This exhibition features artwork by:
Diana Saffo Bono
Virginia Dragschutz
Jessica Dreyer
Ethel M. Ferrett
Natalie Fleming
Crystal Goldkamp
Annette McGarrahan
Nancy M. Young
About the Circle of Eight
We are eight artists, brought together by accomplished Maryland artist Natalie Fleming, when she moved to St. Charles, Mo. A diverse group of artists, we meet monthly working in various mediums, sharing with one another our passion for art, our talent, and our knowledge, growing together as artists and friends.
Diana Saffo Bono
My artwork is a celebration of life. On the surface that seems a simple approach to creating. My inspiration comes from everyday life, traveling or, tapping into the child in me doing small pieces which make people smile. I love working with many different techniques, using decisive and strong brush strokes or delicate lines, with color rich or muted, with all shapes and sizes or very few shapes. I love it all. I paint because painting and creating are a very integral part of who I am.
Virginia Dragschutz
I tend to work in series-investgating a theory.technique or just to resolve an issue in my life. I work with a chosen media and supplies on hand. This method comes to me after years of studies with well known teachers across the country and in Sweden. I am comfortable drifting from one media to another . hopefully to produce the message at hand. Because I believe that-to teach is to learn- I have shared what I have learned with many student over the years."
Jessica Dreyer
"My style mirrors my personality, somewhat quirky, a little intense at times, a light hearted other times, chatty and visual with variations day to day. I always hope the end result when painting will reflect the joy and excitement I feel when connecting "Brush" to "Canvas".
Ethel M. Ferrett
I especially enjoy painting in watercolor directly from nature, finding plenty of subjects right outside my door, in the garden or in the woods. I am especially influenced by the beauty of flowers. To me, flowers represent the bold, the exotic, the romantic, and the sentimental. The natural landscape is alive and invigorating.I like to think of my painting of flowers as portraits, everything in nature having its own characteristics just as humans do! I love to experiment with all media and have won numerous awards. I am a member of the St. Louis Artist Guild, the St. Peter’s Cultural Arts Center and the Oak Leaf Artist Guild.
Learn more about artist Ethel M. Ferrett
Natalie Fleming
"Most of all I enjoy nature in all of it's moods and seasons. At one time I used to paint plein air, but now at 92 years of age, my painting on location is limited to small paintings done from the front seat of my car. I also like to paint interesting houses and at one time used to do paintings of people's house on commission. Abstract, non objective paintings are also fun to do. Watercolor is the medium of my choice because of its fresh, transparent color. Watercolor paintings almost paint themselves. When painting I start out with sketches, often several photographs and a very clear idea what I think my painting should look like, but after painting a while I soon discovered that there is a time when the painting tells me what to do. At first I thought that this was kind of a failure. After all the painting was not exactly as I had planned. However these were my best paintings.
Crystal Goldkamp
"I am primarily a watercolorist; often inspired to paint "en plein air", outdoors using natural light. Indoors or out, I feel the key is to interpret the light on the subject and let that guide me in the creative process. The translucent, unpredictability and randomness of watercolor results in a painting that is expressive and atmospheric--qualities I happily accept and employ when painting. One has to "let go" a bit when working with watercolor and be open to the results."
Annette McGarrahan
As a lover of all beauty in nature, Annette rejoices in sharing this beauty with others through her watercolor paintings. Not only does she get to experience this beauty firsthand while working on her art, she is also privileged to be able to pass it on for others to enjoy. Annette has long admired the transparent, ethereal quality of watercolors. Although she has taken a few art classes, she is mostly self-taught from books and a lot of practice. Annette’s style is fairly representational, as she finds it difficult to improve upon God’s handiwork. She hopes that the viewers of her work will be reminded of this awesome handiwork and be motivated to go in search of it themselves. She firmly believes that finding the beauty in life can lift the soul.
Learn more about artist Annette McGarrahan.
Nancy M. Young
Like chocolate, life without art just wouldn't be the same. Inspiration can be found everywhere, from a baby bird that had fallen from its nest to the drama of a spectacular sunrise. The characteristics of the mediums themselves like the fluid nature of watercolors, can ignite the creative process. Color itself is an inspiration to me. My subjects vary according to what strikes me at the moment. I enjoy the challenge of painting on location. I find a renewed sense of energy, enthusiasm and excitement when I create art which in turn gives me the drive to create more.
See past Circle of Eight exhibitions by this group from 2014, 2012 and 2011.
