Local artists' work featured

WHISKEYTOWN VISTA:
Diana Troxell of Cottonwood and Bruce Davidson of Redding paint waterfalls together.

Original oil paintings by Cottonwood artist Diana Troxell and Redding's Bruce Davidson will be on view at Whiskeytown National Recreation Area's Visitor Center until Feb. 14.

The imagery in their works depicts scenes of Whiskeytown. Diana has two pieces on display - a Whiskeytown autumn scene, and a second entitled "Summer of Smoke" depicting Whiskeytown's surrounding forests ablaze last summer, said park spokeswoman Sheila Edridge.

Troxell moved to Cottonwood nearly four years ago from Santa Cruz, where she lived in the midst of a coastal redwood and pine forest.

"I wanted to live in a place where I could see vistas and light," explained Troxell, who uses both to great effect in her paintings. "I have a wonderful view here in Cottonwood where I can see all the way to almost Red Bluff," she added.

Although she enjoys oil paintings more than any other medium, she also works with watercolors and does some of her portraits in pastels, Troxell said.

One of Davidson's pieces is his interpretation of autumn in the park and the second one is titled "Sentinel of the Lake," which shows a ponderosa pine standing guard over Whiskeytown Lake Edridge said.

Within their work, Troxell and Davidson each express the importance of creation of light.

"I paint on a white background which reflects light through many layers of transparent paint, so my paintings glow," stated Troxell, who describes her own work in the realist school.

By contrast, Davidson is more of an impressionist, although each artist has been influenced by the other to some extent.

"We do like to paint together," Troxell said of her sometimes painting partner. "We inspire each other to keep on painting," she added.

The Whiskeytown Visitor Center is located on the corner of Highway 299 and Kennedy Memorial Drive and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.