The Sierra County Artist Program recognizes, promotes, and celebrates artists who live and work in scenic Sierra County
Sierra County has inspired artists for generations. All Sierra County visual and performing artists are eligible to participate in this program. For information on the program, or to let us know about artists you would like to see honored, please contact the Sierra County Arts Council
Marjorie Voorhees
The Sierra County Arts Council is pleased to showcase Stained-Glass Artist Marjorie Voorhees. Marjorie was born and raised in the Sierra Valley has been creating amazing stained-glass art for more than 30 years. As a child she was facinated with the beautiful colored glass she found at old dump sites in The Sierra Valley. That passion grew into her artistic career as a stained-glass artist and educator. She also does restoration and private commissions. Marjorie is shown here in her shop “Country Glass Collectables” at The Sattley Cash Store where she sells her stained-glass, jewelry, gemstones, metal work and artifacts.
Email: missmarjy@hotmail.com Phone: 513-309-6369
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SattleyCashStore
Follow her in coming weeks on Sierra County Arts Council Facebook and Instagram #sierravalley
Enjoy this short video of Marjorie as she shares glimpses of her methods for creating beautiful stained glass art pieces.
Betty Thatcher
Betty creates beautiful watercolors inspired by her love of country living and Sierra County. Betty began her art career at the Loyalton Senior Center in 2009, where Lola Owen was teaching classes. Many artists in Sierra County were mentored by Lola who was an artist and gallery owner originally from Tahoe. Betty found her own style, painting whimsical watercolors that capture the spirit and personality of her subject whether it is the Sierra Valley, historic barns and buildings, old cars, people, or a variety of animals including happy pigs, strutting chickens and graceful antelope. As her friend Kathleen Goicoechea commented recently, “Betty’s watercolors are painterly”. Watercolor is the most immediate and unforgiving of mediums. There are no second chances. Betty has perfected her creative talent, using a variety of techniques that often she has discovered on her own. Her art is currently featured at the Lombardi Mercantile in Loyalton and in the hallway in the old pharmacy building in Loyalton. Betty was instrumental in bringing Barn Quilts to the Sierra Valley. Email: thatcherb63@gmail.com Facebook: Betty Williams Clark Thatcher. See her on the Sierra County Arts Council Facebook and Instagram pages. #sierracountyartscouncil #loyalton #sierravalley
Katie O’Hara-Kelly
Since I retired, I have been focused on my blog, northyubanaturalist.blogspot.com, and have loved the creative challenge of writing and photography that it brings me. Most importantly it connects me deeply with my environment. The subject of my art has shifted from landscapes to wildlife, mainly birds. I work with soft pastels and find it a very forgiving medium. I also love to work with cut paper, mosaics, stained glass, fabric, wood, acrylics, and beads.
My love of art and nature started when I was a kid and have been my lifelong passions! As a young adult, I was a National Park Ranger/Naturalist in Sequoia National Park. The 6 years I spent there, were some of the best years of my life! I wrote and illustrated a children's book, What are YOU looking at?, that was inspired by my life as a naturalist, and was published by the Sequoia Natural History Association in 1996.
I my mid-thirties, my career changed when I moved to Sierra County, and became a part-time art educator in two small, rural, public schools. Teaching art was an incredibly creative challenge that kept me constantly trying new mediums and subjects. It was a lot of fun! After 27 years of teaching I retired, but continue to create art. As always, nature is my inspiration. It inspires my blog, my art, and my life. I am so lucky to live in this beautiful area, where beauty and peace are right outside my door! Contact Katie at northyubanaturalist@gmail.com see her blog at northyubanaturalist@blogspot.com.
