Washington County Open Studio, Artist Spotlight: Natasha Kobbe, Rebecca Gerendasy, Linda Gerrard, Ann Brucker

Continued series of local artist interviews for Washington County Open Studio Tour October 18-19.

Natasha Kobbe has spent the last 6 years enjoying watercolor and 2 years working with soft pastels. For her, “doing art is my healing tool to recover after losing my mama and stepfather in the same year. It was an intuitive move to take a brush and paint to recover.” She hopes that when people view her art, “they will become happier, and it will show in their eyes.” She likes listening to people’s stories, building friendships, and sharing art.

When you come to her open studio you will see “a unique combination of farm living with an art studio and gallery.” “There are awesome views to the valley, my chickens’ happy choir, my hospitality, and my art!”

You can see Natasha’s work at the Columbia Art Center (Sept-Oct), the Montana Art Center (Oct-Jan), and her studio is open year-round.

Rebecca Gerendasy’s interest in art led her to get an undergraduate degree in Art, with a focus on ceramic sculpture. She has been creating art for most of her life. “When an opportunity to work with clay came in high school, I discovered I took to it naturally – it felt like home. I’ve been hand-building with clay ever since.”

Her hope, when viewing her decorative work, is that it will bring a smile to your face and spark joy within. Her sculptural pieces are often a more involved narrative. Inspired, the viewer might take a moment to ponder the possibilities and feel a connection to the piece.

The open studio is a chance for her to convey her love of clay and ceramics to others. Her 20x 20 studio will expose you to all the tools and equipment for making art as well as an area set aside where anyone can get ‘muddy’ and play with clay! You can find her work on her website rebeccagerendasy.com or follow her Instagram page @rgerendasy.

Linda Gerrard started making fused glass 12 years ago. “I like to attend outdoor art shows and have always been drawn to the glass artists’ displays. At one show, I exclaimed, “I love glass art,” and my friend said I could learn to make it myself.” After beginning with a fused glass class and making plates and bowls, Linda took more classes from local artists she admired until she had the skills to make beautiful art.

Linda’s hope, through the landscapes she creates, is to give the viewer a sense of calm and remind them of a lovely place they visited. She enjoys being able to talk to people about her process. Her studio is filled with fused glass and offers the opportunity to see her materials, workspace, kilns and a display of art being created.

Outside of the studio tour, you can see Linda’s work at Alberta Street Gallery.

Ann Brucker, founder of Mosaic Arts Loft, has been making art for more than 40 years, drawing inspiration from the landscapes of Oregon and Israel, as well as the spiritual narratives woven through her faith. Her “figurative painted drawings” on canvas and home decor pottery are often brought together in ways that celebrate light, texture, and story. “As visual beings, we are impacted by the images we see most often; artworks ignite our daily creativity.” This guiding belief is at the heart of her practice.

Open Studio will offer visitors an opportunity to see finished paintings, pottery, and mixed-media pieces alongside works-in-progress, live demonstrations, and artists actively working. If you wish to learn more about the artists represented or classes available at Mosaic Arts Loft, please check online at mosaicartsloft.com or to see Ann’s work outside the studio go to annbrucker.com.

Amy Mower is a local artist and lifelong Beaverton resident. She is passionate about the future of the arts in our community.