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