Meet The Artists

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

Wearable art is what The Beaded Artists, Jane Jewett and Dena Hight, work to achieve. They specialize in beaded necklaces, bracelets, earrings and rings. All pieces are made with quality beads, stones and crystals.

Together, The Beaded Artists have a combined beading experience of over 50 years! Wearing interesting jewelry pieces invites conversations and ultimately interactions with people. To us, that is the best part. We say, “WEAR YOUR JOY!"

Here are some examples of Jane Jewett's and Dena Hight's creations.

Diane Kinner and Doris Mathison, aka Beadalicious Ladies, will be joining us at the Mariposa Yosemite Rotary Art, Wine & Wheels Festival on May 25th 11am - 5pm.

Doris's family are longtime ranchers/settlers. Diane moved here in 2002 to be nearer to family. They have both been artists in the past, Doris with oils and Diane with acrylics. They have been in a beading group at the 41 Trading post for approximately 12 years until it closed in 2019. They employ the use of seed beads, stones, crystals and re-purposed materials in their handmade, unique beaded jewelry.

Jan DeShera is with us again this year with her beautiful creations.

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

She and her husband own Wildfire 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 and has won numerous awards at the Mother Lode Fair and Mariposa Fair for her work.

Italian Creek Designs returns! Saralynn Nusbaum designs jewelry that is well made, comfortable, and has a positive connection to the wearer. She works in gold, copper, sterling silver and semi-precious stones.

Inspired by a friend’s designs and encouraged by my husband Don, I began making jewelry about ten years ago. I would describe my style as bohemian-influenced but elegant. I often mix metals and incorporate leather in my designs. I make what I like, not what I think will have market appeal. I love the colors, textures, and the elegance of making this jewelry. This work has been a gift to me and over the years creating jewelry has provided a much needed balance to my professional life. Now that I am retired I am able to devote more of my energy to this creative pursuit.

Both Don and I are natives of the San Francisco bay area. We purchased our Mariposa property about thirteen years ago. The beauty of this place inspires my designs and my work as an artist has connected me to this community.

Hannelore Fischer, a life-long accomplished artist, was born and raised in Germany, where she started her dual career as a fine and graphic artist in the early 70's. Since 1978 she has lived and worked in the USA, teaching in Art and Design college, her own classes and mentoring other artists. Also working 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 textures. 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.

Recently, she has expanded her artistic endeavors into hand-built, one of a kind ceramics.

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.

The Made in Mariposa initiative promotes the local agriculture, manufacturing, and artist-based businesses of Mariposa County. Come and see many different crafts all in one space.

Santiago Palacio of Enchanted Cielo

Santiago is a Print Maker in California. He works in Mariposa and Yosemite, making original linocut prints. He is inspired by nature and the places around him. Santiago works as a Park Ranger by day and makes art at night.

Jack Winters is a recently retired electrician and County Inspector. He just discovered he has a creative talent in woodworking. Enjoy his irresistible birdhouses—one of them has your name on it!

Rosalie Thurston, new to the painting scene, has enjoyed creating acrylic paintings of Yosemite National Park, Mariposa County and various scenic areas. Her 2024 entry, “Mariposa at a Glance,” was inspired by the past, present and future of Mariposa County.

Thurston is a longtime Mariposa resident who has worked for several local businesses. She has always been interested in creative ventures and has designed and crafted various costumes, decorations and clothing. She has experimented with many creative fields, such as tapestry, drawing and jewelry making. Rosalie has recently added historic buildings to her profile. The “Counts’ House” painting depicts Mariposa County’s first treasurer’s home, now located at the Mariposa Museum & History Center. The painting was recently auctioned at this year’s Cowboy Day Fundraiser event.

Rosalie sees a future in art, by creating paintings that can be replicated into prints, cards, stickers and more. Her originals can be viewed at the Yosemite Gateway Art Center in Oakhurst from May 15th to July 15th. She invites people to stop by her booth and take a selfie with her Mr. Monarch portrait.

Native California Pine Needle Memory Baskets, Memory Catchers, Coasters, Acrylic ​Wood Panel and Canvas Paintings.

Embellished Gourds , Repurposed and One Of A Kind Items

"I love creating unique and beautiful things, and I am able to do this with my basketry and painting. I have been painting and drawing since I was able to hold a pencil and brush. Eva Katz gave me lessons in oil painting from the age of 7 until she passed away when I was 12. She left all of her painting supplies to me. I had a bit more formal training during my high school days, as well as commercial artistry at PCC Jr. College. My inspiration comes from my travels in the US and Europe. Wonderful landscapes are available everywhere.

All of the baskets are made from oiled pine needles and a wooden or pine needle base, or Gourd Base. Some are embellished with natural stone, bone or metals. The only synthetic item on the baskets is artificial sinew for the thread."

This year, Penny Otwell Paintings will be joining us, so make sure you come and see her!

Penny chooses to paint where she lives, here in the Sierra Nevada. Otwell begins a painting working "en plain air," and occasionally finishing completely in the field. She says her paintings are not a "record" but a manifestation of her feelings about the place or subject while she is there.

"Something about the available light is usually my guide. Over time, I've become a keen observer of nature by painting in the outdoors.

Karen Mentzer and Troian Cummings will be at our Mariposa Yosemite Rotary Art, Wine & Wheels Festival. They will be running live demonstrations in hand building and on the pottery wheel.

So don't miss out!

"At the Bootjack ClayShack we work in clay, We make wheel-thrown and hand-built pottery and we often incorporate our beautiful surroundings and rich history into our work. We make functional work as well as some decorative pieces.

We plan on bringing a pottery wheel as well as some hand building projects to demonstrate for the community."

At the Yosemite Sierra Artists' booths, you will find Georgia Kathleen Desch RN, alias Cathy.

Cathy was born and raised in Fresno, California. Cathy and her husband moved to Coarsegold 15 years ago. She worked in local hospitals for 30 years.

When she retired she joined YSA where she made a whole new set of friends. She started donating paintings to Valley Childrens Hospital to raise money for the children. To date she has donated 24 paintings. She paints for 4hr a day, her favorite place to paint is at Wawona, Yosemite.

She hopes you enjoy her art as she enjoys painting it!

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." Yosemite Sierra Artist, Jan Neal

“At this event I will have some original paintings and a variety of quality prints and cards available. I’ll be in the Yosemite Sierra Artists booth demonstrating my sketchbook work of ink and watercolor.

My desire to create comes from a deep longing to participate as the fully alive co-creators we were all designed to be. Bringing order out of chaos and showing light & beauty raises our gaze from the sometimes dark and harsh world we live in. This beauty has the power to give hope and joy.

Some of my work is influenced by the 4 years we lived in Japan. When painting koi, geisha & flowers, I tend to use pure transparent watercolors to let the light of the paper shine through, adding a luminous affect. I’m also drawn to dramatic high contrast when painting local scenes in acrylic paints, with layers of glazing for depth. As I walk and take photos for reference, I am searching for the hidden beauty in our everyday lives.

Recently I have added loose still life paintings using oil paints to my artistic expression. The most ordinary pieces of fruit and dish-ware takes on it’s own charm in this method of painting.

I live each day hunting for ways to add to the beauty of creation. As you look at my artwork, my hope is that you find yourself invited to enter this beauty and feel the joy of moments filled with light, color and a sense of exploration."

Emma Louise Constable graduated from Merced College with a degree in Digital and Studio Arts. "I am now pursuing my BA in Arts with a focus in Graphic Design and Time and Based Media from Stanislaus State.

Focusing my skill on portraiture and design, I love to create characters and stories with my work, with subjects from fantasy to contemporary. I have even done graphic design work, such a designing the Mariposa Yosemite Rotary Club logo. Working in digital mediums, to gouache and oils, I love to employ a vast array of differing styles and subjects."

Gina Mims and Lina Jane will be showcasing their art as well as promoting Oakhurst Art & Wine Hop, Yosemite Sierra Artists, and Sierra Art Trails. If you are interested in the local art scene, this is the booth for you.

They are donating 2 tickets to the new Art & Wine Hop, a $50 gift certificate for The Gallery at Oakhurst Spirits and a Tasting for 8 at Yosemite Wine Tails (a $350 value). Make sure you enter to win!

Jerry 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."

Talia Rose Foster will be demonstrating her techniques in her booth next to Bootjack Clay Shack. "I make high end tie dye, specializing in geode design. I use non traditional techniques, such as ice dye, hot water irrigation, reverse tie dye and low water immersion. I make both clothing and home goods, such as aprons, linens, sheets and curtains." ''Prepare to be amazed!