Artist Spotlight: Sherrie Moomey, Merry Goldthorpe, Cherie Savoie Tintary & Suzanne Tyler
For the next few months, I will be highlighting local artists that will be participating in the Washington County Open Studio tour this year. I hope that you will explore these artists’ websites, shops, and social media to learn more. The open studio tour will take place October 18-19 and include 60 local artists. You can see all these artists at the Summer Art Showcase at the Brookwood and Shute Libraries July 1- Aug 31.
Merry Goldthorpe’s (Top right: felt sculpture, watercolor, and pen and ink) art is magical. She and her husband make a yearly calendar combining her felt sculptures and his photography. She is currently working on a series of small, handheld art pieces where she crafts inside small metal objects. Additionally, Merry creates watercolor work on hand embossed paper. She is inspired by natural creatures. The painting in her picture was inspired by the story of Flaco, an owl that was set free from a NYC zoo. You can find her work on Instagram @extremefelting or her website extremefelting.com. She will be building an installation for visitors coming to see her for the open studio. She didn’t want to give too much away so be sure to stop by and be surprised by what she has in store!
Sherrie Moomey (Top left: fiber art) has always loved fiber ever since she was little and cutting scraps from her mother’s sewing projects. She has been working as a fiber artist for the last 12 years. She dyes fabric by hand and then cuts and assembles it into a picture like a mosaic to create colorful abstract work. She finishes her pieces with free motion quilting. She also paints with the dyes to create more realistic images. She belongs to the Columbia Fiber Arts Guild and Studio Art Quilters Association. You can see her work at sherriemoomey.com. Come by Sherrie’s studio to watch her demonstrate her process!
Suzanne Tyler (Bottom left/middle) glass art ripples like water and curves with delicate leaves. It is filled with inspiration from the natural world. She has been working as an artist for 36 years since taking stained glass classes at Klein Glass. These days she works with fused glass. She finds more freedom of movement and artistic expression this way. Last year she participated in the open studio tour for the Pacific Northwest Glass Guild and loved it. She is looking forward to showing her art again this year at the Washington County event. You can see more of her work at her Etsy store www.suzannetylerart.etsy.com.
Cherie Savoie Tintary (Bottom right: collage) has been creating art her whole life. In 2020, during Covid, she transitioned from photography to collage. She was inspired by her friend and fellow collage artist Kevin Sampsell to try the new medium. Her analog collages, filled with vintage magazine cut outs, are often themed by color or subject. She makes tunnel books by carving through the covers of books and into the pages, then filling the opening with images to create a miniature world. You can see Cherie’s work at her show at Insomnia Coffee in Tanasbourne this month. She is on Instagram @kitchsy_collagist and her website is www.kitchsycollagist.com. Cherie will be joining me in my home studio for the tour. She plans to have original works on display as well as prints and cards. Aside from demonstrating our processes, we will be passing out free mini collage kits to all our visitors and providing a fun selfie space for pictures.
Amy Mower is a local artist and lifelong Beaverton resident. She is passionate about the future of the arts in our community.
