Members of the Hemet Valley Art Association made it clear that “Autumn is Here” during an open house at their Harvard Street gallery, Oct. 19. Artworks displaying the colors of the season filled the wall set up for this month’s theme. The rest of the room was filled with creative works of all kinds that took center stage. But the spotlight was on two women who were chosen as Featured Artists of the Month – Linda “Vivian” Baranek and Beverly A. Johnson.
Baranek joined the nonprofit art group in 2019 and said she has met many wonderful, creative people through the association. She describes herself as a folk artist and signs her works “Vivian” in honor of a favorite aunt.
“Growing up on a farm in northern New York state, only a few miles from (American folk artist) Grandma Moses’ home, I still remember meeting her as a small child,” Baranek said. “My mother painted in oils, and I often painted alongside her. With no formal training, I now, at the age of 82, have continued with my primitive art style in mixed media.”
Her paintings of small country fairs and winter scenes have won many awards throughout New England, New Mexico and California and her artwork has been shown in galleries in several states. Most of her subject matter is based on childhood memories.
While in grade school, she had a teacher who taught the art of basket weaving in her craft class. Baranek has been making baskets ever since and many have won prizes at state fairs and other events. Her baskets are made of raffia reed harvested in Madagascar, where the raffia trees grow. It takes 40 to 80 hours for her to weave a large basket, depending on the reed size.
When Baranek had a recent cancer diagnosis, she was glad she had her art and artist friends to lean on. In 2020, the Hemet resident fell and hit her head very hard. Her husband called 911 and she was taken to the hospital. After running several tests and scans she was released but told the tests showed a mass in her chest that should be investigated by her primary doctor. She had no symptoms at that time and no family history of cancer.
It turned out to be esophageal cancer and the tests and treatments started. She underwent chemotherapy at the Oncology Institute of America and radiation treatments at City of Hope. She also received chemo at the Cancer Treatment Center of America. “I received a 72-hour dose of chemo that I will never forget,” Baranek said. “I thought I was going to die and sometimes I wished I would die as I was so very sick. I lost my hair and about 20 pounds during treatment.”
It was at the Oncology Institute of America that her doctor started immunotherapy and that was the turning point of her journey. She was originally given 1 to 1.5 years to live and 4.5 years later, she is cancer free and has been for almost a year.
“I feel it was a combination of all of these treatments and my positive attitude through all of it that pulled me through,” Baranek said. “I tell everyone I meet who has cancer to stay positive. No matter how you feel, get up, get dressed, put that makeup on, and smile. It really does make your day better. I’m sure that belonging to the gallery and mingling with all of the artists there helped me through my cancer experience. I am honored to be the featured artist of the month.”
This month’s other featured artist is Johnson, who admits she is still developing her style. “I’m a very out-of-the-box thinker, probably due to no formal training so I have no idea of the rules. I think I love pushing the norm.”
She said plants influence her and she always enjoys repurposing items but that the word artist is a fairly new word in her life. She cites the dictionary definition which says it means “a person who practices any of the various creative arts” and said the word “practice” makes her feel a bit better about calling herself an artist.
“My entry to this amazing community of artists was purely accidental,” Johnson said. “I was introduced to a group of women who met to learn to paint by my friend Lynn Throckmorton. This art group’s leader was Laura Ryan, a talented professional artist.”
The group participated in a local craft fair in the fall of 2021 and Throckmorton, who currently serves as Hemet Valley Art Association Vice President, suggested Johnson sell some of her succulent plant arrangements there.
“During this event my interactions with Laura were pivotal in changing my perspective about painting,” the Hemet resident said. “Laura critiqued my pieces from an artist’s point of view. She pointed out that when one is creative, those skills are easily transferred to other mediums. This idea opened me up to a new thought process about art.”
Johnson always felt she had creative ideas but had no way to express them. By being exposed to various art forms, she began to experiment for fun. “What a journey! I am enjoying the organic forms of alcohol painting as well as acrylic pouring. I am free to choose various colors then apply them to the various forums and then let the art form,” she said.
She sees herself as a true beginner student with a long, interesting journey to traverse. Johnson has begun to combine her love of plant arrangements with painting of their containers. She recently started taking photographs and enjoys that too. “I am humbled and grateful for the artist members of the HVAA who have welcomed and encouraged me through this journey. They make me feel welcome as a part of this art community.”
Throckmorton, who has lived in Hemet for 24 years, joined HVAA in 2017. She plans to switch chairs with Alison Wieman in December and serve as president, while Wieman will move into the VP role. “Alison is a retired teacher and my partner, inspiring others to get involved, Throckmorton said. “I’m here because she’s here; we are a team. I never would have jumped in with both feet if it had not been for Alison.”
Through external networking, HVAA partners with the local Chamber of Commerce, the City of Hemet, other local art groups, schools and homeschooling families.
“We have 11 student members, and their art motivates me to give my best as a role model,” Throckmorton said. “From our six-year-old blue-ribbon photographer to our 13-year-old blue-ribbon artist, who also teaches kids’ art classes, to the 12-year-old who won a blue ribbon for a watercolor picture, I am grateful to be part of the gallery family.”
A four-sided standard at the gallery showcases art from some of the local schools. Student members pay $15 a year and have full gallery benefits. Students in Omar Ali’s CTE Digital Photography & Film Productions pathway at Tahquitz High School are also members and those students are encouraged to participate in gallery functions.
As an abstract painter, Throckmorton thrives on the diverse stories and creative art she finds among the association’s 150 members. Annual dues for adult artists are $50 or $75 for a couple. There are several life members who have paid $1,000 and other levels on an annual basis, which helps to support the gallery financially.
Member meetings are the first Saturday of the month at 1 p.m. at the Hemet San Jacinto Masonic Lodge #338, 150 Laursen St. in Hemet. Change of Painting is held the first Monday of each month. After judging, winners are selected and posted on the website.
“Each judge ‘sees’ different qualities to every piece of art submitted,” Throckmorton said. “Our wonderful Gallery Director, Art Majerus, has created guidelines for judges to consider. Points are given by the color of ribbon. Currently Betty Pilley is leading in the art category, and Art Majerus in photography.”
November’s change of painting day and subsequent judging will be the final opportunity for points for 2024. Winners will be honored at the HVAA’s Dec. 7 Holiday Luncheon/Meeting.
The Downtown Hemet gallery at 144 N. Harvard St. has great art for viewing and sale but also offers a huge variety of classes for the public to attend, including children’s art projects twice a month on Saturday mornings. Please visit the website for more information at www.hemetvalleyart.com or call 951-652-4592.
