The Art of Friendship

WALLA WALLA, WA -- Eight Walla Walla valley artists are celebrating friendship in a gallery show at CAVU Cellars during the month of June. Featured artists include Barbara Bates, Brenda Bernards, Janaki Howard, Tiffany Jenes, Shannon Kimball, Marilee Schiff, Betty Simcock, and Bobbi Walker. An artists' reception will be held Friday, June 3 from 5-7 pm. CAVU is located at 175 E. Aeronca Avenue across from the Walla Walla Regional Airport. Light refreshments will be provided and beverages will be available for purchase.

In 2018, several members of the group were taking oil painting classes in Todd Telander's studio. Mimi Mott suggested going to coffee, Bobbi accepted, Marilee asserted she'd like to go, then all were invited and just like that, according to Bobbi, it was a group. Nearly every week, the group met for coffee and conversation, about art and other interests; the birth of grandchildren and great-grandchildren, illness and healing, happenings in the community, and maybe a little politics. The group took classes and field trips together. They visited art events in the community and supported each other through achievement and challenge. During the pandemic, coffee gatherings were at first held socially distanced outside, but when that became problematic, the group kept the conversation going virtually. The idea for an art show celebrating friendship, came out of these conversations.

For members of the group, artistic inspiration comes from sources as diverse as the individuals themselves. Brenda, for example, draws inspiration from both the photos taken on her travels and scenes from everyday life. When Shannon is creating, she is inspired by all people and their untold and unique stories. A love of hiking and exploring the Blue Mountains inspires Janaki. Bobbi enjoys the challenge of capturing a moment of nature's beauty in landscape painting or a fleeting expression or mood in portraits. A current theme in Tiffany's collage work is nature and beauty. Incorporating photos of vintage objects and flowers and layering them with acrylic paints, she creates dreamlike imagery "just imperfect enough to be interesting."

"My love of painting began as a child and has come full circle back to the intuitive nature of creating," Barb shares. For Marilee, it's about defining what you love and living the seasons of your life honoring your heart's calling,

"It seems that creating art represents life's journey," Betty reflects. "There is always more to learn as one's story broadens, grows deeper and becomes richer."