portraits

Jean Thomas
Listing Name
Description

Jean has lived on a farm in Aptos, CA for over 40 years, juggling parenting with a part time adult educaton job. She was a potter, watercolorist, and currently has focused on oil painting. Since retiring, she has taken her paints to Italy, New Brunswick, and more frequently, New Mexico.  But, since flying is not what is once was, she is increasingly content to paint the farm, valley and local coast.  Her art education was from Cal State Northridge, UCSC and Cabrillo, in addition to private workshops from Karen Frey, Charles Reid, Hedi Moran, Randall Sexton and Tjasa Iris in Italy.  She is a member of the Pajaro Valley Arts Council, Monterey Bay Plein Air Painters' Association, and the Santa Cruz Oil Painters, a wonderfully active and supportive group. In November, she puts the paintsaway and makes wreaths, a different art form. Locals also come out to the farm to make their own wonderfully asymmetric wreaths.

Phone Number
(503) 697-2926
Michelle Murphy-Ferguson
Description

Michelle Murphy-Ferguson is a Northern California painter, born in the mill town of Scotia and raised in the Eel Valley town of Fortuna.

She has had a lifelong devotion to the Arts. Her works include landscapes, seascapes, still lifes, and portraits. Whether working in plein air, or alla prima in her studio, she strives to bring the viewer into reflecting on the world around us.
Inspired by past and present artists, she continues learning and studying, for painting is an ongoing process.

She has studied abroad in France, Germany, Italy and has participated in workshops in Southern California. Her work is held in public and private collections nationally and internationally.