Art gallery: ‘It's Time to Come Home'

The walls are filled with color at the Orland Art Gallery in time for its September show and sale.

Capay district artist Patty Bambauer has 40 pieces on display in this one-woman event.

They include watercolors, water medium, collage and oils, according to Orland Arts Commissioner Rae Turnbull.

"Her emphasis is mainly on nature and rural scenes," Turnbull said, during a Thursday tour of the gallery.

The show titled "It's Time to Come Home" runs through Sept. 29.

Her work reflects trips to Alaska as well as the local farms and ranches around Orland and Capay, Turnbull added.

Bambauer's home sits along the Sacramento River — providing lots of scenery to paint.

The September showing includes chickens, wildlife, cattle, flowers and more along with landmarks like the Baymiller place near Capay.

"As a longtime resident of the North State, I have come to appreciate the visual treasures available to us all here," Bambauer wrote in her show biography. "Looking up on either side of this valley, I see the well planned and esthetic irrigation system that feeds streams and rivers watering our rich land."

Sights include orchards and wildflowers in bloom, cattle grazing and buzzing bees and bird songs can be heard, too, she said.

Bambauer grew up on the Gulf Coast of Florida and noted her childhood home is another source of inspiration for her work.

Her parents were professional artists who instructed her well, she said, along with her grandmother who was a hand weaver.

All of those influences contributed to her art education, Bambauer said, along with an interest in music and ballet as a teenager.

She also credits God with giving her an "eye for truth and betterment," the statement said.

"Plein air (on site) watercolor and oil painting is a true enjoyment," Bambauer added. "The collages begin with an under-painting on heavy watercolor paper with an application of semi-transparent natural fiber papers using thin matte medium with minimal painting on top allowing the other layers to show through."

The gallery is at 732 Fourth St.

It is open Tuesday through Saturday, 1-7 p.m.

The gallery also is hosting a free DVD presentation Wednesday titled the "Illuminator" on the making of the St. John's Bible at 7 p.m.