Pastels and Photographs

“Cave Point Calls” by Jane Hamann.

The Door County Art League Gallery’s artists of the week for June 27 – July 3 share a background in communication and marketing and an interest in translating nature to paper and canvas.

Jane Hamann of Egg Harbor recalls summer trips to Door County to pick cherries in her aunt’s orchard as an early incubator for her interest in nature and art. After earning a degree in art and design from Silver Lake College, Hamann opened an advertising and marketing firm in Manitowoc, which she operated for 16 years.

Hamann works with acrylics and oils, but her preference is for pastels. “Pastels are my favorite medium,” she says. “There is a special joy for me when the pigments are mixed right on the paper or board.”

“Tidal Creek at Turnagain Arm, Alaska” by David Skidmore.

Photography, both film and digital, have been the primary means for artistic expression for David Skidmore, and a core component of his 25-year career in church communication. After nearly 20 years as communication director for the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago, Skidmore retired to Door County with his wife in 2013 to begin retirement, and resume his interest in fine art landscape and nature photography.

His tools are varied: medium and large format film cameras, digital SLR cameras, and a digital video camera. “With the appropriate lighting, and framing, pretty much anything can be turned into a compelling image,” said Skidmore.

The Door County Art League Gallery is open Monday through Saturday from 11 am to 5 pm, and Sunday, 11 am to 3 pm. It is located in the courtyard of the Top of the Hill shops in Fish Creek, at the corner of Highway 42 and Spring Road. For more information visit doorcountyartleague.org.