July | August 2021 ISSUE NO . 34
this issue ’ s art chowder team
Dean Cameron - I like to tell people I am a “ Serial Entrepreneur in need of a 12 step Program .” I have a passion for business as long as it helps people grow and produces a positive result for the clients . My deep admiration of the artists and the often therapeutic benefit I get from their talents inspires me to work with this amazing team and build our arts community into a world class destination .
Robin Bishop is Art Chowder ’ s Editor in Chief . She loves a challenge and has an affinity for asking questions that invite innovative solutions to individual and team challenges . She possesses a deep aversion to a “ we ’ ve always done it that way ” existence . Robin has a diverse background , but her passion is writing and bringing others ’ stories to life . She holds a BA in Professional and Creative Writing from Central Washington University and an MA in Organizational and Change Leadership from Gonzaga University .
Mandy Hill is the Editorial Designer for Art Chowder . She grew up in Montana and moved to the Pacific Northwest when she was 19 years old to study at Eastern Washington University . She earned her BA in Graphic Communications with an Art minor . She and her husband currently own and operate Amplified Wax , which is a music recording and graphic design studio in downtown Spokane .
Ginny Brennan - Life and career allowed good fortune of living in the West , Midwest and Southeast all the while painting and exploring art as well as studying the works of favorite artists — Winslow-Homer , Charles Reid and Richard Taylor . Ginny has been associated with co-ops , galleries and art associations across the country . Returning to Spokane in 2013 , Ginny is actively involved in the arts community , with her own art and Art Chowder magazine .
Erin Meenach is a lifelong Spokanite and advertising and event professional of nearly 10 years . She is the quintessential people person and proud mother to a class of 2021 graduate ! Well known in the community as “ Mama Ocean ,” Erin has made her mark as an actress , DJ , singer , chairwoman , comedienne , volunteer , consultant , and advocate . A student of spirituality and energetic healing , she is also a certified Holy Fire Usui Reiki practitioner and is passionate about lifting others up both personally and professionally .
Karen Mobley is a visual artist , poet and arts consultant . Her poems have been published in WA129 , Spokane Writes , and Lilac City Fairytales . She was a artist in residence at Laboratory ( 2018 ). She serves as a Program Contractor for Spokane Arts . She served as Arts Director for the City of Spokane from 1997-2012 . She holds an MFA from the University of Oklahoma and a BFA with Honor from the University of Wyoming . For more information : karen @ karenmobley . com 509 499 0784
Ann Contois is Copy Editor / Proofreader for Art Chowder ; she is a digital composite and stained glass artist , writer , web designer and arts marketing consultant . With a curious spirit and myriad interests , she has traveled widely , visiting European castles and Asian kingdoms ... always feeding her artistic vision . Ann earned a BA in Fine Arts / English from University of California , Berkeley and markets her original digital artworks via DigitalVisionsArt at Etsy . com . She is co-owner of Contois Reynolds Art Glass Studio , creating fine art glass for gallery , residential , and liturgical markets .
Melville Holmes is a traditional artist and published scholar versed in historic techniques and the chemistry and technology of painting materials . His subjects include still lifes , figure paintings , landscapes , and architectural pieces . He is best known for his major role in Davenport Hotel renovation and the new Davenport Tower . Other work has included the Post Street Alehouse , the Great Western Building , Riverview Corporate Center , the Patsy Clark Mansion , and private painting restorations .
Olivia Brownlee - Spokane-bred Olivia Brownlee has been wrangling words from an early age , largely through her career as a songwriter , performer , and recording artist . Combined with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre ( EWU ) and a Masters in Theatre for Social Change ( Emerson College ), her education , experiences , and interests led her to buy dozens of books on language , anthropology , foreign policy , and cartography , and develop a curriculum to teach Music to groups of people without using words .
Eric Cook is a Certified Specialist of Wine who loves wine , sharing it with others and exploring the regions in which it grows . This fascination earned him the title of Sommelier in 1991 . Since then , he has taught classes for local wine retailers and community colleges , opened historic hotels , and traveled to Europe ’ s most renowned wine regions having bought and sold millions of dollars in wine . This happy responsibility finds its next expression in writing about wine to make it more delicious for readers at CorkJockey . com and Art Chowder .
Sue Eller - In addition to freelance writing , Sue Eller writes short stories and novels . Her passion is science fiction . Sue is Vice President of the Spokane Authors & Self-Publishers , a member of the Inland Northwest Writers Guild , and the Idaho Writers League . She has also dabbled in news journalism , sports reporting , and screenplay writing .
Marilee “ M . J .” Hudon is a Pacific Northwest native , art lover / blogger , and writer . A member of Spokane Authors & Self-Publishers , the Tin Pencil and St . Francis writers groups , she specializes in urban fantasy and personal interviews .
6 ART CHOWDER MAGAZINE