Creating Community Through Art

Some of the best things about art is the community that revolves around it and the way it can bring people together. 3 of our talented Chemers Gallery artists are perfect examples of the friendships that art can foster among individuals - Dori Dewberry, Julie Hill and Dana Cooper.

Dori Dewberry, Dana Cooper & Julie Hill, summer 2011 artist demos at Chemers Gallery

These three lovely ladies regularly get together to paint, look for new subjects and take part in online challenges together. Though their artistic expressions differ from one another they do have several things in common (besides talent!), like depicting every day scenes that make us feel as if we've just dropped into the work. You may have met them at our Summer 2011 artist demonstration series, where they all set up their easels and art supplies.

Read on and get to know Dori, Julie and Dana a little better.

Dori Dewberry

Fresh Air by Dori Dewberry, 6 x 6 pastel

Dori was introduced to us a year ago through the United Society of Pastel Artists. We loved her impressionist style vibrant color palette and sparkling personality. A teacher by day, Dori's passion lies within the process of her artwork. She is always experimenting to push her ideas further. You may recognize some of her landscapes from your own explorations in Santiago Oaks Regional Park. Dori recently brought us some wonderful gallery scenes from a visit to the Chicago Art Institute. Their small size (only 6 x 6!) is perfect for a little nook or shelf or a collection on the wall.

Julie Hill

Sushi Anyone? by Julie Hill, 6 x 6 watercolor

Julie is a native southern Californian who discovered a love for watercolors later in life. What began for her as a tentative expression blossomed into a full-blown exploration of color, light and shadow. Julie is a former USC professor who not only taught in the Pediatrics and Pathology departments at the Keck School of Medicine, she also ran a research lab that investigated neonatal bacterial meningitis. She discovered that her artwork allowed her to spend more time with her growing family. Julie is self-taught and works primarily with black and white photographs to guide her in the tonal values of a painting while still retaining the freedom to interpret the colors in any way she pleases.

Dana Cooper

Split Decision by Dana Cooper, 8 x 10 oil on board

We were introduced to Dana's little "slices of life" through last spring's "Scenes of Tustin" show at our gallery. Her small-scale oil on board figuratives captured our imaginations and we couldn't wait to see more. Dana draws from her travels locally, through Europe and her visits to art museums. Her work is mostly on a smaller scale and truly captures the mood and feel of a place, be it walking in the rain, taking in the vastness of a cathedral or contemplating art in a museum. As a former children's art instructor, Dana now devotes most of her time to her artwork. The teaching bug hasn't left her though - she still teaches art classes locally.

Dori, Julie and Dana will be taking part in our upcoming Scenes of Tustin 2012 show, kicking off at the end of April, and you can, too! You don't need to be a seasoned pro enter a painting or two in this unique exhibition. All entries are welcome for jurying. For details on how to enter, click HERE.

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