Guest Speakers & Events
___________________________________________________
March 23, 2026
Guest speaker: Mike Depue
THEME: Celebration of things that are old
Michael Kenneth Depue
Michael Kenneth Depue, a contemporary artist who lives and works in Oakhurst will speak at the club's March 23rd meeting.
The Michigan native studied graphic design and started a career as an exhibition designer before the computer age when designs were illustrated in gouache paint.
Michael has more than 30 years in the design industry and now works as a painter, photographer and graphic designer. In addition he has been accepted in 38 national and international juried exhibitions with awards from eight of them and has one piece included in the permanent collection of the Wausau Museum of Contemporary Art in Wisconsin.
He considers photography a foundation of his paintings and he utilizes digital manipulation to create compositions and collages. Recently, he has authored and illustrated four children's books.
The consuming interest that informs his work, he says, is exploring the abstract and the historical while developing a hidden narrative.
To see examples of Michael's work visit: https://www.michaeldepue.com/
Photo assignment theme:
Celebrate all things that are old, faded signs or things with weathered textures or rusty patinas. For subjects, Michael suggests visiting antique or thrift stores, yard sales or flea markets.
For photographers wanting to go to the next level, try double exposure using first a texture and then a subject.
The Michigan native studied graphic design and started a career as an exhibition designer before the computer age when designs were illustrated in gouache paint.
Michael has more than 30 years in the design industry and now works as a painter, photographer and graphic designer. In addition he has been accepted in 38 national and international juried exhibitions with awards from eight of them and has one piece included in the permanent collection of the Wausau Museum of Contemporary Art in Wisconsin.
He considers photography a foundation of his paintings and he utilizes digital manipulation to create compositions and collages. Recently, he has authored and illustrated four children's books.
The consuming interest that informs his work, he says, is exploring the abstract and the historical while developing a hidden narrative.
To see examples of Michael's work visit: https://www.michaeldepue.com/
Photo assignment theme:
Celebrate all things that are old, faded signs or things with weathered textures or rusty patinas. For subjects, Michael suggests visiting antique or thrift stores, yard sales or flea markets.
For photographers wanting to go to the next level, try double exposure using first a texture and then a subject.
Wild and Free
by Michael Kenneth Depue
_______________________________________________________
FEBRUARY 23, 2026
PHIL VENABLE
PHIL VENABLE
February speaker, Phil Venable, has been shooting photos since he was a kid, when his dad gave him a Kodak Brownie. He studied black-and-white photography in college and had plans to be a photojournalist until life intervened. After spending an adulthood in law enforcement, Phil picked up his camera again and began making art.
Phil’s preference is nature/landscape, but he is drawn to shapes, lines, and shadows found in urban landscapes. “My favorite subjects are old rusted cars, trains, abandoned buildings, and brightly colored doors. I use several plugins in Photoshop to create surreal images from otherwise ordinary photos. I create photos in both color and black and white, depending on subject matter and mood.”
Phil is President of the Napa Valley Photographic Society, and a member of the Fairfield Suisun Valley Art Association, the Vacaville Art League, Gold Rush Photo Club, and the Lightwriters Photography Club. Phil is also a member of the Professional Photographers of America, and the Photographic Society of America.
Phil’s work has been shown at Viewpoint Gallery, Sacramento; Yountville Community Center, The Old Sugar Mill, Arata Fine Arts Gallery, and the Roseville Brewing Company, including shows at the Vacaville Art Gallery, the Napa Public Library, Solano Town Center Gallery, the Gallery at Village 360, and he is a resident artist at The Little Shop in Benicia. He has won several awards at local shows and contests, including a Juror's Choice Award at the 2013 Vacaville Art Gallery Juried Art Show. Phil’s photos can be seen at www.philipvenablephotography.com. He is also on Facebook as Philip Venable Photography.
Contact Phil at [email protected].
CRITIQUE PHOTOGRAPHS
_______________________________________________________
JANUARY 26, 2026
WENDY SPARKS, JEFF TORQUEMADA
ETHICAL WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY
WENDY SPARKS, JEFF TORQUEMADA
ETHICAL WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY
Jeff Torquemada and Wendy Sparks will discuss the finer points of ethical wildlife photography at the club's Monday, Jan. 26, meeting at the Napa Senior Center, 1500 Jefferson St.
The couple's shared a passion for photography and advocacy for wildlife and the environment brought them together many years ago.
They are passionate about preserving all things wild, and through photography, they strive to capture images that tell a story and evoke emotion.
Photography has given them a more intimate perspective on wildlife by allowing them to view it through the lens of a camera. They have spent thousands of hours observing and photographing animals, always waiting to capture the perfect light! All the animals in their photographs are taken in their natural habitat; they do not bait or compromise the welfare of any animal to capture an image. They aim to raise awareness and foster respect for all wildlife by providing visuals that remind people of the importance of connecting with nature on an emotional level. They aspire to create images that people will want to display in their homes, helping them stay connected to the world of wildlife. Their work has been featured in magazines, books, films, and art gallery exhibitions, and their art is permanently displayed in The Little Art Shop in Benicia, California. They teach classes on ethical photography and provide images to nonprofit organizations and ecotourism websites.
Check their website to enjoy many of Jeff and Wendy’s images: https://www.jeffandwendyphotography.com
Photo assignment theme: photographing wildlife in a natural habitat. Any animal photos will do.
The couple's shared a passion for photography and advocacy for wildlife and the environment brought them together many years ago.
They are passionate about preserving all things wild, and through photography, they strive to capture images that tell a story and evoke emotion.
Photography has given them a more intimate perspective on wildlife by allowing them to view it through the lens of a camera. They have spent thousands of hours observing and photographing animals, always waiting to capture the perfect light! All the animals in their photographs are taken in their natural habitat; they do not bait or compromise the welfare of any animal to capture an image. They aim to raise awareness and foster respect for all wildlife by providing visuals that remind people of the importance of connecting with nature on an emotional level. They aspire to create images that people will want to display in their homes, helping them stay connected to the world of wildlife. Their work has been featured in magazines, books, films, and art gallery exhibitions, and their art is permanently displayed in The Little Art Shop in Benicia, California. They teach classes on ethical photography and provide images to nonprofit organizations and ecotourism websites.
Check their website to enjoy many of Jeff and Wendy’s images: https://www.jeffandwendyphotography.com
Photo assignment theme: photographing wildlife in a natural habitat. Any animal photos will do.
CRITIQUE PHOTOGRAPHS
SEE ARCHIVES FOR PRIOR YEAR'S GUEST SPEAKERS