Paul Ruby Foundation Announces Lineup of Artists in 2011 'Painting 4 Parkinsons'

The first “Paintings 4 Parkinson’s” fine art exhibit and sale will be on display from Nov. 4 to Dec. 9 at Art Box 514 W. State St., Geneva.

In addition to the ongoing exhibit, artists will be available every Friday from 6 to 9 p.m. throughout the show dates for an informal reception to meet buyers and guests. Attendees will marvel at the creative process of these pieces, which will consist of several mediums.

The signature piece, Santa from the Heart 2011 by Len Bielefeldt, will be on silent auction for the duration of the exhibit. Santa will go home with the highest bidder at auction close 8:30 p.m. Dec. 9.

A few of the featured artists include:

For Jordi Pedrola the universal language of art expresses itself through the strength of his Mediterranean roots. According to art critic Amalia Martinez, “To confront Jordi Pedrola’s works is to confront and experience color.”

Len Bielefeldt, artist and gallery owner, has been painting fulltime for the last 25 years and has donated the third Santa of the Heart. He began as a portrait painter, so these breathtaking paintings of Santa are a natural fit for him. He truly captures the magic and love of Santa with his portrait.

Award winning pastel artist Brian Sauderland has donated a soft pastel painting Flowing Water. This piece accomplishes one of Sauderland’s goals—to have people notice and appreciate the beauty of things seen in everyday life.

Genevans are sure to recognize the watercolors of Fatima Figueiredo. Her mural Once Upon a Time is featured at the Geneva History Center. She has donated Wild Orchids, a transparent watercolor on archespaper.

Jeannette Marie Rehmel has competed in shows since the age of 12 as a professional artist. Her most recent accomplishments include a third-place showing in a 2009 invitational art competition in Croissy-sur-Seine, France, and in 2010, placed first in the Kaneland Fine Arts Festival professional show. She has donated Roses from France.

Andria Burchett has always loved blues and greens together. She has incorporated these colors in her piece Gathered for the Holidays putting a “twist” on tradition, giving this piece a contemporary feel.

Pamela Hamilton, an oil pastel painter, has provided three paintings. The first is Blue Sky Flowers inspired by the Mississippi Palisades State Park and Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly and Black Swallowtail Butterfly from her experiences in the garden.

Joan Andreassen has donated the watercolor, Country Walk. Joan had a long career in custome rservice and was looking forward to retirement so she would have the time to devote to her real passion—watercolor. That day finally came, but along with it a diagnosis of Parkinson’s.

“On ‘bad days’ I can’t quite make my hand and brush do what I want. But on my ‘good days’ … well, painting is what keeps me going” Andreassen said.

Award-winning artist and art instructor Janet Wickham has been showing her paintings since 2002. She creates both representational and non-representational abstract images in minimalistic, contemporary style. She has given the foundation Negative Exposure, an oil stick painting created with her fingers.

Fred Ullrich has donated a black-and-white, high-resolution photograph of a historic barn with sunlight-entering space. The photograph The Angle Has Left the Barn is a time exposure using large format film
processed in pyro and printed on fine art paper.

Steve Estes is a photographer whose work can be seen on the album cover art of Ryan Meisel’scd Motion and Celia Whiren and Ryan Meisel’s CD Method to the Madness. He has donated three pieces photographed at National Park, MO.

“I am overwhelmed by the talent and generosity of so many artists," said Paul Ruby, who developed the foundation to help fund research for the treatment of Parkinson's Disease. "It should be a wonderful event.”