Tantalizing, Artistic Wine Pairing at 2012 UV Wine, Art & Music Festival

"Mmm ..." 12x24 acrylic ©Sandi Whetzel
Originally uploaded by sandiwhetzel


This tempting, sensual wine pairing will make it's artistic debut at the 43rd Annual Umqqua Valley Wine, Art and Music Festival in Roseburg, OR, Sept. 8 and 9, 2012.

"Mmm ..."  he's thinking as he reaches for the wine bottle.  But what is she thinking?  If you could see a close-up of her facial expression she might be thinking, "Mmm, he's cute. I'm looking forward to him choosing me." Or, she could be thinking, "Mmm, could he be the one? Should I submit, or hold out for a better offer?"  It just might be a shift in the power play between them.  What's your wine fantasy?

When I came up with this concept for my most recent painting, I realized it was a pretty simple composition that needed a little more detail other than the man's hand reaching for the beautiful wine on a plain table. The addition of the checkered table cloth provided the necessary detail, as well as a little Italian restaurant ambiance.  In the bargain, the treatment of the table cloth added a sense of depth perception leading up to the wine bottle and beyond.  You might not realize how much thought and planning is required in the composition and execution of paintings I dream up.

Besides great wine and food and various artisan creations, festival attendees will be treated to thrilling music performances by the Lloyd Jones Band, DK Stewart Band, and Velvet Whiskey.  For entertainment schedules, directions and ticket information visit here

Admission to the festival Saturday, from 11 am - 10 pm is $10 and Sunday from 11 am - 5 pm is $5.  Children ages 12 and under are admitted free.  There will be free wine sensory and cooking with wine classes, as well as the Cool Rides Car Show.  Other activities include Umpqua's Got Talent Finals, Motorcycle Show, Wiener Dog Races, German Band, Wineries, various Artisans, Beer and Food Booths and Family Fun Activities.

Lloyd Jones, Portland, OR roots artist, combines New Orleans rhythms, the simplicity of Memphis music and the rawness of the blues, all for the 21st century.  This music is not about louder and faster.  It's about time, meter and groove.

DK Stewart has been a guiding force behind several North West bands that have gone on to national acclaim.  Tributes to New Orleans, Chicago blues, East coast swing and rockin' boogie woogie can be heard in all the original music by this thrilling band.

If you attend this festival I hope you'll stop by to see my art in my booth 10A and introduce yourself.  I'll be serving up 6 new refreshing varietals among my growing series of wine acrylic paintings.  It will be a dose of visual intoxication without guilt or consequences. You can see more of my art here

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.

Earth, Wind, Fire: A Painting to Stimulate your Senses

Earth, Wind, Fire 24x30 Acrylic
Originally uploaded by sandiwhetzel

I am happy to report that this painting is hanging in the Coos Art Museum at present from April 26, 2008 through July 5, 2008 as part of the Expressions West 2008 Exhibit in Coos Bay, Oregon. Over 200 artists from the thirteen states of the western United States, including Alaska and Hawaii submitted over 400 painting images to be juried by Gary Faigin, the juror for the exhibit. Faigin is the Artistic Director and co-founder of Gage Academy of Art in Seattle. He is the monthly art critic on Seattle’s NPR station, KUOW. A retrospective of his paintings was presented at the Frye Art Museum in Seattle in July and August of 2001. Faigin selected 65 paintings by 60 artists to be included in the exhibit. I was very glad to be among the artists accepted into the show. You can tour the entire exhibit by visiting this link: http://www.coosart.org/expressions/expressions_entries_index2008.html

The inspiration for this painting came from a photo of a very washed out, almost entirely pale green wooded scene on flat ground. Because I admire the grandeur of gracefully leaning trees, I could see the opportunity to exaggerate the curves and colors and invent the curvy patterns in the barks to create my vision of a dramatic early evening scene. In a thumbnail sketch I arranged the trees and branches with exaggerated leaning curves and anchored them into rolling banks of earth. Then I decided to add the flaming sunset. The whole painting is about wondrous curves, luscious colors and movement; a painting to stimulate your senses. When I was done painting, the rolling earth, fiery sky and leaning trees said "Earth, Wind, Fire" to me.