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Jewelry Trunk Show
February 28th, 2009
12:00pm-4:00pm

Four Distinct Artists, Four Distinct Styles

Bill Gallagher
Clean, Tailored, Classic
Local artist Bill Gallagher cuts and sets his own stones in gold or silver. Exposed to the art of silversmithing from an early age, Bill makes sophisticated pieces that are finished to a gleaming polish. By hand-selecting and cutting his own gemstones, Bill is able to produce endless possibilities of pattern and color.

Southwest Bracelet
Biwa Pearls, Turquoise

Michelene Berkey
Whimsical, Sophisticated
Michelene Berkey has a degree in Metalsmithing and Jewelry from California State Long Beach. Her creativity in silver is endless. She combines semi-precious stones with patinaed metals to produce gorgeous textural designs. Pearls abound in beautiful colors and shapes to delight the wearer. Michelene will be travelling from Colorado to share her talent with us.

Bee Pendant/Pin
Padparasha Sapphire, Lapis Lazuli

Birgitt Hellemann
Fun, Funky, Flashy
Originally from Hamburg, Germany, Birgitt Hellemann will be displaying her candy-colored necklaces, bracelets and earrings. She creates her designs by fusing layers of glass in a kiln that reaches temperatures of 1500 degrees Fahrenheit. Some of Birgitt's jewelry is made with dichroic glass, which is coated in layers of metal-oxides that shimmer and change when heated. Hand cut and assembled by Birgitt, these jewels are hard to put down!

Seafoam Stripe Necklace
Fused Glass

Amy Kekst
Elegant, Timeless, Fashion-Forward
A resident of Ohio, Amy Kekst has been creating for over 30 years. She works with her sister Audrey to make beautiful adornments from gold, silver and semi-precious stones. Her line of jewelry changes from season to season so that it is always up-to-date with current fashions and colors. From items that can be worn alone to items that can be worn as well-coordinated sets, Amy's jewels are art forms in themselves.

Waterfall Earrings
Labradorite, Clear Topaz, Quartz, Onyx, Garnet, Moonstone

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The Talented Mr. John Maxon

There's no denying that John Maxon has talent! His contemporary landscapes are rich in color and expression, and are dramatic interpretations of expansive vistas. Chemers Gallery carried his work years ago, and we're only too happy to be presenting his gorgeous paintings once again.

Untitled Landscape
Mixed Media on Paper

The above untitled landscape showcases John's amazing plays of light and color within the vista. It's a beautiful rendition of a dramatic sunset, with the clouds blazing in the early evening glow. Growing up on a working farm in Wyoming, John marveled at the particular splendor of nature from an early age. He went on to attend the San Francisco Art Institute, earning his BA in painting from San Jose State University. He also holds an MFA in painting from UC Davis, and has even attended Stanford University! John now lives in the San Francisco Bay area which provides him with endless inspiration.

Yes and Known
Oil on Canvas

One of the most accomplished elements of John's work is its ability to change its focus depending on where you're standing, particularly with his larger-scale paintings on canvas. Viewed up close, each image is made from abstracted blocks and swishes of color over layers of rich underpainting. Step back from the piece, however, and the figurative elements come together to create a whole new image. John chooses his colors expertly, echoing nature without mimicking it. Yes and Known is stunning in pictures, but it's best seen in person. That's the only way you'll get to appreciate the vibrant reds, the layers of built-up paint or the textures of color. It's a completely different painting up close, and the longer you look at it, the more you see in it.

You can always see John's smaller works on paper and larger works on canvas on our website, but to get the full effect, come to see them in person!

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Vantage Points Through Steve Kell's Eyes

California landscape artist Steve Kell has led a colorful life. Exposed to art from an early age, he developed a love for painting and cartooning, which he cultivated into a successful career. He has a Universal Press syndicated comic strip that has appeared in over 70 newspapers across the country. Prior to his years as an artist, Steve was a full-time pilot with US Airways, logging well over 20,000 hours. He even knew Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger, who's made headlines recently as the pilot who successfully brought down the US Airways jet in the Hudson River!

Quiet Creek
Oil on board

These days, Steve creates striking scenes of southern California. As a resident of the Golden State, he certainly has a plethora of sights to inspire him! His compositions are surprising, his colors are unexpected, altogether inviting to the eye. Steve imparts a freshness within his paintings, like a cool sea breeze on a warm, humid day. In Quiet Creek, you can hear the babble of the water and smell the sun-warmed grass. I love the reflection of the trees in the water, something so rare in this water-starved region.

Surf Light
Oil on board

As a response to the economic times, Steve has begun to paint on a slightly smaller scale, which means his already affordable works are even more affordable at $450 and under. Surf Light was painted on location in Laguna Beach, and illustrates a classic southern California beach scene. Vibrant and colorful, Steve has shown us the elegant beauty of the sea cliffs and the ocean.

Steve Kell is a busy man, "but my passion for painting the landscape, lugging the gear, searching for that perfect composition, now takes up most of my time. My goal is to lay something onto the canvas that embodies the spirit of the scene, as well as its beauty. A secondary goal is to keep from dropping a finished piece in the dirt and not get a parking ticket."

To view more of Steve's work on our website, CLICK HERE.

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