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Courtney Bowles

Jan 31, 2009 04:00PM ● By Super Admin

In fifth grade Courtney Bowles just wanted to hang out with her friends. They joined the choir, so she tagged along. Before she knew it, her natural talent had caught the eye of the choir director and Bowles was asked to sing a solo for a school event. At such a young age, this normally shy girl found her voice and her life’s passion.“Singing is natural for me,” Bowles says. “It’s not just something that I do, it’s who I am.” And it continues to be effortless and fun for her. She made up her mind in high school that singing was going to be her lifelong career. She majored in Vocal Performance at San Diego State and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree. After completing her intense study she returned home to El Dorado Hills. She now sings for weddings, funerals, and performs concerts in the local area. “Although singing at funerals is difficult,” she explains, “it feels good helping families find a sense of peace.” While formally trained as a lyric soprano and opera singer, she wants to focus more on a mix of classical and pop music, like popular singer Josh Groban. “I want to use my voice to touch people.” Bowles says. She feels it is important to connect personally with every song, so that the listener feels the meaning of the lyrics. “Music is always changing,” she explains, “but the one thing that remains constant is the raw emotion that comes [out] through it.” Bowles does not advertise and relies on word-of-mouth referrals to get singing jobs. So, to supplement her income she teaches singing part-time. She loves to share the secrets to healthy and better singing in hopes that her students can enjoy singing forever. She also promotes fun and comfort with their voices, and themselves. “I want each of my students,” Bowles says, “to have a wonderful mental image of themselves.” One student, sixth grader Haley Tangen, loves singing with Bowles. “Practicing with Courtney,” Tangen says, “is one of my most favorite after school activities.” A student at St. John Notre Dame School in Folsom, Tangen says Bowles is teaching her to sing “right,” showing her breathing exercises and helping her to prepare for auditions. “I look forward to our sessions very much,” Tangen explains.One of Bowles’ voice teachers, Mary MacKenzie, is an accomplished singer and has performed at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. She knew Bowles had an extraordinary gift. “I found Courtney to be an exceptional talent and I am not surprised to see her start her professional career at such an early age,” MacKenzie says. “Her amazing ability to connect to the song emotionally enhances an audience’s appreciation of the performance.”Bowles also works as a waitress, but knows it is just temporary and is not where she will end up. “I’m okay with not being famous right now,” she admits, “as long as I get to perform the music I love.” For more information on the artist or to hear her music, visit courtneybowles.com.

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Jim Fitzpatrick

Jan 31, 2009 04:00PM ● By Super Admin

Sometime in the late 15th century a bunch of guys got together and played the first round of golf. They swung at pebbles with tree branches while moving around a natural course of rabbit runs and sand dunes on the east coast of Scotland. Today the game is somewhat more refined and flourishes with millions of devoted players throughout the world. Maybe the centuries-old attraction is as journalist PJ O’Rourke once offered, “Golf combines two favorite American pastimes: taking long walks and hitting things with a stick.”Jim Fitzpatrick’s lifelong passion for the game of golf drives nearly his every endeavor. This self-described golf artist and historian has painted golf scenes and players for more than 25 years. After working as a golf course designer and marketing executive, he decided to make a career out of what he loves to do, create golf art. “I’m an okay golfer,” Fitspatrick says. “The game cannot be perfected, but you can try in extraordinarily beautiful surroundings.”During his career, Fitzpatrick played and painted some of the most beautiful courses in the world. “My favorite,” he says, “is the 16th hole at Cypress Point.” However, it must be hard to choose, since he has enjoyed playing such courses as St. Andrews in Scotland, Augusta, and here in Granite Bay. One of his specialties, and very popular among his admiring collectors, is the art reproduction technique of Enhanced Giclee. Fitzpatrick takes a fine copy of one of his paintings and then personally retouches it by painting people into the scene. With this method, he can paint a customized piece of art that recreates a moment in history or a special round of golf for a player. “My clients think my art,” he admits, “is a wonderful souvenir of an unforgettable moment in their golfing life.”At the request of his extensive clientele, he expanded his art to sculpture and fine pencil drawings. His work, in many mediums, is featured in some of the most prestigious golf clubs and in the offices and homes of some of the most famous players of all time. One of his most ardent fans is golf legend Billy Casper. The two have been friends for decades. Fitzpatrick works with Casper to develop original art that is used as prizes for the annual Billy Casper Golf Classic. “Jim is one of the great talents in golf art,” Casper explains. “His work will stand the test of time.” Local businessman John Curtan has been collecting Jim’s art for more than 10 years. “I think Jim,” Curtan says, “is the best golf artist on the planet.” Curtan owns 20 pieces of art and is planning on buying more. He enjoys spending time at Fitzpatrick’s gallery and stops by for a visit at least once a week. “Jim is just a wonderful person,” Curtan says. “I love to hang out and listen to his golf stories.”To experience Fitzpatrick's work, visit his Granite Bay gallery or his Web site at jfitzpatrickart.com.

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Linda Erfle

Jan 31, 2009 04:00PM ● By Super Admin

There are some who might think that artists must possess prodigious talent and cannot be “taught” to create great art. Linda Erfle, however, might disagree. Erfle, a local artist from Placerville, is living proof that practicing art only improves an artist’s craft. At a young age, she found herself interested in art and was eager to pursue the subject in great depth. “I basically just started out drawing, but I wanted to learn about painting. So I started oil painting on my own and just kept doing it. I am pretty much self-taught with the exception of a few high school and college classes,” Erfle says. Through reading, observing other art, and painting one piece after another, Erfle became a prolific painter. While she regularly utilizes different mediums, a majority of her work is watercolor. “I prefer watercolor because it’s challenging. It’s not just about learning how to use the medium and brushes, but learning how to use the element of water…I finally have learned just how much water to use,” she says.Her subjects include floral layouts, landscapes and close-up objects. Don’t expect to see similar pieces elsewhere – Erfle makes a point to make each painting unique by taking her own photographs. “I always work from my own photos. I learned to take pictures that appeal to me to get me going. Without pictures it would be hard; if it’s something you went out and took, it becomes a part of you and makes it easier and more meaningful to paint when you know your subjects.”Erfle’s work reflects local subjects, but her pieces are appreciated at a national level; she is a member of the National Water Color Society. “It was definitely my proudest moment when I became a Signature Member in the National Watercolor Society in 2006. My painting won an award, too, and I went to the luncheon; it was just great to be surrounded by people who understood the significance of the membership and award, and were just as thrilled to be there,” says Erfle.Her talent is well known in northern California, and you can find it in several galleries. Some of her local show venues include: Flowers on Main Street, Goldsmith Gallery and Gallery 4; galleries in the greater area include the Artery in Davis, Highlight Gallery in Mendocino and the Kit Carson gallery.Erfle attributes a large part of her success to genuine hard work, and she advises others to do the same.“Being self-taught, I think it’s important to get a book, take a class, or go to museums and exhibitions to see what others are doing and how they do it. Spend time making art. You can’t expect to be good right off the bat. It takes time and effort. I think everybody has a creative side and the way to get good is to keep doing it…,” she says.

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Carol Rhodes-Wittich

Dec 31, 2008 04:00PM ● By Super Admin

If you want to work with someone who cares about your artwork, Carole Rhodes-Wittich is the woman to see. Artists seek Rhodes-Wittich to create new ways do display their artwork. She takes the time to figure out what artists want to accomplish and comes up with ideas to print their work on silk. She runs a digital silk printing business from her location in Fair Oaks.Owner of Cje’s Art & Fiber Printing, Rhodes-Wittich will share what she can do for artists with the Folsom Arts Association at their meeting this month. She specializes in printing on silk, but can print on just about anything, including glass and tile. Artists can use their work on pillows, scarves, T-shirts, canvas and other material. Her work is an art form all in itself. She uses creativity and her expertise to produce quality art piece replicas in which canvas is not the only medium.“In this day and age I spend a lot of time trying to help artists understand how to use their [own] art so they can make it more viable in the marketplace,” Rhodes-Wittich says. “She supports artists and completes projects as quickly as she can,” says Lori Anderson, the vice president of the Folsom Arts Association. Anderson has been taking photos of her paintings to Rhodes-Wittich for three years to have them turned into greeting cards or giccles (pictures of a painting that are printed on canvas). “She enjoys what she’s doing so much,” Anderson says, “she really gets into it and she likes to figure things out and get creative.”Rhodes-Wittich started her business seven years ago without any training, but with plenty of experience from her previous work with glass and textiles. She took classes to improve her skills in those areas at American River College, the Mendocino Art Center and the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. “I’ve always been a textiles person,” Rhodes-Wittich says. “I just like the feel of the fabric.” She bought printing machinery and learned everything from a few technicians who knew how to operate it. Several years later, after much practice, she has become comfortable with the printing process, though she calls technicians in when something goes wrong. Silk can become damaged at any point in the printing process. After the paper-backed silk is printed, Rhodes-Wittich takes the paper off. Then she places the silk into a commercial steamer, runs it through the laundry and irons it wet. The process is not easy, but the silk turns out beautiful when done right.“Silk is pretty sturdy,” she says, “and a lot of people think it’s very delicate; it just looks delicate.”Rhodes-Wittich has printed fellow artist Susan Cawthon’s watercolor paintings on silk so that Cawthon can make pillows and other pieces from them. Cawthon started taking her work to Rhodes-Wittich about a year after she began painting and says that Rhodes-Wittich often spends hours helping her figure out what she should do with her artwork. Rhodes-Wittich is so involved in the creative process of the pieces she prints that the final work of art is a result of committed collaboration.

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James George Serrett

Dec 31, 2008 04:00PM ● By Super Admin

There is an old saying: “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” It is a good sentiment that affirms the need for us to press on...even though we have been thrown an emotional curve ball, or two. Vocalist and songwriter James George Serrett is a man who knows a lot about stirring up this tangy drink; he chose music to communicate his deepest feelings with us.This native New Yorker and Roseville resident is a former novelist and screenplay writer. He turned to song writing to help him cope with the rocky road of love and life. He lovingly refers to his first 10 songs as “a musical meat grinder.” His musical style, influenced by Billy Joel, is rock and roll; however he is still striving to write the perfect love song.Since finding his musical voice, both vocally and in lyrical writing, he wants to share his thoughts with the world on love, life and a couple of his ex-wives. The songs he writes and performs are sincere, honest and poignant. The frank lyrics are sometimes blunt, however, there is no denying that each word comes straight from his heart. “People know when they are being lied to,” Serrett explains. “It is not cerebral, it is instinctual.”“All my songs relate to my life,” Serrett says, “each blends in together.” He has written dozens of songs that detail his loves, life’s ups and downs, and his most intimate feelings. His style is very conversational as well as very confessional. “I use my voice, the melody and lyrics,” he explains, “for a perfect marriage of emotion and expression.”Serrett lives by what the Buddha taught thousands of years ago and often contemplates the following statement: Words have the power to both destroy and heal. When words are both true and kind, they can change our world. “You just can’t beat it.” Serrett says. “If my words are honest, they will hit a chord with my listeners.”He loves his craft although he admits combining rhythm, lyrics and music is really hard work. “You have about four minutes,” Serrett says, “to make the listener experience what you feel.” His new CD Living in Slow Motion, available now at taxi.com, is focused, romantic and fun. One of the tracks, “Plan B” lightheartedly offers advice for those whose life hasn’t gone exactly as planned. Among his many fans, one stands out. Being a working musician and somewhat of a night owl, Serrett is a regular at a local Denny’s for midnight meals. The late night manager’s parrot, named Taos, has come to love Serrett’s music and style. “Taos dropped Roy Orbison for me,” Serrett explains, “and now listens to my music exclusively.” After all this musical soul purging, Serrett still has plenty of time to work on other projects. He is excited about his upcoming novella Sebastian’s Casebook, a romantic mystery about reincarnation.

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Gold Rush Barbershop Chorus

Dec 31, 2008 04:00PM ● By Super Admin

Barbershop music has been around for nearly 100 years. Being a century old usually means out-dated, old-fashioned, and antique...right? Wind up the Victrola, put on some 78 rpm records and start those toes a tapping. Sit back, twirl your waxed handlebar mustache and sing along: Daisy Daisy, I’m half crazy all for the love of you! It won’t be a stylish marriage, I can’t afford a carriage, but you’ll look sweet upon the seat of a bicycle built for two.To many this music is current, vibrant, and brings joy to those who hear it and sing it. Ask Gary Washburn, president of Gold Rush Barbershop Chorus and he will tell you that thousands of area residents love this a cappella type of four-part harmony. “It is amazing,” Washburn explains, “the sound [that] the human voice can make without any assistance.”The non-profit chorus, a local chapter of the International Barbershop Harmony Society, is celebrating their 25th anniversary this year. Their mission statement says it all: Spread the joy of singing throughout El Dorado County. Two charter members still perform with the chorus. George Spanos, 90 years young, and Neal Sisson at 84 years, join with 32 other members to share their love of singing with sold-out crowds twice each year at the Holy Trinity Church in El Dorado Hills. The majority of their ticket revenue helps young singers travel. “We have been able to donate nearly $7,000,” Washburn explains, “to help youth quartets and choruses pay for transportation to competitions.” Bringing barbershop music and singing to young people is what the chorus is all about. The group performs throughout the year at local high schools to introduce students to the beauty of singing. “We have been able to demonstrate barbershop singing,” Washburn says, “to about 18,000 area high school students.”These performances are not only inspiring to the young people hearing them, but to all the singers too. “We are able to give kids,” Washburn says, “something that will last a lifetime.” And that is just what happened to Brandon Dyer, a senior at Ponderosa High School. He became hooked on singing when he first heard the chorus perform. “I heard the chorus when I was a freshman,” Dyer says, “and I simply fell in love with the music.” He is now the chorus’ youngest member. “Joining the Gold Rush Barbershop Chorus,” he says, “was a life-changing experience.” He is also involved in his high school choir. “All my friends are there,” Dyer says, “[and] choir is the best class of my day.”Washburn says he loves the thrill of making beautiful chords of music, the camaraderie of members, making friends for life and the fulfillment of giving back to the community. It seems barbershop music also brings modern values to the stage.The Gold Rush Chorus practices in Placerville every Tuesday night. They invite anyone to come and listen, or join in. For more information, visit goldrushchorus.org.

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John Running

Nov 30, 2008 04:00PM ● By Super Admin

Throughout studios in New York, on the left bank of Paris, in the lofts of Los Angeles and even among the hills of northern California, artists struggle each and every day to pursue their passion and create great art – art that often does not sell. The story of the struggling artist is a common one, told even of the most celebrated artists of our time.But some artists, like John Running, share a rare story of success. Perhaps it’s because of his business savvy from spending 18 years working in the family business, his determination, or perhaps, it’s his ability to create relevant, appealing art that people want right when they see it. Whatever the reason, Running’s work sells. He spends many a day in the comfort of his studio overlooking the pine trees of Placerville, toiling away at his rock and metal creations and, to his great fortune, pursuing that which he loves. “I create art every day, and I enjoy it every day. To me, going to work is like vacation,” says Running, and adds that he’s been making art his whole life. “I grew up in a creative family with creative things always going on around me. My parents owned a screen printing business…eventually, though, I wanted to pursue art full time, so I bought my own studio,” he says.And in that studio, Running found great success through creating unique pieces made of rock and metal. He designs and creates small, affordable pieces so that everyone can appreciate his art, but he also makes large, one-of-a-kind pieces for those who want to make a bigger statement. And what’s the inspiration for his work? “Anything can spark inspiration…driving down the road, sitting on the beach; I like nature and creating pieces that reflect [it],” says Running. He also attributes some of his inspiration and success to the support of his wife and four children. “Thankfully, galleries just keep re-ordering what I make. I’ve had a good following, and I think that it’s due to the [my] business background – it helped me understand how to market my work,” he says. Local galleries featuring Running’s art include the James Harold Gallery in Tahoe City, Rocky’s in Placerville, Fine Eye Gallery in Sutter Creek, and Full Circle Gallery in Jackson. Now the question is: Does Running ever feels that his defining style will stifle further creativity? He says no. “I’m fortunate that I have a product, the rock and metal pieces, to keep me busy. While I’m in production with the daily pieces, my mind is free to be creative and I’m always developing new ideas. Then, when my work is complete, I can step away and work on a more inspired piece.”So what’s next for John Running? He’s decided to transition away from rocks and is beginning to work solely with metal. Whatever this artist gives us next, expect that the pieces will not only be distinctive, but they’ll likely be best sellers, too.

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Strokes of Genius

Nov 30, 2008 04:00PM ● By Super Admin

Award-winning local artist Barry Jamison, a Bay Area native and Folsom gallery owner, colors his world in bold shades of ambition. Not bad for someone who started drawing “all kinds of stuff,” testing oils and acrylics, and imitating rock ‘n roll poster art before finding his creative niche with pastels – the artistic medium that he currently favors. Largely self-taught, Jamison has occasionally studied with various nationally known artists throughout his 50-year career, but credits his longevity and success to keeping an open mind. Today he draws inspiration from the local landscape, which he describes as, artistically, a “limitless possibility.” He refers specifically to the region’s open vistas, uncrowded backroads and underdeveloped natural spaces. The area surroundings complement Jamison’s affinity for pastels, a medium that allows him to explore color more conveniently. “Some artists will use an inordinate amount of intense colors in a work, which a lot of time, confuses the viewer as to what is the most important thing [the artist] wants them to see,” he explains. “I like to downplay surrounding areas of color while keeping the center of interest most vivid.”  In addition to painting striking pieces of locally-inspired art, Jamison teaches classes at his Folsom-based gallery/studio, Sutter Street Pastels, which opened in 2002. The studio’s small-sized classes are open to the public and its students are given carte blanche to work on individual projects. During these sessions, master instruction is a given but also is fun. “Most people who join my classes prefer them to be relaxing,” Jamison says.  “When I can schedule it, I’m going to incorporate extended Saturday sessions where we’ll work on location. I’ll teach it like a mini-workshop, starting with a demonstration.”Jamison currently has 16 different pieces of artwork on display at the Holbrooke Hotel in neighboring Grass Valley, and also displays a number of paintings at Edward Jones Financial Services in Folsom. This coming May he will host a one-man art show in Auburn. And somewhere during his packed schedule, he finds time to complete commissioned artwork.In the future, Jamison plans to experiment with three-dimensional work and murals. He also envisions participating in invitational events around the country, such as plein air competitions and exhibitions, and would also like to see a “bona fide” juried art and wine festival in Folsom’s Historic District, complete with “minstrels, jugglers, and street theater.” He hasn’t ruled out starting an artists’ cooperative either.Continual attempts by Jamison to evolve artistically are not surprising, given the fact that the artist says, “I believe my art to be evolutionary; I enjoy challenging myself with subjects that are interesting to me. The key is to be open to happy accidents that may occur and take a painting in a whole new direction.”Discover more about Barry Jamison and Sutter Street Pastels online at pastelpainter.com.

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Master of Acrylics

Nov 30, 2008 04:00PM ● By Super Admin

The ancient Roman philosopher Cicero once said, “The most valuable of arts, is the art of living.” That is the best way to explain how Rocklin artist Jerry Lipp enjoys his life – he lives it to its fullest. “I am truly blessed to be able to make my living doing what I love,” Lipp says.Between being a CEO of a local multi media advertising firm and putting in more than 60 hours a week painting, he shows an obsession for creating. “Even if I didn’t make good money in my profession,” Jerry says, “I’d be working at McDonald’s to buy materials to paint.”He studied under and has been influenced by many local and international artists. However, he credits his grandmothers, both accomplished painters, for teaching him the basics and seeding his passion. “They tried teaching me to paint with oils,” Lipp recalls. “What six year-old kid can wait for oils to dry?” They both switched to quick drying acrylics as their media and so did Jerry. “Once they starting using acrylics,” he confesses, “I used to ‘borrow’ their supplies.” In his painting he works with texture and lots of color. He aspires to paint women in abstract without offending or objecting them. “The female form is the essence of the piece,” Lipp says, “not the object.” His inspired process to complete each painting takes about three to four weeks. “To me, painting is like breathing…I spend most of my time painting.” And, after spending the better part of a month completing pieces of his work, according to Lipp it is hard to part with them. “To me,” Lipp admits, “selling a painting is like selling my kid.”His personal vision, seen in his work, conveys a specific emotion of each of his subjects. He is quick to categorize himself as a painter and not an artist. “I am a painter of paintings,” he explains, “I’m not in a position to criticize my own work…that’s up to the viewer.” This creative, dynamic man is also humble. As an accomplished businessman in all his endeavors, he knows the importance of surrounding himself with good people. “We are here for each other,” Lipp says. “Everyone in my life leaves me a better person.” Part of Kallie Cabrera’s job as an executive administrator working for Jerry Lipp is to make sure he has everything he needs to give him more time to paint. “It’s been an incredible experience learning and growing both with him and in the art,” Cabrera says. “His work is tremendous and I love being part of his creative process.”Noel Flynn, fellow artist and owner of Noel Flynn Gallery, works with Lipp to transform loose canvases into framed gallery-wrapped works of art. “Jerry’s depiction of the female,” Flynn says, “skillfully blends the outer fringes of reality together with the rudimentary abstraction of color and form.” Lipp works hard creating everyday. He believes that your mindset drives you. “It is up to you,” he says, “if you are successful or not.”

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Gold Country Roots

Oct 31, 2008 05:00PM ● By Super Admin

The history of Celtic music in California goes all the way back to 1579 and Sir Francis Drake and his crew. Pennywhistles were carried because they would fit in a pocket and fiddles were present for the numerous nautical songs, necessary to the rhythm of a sailing ship. Drake’s crew had a heavy Irish presence, and a strong Celtic musical influence. Through the centuries, the Celtic influence on the folk music of the Gold Country has been vast. The promise of California gold and the railroad brought thousands of Irish and Scottish descendants to the Wild West, and they brought their music with them. The sound of Northern California folk music is the sound of fiddles, pennywhistles, Irish drums, hammered dulcimers, Celtic harps and Uilleann pipes, in addition to the mellow melodies of guitars, the twang of banjos and the skirl of steel guitars (as well as an occasional random accordion thrown in for good measure). Celtic music is a marriage of many influences, but Celtic roots are always present in the background.Coloma Celtic keeps this unique music of the Golden State alive. In the tradition of folk music, Coloma Celtic is a group of four friends: Jenny, Alan, Dan and Jim, each of whom are, in the words of Dan Little, “serious amateurs,” devoted to the tradition and the beauty of the music of the Gold Country. Coloma Celtic doesn’t conduct formal practice sessions. They get together and they play, and it all just comes together. The life of folk music depends on the skill of the players, the experience and the interaction of the musicians with one another. This group’s skill and experience comes through lyrically in their musical interactions. The music is a living conversation between the musicians – every time they perform a piece, the piece evolves, just as it did in the days that folk music was new.  Coloma Celtic has the ability to transport the listener to a different time and place with their Gold Country Celtic music. Each member of the group has been playing Celtic music since 1979 – they have played together in different groups at different times – but they have been playing together as Coloma Celtic since 1999. This is a group of old pals who are getting together to tell a new story together, or perhaps retell an old one.Coloma Celtic plays a variety of venues, big and small, throughout the Gold Country. You will find them at Marco’s Café in Coloma one evening, or entertaining rafters some afternoon after a day on the river. Recently, they played the main stage at Georgetown’s Founders’ Day celebration, and nine times per year you will find them playing at state parks. They are often found at the Coloma Outdoor Discovery School entertaining and educating the kids and exposing a new generation to the beauty that is the folk music of our region.

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