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The Wooden
Toy Show
Mendocino Coast Furniture Makers are
making a gift for us all as they direct their talents into making fun and intriguing wooden
toys that entertain children and adults alike.
Cherished by children since they began playing with sticks, wooden toys have always been
favored by parents to inspire, amuse and provide quiet entertainment for their young. Enduring
and fun, families pass traditional wood toys down
though generations. As an integral art of all cultures,
toys teach children about their society and the world
about them. Hoops, tops, rocking horses, rattles,
mobiles, whirlygigs and all manner of wooden toys
will pour out of the furniture makers’ workshops.
Founded in 1997, the furniture makers’ association is dedicated to the preservation and evolution of
the fine art of furniture making and now toy making. All current members have been influenced by
the world-renowned cabinetmaker James Krenov,
who founded the Fine Woodworking Program at
the College of the Redwoods, in Fort Bragg in 1981.
In their non-holiday life, they specialize in customdesigned, one-of-a-kind pieces in both traditional
and contemporary styles. Using the finest materials and proven hand techniques, they provide customers with furniture designs that enhance their
44 Walnut Rocking Horse, by Graham Gilbertson 12” x 24” x 18”
home’s interiors. You can contact individual members to purchase an existing piece or commission a
design that will be uniquely yours. Members include
Taimi Barty, Michael Burns, Michael Carroll, Les
Cizek, Ken Davis, Stefan Furrer, Graham Gilbertson,
Kerry Marshall, Brian Newell, Paul Reiber, Robert
Sanderson, Greg Smith, Dan Stalzer, and Judy Tarbell.
Their holiday focus allows them to draw on the
long tradition of handmade wooden toy making and
apply their well-honed skills to this ancient practice.
It also presents an opportunity for everyone to own a
product that enshrines the talents of these local craftsmen as well as fine traditions of handmade wooden
toys.
Handmade wooden toys by the Mendocino Coast
Furniture Makers will be shown in the Abramson
Gallery, Mendocino Art Center, December 1 – 31,
2009.
Mendocino
Chamber Opera
FBCA MUSIC SERIES
2009 – 2010 Season
• September 27, 2009, 3:00 pm
Igor Veligan, violin and
Natsuki Fukasawa, piano
Perfume Mendo
Audio Nouveau
• January 17, 2010, 3:00 pm
Mark Salman, pianist
presents
The Secret Marriage
an 18th century comic opera by
Domenico Cimarosa
Hilarious English version by
Donald Pippin
Feb 12-21, 2010
• February 14, 2010, 3:00 pm
The Vinca Quartet
• March 21, 2010 3:00 pm
Burke Schuchmann, cello
Richard Cionco, piano
• April 18, 2010, 3:00 pm
Soprano Paula Wilder,
Tenor Ben Bongers with
Richard Ashens, piano
Tickets $20, subscriptions $80,
available from FBCA ,
Helen Schoeni Theater,
Mendocino Art Center
13110 Pomo Lane, Mendocino 95460.
Tickets from MTC
707 937-1018.
707 937- 4477
fbcamusicseries.com
A collection of new and
classic fragances from
around the world
Fine handcrafted speakers that look
as good as they sound
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45104 Main St., Mendocino
P.O. Box 319, Mendocino, CA 95460
707 937-2021
perfumemendo.com
audio-nouveau.com
45
IT’S IN THE GENES:
ARTISTIC FAMILIES
Part II: The Bonnie Veblen Family
The Inimitable... Katharine Hepburn – Bronze
Limited Edition – Bonnie Catherine Veblen
by Debbie L. Holmer
Little did I know when I headed out for my C., Bonnie has become an artist of distinction. She
interview with the Veblen family at their home in is always challenging herself in new directions and
Mendocino that I’d be meeting with a family of has dedicated herself to promoting involvement in
Vikings! And Vikings they are! Bonnie Catherine creativity, encouraging others to actively participate
Veblen, mother of this marvelous clan, is a stunning by expanding their potential through education and
beauty, and each of her sons (I didn’t get to meet her involvement in the arts.
Bonnie is very much involved in the Arts
oldest son Gaben) exudes that wild, tough Viking Council of Mendocino County GASP (Get Arts in
strength.
the Schools) program, a program that funds artist
Bonnie Catherine Veblen is
workshops and live performances in
a sculptor, photographer, writer,
Mendocino County schools during
designer, art consultant, teacher
the school year.
and a visionary. The tradition con
Bonnie’s sons: Gaben, Cody,
tinues in Bonnie’s sons, daughtersYorgen and Sunny.
in-law and even grandchildren –
Gaben Chancellor, Bonnie’s oldeach in their own way.
Bonnie was born in a small
est son, is an award-winning creative
farming community in northdirector and 21-year media veteran.
ern Minnesota. She has lived and
His firm, ContentX (a cross media
worked in California, New York
design and production company),
and Australia, as well as raising
was born in 1999. This design indusfour sons. She has become one
try veteran is now a full-time resident
of the truly noteworthy contribuof Mendocino. Gaben is a handstors to the arts of her day. With
on-cross-media designer and project
bronzes in many prestigious collecdirector who also involves his brothtions, including The Smithsonian
ers in the business.
Cody Chancellor thrives on a
Portrait Institute, Washington, D. An artistic door by Yorgen Kvinsland
46 Gaben Chancellor – CD cover for Capitol Records “On the Road”
with B.B. King
myriad of different creative expressions ranging from
painting landscapes on location, contract permanent
installation art (like totem poles), and interior design
gigs large and small. He currently lives in Crystal Creek,
Canada with his wife Jennifer. His newest painting
series is focusing on our water sources and how important watershed preservation is. He has a degree in Fine
Art and industrial design. Cody is also working on a
book for children of all ages under the working title of
Prodigy’s Ascension. He let me peek and it’s wonderful!
Cody’s wife Jennifer Norquist is the founder of
Dragonfly Designs, and has been a dedicated artist
her whole life.
She studied art
in
Vancouver
and in Argentina
and her travels
throughout the
world have influenced her greatly.
Her mosaic art
designs are beautiful.
Both Cody
and Jennifer are
involved in public community art
– involving the
community in the
design and fabriStriped Stockings – oil on canvas – Sunny
cation process of
Chancellor
public installations which helps empower people and encourage ownership of our local neighborhoods.
Yorgen Quent Kvinsland, a resident of Mendocino,
focuses on creative entrances and glass work. Principal
artist for ArtStruct, Yorgen formed the company with
the vision to facilitate collaborations
with artists in the
creation of an art
based door design.
His background is
in fine woodworking
and fine art. Yorgen
said to me, “Each job
is a piece of art.”
Yorgen’s wife,
Anna Kvinsland,
business director for
ArtStruct, is also the
executive director
for the Arts Council
of
Mendocino
County. Anna has
been involved in the
arts her entire life. Two Shrooms by Cody Chancellor
She has a Master of
Arts degree in Arts
Administration and has been gallery manager for a fine
art gallery in addition to working for the Public Art
Department of the San Francisco Arts Commission.
Here in Mendocino County, Anna is a voice for the artists, showing us what artists can do for us and our community.
Their children, Sonje, age 5 and Knute, age 2, seem
to be carrying on the tradition with their special art work
already placed around the house.
47 Photo by Debbie L.Holmer
Pictured, left to right, sons, Sunny, Cody and Yorgen. Seated, Cody’s wife,
Jennifer Norquist, with a favorite puppet, Bonnie Veblen and Yorgen’s wife,
Anna Kvinsland. Not pictured, son, Gaben Chancellor.
Sunny Chancellor focuses on illustration, animation and industrial design. He is studying with
an architect focusing on buildings with sustainable
designs, and is also moving towards helping different
groups create their future visions. In addition to traveling the world connecting with different communities
and cultures, Sunny is also a prolific writer.
I met with the Veblen/Chancellor/Kvinsland family on Christmas Eve at their beautiful Vikingshaven
home. This is a family of artists, but also thinkers
(in fact, Bonnie’s grandfather was Thorstein Veblen,
economist, noted for being one of America’s great
original minds, and her father was a famous mathematician and economist also).
Bonnie said her boys would “hang out in my
ceramics studio when they were just toddlers. Their
father, Ray Chancellor, was a professional graphics
designer and artist. My sons look into themselves and
the subject matter and find something meaningful to
portray.”
There is so much love and hope in the Veblen/
Chancellor/Kvinsland family. They respect and honor
their past, yet look toward the future, realizing that
we need to know what to do with all of our technology. The Veblen family follows the philosophy that
“creativity and beauty play an integral role in people’s
lives.”
48 Bonnie and her sons are storytellers, deeply
involved in caring about the world around them and
very much into social commentary. They are poets,
philosophers, and yes, artists! They all have the ability
to combine their visions with their dreams.
For more information on the Veblen/Chancellor/
Kvinsland family, visit the following websites:
Bonnie Veblen: www.bonnieveblen.com
Gaben Chancellor: www.contentx.com
Cody Chancellor: www.chancellor.net
Jennifer Norquist: www.chancellor.net/mosaic
Yorgen Kvinsland: www.artstruct.com
Anna Kvinsland: www.artsmendocino.org
Sunny Chancellor: www.chancellor.net/sunny
Each of the artistic families I interviewed has a sense
of community and our environment, both locally
and worldwide. Art is another language for these
families and a way to communicate within the family and throughout their community.
Debbie Holmer has also interviewed the John Hewitt
family, profiled in Summer 2009, and the Rusty and
Joan Gates family, to be featured in Spring, 2010.
49ers
Football
is on
KMFB
92.7/96.7
Eclectic Evenings
b-side
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tales from
tue/wed/thur
8 – midnight
magical
musical mix
the Pygmy Tower
sat 9-10 am
for youth & y’all
with
Latenight Liz –
one of the more fun bunch
on
KMFB
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DISTRICT HOSPITAL
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49
Willits
Backroads “Bypass”
Back road driving is to car travel what “slow food”
is to dining – it’s all about savoring the experience. It
assumes that roads are for enjoyment, not simply means
to an end. To the millions of drivers who pass through
it every year, the town of Willits is an obstacle, the only
spot between Eureka and the Golden Gate Bridge where –
chances are – they will be required to come to a complete
stop. During week-day or summer holiday “rush hours,”
Willits’ string of traffic signals can seem like instruments
of torture. For this reason, the community and Cal Trans
have been discussing a freeway bypass around the town
since at least the 1970’s.
For “slow travel” (i.e., back road) fans, however, the
Willits bypass is already in place. Not only is there one,
but it’s been there a long time, and it is a beauty. Actually,
the “bypass” is a series of two-lane country roads that
either head arrow-straight across the valley floor or wind
around the valley’s edges. Regardless, the rural landscape
is delightful, and at every crossroads you’ll meet with an
intriguing set of choices. If time is no essence whatsoever,
my advice is take them all; none of them is overly long,
and the scenery won’t disappoint.
Little Lake Valley is bucolic and picturesque beyond
description, at all times of the year. And the best way
to experience its pleasures is on a slow drive through its
meandering back road byways.
Since I live in Ukiah, our tour of Little Lake Valley
begins from the south. While no longer a back road,
the fifteen mile stretch of Highway 101 from Ukiah over
the Ridgewood Grade to Willits traverses characteristically pretty California coast range country, with some
interesting and worthwhile diversions. Among these are:
Barra Winery’s tasting room; the locally-famous Broiler
Steak House, on the old highway; the oak, madrone and
pine-covered slope of Laughlin Ridge, along which lies
the now-moribund but once indispensable railroad track
50 photos by Pete Halstad
by Pete Halstad
between Humboldt and San Francisco bays; and, in the
valley below, Ridgewood Ranch, former home and final
resting place of the great race horse, Seabiscuit. Barring
a miracle, you will also get to see, and drive through, the
longest continuously-functioning highway repair detour
in the history of the world.
On the down slope, where the highway makes a
sweeping curve as it descends into Little Lake Valley,
glance to your left for a view of the abandoned roadbed
as it passes through an ancient railroad overpass. After a
fairly level stretch of a mile or so, look for Baechtel Road,
which enters the highway immediately north of the Willits
city limits sign. Turn right onto Baechtel Road, the official starting point of your Willits back road adventure.
A mere quarter mile or so on Baechtel Road brings
you to East Hill Road. Turn right and drive over the
forlorn-looking railroad tracks. Keep your eyes open for
a herd of long-horned cattle in the pasture to your left.
There are no grapevines – none! Willits is cattle country,
with cows and horses everywhere. The valley is a glory
of broad pasture lands and magnificent oak trees. Rustic
barns and outbuildings,
character-full ranch houses,
whimsically-painted mailboxes, rail fences and treelined creeks overgrown with
blackberry bushes, old onelane bridges – and lots and
lots of horses – these are the
hallmarks of the Little Lake
Valley back roads.
A half mile past the
railroad tracks East Hill
Road veers sharply left, and
winds around a forested
hillside, past Center Valley Road, and finally down over
a one lane suspension bridge across Davis Creek. A long
straightaway brings you to the end of East Hill Road at
East Valley Road. Turn left here and you’ll soon begin
winding along the valley’s eastern slope, past several small
ranches, and an occasional Ponderosa pine tree to a “Y” in
the road. Veer right to continue your drive on a northerly
course through the valley
After passing by a few substantial horse ranches and
wide, green hay fields, you’ll come to a stop sign at Canyon
Road. A right turn here will take you through the hills to
Tomki Creek, a major tributary of the mighty Eel River.
Intrepid travelers may want to explore this side trip, even
as far as the Eel River itself where it flows past the old
stagecoach stop of Hearst (literally, a dot on the map).
Though the scenery is worthwhile, the road is unpaved,
washboard-y in parts and quite dusty. I recommend,
instead, a left turn on Canyon Road, to stay within the valley proper. After a half mile, turn right onto Hearst-Willits
Road. In less than a minute you’ll come to another “Y.’
This is yet another opportunity for a side trip to Hearst,
but this route is even more daunting than Canyon Road,
since there is no bridge
on Hearst-Willits Road
across Tomki Creek.
The “wet crossing” of
Tomki Creek is definitely not for the weak
of heart. So, I suggest
saving a visit to the
Eel River for another
time and instead veering left onto Reynolds
Highway. This curiously-named four and
a half mile stretch of county
road affords broad vistas of
the upper part of the valley, and, at its northern terminus, an insight into the
origin of the valley’s name.
Where Reynolds Highway
ends, at Hwy 101, four miles
north of town, the valley
floor is a wetland, a “little
lake,” indeed, especially in
winter and early spring. It
is this feature of the valley
that presents the greatest,
and most expensive, obstacle to the construction of a freeway bypass. Wetland or no, however, the “real” bypass
will be built, no doubt before repairs are completed on
Ridgewood Grade.
At 101 you can either – cautiously – pull onto the
highway for a quick drive south to Willits, or, better yet,
make a u-turn and take Reynolds Highway back toward
town, this time turning right when you come to the
Hearst-Willits Road. This road will take you, in a few
miles, and after a number of right-angle “farm” turns,
to Commercial Street on the north side of Willits. From
this vantage point, and with the perspective of your pleasant tour of its surrounding countryside, Willits is not an
obstacle, but an interesting, history-filled north country
railroad and lumber town, cherishing its “heyday,” but
relaxed and comfortable in its “hay-days.”
On East Commercial Street you’ll find the marvelous Mendocino County Museum and the popular Roots
of Motive Power exhibit. A block west of the Museum is
the former Skunk Train Depot. Browse around the town
of Willits, then, unless you’re heading north, drive back
east on Commercial, past the museum to Bray Street,
and then, within a few
hundred yards, veer
left onto Valley Center
Road. After a couple
of miles, and several
more soul-freshening
views, you’ll wind up
back at East Hill Road,
less than a mile from
the start of your Willits
back road adventure.
Have a nice drive!
51
Three
Sisters
Gifts for Body,
Mind & Soul
112 S. School St, Ukiah
707-462-2320
Mon. - Sat. 10:00 - 5:30
www.threesistersukiah.com
C D s DV D s Ta p e s
BUY SELL TRADE
Fine Consignment Fashions
Clothing - Shoes - Accessories
109 W. Church, Ukiah
707 -463-5590
362 N State St Ukiah
707 463-8444
M-S 10-6
Th 10-7 Sun 11-3
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING
YOUR LOCAL RECORD STORE
MC - Visa - AMEC
Crowin' Downtown
Featuring:
Holly Yashi • Sonoma Lavendar
Willow Tree • Lady Primrose
102 N. School St. Ukiah 463-2425
A division of Crow's Nest Pear Tree Center
M - F 9:30 - 5:30, Sat. 9 - 5 pm
FINE ART & ANTIQUES
STICKLEY • ESTATE JEWELRY
PRECIOUS METALS • VAN ERP
RUGS • INDIAN ARTIFACTS
FINE ART
POTTERY
COINS
A SELECTION OF BEAUTIFUL ITEMS
UNEQUALED IN THE AREA
306 N. STATE STREET, UKIAH
707•463•3900
[email protected]
52 Rachelle Daniel
Esthetician
Beautiful Innovative Healthy
Skin Care
Facials • Peels • Body Treatments
Waxing • Spray Tan
Face and Body Products
Gift Certificates
Call to schedule a free in salon consultation
707 489-1572 Ukiah
TB Greene
Gallery
Through the Viewfinder:
Mendocino Landscapes
November 21, 2009 – February 7, 2010
Contemporary art
Sunset Near Elk by Jon Klein
inspired by the environment
Exploring Mendocino County through the photography of
Bill Brazill, Rita Crane, Charlie Hochberg, Jon Klein, Paul Kozal,
Tom Liden, Peter W. Stearns, and Robert Taylor.
Sat 10am-2pm, 3pm-6pm
other days by appointment
Grace Hudson Museum
and Sun House
104 W. Church St. Ukiah, CA 95482
431 South Main Street, Ukiah
(707) 467-2836 • www.gracehudsonmuseum.org
Hours: Wed. – Sat., 10:00 - 4:30 • Sun., Noon – 4:30
707 462-5756
1 blk south of Perkins between State & School Sts.
53
Lake
County
DIEGO’S
GALLERY
Paintings • Jewelry
Basketry • Gourd Art
9495 Main Street, Suite 3
Upper Lake
Mendocino Art
corner of Main & 1st Street
July Through September 2009
For LAKE county section Summer Issue
Chez Char
O mniSp a
Experience
the Magic
Men/Women • Cut/Color/Style
Permanent MakeUp
MASSAGE
Swedish/Esalen • Deep Tissue
La Stone
14624 Lakeshore Drive • Clearlake
707 995-3255
Email
with PDF
of Chars ad
TheMarge
Gourd
Gallery
Unique
[email protected]
and
Affordable
Open
Wed – Sun,
10 to 4
6197 E. Hwy. 20, Lucerne, CA
707 274-2346
email: [email protected]
54 707 350-4209
www.diegoandsherrycraftart.com
CPS/County Air Properties
SHERRY HARRIS
REALTOR® GRI
ARTIST
Specializing in helping artists and
artistic people find and buy that
perfect property in Lake County.
707 350-2116
www.BuyAHouseInLakeCounty.com
Each office is independently
owned and operated.
KONOCTI ART
GALLERY
FINE ART
6193 E. Hwy 20, Lucerne, Ca.
707 274-1033
Wed. thru Sun. 11 to 4
A Bit of Class
With Love From
Maine to Spain
An unusual shop
filled with items from
all over the world
and the United States
of America.
707-275-0105
9445 Main Street.
Upper Lake, CA 95485
Yarn
Needlepoint
Patterns/
Books
Classes
WILLITS CENTER
FOR THE ARTS
180 S. School St.Ukiah, CA
(707) 462-0544
www.heidisyarnhaven.com
email: [email protected]
The Book Juggler
Mendocino Arts Magazine
80,000 used
books in stock
New Exhibits Monthly
182 S. Main St. Willits
Open: Thurs. & Fri. 4-7pm
Sat. & Sun. 12-3pm
707 459-4075
BUY - SELL - TRADE
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK!
www.thebookjuggler.com
71 East Commercial Street
Willits, California 95490
707 459-1726
Reach the thousands of
visitors and the local arts community.
Showcase your business in the
compelling local editorial coverage
of the arts and culture of
Mendocino County.
Call Jill Schmuckley 707 391-8057
for more information.
The Best Rock & Roll
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LOCAL FEATURES, NEWS,
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(707) 462-1488
459-MMax
From Willits 459-6629
94.1 FM in Fort Bragg & Willits
Today’s Hits
Yesterday’s Favorites
Hourly news, Information and
Popular Local Programming.
LIVE • LOCAL
707 462-0945
www.kwine.com
55
Malakai
Schindel
by Karine Bennett
The day was warm and bright, as familiar as June
days come. I walked into Mendonesia Café, a popular
live music venue in Willits, California, thankful for the
cool air conditioning. Malakai Schindel’s work lined
the walls, each painting a hypnotic swirling melee.
Then, I saw the artist himself. After meeting Schindel,
I understood how every painting was a portrait of him,
consisting of layers upon layers of complex unadulterated artistry. Schindel’s artistic talent is not limited to paint. He
also boasts, in a positive way, an aptitude for instruments such as the silver flute, panpipes, didgeridoo
guitar, and hammer dulcimer, and is also active in live
theatre.
Schindel is often a vibrant expression of art himself, having been photographed by several noted photographers such as Ron Greystar, Jerri-Jo Idarius, Steve
Eberhard and Kyer. But he IS the art.
I sat down with him and above the whirl of
espresso machines and coffee house chatter, questioned Schindel about his life, his art:
KB: You have been called a “Renaissance
Man.” Of all the arts in which you have excelled, if you
could choose only one to be remembered by, the one
that would be your heritage, what would it be?
MS: Murals. They transform blank empty walls
into meaningful subjects that enrich our daily lives.
Schindel’s murals enhance Mendocino County’s
beauty. These artistic treasures can be found in Ukiah,
Willits and Covelo. His reputation preceded him when
Schindel was asked to paint his latest mural, located
56 on the side of J.D Redhouse in Willits, depicting an
astounding variety of Mendocino County from sunrise
to sunset. Schindel’s favorite mural, “Transformation,”
is located in Ukiah on the side of Peking Tokyo restaurant. Another of Schindel’s impressive murals is
located on Church and State Street, also in Ukiah. Anyone who has seen Malakai Schindel’s work
wonders about the genesis of his inspiration. “Some
are commissions with a specific subject matter,
coming from brainstorming and collaborating,” he
says. “Others are pure inspiration, often involving our
beautiful local landscapes.” Since Schindel fits my description of “artist,” I
had him describe the word. “An artist is someone who
reacts to the world in a non-conventional, productive way, bringing cohesive ideas. Someone who can
assimilate and react to the world creatively.”
Mendocino County teems
with artists, yet it struggles
to support and promote the
county’s artistic inclinations.
I questioned Malakai on the
strained relationship between
the county and its artists. “This
county loves the artists and they
seem to want to support them;
however, they don’t. That seems
to be the attitude I’ve found.
There need to be more venue
galleries, an actual constructive effort to bring art into the
schools and make young people
realize and appreciate art before
they become jaded and the art
isn’t worth doing. What can
we as an area do? We could
celebrate art, make it more of
a public thing, more sculptures
in parks, more murals on buildings, more people coming into
the local school and teaching art
workshops, there are massive
amounts more that we can do.”
Schindel’s point is valid: with
so many artists in the area, how
can we settle for mediocrity?
Schindel’s artwork is on
display in Mendonesia Café.
His murals can be found at
these locations: Saint Francis
Episcopalian Church, Willits
(one of his most photographed
pieces); Willits High School;
Willits Train Depot; E. Church
and State Street, Ukiah; Ukiah
Community Center; Willits
Community Court School;
Round Valley Elementary/
Middle School Administrative
building; Department of Public
Health Administrative Building,
Ukiah; and J.D. Redhouse in
Willits.
Look for Malakai Schindel’s
next epic landscape in a local
dining area (still undisclosed at
time of press).
When asked to choose just
one word to describe himself, he
chose, ‘multi-dimensional.’ I’d
like to second that!
Photographs provided by Steve
Eberhard.
57