Walla Walla. Her pottery has won numerous awards over the years.

Phillips says growing up in New Mexico, her fondest memories were of feeling wet clay oozing between her toes. After 30 years of nursing, she returned to clay.

“I hope that the wishfulness of my youth,” Phillips said, “and the grace and beauty of nature are reflected in my work.

Weatherson has been creating jewelry for about four years. She creates unique necklaces, earrings, and bracelets from metal clay and gemstone beads. She uses stamps and molds that she creates herself.

“I like spirals in my jewelry. I create very unique and one of a kind pieces,” Weatherson said. “A person will have a unique piece of art jewelry.”

Weatherson has shown her work in Pendleton and Walla Walla shows and has won awards for her work in jewelry, painting and pottery. A art teacher at Armand Larive Middle School for eight years, Weatherson decided to quit teaching to explore her art.

“I learned a lot about art over the years,” Weatherson said.

For more information about the Spring Art Show and Sale, please call Beitel at 922-5815. She plans to sponsor two art shows per year, one in spring and one at Christmas time.