Four unique artists are featured during April in  Sunriver’s Artists’ Gallery. Carolyn Waissman, photographer, Kim Jones abstract acrylic painter, Susan Harkness-Williams, gourd and jewelry artist and Pat Cross, oil painter will bring their talents this and every month to the Gallery.  The artists will be present April 14, 4-7pm at the celebrated Second Saturday reception. Two of the artists Pat Cross and Susan Harkness-Williams will teach a class on the topics, Figure Drawing and Art Dolls during the month as well.

The Gallery will feature Carolyn’s Out of Africa series from her photo safari. Carolyn worked her magic with the Lion, Giraffe and Elephant in the wild.  Waissman has a way of coaxing personality from her animal subjects, making each appear deceptively approachable.

Waissman says, “Photography melds my love of nature and art.” Central Oregon offers a feast for the photographer and as a longtime local wildlife naturalist and interpreter, Carolyn loves  being outside year round and adventure travel to Europe and Africa as well as around North America provide subjects for exciting new projects.

Carolyn’s Wildlife Portraits are close-up intimate photographs that show the essence and attitude of each animal and her love of photography continues to expand with this ever changing field.
Harkness-Williams  continues her passion for creativity by introducing several new vessels and hanging art for the celebration of the Gallery’s one year anniversary. Sacred Heart is an intricately carved gourd incorporating gilding, filigree carving and her beloved mixed media. This piece was inspired by trips to European churches on photographic “hunts.”

Motion II is a contemporary piece with flowing natural lines with inlaid turquoise. Dark cherry stains create a fantastic backdrop for the curves and channels of her carving that hold her inlaid treasures.
A large striking piece entitled, Grey Feather’s Ceremonial Shield was designed to hang above a fireplace or on a gallery style wall. It features oversized turquoise stones, Native American design and carving. It is embellished with horse hair and silver cones.

Susan’s work appears in private galleries around the United States and internationally, in juried fine art shows in the Pacific Northwest and the High Desert Museum. She was an illustrator for an archeology dig in Italy and her extensive business background, art experience and love of archeology all combine to make for one of a kind art pieces.

This month Susan is also teaching a wickedly fun two-day Art Doll Class. On April 17-18 students will learn the fundamentals of building basic armatures, body proportions and sculpting faces. Some supplies are included. Students should provide an old towel which they will be cutting up in class.  Optional items for students include yarn, ribbon, horse hair, leather and scrap fabric.

April at the Gallery also features internationally renowned oil painter, Pat Cross, with her instantly recognizable signature palette.  One day only, Pat will teach Sunriver’s very first Figure Drawing Workshop with a live model on Tuesday, April 24, 4-6pm.
Pat’s long career began at age 15; she enrolled as the youngest student admitted into nationally-known Hank Kieling’s college-level class at Charleston University.

She apprenticed in figure drawing and painting under internationally-renown Lance Hunter. Cross’s figurative artworks are juried in some of our nation’s most competitive fine art exhibits including the Nude International and the Salon International.

She is the only artist in the Pacific Northwest juried into the Salon International for two consecutive years. Her many firsts continue as the first artist to feature an art exhibit of the nude human form during an annual Spring Art Hop in Bend.

Media coverage includes local, national and international news including International Artist Magazine. Most recently she was invited by Kennedy Publishing as a featured artist in the 2012 Best of America Oil Artists volume.

Kim Jones is passionate about the potential of color; Aspen River Red is a reflection of that passion. She believes every color has a deeper meaning behind it and affects each individual in a unique way. In this painting, the yellows bring an element of joy and happiness where the deep pinks and reds add energy and vitality.

Jones teaches classes at the Gallery and finds joy in passing along her own unique and talented style. She is also a large part of the Bend Art Scene and she was one of the original members that joined the Artist Gallery in November 2010.

Visit both the Village locale and their “virtual gallery.” Be sure to sign up for the growing number of varied art classes. Also enjoy all of the Village merchants who participate in the Art n About (Each Second Saturday of the month). Grab a card and have the Village merchants punch your card for the chance to win the prize of art. One lucky winner will walk away with a treasure from the Gallery! 541-593-2127 or 541-593-8274. www.artistsgallerysunriver.com.