Artists in Focus – to see all, click HERE.
This is a selection from the current collection of Focus On The Masters artist documentation. Click on the picture or artist name to view the portrait, biography, media presentations and website of the artist.
All artists’ portraits are by Donna Granata. The photographs and artworks shown on this website are copyrighted by the artists and may not be reproduced without permission from the copyright owner. By entering this website, you agree to these conditions.
John Suttman
Sculptor
John Suttman is an artist whose work involves unexpected function and the discovery of hidden beauty. A china cabinet threatens to fall over while another seems ready to dance. A chair is poised to join Alice’s tea...
John Robertson
Painter
John Robertson is a self-taught, primitive, impressionistic painter, whose paintings are much more than a visual, realistic copy of the subject. Full of movement and depth...
John Nichols
Photographer
Yogi Berra may have counseled “when you get to a fork in the road, take it,” but photographer John Nichols is apt to not only take the fork, but will probably examine it, learn from it, and happily follow...
JoEllen Lee
Beader
When does jewelry become art? Is important jewelry made only with precious metals and gems? How does jewelry transform the wearer? Master beader Jo Ellen Lee earned a Ph.D. in Medical Genetics and worked...
Joe Cardella
Mixed Media Artist/Publisher
Joe Cardella (1945-2018) was a unique artist in his own right; he created ART/LIFE, a limited edition fine art magazine, that ran from 1981 - 2006. Each issue was comprised...
Joanne Julian
Painter
“Joanne Julian calls our attention to the beauty and transcendence of the natural world that surrounds us,” states contemporary art curator and writer Jay Belloli. Julian credits her old world, Armenian upbringing that paid attention to detail in...
JoAnne Duby
Sculptor
JoAnne Duby began her art career as a ceramist over 25 years ago by studying at the Seaward Ceramic School in her hometown of Seattle, Washington. Growing up in Seattle fostered her appreciation for the natural...
Jo Ann Turovsky
Harpist
Jo Ann Turovsky is principal harpist with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, the Los Angeles Opera Orchestra, the Long Beach and Pasadena symphonies, and is a member of the contemporary music ensemble XTET. She has...
Jeff Sanders
Sculptor/Art Fabricator
His subjects involve the everyday images of America. From small to monumental, Sanders’ pieces are executed with sensitivity, precision and frequent expressions of tongue in cheek humor. He works adeptly with aluminum, poly resins, patinas, and numerous other components in the
Janet Neuwalder
Sculptor & Installation Artist
Janet Neuwalder specializes in clay and ceramic processes. Some of her installations are modeled after anthropological displays often found in Natural History Museums...
Jane Mulfinger
Technology/Installation Artist
Using site-specific installations, performance and sculpture, Jane Mulfinger offers commentary on the human condition. Of her work Jane says: I act as archivist and archaeologist, an analyst of...
James McCarthy
Wood Craftsman
Jim McCarthy creates fine furniture inspired by the California Arts and Crafts movement and Asian design. His works range from single pieces of furniture, to custom woodworking and cabinetry in historic...
James L Webb
Printmaker
Jim Webb has dedicated much of his life to the arts, both in practice of his craft and as a working professional in various capacities. A master printer at Gemini G.E.L. for over ten years, he...
James Graca
Creative Director/Designer/Illustrator
Highly acclaimed graphic artist James Graca discussed his extraordinary work and career. Graca is an award-winning creative director / designer / illustrator with over 30 years of...
Jacquelyn Cavish
Painter/Educator/Curator
Jacquelyn Cavish traces her transformation from a spirited tomboy in the hot climate of Tucson to an accomplished painter of maritime scenes. Dedicated teachers early in...
Jackson Wheeler
Jackson (Jackie Ray) Wheeler Poet 1952 - 2017 Jackson Wheeler was a man of many talents: a social worker by day, an accomplished poet and a fervent, discerning art collector. The images he created through the written word confirm that Jackson was a gifted poet,...
Jack Reilly
Painter
Jack Reilly is known for his complex shaped canvas paintings. His work is widely exhibited and included in public and private collections internationally. He began his career painting on surfboards. Becoming completely...
Ichiro Irie
Multidisciplinary Artist
Ichiro Irie is an artist, as well as curator, gallery owner and professor at Oxnard College. Born in Japan and reared in Westside LA, he originally studied film and communications at UCSB, earned an M.F.A. at Claremont Graduate University and was the recipient of a Fulbright....
Howard Lamar
Painter
A playful, joyous quality infuses the art of Ojai artist Howard Lamar. His work can be found in private and public collections internationally. Lamar has come a long way from his early...
Horace Bristol
Photographer
Horace Bristol (1908 - 1997) Horace Bristol brought the plight of humanity into the homes of millions of people through his compassionate eye and sensitive heart. He is respected as one of the greatest...
Hiroko Yoshimoto
Painter
Hiroko Yoshimoto was born and raised in Japan and moved to Los Angeles when she was a teenager. She received her undergraduate and Masters Degree from UCLA, graduating with the highest honors. Her work has been...
Hilary Brace
Charcoal Painter
Hilary Brace creates other-worldly meteorological landscapes that envelop the viewer. The ethereal, expertly drafted work conjures all the senses. One might, at first, perceive them as photographs, when, in fact, they are charcoal on Mylar (polyester film) drawings.
Helle Scharling-Todd
Mosaic Artist
“Her mosaics are knockouts!” said FOTM Master Artist Carlisle Cooper of Helle Scharling-Todd, internationally known mosaic and glass artist. He praised her design and color sense, commenting that they are...
Guy Webster
Photographer
Passion drove photographer Guy Webster – passion for photography, passion for vintage motorcycles, and passion for family and life. (Note his wife’s portrait in background.) His career took him...
Gerri Johnson-McMillin
Weaver
Fiber art has always been a part of my life. Whether it is basketry, weaving, spinning, knotting or another form of fiber art, I love the tactile sensations of fibers and feeling the life within them. I am known for...
Gerd Koch
Painter
Without a good teacher, many artists would never discover their full potential. Gerd Koch is that teacher. An instructor since 1953, Gerd Koch has personally contributed to the success of many well respected contemporary artists. He has a unique ability to “see” creatively and to teach his students to “see.”
George Yepes
Painter
George Yepes’ works cannot easily be ignored. The rich colors grab us first and we have to keep looking. His art challenges assumptions about icons both religious and popular and has been described as the best of...
George Stuart
Historian/Sculptor
Mr. Stuart is a historian with a passion to create. The success of his three dimensional figures are the product of the artist’s exhaustive research...
George Geyer
Sculptor
“George Geyer’s sculpture toys with the mind,” explained the late distinguished museum director and educator Henry Hopkins. “What we know and what we see are two different...
Gayel Childress
Painter/Printmaker
Award-winning artist Gayel Childress works in watercolors as well as oils and monoprints. She is best known for her fluid interpretations of landscapes and figures that capture the essence of the...
Gail Pidduck
Painter
“There are moments when art attains almost to the dignity of manual labor.” The quote is Oscar Wilde’s and the words have a special significance for Gail Pidduck. She has, with paint and the eye of a discerning...
Frank Sardisco
Painter
Frank Sardisco was an artist first and a teacher second. Vying for a close third are world traveler, master gardener, and philosopher. His work has been described as abstract classicism and is notable...
Frank Romero
Painter/Muralist
As a pioneering figure in the rise of the Chicano Art Movement, Frank Romero is best known as a muralist but now spends most of artistic energy in his studio practice. In...
Frank Massarella
Ceramist
Frank Massarella was drawn to pottery because he loves the feel of the clay and the independence of the work. His state-of-the-art kilns provide him with more versatile ways to fire ceramics. He sees ceramics as...
Ernest Brooks II
Photographer/Environmentalist
Ernest H. Brooks II, a noted professional photographer, educator and ambassador for the photographic industry, has won international acclaim for underwater photography and audio/visual...