Sue Sweet grew up in west Sonoma County California where she was forever searching for treasures in nature and creating things out of bone, shells, feathers, and twigs. This blossomed into a love for drawing, painting, and sculpture. After graduating from the Academy of Art (San Francisco) in 1985 with a BFA in Sculpture, she worked in a variety of media from ceramics to bronze casting, to neon mixed media sculpture, printmaking, and in more recent years, oil, acrylic and mixed media on canvas or paper and watercolors. Art has always been a necessary and healing force in her life which prompted her to become an MFT- Art Therapist.  Sue told us, “I get a lot of joy by helping others transform their lives through art.”

The Iconic Mendocino Buildings Challenge by the Ocean Wave Quilters

In July of 2019, one quilter, Cindi Jo Willey, issued a challenge to guild members to make 18” x 18” quilts of Mendocino’s iconic buildings, to be completed by July of 2020. Nine of the members of the Ocean Wave Quilters members accepted the challenge. The pandemic delayed the original deadline, but they are excited to share the results.

Each quilt is made with a “raw edge applique” technique, where fabric is fused to the quilt, then secured by stitching around the raw edges. Each quilt has been finished with a “faced edge,” rather than a traditional binding. Some of the quilts use other techniques: thread painting, photographs printed on fabric, appliqued lace and other trims.

Thank you to the quilters who are participating:  Ginny Cooper, Christie Daoust, Dee Goodrich, Evelyn Harris, Nodja Jones, Sharon Lau, Tina Perry, Cindi Jo Willey, and Daisy Woodhams. And thank you to Sharon Gieras and Kim Rietveld for their assistance in finishing the handwork on the quilts and contributing to the layout.

In addition to the paintings and quilts, Sandee Zaffarano will be displaying her beaded jewelry. This is Sandee’s first show in inland Mendocino.

Come to the Willits Center for the Arts, 71 East Commercial St., (Next to the Noyo Theater). Gallery hours are Friday- Sunday 11am-5pm.