Douglas Tharalson

Having soul and understanding the blues would be my way of describing Douglas Tharalson. I am thankful in making the acquaintance of Douglas and his wife Diana as they have enriched the experience of developing Cornell beyond my ability to describe.

Douglas Tharalson is an accomplished artist in every medium imaginable from chalk to metalwork, from crayon to oil paint. He has dedicated his life to the true "Bohemia" and counts among his friends and acquaintances some of the most unique artists and characters on the contemporary art scene. He is an avid philanthropist and eagerly supports and encourages the creative youth and seeks to provide them with the inspiration he was so fortunate to receive from his own mentors.

Cornell Winery and Tasting Room is proud to announce a unique exhibition which includes more than forty of Douglas' original pieces and, for the first time, reproductions will be available for purchase.

Robin Branham

Robin Branham has been published in Art in America and she has won 5 awards in the Wiseman Museum Show in Malibu. She has also exhibited in the San Diego Museum of Art and she is in the collections of the Leanin' Tree Museum in Colorado, the Sony Corporation Collection, and the EST&G Collection.

Her technique involves the application of multiple layers of paint to the canvas from which she fashions abstract shapes and various textures to create the form and composition. The process results in a decadent surface which characterizes her work. Subject matter ranges from pure abstract to figurative and still life compositions. Her creations are eye-catching examples of mystery and wonder that never cease to spark the imagination and excite the senses.

William Thoren

William Thoren is only 20, but his interests are as diverse as the continents. The Agoura Hills resident is a didgeridoo player and a photographer and has already become skilled at both disciplines. Thoren became acquainted with the didgeridoo at the age of 11 when his brother brought one back from Costa Rica. Thoren learned how to play the unique instrument and was later invited to Australia to hone his skills at the hands of the aboriginal masters.

During his three-month stay in Australia, Thoren learned advanced techniques from William Barton, an aboriginal man of the Kalkadunga tribe who is considered to be Australia's best didgeridoo player. After earning Barton's respect, Thoren was introduced to Djalu Guruwiwi, a famous didgeridoo maker who lives in Arnhemland, Australia. Thoren stayed with Guruwiwi's tribe and practiced the craft of didgeridoo making.

"I came away from this trip with a much more advanced style of playing and much better understanding of the didgeridoo, its heritage and its traditional use and the traditional ways of making it," Thoren said.

"Like so many kids in our culturally deprived and sheltered society, I was always searching for new ways to be an individual and to stay away from the norm," he said. But since making a living at the didgeridoo wasn't likely to happen, Thoren decided to nurture his love of photography.

Thoren developed his love for the art when he took photography classes at Agoura High School. His teacher, Ken Neely, advised him to contact renowned Hollywood photographer Douglas Kirkland. Late last year Thoren was hired to work as a full-time assistant to the popular celebrity photographer. He's been fine tuning his skills under the the master's watchful eye ever since. "Will has shown great enthusiasm and possibility and these are the qualities that I look in people working with me," Kirkland said.

Thoren enjoys shooting images of adventures and natural settings, perhaps spurred by his lifechanging trip to Australia. "My work is focused on creating beautiful landscape images of the places that surround me such as the Santa Monica Mountains," he said.

Thoren became the first photographer to be accepted by the Allied Artists of the Santa Monica Mountains. The organization works with artists, environmentalists, park agencies and volunteer groups to promote the beauty and conservation of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.