Oak Leaf Artist Guild is a community of artists in the St. Charles area dedicated to promoting local art and artists.  Please bookmark this page and visit us often for news and events.

We host monthly meetings to motivate and inspire; and we welcome everyone to join us.  Our meetings are a great way to share experiences and common goals.  We generally have guest speakers, demonstrators or some other opportunity to learn; and because we are a diverse group we are able to encourage our members to broaden their artistic scope and try new things.

Once a month we publish and circulate a newsletter to our members, that is full of valuable information about news, events, and art opportunities in the area.  Our artists use it to promote their shows, events, classes, etc.

Showcase Artist - Marsha Ralston

Marsha won First and Third Place in the painting catagory at our Spring Art Show!

Above photos taken by Annette McGarrahan

My first exposure to art was when I was about eight or nine when my teacher took us to the Art Museum in Detroit.  To this day I still remember how I felt to be in such a wondrous place, filled with so many large beautiful paintings.  The almost cocoon type atmosphere was enhanced by the contrast of darkness of the museum and the golden lights that illuminated the paintings.  I remember not wanting to leave when it was time to go, and I carried the wonderful feelings of that trip with me for days.

I think that first trip to the Museum many years ago set in stone my love for period art and things from another time.  For example as a girl I also loved going into old buildings and Victorian homes.  I'd feel the same wonderfully familiar feelings that I got when I was at the art museum.  It was like I was being transported to another time and being on the verge of remembering something wonderful and long forgotten.   

I choose my subject matter because it seems to take me to a place in my heart where all is well.  When I paint landscapes I paint the places I have been to or long to be.  When I paint a still life I paint items I love.  Lastly, when I paint portraits I paint like the Old Masters because they were able to capture people for their seemingly gentler spirits and innocence.

Art for me means the feeling of peace, tranquility and possibility.  "Peace", like crawling into bed knowing you did the right thing and have a job well done.  "Tranquility", the feeling of lying in the grass as a kid looking up at the sky with not a care in the world; and "Possibility," the idea that I can create anything I want.

When I'm painting, the essence of how I felt at the museum comes flooding back to me; and I'm transported to places long ago.  As I wield my brush it's comforting to know that I don't ever have to leave.  I can stay as long as I want.  I am truly fortunate to be involved in something I love that brings me so much "Peace and Tranquility and that has also filled my life with Possibilities.  Basically for me, Art means "All is Well".