Meet the Artist

John Pedersen - Photography

Bristlecone Bulge
John Pedersen

Bodie Truck
John Pedersen

"As a photographer for most of my life, my goal is to convey my love of nature and the visual arts through photography.  I try to bring a unique perspective to every image I create, from wide sweeping landscapes to intimate nature portraits.  I use natural lighting and composition to draw the viewer into the scene, to help them imagine what it was like to be in a beautiful location, and to connect them with the wonders of nature.

Lightbeam Upper Antelope
John Pedersen

Trillium Sunset Pinks
John Pedersen

Verdant Dreams
John Pedersen

A native of the Pacific Northwest, I have travelled extensively across the western U.S. as well as Europe and Asia, observing the rhythms of nature and the beautiful sights that this world has to offer.  I find that my true passion lies in the magnificent scenery of the Western U.S.  Rugged coastlines, lush verdant forests, rivers and waterfalls, snow covered mountains and unique desert landscapes that can all be found in this beautiful part of the country.

 I am currently based in Portland, Oregon and make frequent trips to capture the majestic beauty that the Western U.S. has to offer."

Ruby Beach Surf
John Pedersen

Meet the Artist

Vicki Joslyn - Glass


"Design and color are always on my mind. My glasswork involves repeated cutting, layering, fusing, cooling, and re-melting. Working with glass— its brilliance, its attitude, has opened the door to my creativity! 


Raised in Seattle, I attended high school in Portland, returning to Seattle to receive art and teaching degrees from the University of Washington. I have lived in 8 different states, but Oregon is my home. In 2004 I began exploring fused glass. I have served on the state board of the Oregon Glass Guild, and was the president of the Portland Chapter in 2006. I enjoy music, baking, any excuse for sharing time with friends and family, and teaching small classes in my studio. 

My colorful designs are one-of-a-kind. I move shapes around and stack them up. Two to four firings may be needed depending on the surface I am trying to achieve. The layering of color and pattern gives the glass depth and form, and a finished piece can brighten the grayest of days and make me smile! 

My sandblasted designs are crisp and clean, black on gold or silver iridized glass. I've always liked the way fallen leaves stain patterns into the sidewalk, and the incredible beauty of the swirls on a seashell. So simple. So stunning. Mother nature is often a source for these designs. I find that what I blast away is just as impor- tant as what I leave in. Each sandblasted piece is also a limited edition or one-of-a-kind.

All of the fused glass pieces I make are food safe; plates and bowls long to be “enjoyed with food”. Large or small, functional or decorative— I’m happy to share my glass delights with you."

Meet the Artist

Debra Nelson - Clay

"A lump of clay is to me what a blank canvas is to a painter.  There is a form in there waiting to get out.

Between the two of us, the clay and me, we agree what that shape will be.  Sometimes I'm entirely in charge.  At other times the clay provides subtle guidance resulting in a truly collaborative relationship.  This is mostly evident when exploring new shapes.  The first attempts can be clumsy until my hands and the clay come to an understanding of this new form.

And if this isn't enough of a challenge, there is always the struggle between the glaze and the fire.  It reminds me of a parent sending a child out into the world.  You've taught it everything you could.  Now it's up to them to sink or swim.  You've formed the clay, calculated and applied the glazes, and released the vessel to the fire.

Opening the kiln is always an opportunity for learning.  What worked and what needs to be re-evaluated.  It is this moment that keeps me going back to the wet clay, to discover other possibilities and to continue learning."

what's cookin'

These Yummy Lemon Bars were brought to the kickoff meeting of the Chehalem Mountain Artists
 at Kris Paul's home

Yummy Lemon Bars

Vicki Joslyn

Makes about two dozen 1-1/2 to 2-inch squares

The Crust

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

2/3 cup confectioners’ sugar -- plus extra for garnishing

1/4 cup cornstarch

3/4 teaspoon salt

12 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 1/2 sticks) at very cool room temperature, cut into 1” pieces

Lemon Filling

4 large eggs -- beaten lightly

1 1/3 cups granulated sugar

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons finely grated zest

2/3 cup fresh lemon juice

1/3 cup half and half or whole milk

1/8 teaspoon salt

NOTE: The lemon filling must be added to a warm crust. The 30-minute chilling and 20-minute baking of the crust should allow plenty of time to prepare the filling. Any leftover bars can be sealed in plastic wrap and refrigerated for up to two days.

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Line a 9x13 inch metal pan with foil. Spray the foil with cooking spray and set aside.

Crust:

1. Pulse flour, powdered sugar, cornstarch, and salt in food processor. Add butter and process to blend, 8 to 10 seconds, then pulse until coarse.

2. Pour what will seem like a very dry mixture into lined pan and press over pan bottom and up sides about ½”.

3. Refrigerate for 30 minutes. While it chills, you can make the filling.

4. Bake the pre-chilled crust for 18-20 minutes or until edges are very lightly browned.

Filling:

1. Lightly whisk the eggs, sugar, and flour together in a bowl. Add lemon juice, lemon zest, half and half, and salt and mix well.

2. Reduce oven temperature to 325°F. Stir filling again, then pour filling over the warm crust.

3. Bake for 20 minutes or until filling no longer appears wet and shaky.

4. Set on a wire rack and cool to room temperature. Lift from pan, place on cutting board, and cut into bars wiping knife or pizza cutter clean between cuts, as needed.

5. Dust with confectioners’ sugar.

Meet the Artist

Don Welty - Watercolor

"Ever since I was a child I've been interested in art and especially traditional transparent watercolor painting.  I received my MFA from Ohio State University and afterwards moved to New York where I spent many years pursuing a career in art, painting mostly abstract works in encaustic and oils.  After moving back to my home in the Pacific Northwest and taking a long hiatus to raise my family, I'm back at working in watercolors.  My work consists primarily of realistic landscapes and I am a current member of the Oregon Watercolor Society."