Wild Women Art Invitational

 

March 1 – April 27, 2023

In celebration of Women’s History Month, we’re highlighting thirteen trailblazing and talented women artists in the Treasure Valley. These women have inspired and created incredible works of art spanning wildly different styles and mediums. Discover their stories and let them spark your imaginations!

Art Talk & Reception on the Last Thursdays, March 30 and April 27. The public is welcome to these free interactive discussion featuring artists from the show. Reception 5-8pm. Art Talk at 7pm.

Meet Our Featured Artists

Laurie Asahara was raised in Hawaii and grew up within the vivid floral palette of the lush tropics. Laurie’s art reflects her impressions of the areas of the Western U.S. where she has lived: Hawaii, the desert southwest, northern California, western Washington, and Idaho. https://laurieasahara.com/  

Emily Biethman graduated from the College of Idaho with a BFA and is our youngest participating artist. Working in acrylic and gold leaf, this collection of paintings highlight inspirational figures from history and present day.

Suzanne Lee Chetwood is a contemporary artist whose vibrant paintings greet you with light and radiant color. Chetwood studied fine art Pennsylvania’s School of Arts at Mercyhurst University and then moved to Boise, Idaho where she received a BFA in painting and ceramics from BSU in 1999. Her work has traveled to international shows and exhibitions as well as museum exhibitions. https://www.suzanneleechetwood.com/

Bonnie Zahn Griffith is a landscape painter known for bringing depth, texture, light and mood into her paintings. Working in oils and pastels, the rich pigments give her paintings the brilliance and the bold color we see in the landscapes of the in the western US.   https://bonniegriffith.com/

Bonnie Zahn Griffith

Jessica Henry is a classically trained painter and illustrator from the Academy of Arts University in San Francisco where she first found her love of plein air painting. She has worked as a full time freelance illustrator and fine artist for over 10 years, loves new challenges, and can typically be found with her dog Rebel. https://jahenry-art.carbonmade.com/

 

Renae Hill uses watercolor to tell intricate stories about her subjects. Her watercolor paintings capture light, shadow and the rich blending of color to make stories come alive. “When you become an artist”, Renae says, “you see things in an extra dimension almost like an extra sense. You learn how to really see the world around you as you study shape, color and light”. https://www.renaehill.net/

Lauren Kistner As an Idaho native, she willingly admits to taking any dirt road to discover the secrets nature holds.  She has developed a deep fascination with geothermal activities, topography and other natural phenomenon.  You can see the influence of Idaho’s varied landscapes in the layers of paint to achieve ridges, ripples, peaks and valleys.  https://www.laurentkistner.com/

 Mary Maxam A native of Idaho, Mary Maxam finds inspiration for her paintings in the beautiful scenery and gardens of the Northwest. She is a graduate of Boise State University and has studied in many professional workshops, teaching art for many years herself. Mary works in acrylic and oil for her landscape and still life works. https://www.marymaxam.net/

Tricia May  Working in her studio or on location, Tricia takes her inspiration from nature. “I would say my oil paintings are impressionistic with a contemporary flair”. Regardless of the subject matter, her focus is on the quality of light, movement, color harmony and a feeling of joy. https://www.triciamay.com/

Erin Pietsch By working with porcelain, the choices for Erin are limitless for creating unique and interesting pieces. Her goal is to try to combine function with beauty – and that’s not easy to do! She finds tidbits of inspiration in daily outings along a trail or riverbank. The majority of her work is functional, unique and designed to be used on a regular basis. https://www.erinpietsch.com/ 

Anne Sorenson Canadian-born Anne Watson Sorensen began painting over 25 years ago with watercolor as her specialty. A well-know Boise staple of the arts scene, Anne’s award-winning artwork is in public installations and private collections through the Treasure Valley and worldwide.  Her artwork “Funky Town 6” graces the Boise City Council Chambers as the backdrop. https://www.aesorensen.com/ 

Lisa Stover explores the unique marriage of the static and fluid arts through the ancient practice of glassblowing. Requiring equal measures of dedication and play, finessing the molten glass through old-age techniques, Lisa shapes it  to dance and flow into its final, beautiful, and static glory. https://www.stoverglass.com/

Gia Strang is a sculptor residing in Boise, Idaho working primarily in steel. After a career in the Air Force, raising her kids, and supporting her husband’s Navy career, Gia is now focusing on her passion for creating large-scale sculptures from salvaged steel. https://giafullertonstrang.com/ 

The show concludes on April 27 with Artists Talk and Reception at Finer Frames from 5-8pm.