Sonoma County Artists featured at Our Hotel

Stunning Views Inside & Out at our Sonoma Coast Hotel

From our gorgeous natural setting to our rustic accommodations and dazzling Sonoma art collection, it is impossible to find a bad view at Timber Cove Inn. And the same is now true inside our hotel—in the lobby, restaurant, and comfortable rooms and suites—which currently features work from local Sonoma artists and beyond.

Read about the California artists below and come see their exceptional Sonoma artwork in our inspiring hotel.

David Donaldson
I received my degree in fine arts in the early 1980's from a small collage in Fremont California. I did not practice photography as a career choice until after I retired in 2000 from an air craft mechanic job for a large air line in San Francisco. Prior to that I studied and attended workshops with some notable photographers such as Ansel Adams, Bret Weston, Morely Bear and some not as notable artists that I admired for their work.

Most of my work up until 2000 was taken with a large format camera. After that time, because I moved and did not have a dark room, I used a digital camera. I have found a great tool in the digital camera and the computer. I was introduced to the digital age before my retirement and I taught myself the use of Adobe Photo Shop. I am not a master of Photo Shop but I have found the wonders of color through it. My images, to the dismay of some, are manipulated to reflect what I see. The colors are the product of my imagination. I believe the photograph is nothing more than a two dimensional image enhanced by color.

Through the years I experimented with manipulating the image. When I worked in black and white photography I always pushed the boundaries of the process by imitating those artists I admired.

For more information on this California artist, please email: ddonaldsonsmile@gmail.com.

George Smith
Born in 1946 in Santa Monica, California, George Smith has been influenced by the sea—itscolor, its power and its texture. "I've always loved the ocean," Smith says from hisCazadero, California retreat. "I see myself as an inventor of sorts, and that's the way I create art."

Clearly breaking new ground in this Colorists' technique, honed over 37 years, it centers onoil pastels, an uncommon artist medium. "Being in a clear frame of mind is central to mypainting—landscape or wave—feeling the emotions—it's something more than the subjectgoing on."

The materials used are simple; oil pastel sticks (HolbeinandCaran d'Achebrands),blending stomps, and a single razor. No turpentine, no mediums, no brushes, just purepastel technique.

Oil pastels, 37 years of color and art refinement, and the love of the ocean all have fusedinto Smith's sweeping depictions of nature.

For more information on this California artist, please visit: www.wavesofthenorthcoast.com.

Zola Firmian
  "My pieces are like seeds I’d like to send from my garden to your own: to help you “rest from the world,” to catch a glimpse- or strong reminder- of Nature’s gifts.

I love to paint, so as my work evolved, I’ve moved toward use of brighter clay materials such as porcelain and white stoneware. Currently I work in clay at my studio, and in the schools teaching art. My pieces are hand-built. Some are cast, then uniquely carved, using simple molds of my own design.  Each of these art pieces is one-of-a-kind, with unique painterly glaze effects. Much of my work is suited to the outdoors and for garden installations. 

Custom tile murals are a good part of my work. Alongside these I now offer limited-series field tiles. I call these “Colorfields:” They are made to order from my color palette to suit interior walls, and to incorporate with my murals. I aim for a balanced tension between the rugged and refined, sometimes incorporating paper into porcelain to make translucent paper thin sheets with torn edges.

For more information on this California artist, please visit: www.zinfusions.com.

Peggy Zink

I graduated from California College of Arts and Crafts in l974 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree.

I majored in textile arts and took many drawing classes as well as art history which was very important to me taking every art history class that was available.

I have studied color since I was in elementary school. I am always trying to combine different colors to see how they affect me and the drawing that I am working on. Color can change one’s mood very quickly so I like to weave the colors together. When I need inspiration for my work I look at the Sky and all that is in it studying the shapes, colors and forms in Nature. I love to draw and paint clouds and water. Drawing people’s faces is very challenging for me.

I have enjoyed studying the history of Chalk pastel which goes way back in Art History to such artists as Degas, Cassett, Lautrec and DaVinci. Knowing that the pastel colors come from the earth is so inspiring to me.

For more information on this California artist, please email: cheer@mcn.org.