By NVOS artist Karen Lynn Ingalls
New NVOS artist Sequoia Buck is both a photographer and handmade papermaker, and combines both in the new mixed media collage work she is presenting during Open Studios.
At the Academy of Art in San Francisco, Sequoia learned both photography and papermaking, and all of the diverse ways in which she could work in both media. Working professionally as a portrait and wedding photographer, she has also photographed retreats and events, fine art and products. Although she is now shooting photographs in nature, portraiture is still her first love, artistically speaking.
When she fell in love with making handmade paper, Sequoia also studied privately and at Sonoma State University to learn new papermaking techniques. She showed with Fibermania artists throughout the Bay Area, and in the last four years has taught Papermaking to children and adults through the Calistoga Art Center (and will be teaching it again – be sure to ask her about it).
When Sequoia learned how to print a photo onto handmade paper, she combined her two loves, and her artwork took off in a new direction, blending the two media she loves, using collage, and adding natural ingredients, paint, and stamping.
As Sequoia says, "Paper can be very expressive, as you can add anything to the pulp, emboss it, print on it, paint it" and more. "Now that I can print a photo on it, I am quite happy."
Her inspiration begins with a photo portrait, whether of a person or an animal (or a place). From there, she builds her art piece, makes the handmade paper, and paints the background. Whimsy places a significant role in both the work and her process of creation.
Sequoia's studio is both in and out-of-doors, as papermaking is a messy business. Indoors, she assembles the work and works on the photos. Outside is Sequoia's large garden area with tables and chairs under oaks, and a farmstead where she and Farmer Tom sell organic produce and flowers, the small field beyond the working area will be filled with wildflowers, sunflowers, and scarecrows. It's a fun space to create in, and reflects Sequoia's whimsical approach to her creative work.
You'll find her at Studio #48, 5140 Sharp Road, just off Petrified Forest Road, in the hills outside Calistoga.
NVOS artist Karen Lynn Ingalls writes for this blog and our Facebook page (seen it yet?) and paints, paints, paints. You can see her artwork during Open Studios at Studio #48, with Sequoia Buck, west of Calistoga, and online at www.KarenLynnIngalls.com. She also teaches art classes and workshops, which you can find at www.NapaValleyArtWorkshops.com.
