“Exploring Layers”
Opening Reception Saturday, July 12, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Teal Buehler
I grew up a child of well-known artist parents in Trinidad California, a small town known for its rain, fog, and coastal scenery. I spent most of my time outside at the beach, rivers, and in the woods which created a strong connection to nature. I studied drawing, painting, collage and ceramics; graduating from Humboldt State University with a bachelor’s degree in art. I treasure nature and animals, which have been incorporated into most of my pieces.
My work is rooted in the quiet alchemy of transformation—spiritual, energetic, and material. Women and animals appear throughout my work as sacred figures—guardians, messengers, and embodiments of instinct, resilience, and transformation. Using handmade paper, collage, stenciling, and acrylics, I create layered compositions that mirror the process of inner awakening and soul work. The act of making paper by hand is sacred to me. It holds memory, breath, and intention before a single mark is made. From there, I build each piece through intuitive layering—allowing Reiki energy and meditative states to guide the placement of textures, symbols, and color. Stencils become patterns of energy. Collage elements speak to fragmentation and renewal. Acrylics act as carriers of light, movement, and frequency. My work seeks to hold space for metamorphosis—not just as a concept, but as a felt experience. I approach each piece as a ritual, a portal, a reflection of the unseen currents that flow through and around us. These pieces invite stillness, presence, and connection—a soft return to the self, to source, and to the subtle intelligence of change.
Deanna White
“I take great delight in translating a landscape, still life, thought or personal dream into my own interpretation of that image using my imagination, vibrant color and simplifying shapes.
Dwellings, landscapes, still life, and human connections are my favorite subjects. I work in collage and acrylic.” Deanna White
Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.” Edgar Degas
Process: Collage is like assembling a puzzle. I begin with a sketch on a panel and make color decisions and then each shape is cut and glued with thought given to textures and values. Layering papers give the work even more depth and texture. I use anything flat for collage materials such as magazines, book font, Josh papers, leaves, stamps, lace, maps and handmade and purchased papers.
Harley Talkington
Since childhood, creativity has been a way for me to enjoy life. In my younger years I created games, mobiles, experimental writing and poetry. For 40+ years I have enjoyed teaching elementary and middle school students, weaving art into history, science, writing, math and literature lessons, learning along with them about painting, sculpture, mask-making, tessellations, illuminated manuscripts, abstract art and much more. When I officially retired, I was determined to “do something artistic.” After touring some artists in Washington County’s Open Studios in 2015, I fell in love with pastels and the immediacy of them. My love affair with them continues in all of my work here!
Each of these scenes, to be able to witness these spots, was a gift to me. The lure of light or dance of shadows changed me and inspired what you see in this collection. As Arthur Miller once proclaimed, “Attention must be paid!”
Each of my pastel paintings is my way of “paying attention” and honoring a place of beauty that I was privileged to see. Whether painting “plein air,” outside on the spot, or working from my photo back in the studio, I use pastels to respond to what moved me. My process involves sketching out the simple shapes and beginning to shade with the darkest spots first. Often I will loosely paint across the page with complimentary colors and then “wash” across it with alcohol to quickly dry. Over that I may add brush or palette knife strokes with a clear gesso for texture. Then I start applying pastels. Sometimes, though, I simply dive in with a handful of colors, block out shapes and see where it goes. I have to leave room for surprises. New color combinations or effects may appear and can take me in a different direction. Each painting is paying tribute to a special place. I invite you to join me there!
