Umpqua Valley Winegrowers Association Chooses Sandi Whetzel's Painting, "...and Let There Be Wine!" to promote the 2011 Greatest of the Grape Event

"...and Let There Be Wine!" 30x24 acrylic ©Sandi Whetzel
Originally uploaded by sandiwhetzel
I envisioned the concept for this painting to reflect the fertile valleys, rivers and vineyards that abound in the Umpqua valleys here in Oregon. I imagined the huge goblet suspended in a rose-colored atmosphere. I enjoyed directing the heavenly wine streaming from the bottle down into the goblet. The force of the wine landing in the bowl of the goblet caused the flow of the wine to separate; swirling up both sides of the glass simultaneously and then rippling back down again as the wine continued to pour. This energetic movement of the wine resembles terrain with lush vegetation on both sides of the goblet. A river gently cuts through the wine and the vineyards on the three hills spring forth.

I had no idea what I would title the painting until it was finished. Then it reminded me of the firmament at the time of creation when God said, "and let there be light" and there was light, and it was good. After he separated the water from the firmament and brought forth land and vegetation he might have said, "... and Let There Be Wine!"

The painting was created to compete in a contest for a new logo for the Umpqua Valley Winegrowers Association. The Winegrowers liked the painting and the title so well that they decided to use the image and it's title for the theme of the 2011 "Greatest of the Grape" event. The image of my painting appears on posters all over the county. The organization ordered a high quality giclee reproduction of the painting to be auctioned off to the highest bidder at the event, March 5th. This is the second time that organization has used my art to promote their annual event. The first time was in 2006 when they chose my painting, "Uplifting Spirits" to illustrate their theme of "Over 100 Cork Poppin' Years."

Sandi Whetzel's Art Featured in third Winery Trail Artisans Sale

Lady in Red 20x10 acrylic ©Sandi Whetzel

The third Winery Trail Artisans Sale will be held Nov 28-29, 2008, 10am-6 pm along the Umpqua Valley Wine Trail at the Melrose Grange on Melrose Road, Roseburg, OR. This is a juried event featuring mostly useable and wearable handcrafted creations by local artisans presented in boutique fashion. In addition to Sunstone goddesS jewelry, Alpaca knitwear, handwoven scarves and shawls, handmade soaps and lotions, upscale pottery, handwoven baskets, vintage obi handbags and more, Sandi Whetzel's art will be offered for sale. For further information please contact Sunstone GoddesS jewelry at www.sunstonebeadandarts@yahoo.com .

This event is held in conjunction with the Thanksgiving Open House at Umpqua Valley Wineries, Melrose Vineyards and Abacela Winery from 11 am - 5 pm November 28-30, 2008. For information contact: http://www.melrosevineyards.com/ , http://www.abacela.com/ and http://www.umpquavalleywineries.org/ . The boutique is conveniently located between Melrose Winery and Hillcrest Vineyard at the Melrose Grange, 3711 Melrose Road in Roseburg, Oregon.

I was so excited to be invited to participate in this holiday kickoff event. Three of my smaller paintings will be featured, Grape de Chine, a painting that resembles a stained glass rendition of a cluster of grapes, Lady in Red, an enchanting hosta painting and my newest creation, Sunstone Goddess, a metallic acrylic painting of a succulent with texture that resembles stone or metal. Since most of the items for sale are of a wearable or useable nature, I was so pleased to be invited to offer my jewelry for walls paintings. It promises to be an artful event featuring the work of multi-talented local artisans.