Gallery features paintings, turned wood Standard-Examiner staff OGDEN - Paintings and turned-wood forms by two well-known Top of Utah artists will be featured in February at the Gallery at the Station in Ogden's Union Station. Painter Jeanine Downing of Ogden started her career while still in grade school. Her family encouraged her to pursue her interests so, at age 11, she took art lessons from noted Utah artist Florence Ware. She continued studying art throughout public school and later at Weber State University. She works primarily in watercolor but experiments with inks, intaglio prints and collage. Most of her work is representational. Downing's characterization of art is that it is whatever the artist finds beautiful. "An artist finds what is beautiful and pleasurable to him and tries to express it to others, thereby enjoying it all over again," she said. "I try to show how I feel about the things I see." Downing has been active in the Palette Club of Ogden. Joe Deru's distinctive turned-wood bowls, vases and forms are created with a "passion" he has developed for this particular art form. But the Marriott-Slaterville resident has worked and experimented with many media through the years, often encouraged by his mother, who taught art for many years at Weber State University. He said that, before her death, her last message to him was, "Don't waste the things I have taught you." He teaches fifth grade at Farr West Elementary but devotes many hours to his turned-wood pieces. They have been featured at 2Rivers Artisans Cooperative at Bartholomew Frame Company on 24th Street in Ogden. Natural designs and colors rarely need enhancement, according to Deru, which is what attracts him to native Utah woods and those from old mines and lake trestles in the state. "Woods inspire me and have inherent artistic elements with wide spans of color and design," Deru said in his artist's statement. "I only seek form and finish, so others can see and appreciate the creations of nature's hallowed hand." The wood-turning talent of Joe Deru, Marriott-Slaterville resident, is displayed at Union Station, February 2-February 28, 2001 CANVAS AND WOOD: Paintings by Jeanine Downing of Ogden and Marriott-Slaterville resident Joe Deru's distinctive turned-wood bowls, vases and forms are on display at the Gallery at the Station, located in Ogden's Union Station. PREVIEW WHAT: Paintings by Jeanine Downing and turned-wood forms by Joe Deru WHEN: Opening reception 6-8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 2. On display through Feb. 28. Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday. WHERE: Gallery at the Station, 2501 Wall Ave., Ogden. TICKETS: Admission is free. Information, 629-8446. GALLERY AT THE STATION Exhibit of paintings by Jeanine Downing and turned-wood forms by Joe Deru opens with a reception 6-8 p.m. today at Ogden's Union Station, 2501 Wall Ave. On display through Feb. 28. Hours, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday. 629-8446. Story/xx. FREE 105