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Blast the Blues - ArtistsDawn Schultz, West Branch
Dawn Schultz After her three children happily left home and started their own lives, artist Dawn Schultz knew she needed something more to keep her occupied. Art has always been a passion of Dawn’s and now she has the time to devote to her rekindled hobby and it has brought her total enjoyment and bliss! Dawn enjoys spending time with her loving husband of 30 years but he still has a full-time career of his own; making it easy for her to find the time to be creative! Dawn finds a special sense of peace and gratification that comes from being able to create and paint something of her own. Dawn draws inspiration from her life experiences and then tries to recapture that experience through paint. Whether it’s a fascinating motivational abstract or a peaceful landscape painting - one will always notice the originality, imagination and attention to detail in every one of Dawn Schultz’s paintings.
Andy Oberdick, West Branch
Bonnie Miner, West Branch
Traveling to California in 2008, she and husband Don stopped to see some friends in Arizona with going to a gourd festival on the agenda. The first gourd hooked her as this moldy, dirty, dried up fruit took on what ever look she decided upon. It has become her passion.
Marcia Wangler, West Branch
Vickie Durfee, Prescott
Vickie enjoys photographing people, especially when they are unaware of her presence. Her real passion lies in nature and wildlife; therefore it is what she photographs the most. Vickie likes to keep her photography as natural as possible; what she captures through the lens is what she wants the viewers to see. She is happiest when she has a camera in her hand.
Pat Riegle, West Branch
"NATURE’S PAINTBRUSH" - ORIGINAL Oil on Canvas by P K Riegle Pat’s goal as an artist is to create works of art that can be appreciated by people from all walks of life. Recently her work has been shown in several juried art exhibitions, including, the West Branch Heritage Art Show, Gaylord Area Council for the Arts Exhibition, Jesse Besser Museum Northeast Juried Art Exhibition, the Gladwin Area Artists Guild Fall Exhibition and the Greater Michigan Art Exhibition at Dow Gardens. Pat’s original artwork is available for purchase at www.artveranda.net as well as high resolution prints using the Giclee printing process. Ms. Riegle’s work is original and rendered mostly from her own photography. She works in oils, watercolor and charcoal/graphite. At the time she is learning pastels to add to her list of medias offered.
Kathleen Anne Baker, Hale Kathleen works in a wide range of media, ranging from woodcarving to sculpture - to painting to drawing - to tattoos. What you can be guaranteed is a unique piece of art whether it is on canvas or on your skin. Every person she tattoos is as unique and unusual as each tree that she paints. Kathleen believes diversity is the key to all things in life, it is what keeps the mind intrigued and inspired to continue learning. Kathleen’s challenge to everyone is to “Never stop learning and love what you learn.”
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For over 30 years Andy has been entrusted to capture his clients’ most treasured moments. He is a photographer who can capture the excitement, and record the memories of a photographic event and at the same time provide personal service. Whether it’s a portrait, your family, commercial photography for your business or pleasure photography Oberdick Photography will create images in color or in black & white that are just right for you. To view more of Andy’s work - visit 
Bonnie was always content to be a stay at home mom but when the children grew up and left the nest, she needed something to fill her time. At the age of 50, she and her son opened The Frame Shop & Gallery which was in operation for 13 years. During this time the creative juices flowed and it was a very satisfying time. Every aspect of the business was enjoyable. Making something someone ended up loving out of an old box of stuff they brought in was most rewarding. In 2006 the business was destroyed by arson and it left Bonnie without purpose.
Marcia’s beloved grandfather was a welder in West Branch and she then married a welder – Gerry Wangler. When Marcia was ready for a career change, after years in home health care, it was only natural for her to don a helmet and take up welding. Her and Gerry’s business, Wangler Welding LLC, purchased a computer based metal cutting machine five years ago and Marcia’s artwork took off. Her creations include yard signs, lawn furniture, wall hangings, towel racks, clocks, cut-out saw blades, and stair railings to name just a few. She especially enjoys designing custom pieces for her clients desires…if you can envision it – Marcia can create it! Marcia was honored to have been a featured artist in Country Woman magazine in September of 2004. You can see Marcia’s work at Wangler Welding, LLC @ 2162 Pointer Road (West Branch), West Branch Tractor Show, Downtown West Branch Art & Wine Walks, the NorEaster Music Festival, and now of course, at the Blast the Blues event! 
Kathleen received her BFA from Kendall College of Art and Design in Grand Rapids in 2005 and opened her tattoo and art gallery, Mind Magik, in the summer of 2007. Kathleen’s artwork leans toward the fantasy side of surrealism. She has a love for nature and often uses animal and plant symbols to portray her feelings. Being a tattoo artist she tends to use tattoo images in her artwork and prefers to be sporadic and free thinking in her creations. 
Bob Pollard, Houghton Lake
Tom is a professional photographer and digital artist and is certified by the PPA (Professional Photographers of America). He specializes in portraits of high school seniors, families and children. Tom also has a wide range of experience in commercial product and executive portraits. His studio, located in downtown West Branch is cozy and inviting for families and children or can be expanded to 1,500 square feet to accommodate large groups, commercial products and even motorcycles.
Ann Penman, East Tawas
Jacqueline has a style all of her own. This whimsical artist loves to paint everything from fairies to energetic family scenes. Jacqueline's work has been display at such locations as the Jeep headquarters. Stop by Jacqueline's booth to see why she has become one of the popular artists displaying at the Sunrise Creations Art Show in West Branch.© 2012 Tolfree Foundation site designed by Echelon Web Design