March 2015 Featured Artists

Meet our March Featured Artists!

Ruth Doumit (Ceramics/Mosaics), Virginia Paul (Photography), Neeltje (Nellie) Vos (Ceramics)

First Thursday: You are invited to join us for a First Thursday celebration on March 5 at 5:30 pm at the gallery.

Ruth Doumit – Ceramics

I grew up in beautiful Wahkiakum County! I lived in Skamokawa until I married my high school sweetheart over 48 years ago and then moved to Cathlamet. We have 3 children, 7 grandchildren and 1 great granddaughter.

When I went to school there were no art classes, except for 3rd and 4th grades. I went to Lower Columbia College in ’65’ 66, ’76 ’77, and then again in the ‘90s, taking all of the art classes available. Design is the class that I learned the most from, otherwise, I am self-taught.

I had a great aunt who was an art teacher. I feel that I got my ability to create art out of found pieces from her. I can visualize the finished piece of art from a pile of stuff.

My art work is all one of a kind pieces. I know what my finished size is, a basic design is drawn, and then the glass and ceramic speak to me and I use the materials like paint. I have hundreds of colors of glass, tile, and ceramic. Copper wire, copper bee-bees, washers. I keep it all of my leftovers and use it when it calls to me.

Bluebird Lamp

My major artwork since 1976 has been stained glass, adding bas relief tile design in the late 80s. My work is all over the United States, plus other countries. At the present, I am combining both glass and ceramic work into mosaics. I also have a line of ceramic dishware that I design, paint, glaze and fire. I have worked with Wahkiakum High School on 2 year-long projects in metal sculpture for public art. I will be doing a project again this next school year.

I enjoy coming to my studio every day of the week! I have a huge studio on the top floor of the historic Doumit Building, which was built in 1903. My husband Steve’s grandfather bought it in 1905 and it has been in the Doumit family since. Steve and I own it now and lovingly take care of it.

I am also a member of the wonderful Tsuga Gallery 70 Main St. in Cathlamet, and have artwork at the Redmen Hall in Skamokawa.

Mosaic Wall Hanging

Mosaic Table Mallards

Mosaic Table (Detail)

Mosaic Table

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Virginia Paul – Photography

With a painting and drawing background, I made the transition to photography about 15 years ago. I photograph what I know and love, as my entire life has been infused with horses and the Western Lifestyle. Time is always in motion so I enjoy “freezing” my favorite moments with my camera.