LoCaL functional ArT~

Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up~ Pablo Picasso
Recently I called Ronnie Chandler, owner of Critter Keepers, to make an appointment for my boys. We got to talking, as we always do, and got on the subject of art. When Ronnie’s children were young she hired an art teacher to come out to the ranch and teach them. This so impresses me. 

Ronnie grew up in a village in Alaska where art was very important. She worked at Alaskan Indian Art where they would hire Native Tlingit Tribe artists to teach. As a child her family would travel to Texas to visit relatives, you had to pay per person to travel through Canada back to Alaska. One year in order to pay the fee Ronnie, her mom, dad and 2 brothers worked in Susanville, staying for 6 months. When they did return to Alaska Ronnie’s future husband, Sterling Chandler, followed. How cool is that? Since Sterling was from Susanville this is where they eventually settled. I’m glad they did. Ronnie’s Mom and Dad also moved here to be near and help raise the kids. In their neighborhood they would hold a craft night . When the Chandlers moved from town to the ranch she hired LoCaL artist, Alison Templeton to continue her kids art education. All of her children loved it and had a great sense of camaraderie, two discovered they were very talented. Ronnie’s son, also Sterling Chandler, does the most wonderful metal work, including this (pictured) knife he made for his specifically to fit his mom’s hand!  

How on earth did we end up talking about that? Well our mutual friend Therese Bailey had just been to Critter Keepers and I was telling Ronnie how we had this eyesore of a propane tank in the middle of our backyard that we hired Therese to paint it! It is gorgeous now by the way. And Ronnie’s kids painted a storage container on their property they use for a tack room. See that, fine art touches our daily lives. Nice. 
                                                


We have so many talented artists right here in the Ville. We’re lucky 
that way. Maybe you're one and don’t even know it yet! Take a class at the college, sign up at the Lassen County Arts Council, talk to a local artist or just see what you can do on your own!