JURORS
GINA HOLT
Originally from New York, Gina Holt currently resides in Bothell, WA, where she works from her home studio. Born in 1959, Gina says that she inherited her creativity from her father, a dancer, and her mother, an artist.
As a child she loved to spend her spare time drawing, painting and making up imaginary characters for the stories she illustrated.
Gina received a BA in art from the University of Oregon, where she focused on printmaking, illustration and painting. After graduating, Gina augmented her creative abilities by taking classes in ceramic hand-building at Pottery Northwest.
Gina has since experienced an unending joy of working with clay, as this medium allows her to transform the 2-d media she is so familiar with into virtual 3-d canvases that simultaneously employ her drawing, sculpting and painting skills.
Gina’s most recent works are colorful botanical - inspired sculptures that can either stand alone or hang on the wall. Inspirations for these life-like creations begin with her study of intricate nature photos and live plants from the garden. Gina’s eye-catching works emerge as she molds complexity, light and shadow into the clay. The addition of multiple layers of combined glazes and textures enhance and complete each unique work of art . Gina then signs, numbers, and writes on the back of each botanical piece a sentimental meaning that primarily derives from Victorian era- floral dictionaries, making each and every sculpture a thoughtful experience.
Gina began selling her pieces in 1991 through gift galleries and juried shows. Her devoted groupies know well that her works in clay started as floral-themed mirrors and architectural-style clocks. A number of her followers are thrilled to have more than a handful of these collectors’ items gracing the walls of their homes.
There is an optimism and delightful cheerfulness to Gina's work that consistently impels collectors of her art to pre-purchase pieces from her shows prior to the shows’ openings. Gina’s art has gained attention across the United States.
Visit Clayworks by Gina Holt for more about Gina and her work.
EILEEN SORG
Eileen Sorg is a professional artist based in the Pacific Northwest and is well known for her magical, narrative drawings. She regularly shows her work at juried festivals across the country and has originals in museums and private collections worldwide. In addition to her personal studio work, she accepts commission work throughout the year. She is a popular instructor teaching workshops across the US and Canada where she shares her love of drawing and the mixed media technique she has developed over the years.
Eileen is also recognized as a Signature Member of the Colored Pencil Society of America and the author of several books on drawing in colored pencils produced by Walter Foster Publishing.
Eileen’s primary medium for creating her artwork is drawing using colored pencils. These pieces are created on paper using traditional techniques and framed behind glass. Her love of paper led her to become a printmaker with several presses in her studio used for copperplate etching and creating mezzotints. Recently, Eileen has begun oil painting on a copper plate to explore that medium as another way to visually express her ideas.
Additionally, Eileen built and owns Black Barn Fine Art Studio, a teaching facility located in Kingston that offers workshops covering a wide range of disciplines taught by working artists that are both local and from across the country.
See Eileen’s personal artist website for more about her and her work at Two Dog Studio.