FEATURED ARTIST: JUDITH SANDER

At the end of a gravel road and down a long country driveway lies Sage Art Studio, a quaint cottage at the edge of a meadow with great views of Mary's Peak. In this fun studio, chock full of bins stuffed with doodads, gadgets, buttons and fabric, Judith Sander creates unique dolls adorned with a variety of fabrics and jewelry giving each doll its own character. Sander also creates complicated intricate collages. Starting with a fun eclectic painting of a human figure, Sander adds layers of papers and fabrics (often stationery she's written on), various adornments, and other fine details to complete an exquisite multi-layered, multi-textured scene surrounding a human figure. She has been doing collages for the last six years and confesses her collages are intense work. The tranquil valley view from the studio windows helps counter the intensity. Having created dolls for many years before she even started collages, Sander finds the dolls "fun, easy and a breath of fresh air.." Indeed they are fun and every woman who sees one will want one. I am not surprised she creates such lovely works of art. She surrounds herself in an inspirational studio in a gorgeous setting that feeds her creativity. Check out Sander's collages, dolls and other artwork at www.judithsander.com .

FEATURED ARTIST: Carolee Clark

Oregon Crafted artist Carolee Clark has been painting all her life, full time since 1998. Clark focuses her acrylic paintings on landscapes and figures and uses bright colors to create bold beautiful images. Her hexagonal studio with its abundant windows optimizes a tremendous view of the Willamette Vally and neighboring farm and fuels her creative energy. This is evident in her dozens of 10x10 pieces she paints daily of random images. These dailies, along with her larger pieces, can be seen at www.caroleeclark.com. Clark currently has her works on display at Pegasus Gallery in Corvallis and The Pines Wine Tasting Room & Art Gallery in Hood River. You can also visit her studio during the upcoming Philomath Open Studios Tours, November 14 and 15, and again November 21 and 22, 2009.