Angela Harmon

Artist Statement

The mediums of my artwork include watercolor, painted papers collage and mixed media. I’ve participated in the Calaveras County Arts Council’s open studio tours, and exhibited my work in their gallery. Currently I have three paintings on exhibit for their Affordable Art Holiday Show. I have also participated in the Ironstone Spring Obsession gallery show, where I have sold two paintings.

Below are examples of mixed media, collage and watercolor paintings. I have a studio on our home property in Douglas Flat. I have an informal art background, primarily as hobbies during college business studies and working in corporate America. My initial introduction to art was in my early twenties, tole painting, which led to painting on glass and stamp art. I use many of those old rubber stamps today in my mixed media artwork.

Following a permanent move to our Sierra foothills home, and no longer tied to a corporate management career, I was introduced to competitive floral design, participating in judged shows and then a new work path in retail and wedding floral designs. Additionally, I created many natural dried wreaths. My husband and I designed and built a large floral and ornamental herb garden which provided many elements for creating dried floral wreaths. Today my natural dried wreaths are made primarily for Fall sales during the Open Studio weekend. Living in a garden surrounded by textures, colors, blossoms evolving to buds, then blooms and to seed heads has been my art inspiration. Although most of my artwork is nature inspired, I also see art in social messaging for positive encouragements in life.

The elements of my “Girl Power” painted papers collage paintings reflect the depiction of women in strength, from jogging to members of Congress.Those paintings begin with making background papers, stenciling or stamping or using bubble wrap with acrylic paint for unique patterned designs of colors. The process is fun and addictive as one can never have enough beautiful papers for collage! I’m very excited to be a part of the Manzanita art group and look forward to engaging with the other artists and writers in support of the art community.