Stop in . . . meet David Smith, resident artist, owner and licensed art teacher and of the Smith Studio and Gallery. You will usually find him working on a new sculpture or creating a sample for our upcoming Thursday night adult step-by-step art class or Saturday afternoon children’s art class. As you stroll through the gallery you will discover whimsical paper Mache sculptures, paintings, drawings, hand-colored relief prints and paper Mache ornaments by David Smith along side original artwork by the regional artist we represent.

 

The Smith Studio and Gallery takes great pride in bringing accomplished Mid-west art fair artists to Geneseo, who otherwise might not be seen in this area. Representing a variety of extraordinary artists throughout the Mid-West . . . Quad Cities … Chicago . . . Peoria . . . Iowa City . . . Racine, Wisconsin and even Florida. Spanning a wide variety of mediums and venues: oil painting; watercolors; pastels; original handcrafted jewelry; hand-colored original relief prints; photography; pottery; carved wood holiday ornaments, trees and figures; assemblage and mix-media artwork . . .

 

Dennis Carlson from Rock Island, Illinois – Woodcarver

Dennis Carlson uses a wide variety of woods, his woodcarvings range from emphasizing the fine details of his subjects to the simple essence of the subject in its stylized form. He received national notice when his stylized tree design was featured in "Woodcarving Illustrated" and his work has gained in popularity. Dennis can frequently be seen carving at the QC Festival of Trees that is sponsored by Quad City Arts and at Smith Studio during the evening of the Annual Geneseo Christmas Walk and light parade.   Dennis Carlson's Website
 

Sally Gierke from Bettendorf, Iowa – Potter & Muralist

Sally Gierke is always in search of new ideas and sources of inspiration. Using various clays, such as earthenware, porcelain, and stoneware in conjunction a wide variety of pottery and glaze techniques to create extraordinary ceramics . . . the interaction between nature and her ceramic forms is at the heart of her craft.   Sally Gierke's Website
 

Jill A. Kramer  from Oak Park, Illinois – Printmaking, hand-colored, limited edition, relief prints

Jill A. Kramer is heavily influenced by print illustrations from the turn of the last century, her work gives a nod to a bygone era and honors the traditional craft of relief printmaking. Drawn to pattern, texture, mark-making and saturated use of color, Jill’s work focuses on landscape and cityscape as an idealized sense of place and memory. She received her MA in Art Education from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and her BFA in printmaking from Kent State University. Jill Kramer is the Executive Director of the Oak Park Art League, has been published in Chicago Bar Association Magazine and the Acadia National Park in Maine has used one of her releif prints to promote their annual 2009 Night Sky Festival.   Jill A. Kramer's Website
 

Kurt Kamholz  Chicago Area
Oil Painting . . . Landscapes viewed through a car window

Kurt Kamholz was born and raised in northern Illinois.  He had an early interest in art and took all the art classes he could at Crystal Lake Central High School.  He then continued his fine art studies at Illinois State University.  It was while he was in college that Kurt became focused on painting the Illinois landscape through his studies under the landscape painter Harold Gregor.  Kurt was also inspired by the work of Monet and that great master’s control of light and color.   Kurt Kamholz Website
 

Tom Phelan  from Wheaton, Illinois – Photography “SHOT IN THE DARK”

Tom Phelan prefers taking his pictures after the sun has gone down because of the unique quality of light that is available, particularly when the moon is present. This subdued lighting requires long exposures and “time” becomes a photographic effect. His goal as a photographer is to document the changing Midwestern landscape . . . primarily places and objects associated withe rural life in Illinois. Such as farmhouses, barns, tractors, cars and trains, which are on the verge of disappearing, both literally and figuratively, from our collective consciousness. "These are not the only objects I photograph, but they are generally the ones I find most interesting.”
 

Jerri Reimann from Downers Grove, Illinois – Collage & Assemblage Artwork

Jerri Reimann is intrigued by small things that make up a larger whole - tiles in a mosaic, pieces in a puzzle, bits of paper in a collage, clues that solve a mystery. Using text fragments, painted tissue or her own hand-carved blocks paper to create distinctive imagery in her collages. Jerri also works in assemblage using primarily found and reclaimed objects. Her artwork reveals her need for playfulness as well as an affinity for repurposing.  Jerri Reimann's Website
 

Larry Stenzel from Roscoe, Illinois – Original Watercolor Painting
Larry Stenzel took his first watercolor painting class in 1980 after retiring as mechanical engineer,. His subject matter reflects his interests: old cars, old barns, old fishing lures, fish, wildlife, trees. He paints in a simple, realistic style with a limited palette . . . when he’s not out fishing, that is.
 

Ken Swanson from Racine, Wisconsin – Limited Edition, Hand-Colored, Linoleum Block Prints

Ken Swanson’s artwork concentrates on hand-colored relief prints carved from traditional linoleum. His compositions illustrate “snapshots” of images that define who he is.  From a single object to a small scene, his simple and refined compositions help Ken remember images from his past so that he might better understand them. Viewers frequently share how the images help them to recall their own memories. Many of his original hand-colored prints have been reproduce as cards, which are available in our store.
 

Linda Thevenot from Naperville, Illinois – Exceptional Jewelry
. . . that reflects her knowledge of design and technique

Linda Thevenot is an accomplished painter and has transfer her strong sense of composition and design into her jewelry. Linda is constantly experimenting with new methods and media in creating her unique/affordable pieces . . . using sterling silver, non-precious (hypo-allergenic) metals, semi precious gemstones, onyx, quarts and early 1900 antique buttons. With over a decade of experience, she is constantly experimenting with new methods and media in the creation of her unique pieces. Linda writes, “I am always asking myself ‘What if?’ as I explore various processes and combine techniques to create unique designs”.
 

Ken Tiessen from Peoria, Illinois – Intimate, Rural Plein-Air Oil Paintings

Ken Tiessen has spent his working career as an illustrator. Now in retirement he is focusing on his fine art career, working almost exclusively in oil and pastels, specializing in portraits and landscapes. His landscapes catch the ethereal qualities of light and shading and his portraits capture the character and vitality of the loved one or special moment. His blending of Realistic Imagery and Impressionist color is inspired by great artists such as John Singer Sargent, Joaquin Sorolla, Nicolai Fechin, and Winslow Homer.  Ken Tiessen's Website