Officers and Board Members

Cathy Baca

President

After moving to Murrieta 13 years ago, Cathy started painting when a neighborly artist invited her to join a local art group that met weekly.  After observing her for a few months, the group’s instructor encouraged her to paint portraits.  Cathy studied portrait painting on her own until her neighbor invited her to attend a GEM meeting.  She won her first ribbon at that meeting and has been painting ever since. Cathy still enjoys doing portraits but now has a penchant for landscapes as well.  A member of GEM since 2011, Cathy enjoys the warmth and love of her fellow members immensely and has served as a Board member since 2013.

Gina Wilson Photo

Patsy Kile

Secretary

Patsy began painting in High School but took a long break after graduating.  After retiring and moving to Anza she met her friend Teri Smith who invited her to take painting classes with Ukrainian born artist and teacher Valentina Lamdin. Patsy was hooked! She has been painting for about fourteen years and continues to take classes with Valentina. She has painted mostly with oil but lately has ventured a bit into acrylic. She prefers landscape paintings but also does still lifes. Patsy has been in GEM for several years. She enjoys being able to bring her works to meetings for feedback and also the monthly demonstrators.

Teri Smith

Newsletter

Teri was introduced to oil painting about 10 years through a good friend who was an accomplished artist and a  GEM Demonstrator. Teri enjoys painting a variety of subjects and especially landscapes. She has been a GEM member for about 4 years. What she enjoys most are the demonstrations at the monthly meetings.

Roxanne Miskam

Vice-President

Roxanne’s main artistic interests have been in floral arrangements, paper mache and costumes. Her major interest is in food and she and her husband own two local restaurants. She has been in GEM for 2 years. She loves the camaraderie of the group and how sweet and non-judgmental everyone is despite the competition. We are fortunate to have Roxanne as our Vice President.

Cathy Keeney

Treasurer

When Cathy discovered that her Granddaughter’s art teacher offered lessons for seniors she signed up and has been painting ever since. She particularly enjoys paintings of things involving wood (barns, fences, trees, etc.). She uses acrylics mostly. This is her 7th year as a member of GEM. What she enjoys is the  friendships, camaradarie and  monthly demonstrations.

Photo of Steve Staudenmeir

Steve Staudenmeir

Webmaster

Steve Staudenmeir began painting watercolor in retirement at age 68. Painting was something he had always wanted to do but never had the time. He found inspiration in drawings done by his artistic grandmother and wondered if he might have some of her talent. He picked flowers to begin with because he enjoyed the shapes and beautiful colors. He has more recently branched out into landscapes and animal subjects. He is a student of Richard Stergulz at The Green Art House art school in Fallbrook. He loves being part of the artistic community at GEM and appreciates the encouragement and friendship offered by the members.  It’s a perfect place for a new artist to be!

Camilla McNabb

Hospitality

Camilla was in love with art after taking a class in high school. So much so, that she majored in art in college. Part of her inspiration was from her artist great-grandmother and Camilla has two of her paintings to this day! She paints oils, mostly landscapes, seascapes and barns from back where she grew up. She also enjoyed making jewelry but has given it up due to the high price of gold. She has been with Gem of the Valley for less than a year but has been involved in the Tuesday paint gatherings for some time. What she enjoys most about GEM is meeting with other artists and seeing what others are doing. “It’s a nice group of people!”, she says.

Photo of Anne Slagel

Anne Slagle

2nd Vice President

Anne received her introduction to art through classes she took at school in Sacramento. As a special education teacher, she found ways to use art to help her students deal with learning challenges (autism, ADHD, Asperger’s, etc.). Having had learning challenges of her own, she has always had a passion for helping others in dealing with them. After retirement, Anne rediscovered her own artistic abilities and has been enjoying painting ever since. She’s been a member of GEM for two years and really enjoys the learning strategies she gleans from the monthly demonstrations.

Photo of Marti Thurman

Marti Thurman

Membership

Marti got her introduction to art from her kindergarten teacher who told her she was special. She took Saturday art lessons from one of the nuns that taught at her school. She laterr earned a scholarship to the Columbus College of Art and Design and ultimately attended the Central Academy of Commercial Art in Cincinnati. She prefers pastel painting and animal portraits (dogs, cats, horses and fish) in particular. This is her fifth year with GEM and she enjoys the camaraderie and just about everything else about Gem.

Photo of Marti Thurman

Ron Baca

Audio

Ron is married to Cathy Baca. He says most of his career as an artist was limited to primary school as a youth and hasn’t progressed much since then. He has been involved in GEM since 2013, both in support of his wife and GEM itself because of the important role he believes it plays in the community and the support it provides for local artists. He says he very much enjoys the monthly presentations and the camaraderie shared by the membership. GEM very much appreciates Ron for all his help and support.