Small Treasures

Earlier this week I was a member of the volunteer group to hang this year's Small Treasures show for the Paso Robles Art Association. This spectacular fund raiser features a gallery full of 8 x 8 inch (20.32 x 20.32 cm) original artworks along with several small 3-D creations (only rule is that it fit in the gallery gift bag)~each piece of art...only $100. This year's show started off with 165 pieces that will continue to be added to as artwork sells. It's a fabulous variety of styles and subjects worth taking a look at. The show runs from now until December 12th in the Showroom.

My contribution to Small Treasures~

She's Not Interested-original acrylic on canvas, 8 x8 inches (20.32 x 20.32 cm)

Hand Painted Glass Ornaments~Set of 5

Speed

Speed the latest exhibit in the Showroom gallery for the Paso Robles Art Association is a juried show featuring artworks reflecting the pace of life (fast or slow). This may include: the speed of objects, a long boring lecture, clocks, calendars, snails, cheetahs, lazy afternoons, race cars, food left on the stove, etc. Exhibit runs October 7 to November 7.

My original acrylic painting Sudden Rain from my Umbrella Series has been chosen for display. She is a paused moment of a little black dress laden girl caught in a shimmering sprinkle.

  
Sudden Rain~original acrylic painting with metallic silver ink details on stretched canvas,
18x18 inches (45.72 x 45.72 cm) framed in black wood

Do You See What I See?

The Showroom for the Paso Robles Art Association is currently a showcase for abstract and non-objective artwork titled "Do You See What I See?" Part of the fun of this show is featured in the wall tags that are hidden from the viewer allowing them to interpret the work how they want to without being swayed by the title.

Included in the exhibit is my original acrylic collage Fortune; a piece that incorporates altered, recycled magazine pages in a kaleidoscope pattern.


Fortune is a work on paper, 10 x 11 inches (25.4 x 27.94 cm). It is matted and framed in a perfectly coordinated gold and teal with UV protective plexi-glass.

Art After Dark

Gallery hopping is an exciting way to see new work, get inspired by what other artists are experimenting with and keep up with gallery trends. Like many communities, San Luis Obispo showcases new shows on the first Friday of each month with Art After Dark. The perfect time to see a variety of work, meet the artists and do a little elbow rubbing.

Tonight is highlighted by the opening of No Full Disclosure the first solo museum show for Robert Burridge at SLO Museum of Art. Burridge has become wildly popular through his many workshops he teaches all across the country, a high energy personality who has found a voice through his energetic abstract paintings.

Also featured tonight at Growing Grounds Downtown Store are the beautifully haunting ceramics of Patrick Terjak where I am hoping to see his latest anagama pottery.

Anagama Pottery from Patrick Terjak

Tonight's gallery hopping wouldn't be complete without popping into Linnaea's Cafe for a glimpse of unique metal sculptures from Sam Bonifas.

Metal Sculpture from Sam Bonifas

Don’t feel like going out? Want to start the artwalk early and often? Join artist Jessica Torrant and others on twitter by searching #FineArtFriday every Friday for unique art featured online.

 Everything But-Original Acrylic 52 x 89 inches (132.08 x 226.06 cm) from Jessica Torrant

Come to the Fair

It's the peak of summer here in Paso Robles and the California Mid-State Fair, known as "the biggest little fair anywhere" kicked off this week. The community really rallies around all that the fair has to offer supporting all the exhibits in whatever way they can. It has all the classics...carnival, tasty treats, animals, big-name entertainment and the largest art show I have ever seen at a county fair.

mmmm….funnel cake…

A special preview party is held the night before the fair opens inviting the artist who entered a chance to get a sneak peek at the show and award winners. Included in the show are hundreds of photos that are entered in the various categories from children, amateurs and professionals within the county.

I am excited to announce I was among this year's award winners in the professional categories receiving a 2nd Place award in the "Fair Theme (Endless Summer Fun) division with On a Day Like Today and a 3rd Place award in the "landscape" division with The Promise.

On a Day Like Today-photograph

The Promise-photograph

More snapshot from the fair…

Can’t make it to California right now? Here are some fun finds inspired by all things carnival…

1.  Suzanne Aunan Gallery 2. Jennifer Dickerson Photography 3. BeckyM 
4. Sew Many Quilt Books 5. My Selvaged Life 6. Kc Soaps N More 
7. Mimi Kirchner 8. Wandering Whimsies 9. Bovine Bubbles 
10. The Fancy Lamb 11. Dawn Correspondence

Beautiful Blooms

A recent visit to the de Young Museum of Fine Art led me to a surprise like no other.

For a few days out of the year an awe inspiring array of floral sculpture bloomed inside the de Young. Bouquets to Art took on the challenge of interpreting master works of art into floral bouquets. I'll admit my primary intention for the visit was to have a glimpse at the Diebenkorn's and de Kooning's but the display of blooming sculptures was a welcome surprise. It's was an inspiring trip to the museum located inside the Golden Gate Park downtown San Francisco.

 
Blooming Petunias-photograph

Iris Influence-acrylic and metallic ink on paper, 10 x 11 inches (25.4x27.94 cm).

Does your office need a fresh look?

I am an artist member of the Business Exhibit program that is organized by the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art. Every four months I am given the opportunity to curate and exhibit a showing of my artwork in participating businesses throughout San Luis Obispo County. From May to September I will be showing at the Kinship Center- 71 North Main Street, Templeton.

This show is a focus on texture through my Construction Photo Series and a selection of my original abstract paintings. You can view all of the included images in my Flickr Set for the Business Exhibits.

Working-digital photograph

Construction Photo Series: A documentation and exploration of the distinctive and varied textures found in the many steps throughout the building of a home. The creation of a dwelling through numerous stages reveals the layers left behind from devoted craftsmen. A focus on the tools, equipment and materials required from a day's work provides a study of the long developed process.

Abstract #43-original acrylic paint with metallic ink on paper, 15 x 22 inches (38.1 x 55.88 cm)

Original Abstract Art: A constant fascination with textures and patterns developed through the use of line and repetition inspires original abstract process art. Often created by layering a mixture of media for varied textural effects and further emphasis of design through the use of drawing inks much of the end result is born organically through the media. 

Featured Artist

It's time for a new Business Exhibit coordinated by the
San Luis Obispo Art Center. I have taken over the wall space at
Faye S. Russo Tax and Accounting at 669 Pacific Street, San Luis Obispo. Stop by and take a look at a sampling of my original paintings and photographs.

Stripes II-Digital Photograph

ALTAMIRA Gallery

A selection of my original watercolor paintings and prints from my
Surfer Series are now available at ALTAMIRA Gallery in New York.

Surf Lesson-Watercolor on Paper, 9.5 x 11.75 inches

 

New Featured Painting

Recently one of my abstract paintings was featured on a new gallery blog Etsy Fine Art Gallery. Marionette is curating a beautiful gallery of fine art she has found on Etsy. She has chosen one of my underwater inspired images which feels appropriate since she herself is located on the island of Kauai, Hawaii (lucky girl).

A Peek Into My Studio

I am currently working on a commission for four landscape paintings, one 24 x 36" gallery-wrapped canvas and a group of three 12 x 12" gallery-wrapped canvases. The buyers were interested in some of my work but needed paintings in different sizes for their home-of course I am happy to oblige. Below is a look at the work in progress. I prefer to work on multiple projects at once, I find it keeps a series cohesive and allows more experimentation. This is just a glimpse at the trio still in progress while the larger canvas is pretty near complete.

Summer Business Exhibit

Last week it was time to hang a new selection of work in the Business Exhibit organized by the San Luis Obispo Art Center. My new location is Judy Klearman Investments in San Luis Obispo. She has been a participating business for about 8 years. Although her office is modest in size, she eagerly offers her main hall to a rotation of art every four months.

Along one side I have a group of photos from my Construction Series.

Across from reception are a selection of my abstract paintings that Judy had been interested in.

This show will remain at this location through the summer, until the beginning of September. If you wish to view the show please call ahead to arrange a time;

(805) 784-0106.