January 2010 Featured Artist - Nikki Crain

Weaving is my delight.

I enjoy natural fibers and yarns to make practical items to wear or use.

Each handwoven piece is one-of-a-kind or limited edition. I create cloth that cannot be duplicated in a factory. Playing with dyes reminds me of opening a new box of crayons in kindergarten. What fun awaits!

I also love candles and want the healthiest ones possible, so I pour natural vegetable soy candles.

December 2009 Featured Artist - George Smith - Ceramicist

I began making pottery in 1974. A year later I quit my job in the banking industry to pursue a career in ceramics.

In 1982 I moved from San Diego to my current location in Three Rivers, CA, where I built my studio.

Over the last year I built two kilns, salt and pit fire. I have spent a lot of time working on new glaze formulas and alternative firing techniques.

Though most of my work is wheel-thrown, recently I have been producing hand built pieces. The hand building technique has allowed me to venture away from the standard round forms of wheel thrown pottery, and investigate alternative shapes. My current pieces include square dinner ware (plates, bowls, casseroles, cups, etc.), and multi-sided jars.

My 1,600 sq. ft. studio includes a 600 sq. ft. kiln patio which houses five kilns. These include one small electric kiln, two stoneware kilns, one salt kiln, and one pit fire kiln on wheels. Four of these kilns I built myself.

I have been married to Donna, my wife, for 35 years. We have four children and two grandchildren.

November 2009 Featured Artist - Marn Reich - Ceramicist

Marn Reich writes, "I began working in clay about 15 years ago. I love the challenges it presents – getting it to assume the shape and color I desire and keep it without collapsing, cracking or discoloring. Once I’ve conquered a particular challenge, I’m on the lookout for another – making something bigger, smaller, more lifelike, more whimsical.

I enjoy working at home, surrounded by my favorite things, but I also enjoy working with others and having the stimulation and input of others’ ideas, comments, and criticisms, so I also work once a week at a studio in Visalia, where I can interact with friends and fire my work.

September 2009 Featured Artist - Michael Hansen

One of Michael’s goals as a photographer is to not only provide a unique perspective out into the beautiful world we live in, but also provide images that communicate words and feelings.

Photography has not only helped Michael look at things in very unique ways, but also to see things beyond the scene in front of him. Things he might never have noticed otherwise. He hopes the pictures here do a similar thing for those who view them.

Michael studied advanced photography at Porterville College and continues to learn and evolve as a photographer through workshops and the wealth of information available on the Internet, always striving to improve.