They
decided the calendar could be for the novice and experienced Koi keeper
alike, as well as the general public who love and appreciated Koi and the
fine arts.
The 1996 Koi calendar was the brain child of two highly creative people, Norm Call of TC Enterprises/Airmaster and Forrest "Woodie" Towery of The House of Leo/Wind Dancer Studio. The idea came about over coffee one morning at the studio in 1995, when Norm and Woodie were thinking about producing a Koi Calendar with fine art depicting the living jewels.
They
decided the calendar could be for the novice and experienced Koi keeper
alike, as well as the general public who love and appreciated Koi and the
fine arts.
After extensive research, Norm and Woodie found there was a general lack of calendars presenting Koi from the fine arts perspective, combined with information Koi folk would find interesting. And so began the great adventure.
The first calendar was produced in the spring of 1996 and made its debut at the AKCA International Seminar in Santa Clara in June. It was like opening night and the critics loved it.
Fax machines at TC Enterprises and The House of Leo have been working overtime as Norm and Woodie have collaborated with a group of artists for the 1997 production of the Koi Calendar. It will make an encore appearance at the AKCA International Seminar to be held this June in Orlando, Florida.
Marsha Miller Wayne Hill
Graphic Designer/Koi keeper Marsha Miller Wayne Hill revels in portraying Koi set against exquisite backgrounds. She incorporates Eastern style design, strong colors and the unique variations of Koi in her works. Marsha's mixed media pieces are a blend of India ink and pencil. Her works are in private collections both in the United States as well as international corporate collections.
Pat Michaud-Towery
Exuberant color and striking compositions typify the watercolor works of artist/Koi keeper Pat Michaud-Towery. Her specialty is the magnificent brocaded Japanese Koi and serene water world. Her layered jewel-like colors combined with mysterious backgrounds, in conjunction with handmade paper, capture the essence of a tranquil pond.
Pat relates that her studies of the Dutch Masters technique of layered jewel-tone colors along with the paintings of the impressionists continue to influence her current multimedia works. She exhibits extensively and is represented in private and corporate collections from coast to coast.
Diana Fritch
Diana Fritch, well-known West Coast illustrator, graduated from the Art institute of California. Her narrative humorous works have appeared in numerous national and local publications. She has been exhibited at Calle Court in Monterey, CA; the Society of Illustrators, Los Angeles; Murray Feldman Gallery and the Pacific Design Center.
Mary Jane Ishida
Graphic Designer Mary Jane Ishida's interest in koi, ponds and gardening started early in life when her family maintained a pond. Now a koi keeper herself, she finds the colors, patterns and graceful movements of the koi fascinating.
Mary Jane's compositions are a study in simplicity. She works in a very realistic way, concentrating on the essence of the subject reflecting her lifelong studies of Asiatic scroll paintings, porcelain and textile patterns which are a part of her rich heritage.
