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32 Mendocino Arts Magazine
By Michael Potts
SUSAN SPENCER A N D
MICHAEL WILSON: FIVE LEVELS
Susan Spencer, The Builder’s Box, 16" x 10".
Left: Susan Spencer; Michael Wilson photo. Right: Michael Wilson; Michael Potts photo.
T heir work is humorous, complex, intriguing: not-quite-familiar objects (handles, gears, faces, text in different alphabets) presented with symmetry
and rhythm in the best traditions of painting, yet thick, dimensional, sculptural, often literally outside the box. Susan Spencer and Michael Wilson, assemblage artists of national note, live in a house they designed and built themselves on a ridge-top above Anderson Valley.
“I always did art,” says Susan. “My family didn’t understand, but knew what sparked me. I worked most-ly in watercolor, but soon established that I’d never be as good as the good guys. . . Watercolor didn’t come alive for me until I saw Michael’s work, and began doing assemblage. . ."
Michael: “My dad was a famous animator, John David Wilson, and I grew up in the 1970s in a bohemian enclave in Pasadena sur-rounded by about 400 artists. After a few art classes at City College, I was a ranger in Big Sur, then moved up to caretake a ranch on Low Gap. I met Susan at the 2001 Wild Iris Festival in Boonville.”
Susan picks up the narrative, “I studied for a medical career, but got married and moved to Anderson Valley. My husband died young, and in due course, I was at Wild
Iris looking for good music.”“We’ve been together ever since,” Michael summarizes. “During those first years, we ran The Beat Gallery in
Ukiah,” recalls Susan.Michael continues, “In a working class town that
doesn’t endorse art that much, we sold a lot . . . and we met so many artists! That gave us a valuable perspective
on placing our own work. When we started building, we closed the gallery.”
Their upstairs studios face across a stairway, and reveal contrasting styles. Susan explains, “We both collect all manner of objects with interesting forms and textures – from friends, antique stores, eBay. We each have our interests: Michael buys mechanical parts and makes castings of existing art works; I get biblical images on paper
because they evoke an era I like.”Michael explains, “We spend thousands of dollars
on parts, and I do a lot of deconstructing. I start with the substrate – the frame and backing. I get an idea, then start selecting discarded objects and moving them around in the frame, seeking the happy ‘mistake’: that’s the adven-ture of assemblage, a sort of poetic development of found and discarded objects into a cohesive whole. We’re both
Fall 2017/Winter 2018 33
interested in ‘distressing’ our works so they have the authority of age.”
Susan adds, “We’re both heavy on technique, and resist the ‘baby dolls in a box’ watering down that has plagued assemblage recently. I’m interested in assembling pieces using deconstructed antiques, following what I have come to understand as ‘the rules of art.’ When I look at some of my earlier pieces, they look flat. A solid piece needs to have electricity, and when it’s there, viewer’s responses can be very strong.
“For me, one of the ‘rules’ is that my works need to have five layers to generate that elec-tricity. A piece has to start from good bones and then layer up.”
Michael adds, “Some-times I find a new part, and it belongs and transforms the work, so I have to rethink things. Sometimes I know what a piece needs, but I don’t have it. That drives me crazy!”
Susan continues, “Sometimes, you think you’re done, and awhile later you have a better idea. I hung a sweet piece in a gallery, but knew it was somehow out of propor-tion. After two years, it hadn’t sold. When I finally saw what needed to change, I retrieved the piece and added a new layer – the fifth! – and it went back to the gallery recharged . . . and sold the next day!”
Michael: “In early 2016 we participated in a show at the Grace Hudson Museum, In the Construction Zone, with a number of other local assemblage artists, and the response was gratifying.”
Susan: “For that show, we all had to talk about our work. Listening to the other artists, I heard how different
our methods are. Our colleague Spencer Brewer assembles a piece using artifacts from the same era. We avoid plastic, and strive to make our pieces look old, but aren’t above casting an art piece and using it more than once, or fashioning a connect-ing piece with baked Fimo.”
About selling art, Michael says, “We’re lucky: we have time to go out after the business, and hang our work in wineries, res-taurants, galleries.”
Susan adds, “Owning the gallery, we learned by turning
away a lot of good art that just wouldn’t sell in Ukiah, that you have to step away from your work, be sure of your own value, and not be hurt by rejection.”
Susan Spencer and Michael Wilson are teaching “Dust Bin Alchemy (Assemblage)” at the Mendocino Art Center, October 21–22, 2017.
Visit Susan and Michael’s blog at assemblageartists. wordpress.com.
Left: Susan Spencer, Tempus Fugit, 14" x 12". Middle: Susan Spencer, Blue Moon, 30" x 20". Right: Michael Wilson, Piano 2, 24" x 20".
Michael Wilson, Indian Trader, 19" x 22".
34 Mendocino Arts Magazine
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Mendocino and Lake County Restaurant Guide
WESTPORTTHE WESTPORT HOTEL & OLD ABALONE PUBFine Dining, High TeaCall for seasonal hours39921 N. Highway 1 • 964-3688
FORT BRAGG A SWEET AFFAIRPatisserie401 N. Main Street, Suite 301961-1362
BERNILLO’S Pizzeria, Subs, and Salads220 E. Redwood Avenue 964-9314
CAFÉ 1Organic Breakfast and Lunch753 N. Main Street • 964-3309
CUCINA VERONAFamily Italian for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner124 E. Laurel Street • 964-6844
D’AURELIO’S Fine Italian and Pizza438 S. Franklin Street • 964-4227
DOWN HOME FOODS Lunch Deli115 S. Franklin Street • 964-4661
EGGHEAD’S RESTAURANT Breakfast and Lunch326 N. Main Street • 964-5005
GIGI’S THAI CAFÉLunch & DinnerCorner Main & Chestnut Streets961-0830
HARVEST MARKET Organic, Natural, and Traditional Products and ServicesHighway 1 & Highway 20964-7000Catering by Margaret Fox, full service deli, bakery, and products from gour-met to everyday. Online shopping and delivery available. Open 7 days a week, 5am–11pm.
HEADLANDS COFFEEHOUSEEspresso Coffee House120 E. Laurel Street • 964-1987
HOME STYLE CAFÉ Breakfast and Lunch790 S. Main Street • 964-6106
LA PLAYA MEXICAN RESTAURANT & BAR 760 S. Main Street • 964-4074
LAUREL DELI & DESSERTS Breakfast & Lunch401 N. Main Street, Ste. 502964-7812
LEE’S CHINESE RESTAURANTFamily Chinese154 E. Redwood Avenue 964-6843
MARA’S COFFEE HOUSE5:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.18180 N. Highway 1 • 961-6141
MAYAN FUSIONA Mixture of Mexican and American Cuisine418 N. Main Street • 961-0211
NIT’S CAFÉInternational Cuisine322 N. Main Street • 964-7187
NORTH COAST BREWING COMPANYBrewery Taproom and Jazz at the Sequoia Room444 N. Main Street • 964-3400World-class beer, lunch and dinner daily, 11:30am to close. Live music Fri–Sat evenings. Farm-to-table pro-duce, sustainable meats, local seafood, award-winning beers, regional wines.
OFF THE HOOK SUSHINigari, Udon, Teriyaki, and Sushi118 E. Redwood Avenue 964-3188
PIACI PUB & PIZZERIA Pizza and Salads20 W. Redwood Avenue 961-1133
POINT NOYO RESTAURANT & BARFine Cliffside Dining1011 S. Main Street • 962-3035
THE PURPLE ROSEMexican24300 N. Highway 1 • 964-6507
THE QYour North Coast BBQ Joint1064 S. Main Street • 961-0100
SEA VALLEY CAFÉLunch & Dinner301 N. Main Street • 961-6003
TAKA’S GRILL Japanese & Sushi250 N. Main Street • 964-5204
VIRAPORN’S THAI CAFE16801 Ocean Drive962-0717
ZAPPA’S COFFEE & MENDOCINO COOKIE CO. Espresso Shop303 N. Main Street In the Company Store 964-0282
NOYO HARBORD’JANGO’S ROUGH BAR CAFEThursdays–Sundays32100 N. Harbor Drive • 962-0100
DOLPHIN ISLE MARINA DELIRiverside Deli32399 Basin • 964-4113
NOYO RIVER GRILLLunch & Dinner32150 N. Harbor Drive • 962-9050
SEA PALBurgers & Seafood32390 N. Harbor Drive • 964-1300
SILVER’S AT THE WHARFFresh Seafood and Contemporary American32260 N. Harbor Drive • 964-4283
MENDOCINO
955 UKIAH STREET RESTAURANTFine Dining955 Ukiah Street • 937-1955
CAFÉ BEAUJOLAISFine Dining961 Ukiah Street • 937-5614A menu inspired by Cal i fornia cuisine, a bounty of fresh ingredients and outstanding fresh bread from a wood-fire red brick oven.
CORNERS OF THE MOUTHNatural Foods • Gluten Free Products45015 Ukiah Street • 937-5345
CULTURED AFFAIR CAFÉSandwiches, Salads, YogurtCorner of Kasten & Albion 937-1430
FLOWOrganic cuisine morning and nightUpstairs at the Watertoweron Main Street • 937-FLOW
FRANKIE’S HAND MADE ICE CREAM & PIZZA PARLORIce Cream, Pizza, Soup 44951 Ukiah Street 937-2436
HARVEST AT MENDOSA’S Ready-to-Go Products and Groceries10501 Lansing Street • 937-5879Full service meat and seafood coun-ter, fresh produce, beer and wine, sushi, and ready-to-go sandwiches made daily. Open 7 days a week, 7:30am to 10pm.
MACCALLUM HOUSE INN & RESTAURANTFine Dining45020 Albion Street • 937-0289
MENDOCINO CAFÉMendocino Cuisine10451 Lansing Street • 937-6141
MENDOCINO HOTEL VICTORIAN DINING & GARDEN CAFÉFine Dining, Bar Menu45080 Main Street • 937-0511
MENDOCINO MARKETDeli, Sandwiches, Picnic Foods45051 Ukiah Street • 937-3474
MOODYS ORGANIC COFFEE BAR10450 Lansing Street 937-4843
Area Code is 707 unless otherwise noted.
38 Mendocino Arts Magazine
Mendocino and Lake County Restaurant GuidePATTERSON’S PUBBar Menu10485 Lansing Street • 937-4782
THE RAVENS AT THE STANFORD INN BY THE SEAVegetarian CuisineHighway 1 & Comptche-Ukiah Road • 937-5615Prepares vegan and vegetarian cui-sine with produce from their Califor-nia Certified Organic farm and other organic producers.
TRILLIUM CAFE AND INNLunch & Dinner with Patio Dining10390 Kasten Street • 937-3200
LITTLE RIVER &ALBIONALBION RIVER INNFine DiningHighway 1, Albion • 937-4044
HERITAGE HOUSE RESORT & SPAFine Dining5200 N. Highway 1, Little River202-9000
LEDFORD HOUSE RESTAURANTFine Dining3000 N. Highway 1, Albion937-0282
LITTLE RIVER INN RESTAURANTFine DiningHighway 1, Little River • 937-5942
LITTLE RIVER MARKET & DELIGourmet Deli7746 N. Highway 1, Little River937-5133
WILD FISHSeafood Restaurant7750 N. Highway 1, Little River937-3055
ELKBRIDGET DOLAN’S PUBCalifornia Grill & Bar Menu5910 S. Highway 1 • 877-1820
QUEENIE’S ROADHOUSE CAFÉBreakfast & LunchHighway 1 • 877-3285
POINT ARENATHE PIER CHOWDER HOUSE & TAP ROOMChowder, Seafood, Burgers & More790 Port Road • 882-3400
PIZZA & CREAMGourmet Pizza and Ice CreamArena Cove • 882-1900
ANCHOR BAYMARIACHISMexican35501 S. Highway 1 • 884-1735
GUALALACOVE AZUL BAR & GRILLItalian and Seafood39102 Ocean Drive • 884-1835
ST. ORRESFine Dining36601 Highway 1 • 884-3335
THE SEA RANCHTHE SEA RANCH LODGE & RESTAURANTCalifornia Cuisine60 Sea Walk Drive • 785-2371
ANDERSON VALLEYBOONVILLE HOTELCalifornia CuisineHighway 128, Boonville 895-2210
LAUREN’SEclectic American International14211 Highway 128Boonville • 895-3869
LEMON’S PHILO MARKETSandwiches and Salads to Go8651 Highway 128, Philo895-3552
STONE & EMBERSWood-Fired Pizza in The Madrones9000 Highway 128, Philo895-3471
YORKVILLE MARKETDeli and Local Foods26701 Highway 128, Yorkville895-9456
UKIAHANNA’S BISTROChinese and Japanese765 S. State Street • 462-1098
CRUSH ITALIAN STEAKHOUSE & PUB1180 Airport Park Boulevard463-0700
DORA’S GOURMET CAFECasual Fine Dining, Fresh Ingredients; Wine and Beer263 N. State Street • 462-3726
ELLIE’S MUTT HUT& VEGETARIAN CAFETofu, Vegetarian, Hamburgers732 S. State Street • 468-5376
FORKS CAFE Home Style Breakfast/Lunch 3166 N. State Street • 462-4530
THE HIMALAYAN CAFÉNepalese & Indian Cuisine 1639 S. State Street • 467-9900
MENDOCINO BREWING COMPANY ALEHOUSEPark Falls Plaza1252 Airport Park Boulevard467-2337
OCO TIMEJapanese Cuisine111 W. Church Street • 462-2422
PATRONA BISTRO & WINE BARClassic, Contemporary Cuisine130 W. Standley Street • 462-9181
RUEN TONG THAI CUISINEFresh Ingredients; Beer, Wine801 N. State Street • 462-0238
SAUCY PIZZAGourmet Pizza, Salad, Beer, Wine108 W. Standley Street • 462-7007
SCHAT’S COURTHOUSE BAKERY & CAFEBakery, Breakfast, Lunch 113 W. Perkins Street • 462-1670
STAN’S MAPLE CAFÉHome-style, Fresh Breakfast, and Lunch295 S. State Street • 462-5221
TASTEBUDSVegetarian Take-Out405 S. State Street • 463-2253
UKIAH BREWING COMPANYRestaurant and Lounge102 S. State Street • 468-5898
WILLITSAL’S REDWOOD ROOMThai & American, Full Bar207 S. Main Street • 459-2444
HOPLAND BLUEBIRD CAFEBreakfast, Lunch, DinnerLocal Ingredients and Pie13340 S. Highway 101744-1633
PIAZZA DE CAMPOVIDA13441 S. Highway 101 • 744-1977
REDWOOD VALLEY THE BROILER STEAK HOUSE 8400 Uva Drive • 485-7301
LAKE COUNTY BLUE WING SALOON & CAFE9520 Main StreetUpper Lake • 275-2233
BOAR’S BREATH14667 Lakeshore DriveClearlake • 995-2000
CACTUS GRILL RESTAURANT3900 Baylis AvenueClearlake • 994-0905
CHIC LE CHEF RESTAURANT18983 Hartman Road, Suite DHidden Valley Lake • 987-9664
PARK PLACE50 3rd StreetLakeport • 263-0444
SAW SHOP GALLERY BISTRO3825 Main StreetKelseyville • 278-0129
TNT2599 Lakeshore BoulevardLakeport • 263-4868
VISTA CAFE 2755 Mission Rancheria RoadLakeport • 262-1900
To be listed in this Guide, contact:COAST
Steven P. Worthen 707 357-3696
INLAND Jill Schmuckley 707 391-8057
Fall 2017/Winter 2018 39
40 Mendocino Arts Magazine
Fall 2017/Winter 2018 41
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