Michelle Cornelius
Contributed by Judy Vars
Late summer and early fall, VFAA artists keeps the art coming! So, get out to some of your favorite coffee shops, watering holes and pizza places, and enjoy art being served a la carte.
Glenda Field: August
Bear Paw River Brewing Company
4605 E. Palmer Wasilla Hwy. Wasilla
Artist’s Reception: July 6th, 5PM-7PM
Glenda Field will be returning to the Bear Paw River Brewery during the month of August. She will be focusing on her front porch art pieces. Her work can also be seen at the Aurora Gallery in Anchorage, Artists Uncorked in Palmer and The Boardwalk Shop in Wasilla.
Kelly Leonard: September
Bear Paw River Brewing Company
4605 E. Palmer Wasilla Hwy. Wasilla
Blooms, Suzanne Espen: August 1st-31st
Kaladi Brothers Coffee
591 Parks Hwy. Wasilla
Suzanne moved to Alaska in 1984. She was employed at the native hospital in Anchorage as an x-ray tech, later moved to the Valley in 1985 and worked at the Valley hospital until 2003 and at Mat-Su Regional in 2007. Suzanne lives in Palmer with her husband, Rick. She also attended the University of Alaska Mat-Su Campus from 1987-1996, majoring in fine art. The show will consist of beautiful watercolor paintings of flowers.
Terri Phillips
Gail Homer: September 1st-30th
The Espresso Café
1265 S. Seward Meridian Pkwy, Wasilla
Michelle Cornelius: September 1st-30th
Kaladi Brothers Coffee
591 Parks Hwy. Wasilla
Michelle says her true passions in life are art and animals. The artist has dabbled in all artistic media including: graphite pencil, colored pencil, pen/ink, charcoal, soft pastel, oil pastel, acrylic, gouache, watercolor, alcohol ink and oil. She also enjoys photography, making pottery and sculpture. She has taught charcoal drawing, oil, alcohol ink and soft pastel in workshops.
Besides being an award-winning artist, Michelle usually completes one to three commissioned artworks each year. Michelle’s a full-time Remax realtor, as well as the Valley Fine Arts Association president for 2018 and Alaska State Fair Art Exhibit Superintendent. Michelle takes as many workshops as possible saying she learns more from her fellow students usually than the instructor! Her advice to other artists: “Learn to draw, practice drawing and draw what you love! Art will follow.”
Terri Phillips
The Big Picture Show: July-September 4th
Humdingers Pizza
173 S Valley Way, Palmer
This show changes with the seasons, so come and see the BIG fabulous paintings by local artists Cathy Poppert, Diane Paoletti, Gail Homer, Anna Folsom, Russell Clark, Suzanne Espen and Dianne Boyd.
Martha Happs: July-August
Vagabond Blues
643 S. Alaska St. Palmer
Alaskan artist, Martha Happs, will be showing her latest art works at Vagabond Blues.
4th Annual Artist Retreat: September 7th-9th
12 Mile Lake in Hatchers Pass
Three Swans by Michelle Cornelius
Featured Artists/Workshop Instructors:
• Jennifer Bowman: Is an internationally-renowned artist whose impressive resume includes a wide variety of awards. Her work is known for its masterful use of light and shadow. She is represented by more than 180 worldwide. www.jennniferbowman.com
• Karen Mattson: A longtime Alaskan, best known for her Alaska scenes and floral paintings, she is a signature member of Alaska Watercolor Society and founding member of the Valley Fine Arts Association. Karen has received numerous awards. Her artwork can be seen at www.fineartamerica.com.
• Diane Paoiletti: A local Mat-Su Valley artist who often draws upon her travel experiences for inspiration. She has been teaching oil painting at her studio, Art of Oil, for the past five years. Diane is best known for her outstanding portraiture of children and landscapes.
This is a unique experience for artists to come and experience the great Alaskan outdoors in the autumn and learn from some excellent instructors. If you prefer to fish or take a hike, “It’s your world.” North Star Bible Camp offers comfortable accommodations such as heated cabins, gourmet meals served family-style and an endless supply of fresh ground coffee and warm cookies.
For more details, go to www.valleyfineartsassociation.org and click the retreat tab, or e-mail at lpeters@nome.net, or go www.eventbee.com and get your ticket ASAP. It’s almost full!
Membership in the Valley Fine Arts Association provides many diverse opportunities for artists. Check our website calendar for upcoming events at www.valleyfineartsassociation.org.
