Meet The Artists

Rebecca and Renis Harvey of Photo Op, will delight your senses with beautiful photography. These two residents of Coulterville develop their work on different mediums, using acrylic face mounts; metal; canvas; framed and matted prints.

Bring the kids by to see Pearl's Pets! Pearl Louise Spearman’s friends call her Louise. She has been sewing for many years, having learned the art from her mother. She hand-makes all of the stuffies you will see at her booth. Therefore, there is only one of each item she creates. There may be similar brothers and sisters to animals, but no two are exactly alike.

Dawn Jackson of Leatherwork Unlimited has been doing leatherwork for 47 years. She has built her skills under the help of John Hill, a well known saddlemaker. Working hard, she finally started her own business when she married Kevin in Nov 1989. Dawn makes all kinds of custom leather work, now in a large shop manufacturing their own line of equestrian tack, accessories and other items selling to all over the world.

The Beaded Artists, Jane Jewett and Dena Hight work to achieve wearable art, specializing in beaded necklaces, bracelets, earrings and rings, using quality beads, stones and crystals. Together they have a combined beading experience of over 50 years.

Gina Mims is a painter with her own gallery at Oakhurst Spirits, Co-Creator of the Oakhurst Art & Wine Hop, and Vice President and Community Outreach Chair of Yosemite Sierra Artists. She’ll be showing work alongside artist Lina Jane again this year. Stop by their booth to say hello and connect with the heart of the Foothills creative scene.

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And don't forget to sip, stroll, and discover local talent at the Oakhurst Art & Wine Hop—Happening every third Thursday through October from 5–8 PM! Enjoy art at multiple venues, meet the artists, and sample wines with a $20 tasting glass. Food is also available for purchase along the route. Hop on the free trolley or drive yourself to visit them all. Don’t miss this fun and flavorful community event!

Hannelore Fischer started her dual career as a fine and graphic artist in the early 70's in Germany. In 1978 she moved to the USA where she teaching college-level Art and Design, her own classes, and mentoring other artists. She has also worked as a graphic designer, illustrator, sign painter, and muralist. Inspired by nature, Hannelore creates visionary abstracts and landscapes in bright colors, fluid gestures, and pronounced features. Her imagery often is reminiscent of an other-world, microscopic cell structures, or faraway galaxies. She strives to infuse harmony and awe into her work and a celebration of life. She has expanded her artistic endeavors to include hand-built, one-of-a-kind ceramics.

erry Johnson says this about his JJ Woodworks. "I make cutting boards, charcuterie boards, tables and live edge furniture. I primarily use salvaged, repurposed wood when possible. Also, I enjoy making wooden American flags."

Martin Foden shares that "all the pieces we make are dedicated to the memory of Geophrey Foden, my brother and one of the finest design and manufacturing jewelers to ever come out of Africa. I create Safari and wildlife themed jewelry. This includes artistic leather animal heads mounted on leather-patterned African shapes, and Elephant hair knot bracelets in copper and precious metals."

Jack and Kip Winters make handmade, one of a kind bird houses with great craftsmanship. They can be hung or set on a table. Enjoy his irresistible birdhouses—one of them has your name on it!

Rebecca Sullivan, a painter,  likes nothing better than painting the local beautiful area. Rebecca showcases at the Ridgeline Gallery and Gifts here in Mariposa. The Gallery showcases Yosemite paintings and fine gifts from Yosemite and the Sierras by various local artists.

After decades of creating advertising concepts for major corporations, E&J Gallo Winery, Chevron, and Domino’s Pizza, Christine Obers is free to pursue other creative interests. She happily calls Mariposa home, creating art for the love of it and the enjoyment of others.

“Living in Mariposa, I share my backyard with deer, wild turkeys, bob cats and grey squirrels. It is a tremendous joy to observe them and be a part of their world. Inspiration is everywhere I look.”

After having a successful career as a choral musician, Jan DeShera retired from the musical arts to an 'encore' career in fiber arts.

She and her husband own Wild Fire Ranch in Coulterville, where they are running about 30 head of sheep.

She is a hand spinner and weaver, using fiber from her own flock as well as cotton, bamboo, silk, and tencel. She specializes in hand spun wearables has won numerous awards at the Mother Lode Fair and Mariposa Fair for her work.

"I believe that paintings must breathe. You should feel the space. Perhaps that is why my favorite kind of painting is plein air painting. While masterful realism amazes me, I am more interested in impressionism, in the stroke of the brush that suggests the place, the feel of the person, animal or place."

Natasha Graham of Yosemite Flower Farm, her husband and their dog live on a beautiful small farm in the mountains near Yosemite National Park. They offer seasonal bouquets of fresh and dried flowers, and much more! Natasha makes flower mobiles, and her husband carves beautiful wood-carved spoons and vases.

In Talia's words:

"I create unique, unusual, high end textile and fabric art, specializing in geode style designs. My dyes include both clothing items and homemade goods. I use professional quality fiber, reactive procion dyes and professional textile detergent. These are not your typical hippie style tie dyes".

"My career spans several styles and mediums. I began with large-scale Public Art installations of metal. Today my imagery is inspired by my re-location to the Yosemite area of California. I am creating from this vast living canvas around me.

My images are abstractions from nature that evolve through a process of deconstruction, referring to taking away, or simplifying- in Greek “Spagyric”. The end result has become a kind of calligraphy of living line documenting texture, growth and movement.

Water moves through the veins of earth, bark and even stone and leaves a line which I’m trying to find."

Dawn Jackson has been doing leatherwork for 47 years. She has built her skills under the help of John Hill, a well known saddlemaker. Working hard, she finally started her own business when she married Kevin in Nov 1989. Dawn makes all kinds of custom leather work, now in a large shop manufacturing their own line of equestrian tack, accessories and other items selling to all over the world.

Sally Skogen says, "I love to capture the beauty of God's creation in my photos." Sally is an award winning photographer living in Mariposa. Her work can be found at these Marpiosa locations: Casto Oaks Wine, Lone Wolf Designs, Steve's Sportsman's Cafe, Jantz Bakery, and her jewelry at the Mariposa Gen and Mineral club store.

At Bootjack Clay Shack, Karen Mentzer and Troian Cummings work in clay. They make wheel-thrown and hand-built pottery and they often incorporate their beautiful surroundings and rich history into their work. They make functional work as well as some decorative pieces.

Emma Louise Constable is a multi-media artist with a specialization in portraiture. Emma is currently a part of California State Stanislaus's BFA Art program, pursuing a mixed emphasis. For her personal work, Emma loves to use gouache, digital, and oil mediums, with subjects from fantasy to contemporary.

Diane Erwin grew up in the bay area, and spent many summers camping, hiking, and backpacking in the Sierra with her family. Her mother was a former art teacher who encouraged her to draw and paint. Now that she’s retired and living in Mariposa, she can spend lots of time combining those passions. Some of her work is plein-air and others are based on photos she takes when hiking and backpacking. She’s participated in plein-air workshops and multi-day trips with fellow artists into the wilderness where mules carried their art supplies.

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​Cathy Desch is a passionate painter who discovered her love for art after retiring from a career in nursing. She finds painting to be a peaceful, healing practice and enjoys sharing that joy with others—especially children. Cathy often paints alongside young artists, inspiring creativity and encouraging others to explore the therapeutic power of making art.

Garden art flower plates

The Central Sierra Woodcarvers is a group of woodcarving enthusiasts of all ages!

These handcrafted windchimes are made using repurposed branches or wood, and hand cut stained glass. Crystal beads and embellishments are woven into a net-like design, creating truly unique pieces of art. These sun catchers are made with crystal glass beads that are hand strung onto jewelry wire, and finished with a teardrop K9 crystal that makes stunning rainbows.

Kathi Fournier is the artisan, designer, and creator of Naturally Nice Designs, working from her home in Atwater, CA. Every piece is created with love and a passion for the natural beauty found in nature.