Reflections by Peter Coons

March brings new featured artists at Art du Jour Gallery, 213 E. Main in Medford. During the month of March Peter Coons work will again be the featured in the Salon and Carol and Bob Sharp will be the featured artists on the feature wall.

Our featured Art du Jour artists during March 2018 are Carol and Bob Sharp

whose exquisitely handcrafted jewelry is a perennial favorite at Art du Jour. A master jewelry designer Carol is a busy artist whose work is much in demand. She and her husband Bob a talented silversmith and lapidary artist, attend gem and mineral and jewelry shows around the country during the year. Their combined artistic work now on display at Art du Jour is a rare opportunity for visitors to see a wide range of Carol and Bob’s artistry in one place for a month. Then much of their uniquely beautiful jewelry will once again go on tour with its creators.

Handcrafted crocheted necklace by Carol and Bob Sharp

Carol and Bob are lifelong artists. Professionally Carol has expressed her talent for art and design through her vocation as an interior designer. She has also pursued many different art forms including painting, collage, ceramics and scrimshaw, some of which will also be on display at Art du Jour during March. For the past 11 years, Carol has devoted most of her artistic time to designing jewelry.  She and Bob have created an extensive line of handcrafted jewelry. Carol’s unique specialty is knitted and crocheted wire jewelry.  She loves choosing the ingredients for each piece using gemstone nuggets, crystal beads, shells, pearls and many other natural elements. In addition to creating jewelry, Bob also is a custom knife maker. Several of his creations are on display in the gallery during March. With over 30 years’ experience, you can see quality in everything they make.

Handcrafted knife by Carol and Bob Sharp

Carol states, “Sharing my love for art is exciting. I teach classes in crocheted wire jewelry and Bob teaches silversmithing. We both really enjoy the teaching process and our students bring us new ideas and perspectives, keeping our creations fresh and on trend.”

Peter Coons grew up in a family of artists and was influenced at an early age by the arts.  As a youth, his father, a fashion designer, took him to Europe to experience old world culture.  For several years, he lived and attended school in Florence, Italy.  His exposure to the artists of the High Renaissance made an indelible impression.

As a university student he took ceramics and art courses and graduated with a degree in history. Concurrent with his career as a public service executive, he satisfied his artistic impulses with printmaking and painting workshops and classes.  He has been mentored by several expert printmakers and painters in Southern Oregon.  He has studied carefully the techniques of his favorite artists:  Degas, Corot, Turner and Inness.

Peter is a member of the Artist’s Workshop of Southern Oregon and Pastel Society of Oregon. He has received awards from several pastel societies and his works have been displayed at exhibitions of the Pastel Society of Oregon, the Pastel Society of the West Coast and the Northwest Pastel Society.

Working with printmaking processes and pastels, Jacksonville artist, Peter Coons, creates both abstract and realistic prints and paintings. With an appreciation of the landscape around us, Peter’s focus is on local scenes.  He loves to portray the intimacy of water features and forest paths.  He also enjoys the expanses of open lands and weather events.   He extracts the essence of his subjects to create transcendent images both with prints and pastel paintings. He finds it.

Attention Artists!

You are invited to Enter our “People’s Choice” Oil and Acrylic Contest for March 2 – 31, 2018..  Visitors to the gallery vote for their favorite art work. The winning art work will win $50 and a prize ribbon.  Call the gallery to register or come by to pick up an entry form. There is a $20.00 entry fee.  Space is limited.  Please call for further information. Art du Jour Gallery, 213 East Main St. Medford, OR 97501 Open 10 – 4 Tuesday through Saturday. (541) 770-3190,  The contest artists will be honored at our Medford Third Friday Art Walk and Reception on March 16, 2018 5 to 8 pm.  April will be Mixed Media and May will be photography for People’s Choice Contests.