I have been painting with the First Baptist Art Group under the direction of Sam Houghton for over 15 years. I have taken an intense study of Corel Painter IX with Jerry Schuster,  2 years of Technical Illustration at Platt College, my illustrations have been published with major publishing houses under the direction of Ed & Stevie Baldwin of Family Workshop.  I have worked in the graphic arts field for over 28 years.  I have lived in this community for over 50 years, interested in art since a very young age. For more information see my website: MartinEnterprisingGifts.com

“A Tuscan Villa”

I created the ‘Eagle’s Nest’ made from burnt matches on the tops to bamboo picks for the base (bottom). I created these after seeing a small wishing well at a local laundry in 2008. They are all my own designs and creations. They are used for potpourri or artificial vines.

Some of my artwork is on display at the Sapulpa library.

Anne Leach

~Member of the Amonsoquath Band of Cherokee~

www.anneleach66.webs.com

As a professional artist and respected instructor for the past twelve years, Julie works with traditional elements and a contemporary approach. Her narrative paintings are colorful and dynamic and she has a strong following of both collectors and students. She belongs to several regional arts organizations and is sought after as a workshop facilitator and show participant. “Julie Miller paints in an abstracted representational style. Her subjects are varied and are described as both subtle and vivid painterly strokes. Her award winning work is in many private collections across the country.”

Interested in art and photography since childhood, Curran earned a BA in Fashion Illustration from OU in 1980. For the past 7 years, she has built a reputation as a portrait photographer. Her fine art work has focused on black and white landscapes and still-lifes, the capturing of light being the underlying theme throughout her work. Recently she rediscovered her love of color with a series of beach scenes involving over-saturation of unlikely hues. Curran is an art instructor and commercial photographer, attending many workshops at the OFAI. She is past coordinator and current committee member of Sapulpa Arts.

Che M. Graves  ~ Photographer ~ Artist Statement

From the beginning, Che Graves was never seen without a pencil in hand, always trying to rush through his studies to find more time to sketch out a new face or design.  For years he strived to find the one thing that quieted the noise in his head that screamed at full volume. The constant racket ceased, the first time he picked up a camera, and it hasn’t been far from his side, ever since.

With no formal training, Graves has an eye for the perfect mix of light and shadow.  He worked as a photo lab manager while trying to master the camera and film, learning to manipulate it to do the things he visualized in his head.  He then started his own business, studio, and left film behind.  He eventually mastered the digital slr, almost willing the camera to do his work.

Graves expresses his creativity in two distinct styles.  The first being his light and shadow, classic art nudes, and the way he uses light and wraps it around the human form, to accentuate the natural curves of the body.  The second style is shown in a series of images mostly from around Oklahoma.  They are images of things that life and society have left behind, once useful objects that one couldn’t get through the day without.  He has dubbed this series “Forgotten”.  Some of these places and things are just off a major road and highway and if you slow down enough, you may see them.

No matter the theme or the subject matter, Che Graves hopes that you see something in his work that you normally may not.  Most of his work remains just out of sight……take the time to look, and you will see.