| Amsel
Beardemphl featured
Mrs. Amsel Beardemphl contributed to the founding of CIAA. She was the first President, 1968, and contributed to the development of the newly formed club. Cleave Eimers’ daughter, Deborah, noted that Amsel was a vibrant adventurer. She worked in oil, charcoal, pastels. Mrs. Beardemphl created portraits, landscapes, and abstract work. She even painted a mural in her front living room. Amsel began woodcarving when she moved to South Whidbey Island, north of Seattle where her son was vice-president of Everett Community College. Ellamae Holes described Amsel as fun and nice. She possessed a wonderful sense of humor, of empathy, and of generosity. Her friends noted that “she created treasure after treasure and then gave them away.” She was also the sister of a policeman. Vicki Beardemphl, Mrs. Beardemphl’s first granddaughter recalls that her grandmother was so excited about her art and that she attained much of her inspiration from instructor and art mentor, Ladd Arnoti. Mrs. Beardemphl could often be seen with her easel in the fields. Among the art classes she took were those taught by Ladd Arnoti and Florence Johnson. She was always eager to learn new approaches to improve her art pieces. Mrs. Beardemphl was an avid skier. She and her family wintered at a cabin in Oro Grande, which accommodated her sport quite well, as well as provide material for her beautiful landscape paintings. She loved people and laughter, and loved the social events in her community. 
Amsel Beardemphl, left, and Clezve Eimers hanging paintings for a show. 
One of Amsel Beardemphl’s paintings. Sue Powell featured Sue Powell is among the founding members of the CIAA. She was a very creative woman who focused her energies exploring and really getting into her artwork or whatever creative venture she was involved in. She mainly painted in oil and liked to paint on-site. She took her car and her easel and painted the area. Some of her paintings were done with palette knife. Her daughter, Gay Lindsey, remembers a 3x4 foot palette knife painting of Sue’s that hangs in their cabin. Mrs. Powell’s favorite subjects were flowers and landscapes, especially landscapes with rustic buildings. Her nature was independent and curious; she was interested in so many things. She also worked in ceramics and crocheting; she was a seamstress. She was intense in her pursuits and learned all she could about the projects she undertook, taking any classes that would enhance her creation. She and her husband, Lloyd, raised four children in this area. Her father, “Pops” Olmstead, founded the Idaho County Free Press in Grangeville. 
CIAA founding member Sue Powell is shown with her husband Lloyd. |
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