September 28 - October 22, 2010
Laura Gable: Multi-media painting
Tom and Marcie Briney: Pottery
Laura says: "Painting in watercolor and oils satisfies my own deeply felt need for expression. Born from an internal dialogue, my images become dimensional and alive as forms meld delicately and melodically into an expression of the whole. My images are intended to portray a story of organic forms with harmonized color and lyrical movement, interwoven with texture, contrast and balance. Beyond paper and canvas, I also enjoy creating with a variety of subject matter, media, forms and surfaces including scratch board, book arts, and wood."
My professional beginnings were in accounting and then graphic design. About 10 years ago, my design work evolved into creating art fulltime after taking an Allied Arts workshop with well known watercolor artist Jan Kunz. Her workshop and the rare opportunity to observe her as juror of the National Watercolor Show at Allied Arts were inspirational in providing me the joy and drive to resurrect my art career.
Born of a family of ingenuity and resourcefulness, my work is influenced by this upbringing, rural sensitivity and connection to nature. My art is the visual commentary of my inner self and heart: emotion, devotion and love. Through this artful interplay, my intention is to leave the viewer with a sense of mystery and wonder.
Laura has a studio in downtown Kennewick where she displays her artwork, participates in the local monthly Art Walk's, and is looking forward to resuming art instruction in the new year. For more information, check her website at http://LauraGable.com
Tom and Marcie Briney have been working together in their Northwest Montana pottery studio since June of 1990. Both former teachers, the Brineys have built a very successful pottery business. Pieces from their collections can be found throughout the world.
Each pot is designed and hand thrown on the potter’s wheel by Tom. Marcie makes all the glazes and porcelain leaves, using them to embellish the pieces.
The North Woods Feastware Collection is the result of many years honing the skills of throwing, design and firing. Handles, carved from clay, look like branches and have a “sweet spot” for either the left or right hand. Leaves are made using actual leaves pressed into porcelain, cut out and applied to the body of the pots.
Native Montanans, both Tom and Marcie received their education at Western Montana College.
Tom started his first studio while teaching art at Colstrip High School. The move to Mountain Brook in northwest Montana brought an opportunity to delve into pottery full time. The business is a family centered one. At any time, one could enter the studio and find three generations working with clay.
The Briney family enjoys sharing their love of clay, fire and high quality work with others. The evolution of the work from Mountain Brook Studio is interesting, exciting and worthy of observation.
Visit the Mountain Brook Studio website.