Portraiture Archives - CreativeSonoma.org

Shannon Abbey Children's, Illustration, Literature, Painting, Teacher/Instructor, Teaching Artist for Adults, Teaching Artist for Youth, Visual Arts ‘The future of most bird species depends on our commitment to preserving them. Are they valuable enough for us to make the effort?’ - Jonathan Franzen Simplicity, the beauty of the every day.

I am an environmental woman artist inspired by the landscape and wildlife of Sonoma and Marin counties, especially the wetlands along the Petaluma River and San Pablo Bay. My work is about this place, the natural world of the North Bay, combining representation with abstraction.

I work in acrylic on wood panels in the studio, or on location around Sonoma and Marin Counties and recently traveling to Glacier National Park in Montana where I was the 2022 artist in residence.

I was born and raised in a small college town in the Pacific Northwest.

My family spent summer vacations camping, fishing, boating and swimming on the lakes and rivers of Washington and Idaho. The love of the outdoors instilled in me by my father, an avid outdoorsman, led to my passion for nature and animal life as my painting’s subject matter. I have an optimistic view of the regenerative power of nature when aware humans intercede.

Vegar Abelsnes Film, Film Office, Media, Multimedia, Photography, Video, Visual Arts Vegar Abelsnes is a global lifestyle, location, portrait, and food photographer & director, who is currently based in Sonoma County. For many years he worked out of New York, then San Francisco, and now Petaluma, CA. At the age of 19, he left Norway to go traveling around the world in search of a greater purpose. After nearly two years of exploring – during which he experienced, saw, and tasted much of what the world had to offer – Vegar discovered the irrepressible desire in him to photograph. For Vegar photography developed beyond an avocation, into both a profession and a lifelong passion. Vegar strongly believes in creating a collaborative environment on his shoots and is known in the industry for the subtle, yet effective ways in which he directs his talent and crew. His ability to capture spontaneous and authentic moments – without sacrificing technical or aesthetic perfection – is a testament not only to Vegar’s professionalism but also to that of his team. His personable approach makes for a fun and relaxed atmosphere, regardless of the size and complexity of a production.

Christine Barry Photography, Visual Arts

Christine specializes in portrait and wedding photography.

Christine loves capturing the special moments from families, high school seniors and college graduates, business headshots, and weddings/events.

Christine was born and raised in Santa Rosa, California. Her interest in photography started at a young age.

Christine loves to photograph nature and did a lot of it while traveling in the past. She loves the interaction and relationships she establishes with her clients.

Reena Burton Illustration, Mixed, Painting, Visual Arts Born and raised in beautiful Sonoma County, CA. I studied Fine Art in college, and fell in love with youth work and community arts. I worked for many years in non-profits and schools teaching art and community building skills to children and youth. I also have a deep connection to spirituality. I studied theology at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, and worked for a time in youth ministry, teaching young people skills to access their creative and spiritual voice. I am constantly searching for new ways to express my art, and my works range from painting, drawing, mixed media, and collage. My pieces call from my life experiences, world events, and social issues. Most commonly featured themes are relationships, spirituality, intersectional feminism, self-love, green witchcraft, body image, gender norms, sexuality, and social justice. I am an amateur seamstress, a green witch, and love painting small (and occasionally big) faces. I love to run, swim, snuggle with my family, practice yoga, play in the dirt, walk barefoot, and take long baths. Things like crystals and flowers make me really, really happy. Rom-coms and British mysteries are my sweet spot. Also am a bit of a nudist. When an opportunity presents itself, I can transform into a mermaid fairly quickly. I live in Graton, California with my family: partner Zeb, son Emmett, and (very) large kitty Charlie.

Nicoletta Camerin Photography, Visual Arts

I am a creative individual with an educational background in both Humanities and Design and a solid business management expertise. I am driven by my passion for creating beautiful images that not only arise an emotional response but also tell a story. I am passionate about preserving memories and representing someone’s story through images. With my camera, I can be bold, observe reality undisturbed and I can get closer to people: my camera is not only my creative outlet but also my way in into people’s true selves.

Mari Capon Acting, Artisan, Arts Administration, Ballet, Ballroom, Children's, Choreography, Dance, Directing, Fiber Art, Fiction, Folk Art, Hip-Hop & Funk, Illustration, Improvisation, Improvisation, Latin, Literature, Media, Modern, Muralist, Music, Non-Fiction, Other, Other, Other, Painting, Performance Art, Poetry, Printmaking, Puppetry, Sculpture, Storytelling, Teacher/Instructor, Teaching Artist for Adults, Teaching Artist for Youth, Theatre, Video, Visual Arts, Vocal Mari has been professionally involved in the arts world for over twenty years. As a child, she was a creative dancer at Virginia Tanner's Children Dance Theater, and she oil painted and sang in choirs. As a teen she acted, and was a make-up artist, poet, essayist, and ballroom dancer, and in young adulthood, she was a tango dancer and professional performing artist as an Art Model for artists working for Disney, EA, and countless Universities, Ateliers, Institutes, and Studios, and especially enjoyed set, costume, and lighting designs for painters and illustrators. Upon realizing that she most enjoyed coaching artists through their process, she began teaching, first creating art curriculum for a K-12 after-school program while becoming bilingual in Peru, before returning to the U.S. to become a certified cognitive movement, creative dance, and preschool music instructor. She began providing, teaching, and consulting for bilingual preschools and Summer Camps, tutoring, and coaching gymnastics, and continued to teach the arts and sports. She also taught inclusive sex education and spiritual development for children at interfaith, non-denominational churches, and facilitated somatic processing, while attending weekly classes in various forms. As an undergrad, Mari authored an Interdisciplinary Arts Curriculum Program for Pre-K through 12th Grade and became credentialed. She will research, publish, and offer her program while continuing to teach Interdisciplinary Arts.

Ron Carter Architecture, Artisan, Audio, Ceramics, Children's, Creative Sonoma Grantee, Design, Directing, Fashion Design, Fiction, Film, Functional Art, Furniture, Graphic Design, Illustration, Instrumental, Interior Design, Jewelry, Literature, Media, Mixed, Muralist, Music, Other, Other, Other, Painting, Photography, Poetry, Sculpture, Teacher/Instructor, Teaching Artist for Adults, Teaching Artist for Youth, Theatre, Video, Visual Arts, Woodworking

My Path... Divergent visions gave rise to my creative present. A present refreshed by art as life and livelihood.

Experiences like the ‘Tubbs Fire’ that hit Santa Rosa serve to strengthen the ‘artist within me’. It foements subjective creative moments that utilize my past, present - and my future as focal lenses. Spontaneously, I chose The San Francisco Art Institute over The Rhode Island School of Design and the School of the Art Institute at Chicago for my formal Art education. I received my BFA in Interdisciplinary Art and Public Art. I’ve studied stone sculpture for 10 years with Master Sculpture-Ante’ Marinovic, one of Croatia’s premier stone sculptors and is considered a Croatian national treasure. I explore the collaboration between artist, media and tool in such a fashion as to give rise to multiple layers of compressed info within each piece I create no matter if it is a purely visual work or an interactive space or environmental art form. For me, art screams out into all aspects of my life. As an artist in western society, dogma and bravado go hand in hand with economic choice. Art is my life. If it’s not nailed down or permanently affixed, it’s in trouble of becoming art resource material. Well, upon further review, even that won’t deter me from considering an objects use in an art piece.

Kim Wilson Cinematic Lifestyle Imagery Photography, Visual Arts Cinematic Lifestyle Imagery by Kim Wilson

Lifestyle photography is artistically photographing people in real-life situations. This hybrid of portrait photography and editorial/documentary style photography, which allows me to tell a larger story within a single frame. This form of photography requires a more personal relationship between photographer and client that transcends studio-style portraits. Cinematic Lifestyle Imagery offers completely customized shoots that are location and activity-centric based solely on the clients' personal passions and preferences. The process starts with an in-person consultation to determine the scope of your photo shoot. Call 707 242 1042 or email kim@kwhotog.com to set up a consultation.

Toby Daniels Acting, Artisan, Audio, Dance, Design, Fiction, Film, Graphic Design, Illustration, Instrumental, Latin, Literature, Media, Mixed, Modern, Multi-Media, Music, Non-Fiction, Other, Other, Painting, Performance Art, Photography, Sculpture, Teacher/Instructor, Theatre, Video, Visual Arts, Woodworking

Born in San Francisco, I grew up in Lucas Valley (Marin County) 15 years then, lived in Hopewell, New Jersey (between Princeton and Trenton) for 3 years, finishing high school. After graduation, chose to live in Bozeman, Montana (close to Yellowstone National Park and the Big Sky Ski Resort) for 5 years, attending Montana State University, earning degrees.

After obtaining a Bachelor's Degree in Business (Marketing Option) along with a Minor in Communication from MSU, I lived in Terra Linda (Marin County) for 6 years, continuing Multimedia studies, working.

In 1999 I moved to central Santa Rosa (Sonoma County, the "Heart of the Wine Country") and lived there for 10 years, attending a quality college for additional post-graduate studies. I broadened my education studying visual media (Computer Art, Applied Graphics, Desktop Publishing, Art, Multimedia, and web design) at Santa Rosa Junior College, while working.

With regards to my 11 years of college studies and two degrees that accompany two certificates (that relate to visual media composition and presentation), I have undertaken a variety of post-graduate studies and working in local businesses, I have expanded my knowledge of various programs that are applicable to corporate establishments and gained additional skill and knowledge of Multimedia and HTML, in pursuit of an occupation that relates to promotion, advertising or marketing.

I enjoyed the opportunity to develop my skills in project coordination, client services, problem solving and negotiating, applying my studies and abilities, seeking an opportunity where my experience, initiative and dedication to both personal and organizational goals will be valued.

Johny Dechemin Acting, Composition, Crew, Dance, Design, Directing, Fashion Design, Film Office, Folk Art, Functional Art, Hip-Hop & Funk, Illustration, Instrumental, Mixed, Multimedia, Music, Other, Other, Other, Other, Painting, Performance Art, Photography, Printmaking, Professional Performance, Sculpture, Storytelling, Talent, Teacher/Instructor, Teaching Artist for Adults, Teaching Artist for Youth, Theatre, Visual Arts, Vocal DJ JOHNY MIX, has a natural charisma, a passion for music, and the ability to connect with people. A top-notch DJ who’s connect with listeners through engaging talk content and social interaction. He plays musical recordings on radio shows, nightclubs, corporates, private and public events. He works for radio stations, presenting programs, talk shows, and chart shows. He ensures musical recordings and advertisements are played on time and also interact with listeners through social media. As a DJ, he is responsible for engaging with listeners, queueing up playlists, presenting commercials, performing interviews, taking music requests, and generating interest in the show. He is a MC at public events and perform meet and greets.

Ruth Donovan Design, Functional Art, Graphic Design, Holidays Shop Local, Illustration, Mixed, Multi-Media, Other, Painting, Performance Art, Sculpture, Teacher/Instructor, Visual Arts I am a local artist and cofounder of The Beluga and Bee Studio located in Santa Rosa's Railroad Square District. For the last decade I have been heavily involved in Sonoma county's art community. I have dedicated my time and studio space to host group art shows for other up and coming local talent. This is important to me because I was taken under the wing of a retired photographer, Ron Emanuel, when I first moved to Sonoma county. I feel inspired to pay it forward to other aspiring artists. Community and active support are key to a healthy art community.

Adeline Dwyer Film Office, General Services, Media, Multi-Media, Performance Art, Theatre, Visual Arts My name is Adeline Rose. I am a licensed cosmetologist specializing in hair and makeup styling for film, photography and bridal. Im a freelance artist based in Sonoma County working all of north and south Bay Area. Led by my heart, I chose to study at The Cinta Aveda Institute in San Francisco. After graduating i was introduced into the bridal industry where I have enjoyed working for the past 8 years. I was blessed with a highly professional and knowledgeable mentor who I learned a great deal from over the years. I have also studied advanced hair and makeup techniques at Hollywood Makeup School in Los Angeles. By taking many classes and workshops through the years i continue to educate myself on the latest trends, tools and techniques in the industry, deepening my understanding of the beauty world and how to keep my skills fresh and on point. Ive had the pleasure of working on set with some incredible photographers and I aim to branch out to do more on set styling for film and photography. I feel that my experience and expertise lends itself to be successful in this field. I Have fine tuned my talents and professionalism to create a quality service that is versatile, intentional and trusted. Please reach out if you have any questions or want to learn more about me.

Kerstin Fletcher Children's, Illustration, Instrumental, Literature, Mixed, Music, Other, Painting, Photography, Recovery Fund Grantee, Teacher/Instructor, Visual Arts I LOVE drawing and painting with all mediums. From pencil to watercolor, acrylic, or oil, I thrive on capturing light and life. Always looking for new challenges and beauty to capture, I can be found outside at sunrise painting in “plein air” or combining illustrations for a new story for my children. My faith fuels me to seek to paint light and life. I want to truly see, and communicate what I see to others. Raised in a bilingual household with strong ties to Europe, I am mostly self-taught. My life has brought me to delight in traveling, be an avid reader, mother of four, pastor's wife, violist, gardener, and extremely motivated to squeeze every moment out of every day.

Nicole Rose Gelormino Arts Administration, Illustration, Mixed, Other, Painting, Printmaking, Sculpture, Teacher/Instructor, Teaching Artist for Adults, Teaching Artist for Youth, Visual Arts Nicole Rose Gelormino is a teaching artist and painter. A SF Bay Area native, Gelormino has maintained a studio practice alongside her career in teaching art and leading professional development in arts education for over a decade. In her studio practice, Gelormino is committed to the continued exploration of the nuances of personal memory, the body and internalized cultural paradigms. She employs the paint and painting methods in the process of reflection and discovery within the pscyho-visceral landscape. Gelormino holds a Single Subject Teaching Credential in Visual Art and recently served on the advisory panel to the California Department of Credentialing. She worked for a few years on the Teachers Advisory Group to the SF Museum of Modern Art, writing curriculum for their collection and special exhibitions. She has also worked in arts administration in schools and other non-profit and public agencies. Some additional settings she has taught in include: professional development for teachers in schools and museums, youth and families before and after school and at special events, summer arts programs run by the city of San Francisco. At Gateway High School, Gelormino also served as the Arts Department Coordinator and Teaching Coach for other teaching artists.

Christine Hourscht Children's, Illustration, Mixed, Painting, Visual Arts

Living in a small town in California, Christine Renee Hourscht is surrounded by nature’s beauty.

She likes to hike among the trees, admiring flowers, birds, and other animals. She is also enchanted by the ocean, lakes, insects, sky, and fresh air. It fills her with colorful inspiration.

As an artist, Christine is passionate about the beauty of life and lives in gratitude. Her artwork portrays this with whimsical movements, shapes and colors. Her philosophy is to “Live to love” and “Every breath we take is precious.” Her artwork is a way to share moments in time.

Melinda Hughes-Berland Photography I've been a photographer for 46 years! I love my job. I feel very fortunate. I started photographing Grand Prix and smaller horse shows plus the world famous Tevis Cup Race, shooting Cougar Rock for 36 years with my husband Paul Hughes. In 1988 I started to photograph weddings and portraits. In 2003 I recieved my PPA Master degree and certification though Professional Photographers of America. I also often painted over photographs with oils. I about 2008 I changed to the digital format. I started compositing horses with ladies in my digital art. In 2012 I achieved the Diamond status through PPA, getting all four images into the Photographic Excellence category. Very exciting.... Mostly, I have a passion for what I do and pre-invision my art. I truly love working with horses and people. Over the years I have photographed horses, wildlife, newborns, boudoir, Brides, families, maternity and individual portraits. Currently, I am focused on family portraits, newborns, maternity, wildlife and horses. I'm told I am very easy to work with and I try to always make our sessions fun! Feel free to contact me for a session. Best wishes to you!

Leslie Ihrig Functional Art, Furniture, Illustration, Painting, Teacher/Instructor, Teaching Artist for Youth, Visual Arts I am an artist living in Petaluma, CA. I taught in Petaluma schools for 23 years. I am, currently, on the Board at the Petaluma Arts Center. My passion is painting and finding ways to connect arts to education. Years ago, I was a furniture design coordinator and a visual merchandising manager for Macy's California. I have a BA in Art from San Jose State University and a teaching credential from Dominican University (San Rafael). I always worked art into the curriculum, using integrated strategies in my classroom in all subject areas - ELA, math, science, history, and, of course, fine art. I incorporated VTS (Visual Thinking Strategies) throughout my curriculum, as well. My work has been sold at Studio Gallery in San Francisco and at the Petaluma Arts Center. I have also shown my work at the Cabrillo College Gallery, Aqus Cafe, and I have greeting cards available at Vibe Gallery in Petaluma. I painted a piano for the Friends of Petaluma River Project (Petaluma Pete) and participated in the Black Lives Matter street mural in Petaluma. My work includes portraits of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Alexandria Ocasio Cortes, Greta Thunberg, and other important figures as well as commissioned portraits. Please visit my website to view my work.

Chelsea Rose Kurnick Creative Sonoma Grantee, Literature, Non-Fiction, Performance Art, Photography, Poetry, Visual Arts Chelsea Rose Kurnick (she/her) is a writer and artist from southern California living in Sonoma County. She earned a BA in Linguistics in 2010 from the University of California Riverside, where she was also editor-in-chief of Mosaic: A Journal of Literature and Art. In 2013-14, she created and hosted The Casserole, an online literary reading series that aired live on Youtube featuring remote guests from all over the world. Chelsea began studying the craft of poetry at age 15 and began curating literary arts events at 20. She attributes most of her education in writing to community workshops and weekly open mics, which she has sought out since 2005 in every city she’s lived. Chelsea believes that poetry and storytelling are powerful tools for building empathy and are at their most vital when experienced in person. Chelsea’s work explores longing and loss, sometimes personal and sometimes global in scope; she writes of messy partnerships and humankind’s tenuous relationship to the material world we inhabit.

Mother Magica Artisan, Audio, Choreography, Composition, Dance, Design, Fashion Design, Instrumental, Jewelry, Media, Music, Other, Photography, Video, Visual Arts, Vocal

Artist , Muse, CRAZY

I am a creative designer and maker of music, videos, jewelery, clothing, wigs, dance and short storys..... I am a constant comic in all ways of life. Being able to laugh at everything is my true gift. I practice gratitude... I am sooooo greatfull to be alive and able to inspire you to create and love!

Christopher Mckee Artisan, Ceramics, Functional Art, Furniture, Illustration, Mixed, Other, Painting, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture, Teacher/Instructor, Visual Arts, Woodworking more to come

Adrian Mendoza Photography, Visual Arts An award winning California photojournalist now working as a public relations photographer for a community college. Specialty in college and university promotional capture - with minimal oversight - on tight (often daily) deadlines for social media and brochures/catalogues. Considerable experience in aerial (non-drone) photography of architecture, infrastructure, vineyards in Sonoma and Napa Valleys, multi-year documentation of the California Delta and related conveyance channels (i.e., sloughs, canals, reservoirs, etc.). Concurrent with my reality-based imaging is a passion for digital image processing in Adobe Photoshop.

David Minard Audio, Media, Photography, Video, Visual Arts

David L. Minard is a multi-talented bay area native. He is the owner of Z9 Media, a creative service company providing still photos, video, and audio engineering services.

He has been professionally recording sound since 2010 for both music in-studio and video productions. While possessing a Bachelor's degree in Recording Engineering from Ex'pression College, David is also a musician, himself (drums, singing, beatboxing).

David has recorded content for companies such as The Gap, Google, AOL, LEVI's, Funny or Die, Whole Foods Market, and many local businesses and spent 5 years as the lead recording engineer at Live Musicians Co-op's "4 Legends Studios."

His photographic style is clean and based in reality. He strives to capture the sincerity, beauty, and excitement of human nature. He specializes in solo portraiture (including headshots) and community event photography. Visit http://www.Z9media.com to see David's work.

Taryn Moller Nicoll Arts Administration, Illustration, Mixed, Painting, Printmaking, Teacher/Instructor, Teaching Artist for Adults, Visual Arts

Taryn Möller Nicoll (MFA'17, Louisiana State University) is a visual artist and instructor with ten years of experience in art education, curatorial practice and public program development.

In her studio practice, Taryn explores the intersection of fine art, medical science and the human body. She seeks refreshed investigations into notions of the good and the beautiful and, for her, that entry point is the human body; that ‘envelope’ rendering us equal: equally fragile, equally resilient. Her works have been exhibited at venues such as Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), Johns Hopkins Welch Medical Library, the New Orleans Pharmacy Museum, and the Shaw Center for the Arts in Baton Rouge.

Taryn has taught foundations, studio art and art history courses at Nova Southeastern University and Louisiana State University. Additionally, she has delivered artist lectures at academic institutions such as Johns Hopkins University, Maryland; the University of Dresden, Germany, and the University of Pretoria, South Africa.

Prior to relocating to the North Bay in 2022, Taryn was the Chief Curator for the City of Pembroke Pines in Florida. In this role, she directed exhibitions, cultural events and art education initiatives at Pembroke Pines' cultural institutions, including the Frank C. Ortis Art Gallery, Studio 18 Art Complex and the Charles F. Dodge City Center.

Pieter Myers Printmaking, Visual Arts

Pieter S. Myers received his Degree in studio arts from Colorado College with a specialty in printmaking at the Colorado Springs Fine Art Center. Principal influences include photography study with Ansel Adams, portrait study with Joyce Tenneson, and photogravure training at Crown Point Press in San Francisco. Pieter employs the classical tradition of copper plate photogravure, using innovative darkroom and intaglio printmaking techniques. Classically trained in both etching and fine art photography, Pieter concentrates on contemporary portraiture, figures, and images of people, also incorporating satire and social commentary. Each print is hand- pulled by the artist in limited editions. No computer imagery is used.

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