Studio View

New Year, New Work

2012-01-05T18:01:00.000-08:00

Yup, been quite a while since we've had fresh images on here. Yet I have been painting up a storm (well, considering the holidays, and all). I began this batch of paintings just before Thanksgiving. All seen in progress, but some are in the home stretch. Still have a couple more canvases to begin, and then it'll be back to the store for more. Hope you all are rolling into a very fine new year as well.

Bee (paintings) for sale! & studio updates

2011-12-06T10:52:00.001-08:00

Just before Thanksgiving I went down & bought myself seven big shiny new canvases, and started working on them, yes, the day before the holiday. I've been on a creative roll ever since, in and amongst lovely family & social & work activities. I have a show scheduled for June in San Rafael, and there are some good-sized wall spaces to fill, so I'm using that as a bit of a focus for this new batch of paintings. So, the one thing that's fallen by the wayside is my momentum towards whipping up smaller products for the previously mentioned holiday open studio. I'm thinking BIG, baby!

Anyone interested in revisiting something seen at October's Open Studio, or arranging to visit the studio, is most welcome to contact me (lisabee@sonic.net) but for the time being the extent of my holiday sale effort has consisted of putting up paypal buttons (at open studio prices) for all the small bee paintings I still have available over at my Bee Blog. (tax & shipping via US mail has been included in the price, and if you're local & want to come and look in person-- that works, too)

I hope you'll forgive the false starts & indecision, but painting beckons, and I'm heeding the call!
If you're a user of the facebook, I'm beginning a 'fan' page there. It's still new, but hop on over & 'like' it if you like, & perhaps you'll receive more frequent updates on my art activities! Click
here to be transported.

Thank you!!!

2011-10-27T09:57:00.000-07:00

Thank you! to those of you who made it out to the studio during the past two glorious Fall weekends. And especially to anyone who is new to knowing my work-- and my new collectors! thanks for supporting the arts in my neighborhood : ) Also thanks to any longtime followers of this space. I know you can't all make it out to Sonoma County, though we'd love to see you here. Click here to be whisked over to an online gallery from Open Studios.

Come Visit! during ArTrails in October

2011-09-28T09:09:00.000-07:00

I'm going with a card design this year that reflects the multiple streams of activity that have been going on in the studio this year (well, as always, really).
The studio will be open for your viewing pleasure during two ArTrails weekends in October:

October 15, 16, & 22, 23,
10-5pm each day
at Atelier One # 18
2860 Bowen Street in Graton

Tree Paintings in Windsor

2011-09-03T13:42:00.000-07:00

I've finished up one of my largest 'Tree Series' paintings thus far-- first in a while, actually, and it's up on display at one of Windsor's 'phantom galleries', Phantom IV at 9077 Windsor Road.

There'll be a reception on Saturday, September 10, from 5-8pm.
I'm shown here doing installation, along with trusty assistant, Phoenix!

Keeping it Local

2011-08-22T23:35:00.000-07:00

As we sometimes do, we're hanging paintings down at our favorite local place-- the WillowWood Cafe. Two blocks away, it doesn't get much more local than that! It's me in the front, and 8 of the BLT collaborations in the back room. Next up: ArTrails-- mark your calendars for October 15, 16, & 22, 23.

Also Showing at...

2011-07-08T08:55:00.001-07:00

Along with 55 other Northern California artists, I have a small piece included in the exhibition "Boxed In: Working Small" opening at the Quicksilver Mine Co. Gallery in Forestville this Saturday. The Opening Reception will be July 9th, from 4-6pm. Gallery is located at 6671 Front St. (Hwy. 116)

B.L.T. Brings it to Berkeley

2011-07-07T10:45:00.000-07:00

Followers of this blog will likely recall the collaborative painting group I'm a part of-- called B.L.T. for Bob, Lisa, Tony. This week, if you're in the East Bay, you'll have a chance to see several of B.L.T.'s paintings (six to be exact!) on display in a group exhibition with 'Sonoma Blight', a group that Tony's been meeting with for a bit. This is their inaugural exhibition together.

Other 'Blighters' included in the show include: Todd Baricklow, Art Moura, William Smith, Judson King Smith. "We are a Sonoma County art group that is distinguished from the typical pleasant art of Sonoma County wine art. There is a natural attraction to each other's work which drew us together to form The Blight. The work is concerned with dark humor and is often political. It can be raw or dexterous but either way we try for the gut."

There will be an Opening Reception held Friday, July 9th, from 7-10pm. Firehouse North Gallery is located at 1790 Shattuck Ave. in Berkeley. The show remains up through July 30th. Please check their website for info on visiting the gallery-- I believe there are limited hours.

Something I've been up to...

2011-06-24T21:47:00.000-07:00

I mentioned a few posts back that I was working on Bee Paintings. Well, I've continued to do so--and I've written about it over here. It feels like a convergence of my gardening and painting activities, and its a project that will continue throughout the year as bees move on to new plants for nectar & pollen as they come into bloom. If you'd care to follow along, and learn about the little critters along the way, join me at my new BeeBlog.

Of course I'll be doing other work too, and will continue to blog about it all here, sporadically, as is my way. Hope you all are well.

Studio Visits

2011-06-10T12:30:00.000-07:00

If you're a follower of the Open Studios events in Sonoma County, you may have noticed I'm not listed in the June Catalog-- have no fear-- I'll be back on the roster in October for ArTrails!
In the meantime you have one more weekend to visit over a hundred fabulous participants in Art at the Source (I'm going to get out there some myself).

AND-- you can always come to visit me by appointment (write lisabee(at)sonic.net-- spell out the b-e-e but use the @ symbol) and Tony will be kicking off a summer-long print sale, starting this weekend (call 824-1587 if you need instructions).

Happy summer-- I think it's here now!

'The Abstract'-- show at Sandra Lee Gallery

2011-05-27T23:17:00.000-07:00

I dropped off this painting today in San Francisco, as it was selected by the juror of the upcoming exhibition 'The Abstract' at Sandra Lee Gallery in SF. Looks like it'll be a fine show, juried by Phil Linhares of the Oakland Museum.

bees reprise

2011-05-04T11:51:00.000-07:00

About this time last year I painted my first round of bees. Now I'm at it again!

Whilst in L.A.: Fresh Paint

2011-04-13T12:54:00.001-07:00

Last month, during my Spring Break from teaching, Tony & I set off for L.A.-- a trip we had long spoken of, but somehow had a hard time getting around to.

It was short, but great in many ways. We went to lots of galleries-- in Culver City, Bergamot Station, & Beverly Hills, along with visiting the Getty Center.

I was particularly happy to get to visit Fresh Paint, a gallery in Culver City I had sent some work down to in the Fall as part of a group show. Here's some of what was on the walls the day we visited (all photos taken at Fresh Paint). Tony had a good time connecting with the gallery dogs, as well!

(click to enlarge any image)

six feet wide, with six feet tall

2011-04-12T16:07:00.000-07:00

2011-04-12T09:36:00.000-07:00

made with the Mandala HD app for iphone, see below.

more fun with apps...kaleidoscope version

2011-04-11T13:09:00.000-07:00

I've been enjoying endless fascination & color palette analysis with my latest iphone app: Mandala HD, which spins out variations from any photo you take. I've been shooting areas from my paintings, and then watching what happens. What a great tool for a fabric designer, eh?

Now, Back to This...

2011-03-16T00:03:00.000-07:00

As so often happens, this painting, which I was working on in the Fall, was never finished. But life moved on & I moved on, & tonight, suddenly its time had again come. I definitely pushed it further towards completion tonight. (terrible light & color-- I do apologize!)

Angie Lewin, printmaker

2011-03-13T15:00:00.001-07:00

I just discovered this artist-- Angie Lewin, predominantly a printmaker, who lives in the U.K.-- when I picked up her (beautifully designed) new book in a bookstore yesterday.
Don't know why I haven't known of her work sooner. She loves seed-pods & umbel flower forms... well, even more than I do.
Much info on her exists on the web, including her website.

Makes me think about exploring woodcuts for the first time in many a moon.
And maybe visiting England.

Click over here for photos of Queen Anne's Lace (a classic umbel) from the summer.

Their Own Page

2011-03-09T15:42:00.000-08:00

Yup, now the portfolio of B.L.T.'s collaborative paintings can be seen over on their own blog.

Moving it along

2011-03-06T11:34:00.000-08:00

work continues on this painting in progress 48 x 72 inches.

Keeping the ball rolling

2011-02-28T13:07:00.000-08:00

With B.L.T.'s first exhibition hanging, we're eager to keep up the momentum. Here are two starts, heading off to Oakland.
The painting at left is all Tony so far, whereas the painting at right has been worked on by all three of us.
(More about this collaborative project over at www.bltcollective.blogspot.com)

2011-02-02T17:21:00.000-08:00

Here's a work in progress-- gotta get back to it!

segments

2011-01-27T10:42:00.000-08:00

Here are a couple of segments from out of the painting I'm currently working on.

The overall size of the painting is 6 feet wide, 4 feet tall.

Originally, it was inspired by some visitors not long ago who loved this other painting-- (6 feet tall,4 feet wide), but needed something horizontal to fit their home.

(I need to re-shoot this earlier piece as I've definitely changed it beyond this point as seen at left!)

vintage fabric

2011-01-26T14:38:00.000-08:00

This fabric has been around the house, catching my eye for some time. Originally (when I bought it at a neighborhood rummage sale) it was sewn into a sort of shoe (or something) organizing thing-y. Eventually I disassembled it, and yesterday, started gluing it in to my current painting.

I haven't actually collaged fabric into a piece in a couple years (?)-- but it just felt right.
I love this print.

the color blue

2011-01-25T23:48:00.001-08:00

In honor of the painting I'm currently working on (though it is nowhere near this intense) I bring you moments of inspiration by the color Blue.

Infinite caves

2011-01-03T09:18:00.000-08:00

"Rare cave pearls fill dried-out terrace pools near the Garden of Edam in Hang Son Doong. This unusually large collection of stone spheres formed drip by drip over the centuries as calcite crystals left behind by water layered themselves around grains of sand, enlarging over time."

More info here, & many more photos are here.

wishing you all...

2010-12-31T11:58:00.000-08:00

a very happy new year.

Thank you to all who have followed my humble & sporadic blog both recently & over the long haul!
and thank you especially to those who have supported and encouraged me along my artistic path. It's been a good year.

Truthfully, I tend to see it as a continuous flow, without big divisions at years beginning and end-- I don't tend to get caught up in 'the year's best' etc... Yet tradition encourages us to look back at what we've accomplished & experienced-- and forward to what we desire.

And so I say, It's been a good year!
And there is still so much to make & want & see & do!

Onward...

(image made with 'brushes' app on an iphone + photoshop words)

Today: Gauguin

2010-12-28T17:09:00.001-08:00

Gauguin was a favorite of the little group with whom I toured the DeYoung Post-Impressionist Exhibition last week (see also Cezanne, below). Here are a couple of the paintings that were there.

Tony knew the backstory to some of 'em, as I gave him this book last year, a big thick volume extensively following the couple of weeks Gauguin & Van Gogh spent working together in the South of France-- and he actually read it.

He knew for example that Gauguin was not terribly happy with the landscape shown here...
I'd call it a good day's work!

I bring you Cezanne

2010-12-25T19:40:00.000-08:00

On Thursday last week Tony & his mother, Alice, & I visited the DeYoung in SF, where the Post-impressionist collection from the Musee d'Orsay is visiting... It was a beautiful sun-sparkled winter day, and it was great to stand before these masterworks, close enough to touch their brushstrokes-- you know, when the crowds would part a bit.

So, in honor of that excursion, I bring you some Cezannes-- though none of those shown here were actually in the show.

When I do my large tree paintings, I try to channel a little Cezanne, truth be told.

Show continues through Jan.18th. Deyoung Exhibition info here.

As always, click to see larger.

2010-12-24T11:02:00.000-08:00

Wishing you all the best that the season has to bring.

And promising far more posting of actual paintings in the New Year!

(one more from the 'Brushes' app for iphone. with photoshop for text.)

'brushes' compositions:

2010-12-07T09:33:00.000-08:00

...now featuring a return to our regularly scheduled color palette!

click on any image to enlarge it,
and scroll down for more info...

Two more...

2010-12-04T09:50:00.000-08:00

small iphone paintings made with 'Brushes'. (see previous post)

After seeing the previous batch of paintings all together here, I decided to try starting from some darker background tones...

Experiments with 'Brushes'

2010-12-02T20:42:00.000-08:00

I was recently checking out a cover of the New Yorker illustrated by David Hockney and speculating on its medium. A short time later, a facebook friend posted a link to an article about Hockney, and his daily practice of drawing on his iphone, or ipad with the 'Brushes' application.

As a fairly new iphone user, I figured maybe I should give it a try...
Above are some of my experiments of the first week. Like photoshop, it's composed of layers-- but you're drawing with your fingertip on that 2 x 3ish" screen of your phone... it's some fun, and a good way to while away a long dark car drive, say (for the passenger anyway...)
The article with David Hockney is here.

P.S. you can see here that my predisposition towards certain colors is firmly entrenched, regardless of medium.

"Probably the Best Blind Painter in Peckham"

2010-11-23T14:36:00.000-08:00

Sargy Mann from Peter Mann Pictures on Vimeo.

If I should ever find myself whiney about my painting practice, I hope that I will remember this...
It's a rather quiet 40 minute film, but this painters outlook brings new levels to the the word inspiring.

Article here; and thanks to Deborah Barlow for sharing!

I went, I saw (art in S.F.)

2010-11-18T14:09:00.000-08:00

Tuesday was the day for another pretty spontaneous jaunt to see what was up in the Galleries in SF, and a very fine day it was.

Just a few highlights:
1 +2. gorgeous drippy detail in small multi panel pieces by Cornelia Schulz at Patricia Sweetow;

3 + 4. small collage, big painting, beautiful colors, by Linda Geary at Rena Bransten;

5. always inspiring work by John Yoyogi Fortes at Jack Fischer;

6. Ricardo Mazal(?) & Timothy McDowell (right) at Elins/Eagles-Smith;

7 & 8. two by Jason Rohlf in Caldwell Snyder's office space;

9 & 10. Fain Hancock and Jessica Martin leaning around in HANG;

11. Pati demonstrates scale in front of Sherie Franssen's work at Dolby Chadwick;

12 & 13. the day was bookended by fabulous SF views at Fort Mason Center's SFMOMA Artists Gallery, & the Jewish Museum;

14. Did someone say Happy Hour? at Amber India.

As always, the updates on what's in the galleries provided by Alan Bamberger over at ArtBusiness.com were instrumental in inspiring me to get in my car and go!

Thank you...

2010-10-18T09:35:00.000-07:00

Thank you to all of my recent visitors!

scenes from the studio

2010-10-06T23:40:00.001-07:00

painting, still painting

2010-10-01T14:52:00.000-07:00

Another one with a somewhat new color direction for me. Not quite done, but close.

'Fresh Paint' in Culver City

2010-09-22T13:10:00.000-07:00

An update photo, on those paintings I was shipping off to L.A. a week ago. My three pieces are hanging on the left-hand wall in this photo from the show that opened last Wednesday at Fresh Paint in Culver City. The show will remain up for a few more weeks.

2010-09-20T13:59:00.000-07:00

Upcoming: September 15th at Fresh Paint in Culver City

2010-09-09T17:29:00.000-07:00

I'm about to ship off a few paintings which will be part of the Fall Line-up at Fresh Paint in Culver City (L.A. area). The Opening Reception will be Wednesday Night, September 15th, from 5-8pm, concurrent with the Culver City Block Party.

Check it out if you live out that way.
Wish I could be there! We're way overdue for a trip to the area.

like Day & Night...

2010-07-28T12:31:00.000-07:00

...that's what runs through my mind, seeing this lighter & darker painting (both nearing completion) side by side.

Collaborative Paintings from B.L.T.

2010-07-23T10:44:00.000-07:00

For over six months now, I've been participating in a 3-way painting collaboration known as B.L.T. (that's for Bob, Lisa, Tony).

It's been fun, and it's given us an interesting new perspective on the creative process-- and it's probably surprising how well it seems to be going, both because we're all still getting along(!) and that we're feeling as happy as we are about the results.

There are at least a dozen pieces under development-- all three of us work on each panel. Here are some of those that have been considered 'done' (some of them already had a public debut at the 'Sideshow' exhibition at Sonoma State this Spring), mixed in with a few that await at least one more layer.

Impromptu SF Art Day

2010-07-18T15:33:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, very spur of the moment, we darted in to the city to check out a few shows. We got a late start, but several of the galleries were having openings, which allowed us to view art into the evening, check out Valencia Street on a hoppin' Saturday night, and have pizza at the infamous Little Star . : )

We were very happy to visit several galleries which are new (or at least new to us): 941 Geary, Guerrero Gallery, and Rosenthal Gallery. Installation was underway for a new show at Fort Mason's Artist Gallery for an exhibition which looks like it'll be great (show opens Thursday). Also glad to see Michelle Muenning's beautiful paintings at Jack Fischer.

This wall of ephemera is part of the show at John Berggruen; it accompanies a show of works by Alexander Gorlizki (in collaboration with an Indian miniature master.) The works are interesting-- but I was even more drawn in by this collection, like a wall in an artists' studio, covered with sketches & inspiration. (click on the final 4 images to enlarge.)

now this...

2010-07-08T15:34:00.000-07:00

Here's the latest (in the works)--- shown somewhat cropped. Have you noticed I'm veering away from that 10-year intense yellow phase? For now at least. Feels good.

new! painting-- and fun with photoshop

2010-07-04T15:38:00.000-07:00

In painting news, below is the painting I'm currently working on (seen through a photoshop filter, to sort of hide the rough & unfinished patches..) I believe it turned a corner yesterday, and is headed down the slope towards completion.

I always seem to like how paintings look when in this photoshop mode--, and find it can be useful to help see the overall pattern of the composition and its contrasts. Here are the 'watercolor' and 'palette knife' filters.

Tony's Open!

2010-06-02T11:48:00.000-07:00

Tony will be hosting Open Studios here at the ranch.
Come on by & say howdy, won't you?
June 5 & 6, 12 & 13, 10-5 each day, lovely downtown Graton.

Fiona Rae video

2010-05-25T15:37:00.000-07:00

I enjoyed this, and perhaps you will, too.

I remember Fiona Rae's name from a few year's back, but hadn't looked at her work lately...
Found via Two Coats of Paint.

SF Fine Art Fair

2010-05-25T09:34:00.000-07:00

On Sunday I visited the SF Fine Art Fair-- I guess it was the first one in 10 years-- apparently I hadn't been paying attention. What a great opportunity to see an overwhelming quantity of art in one place.

I was charged with coming home with documentation for a few poor souls who couldn't join me, so here, in no particular order, and sans attribution as to artist or gallery (overwhelming, people!): a boatload of art.

And if you click on the images, they will enlarge, so as to become truly visible.
It sounds like it was considered a success, so hopefully it won't be so long til we have this chance again.

(And if that's not enough, more photos & commentary can be found over here, where Alan Baumberger does us all a great service by posting photos of shows as they open in S.F.)

Atelier One

2010-05-13T16:24:00.000-07:00

A Day at the Oakland Museum

2010-05-13T10:02:00.000-07:00

As you may well have heard, after being closed for renovations many months, the newly re-furbished Oakland Museum is now open for business. (well, the Art & History levels anyway, Natural History is still to come).

I checked it out with Wendy (hiding behind Pollock's head, below) on a beautiful Friday recently-- which also allowed me to see the early end of Art Murmur.

Here, some somewhat blurry (cameras, but no flash, allowed) juxtapositions.

On the wall today

2010-05-12T12:32:00.001-07:00

This painting is the latest to fall prey to my theme of ongoing revision. It's been 'paused' for... oh, almost a year, but I always knew it wasn't quite done. Recently I started work on it again.

One of the interesting benefits of posting images online here-- it's like getting a LOT of distance from the painting. I can quickly see problems that I hadn't quite identified while standing in front of it in the studio.

Back to work.

bbbbzzzzzzzzz

2010-05-07T11:36:00.000-07:00

...and then there were bees...

inspired by blooms

2010-05-04T15:30:00.000-07:00

Every year I'm inspired by the blooming of this shrub (buddleia globosa, a version of butterfly bush) in our yard; this year I'm paying it more specific tribute.

just about there...

2010-04-27T14:02:00.000-07:00

yep, I think this one is in the final stretch. Took a rather under-water turn, didn't it?

Open at the Atelier: One Day in May

2010-04-26T16:31:00.000-07:00

Saturday, May 22nd, noon to five, a number of the artists (& small businesses) in Graton's Atelier One will open their doors.

Graton will be hosting a "Party for a Park" that same day, with music (the Hubbub Club & more) food & games down at the street level.

Come join us if you can!

Something Else Entirely

2010-04-20T21:49:00.000-07:00

If you're a long time visitor here, or you know us personally... you'll know of these big pieces Tony & I & others have done collectively, under the moniker "Art Farm Motel."
Originally conceived to be taken to Burning Man, (three different years), they've been shown numerous times since, and quite a bit this Spring. Three of the pieces are out on display just now: "The Boy" is at Project One in SF through May 9th, with a closing party on the 9th; "Headgames" and "Portrait of a Girl" are still up at Kuhl Art in Oakland through the end of April. (Two others were included in "Sideshow", at Sonoma State's University Art Gallery, now closed).

Art Farm Motel has also recently been nominated for a SECA (Society for the Encouragement of Contemporary Art) Award through the SFMOMA, and I've been working on our application process for the last couple of days. A real long shot, (200 nominees, 3 awards), but an honor in any case. Wish us luck!
(Each painting is approx. 8 x 12 feet, and the surfaces are covered with hundreds of drawings, by many contributors. Click on images to enlarge, and visit the blog to scroll back in time through their creation.)

On the wall today

2010-04-12T12:54:00.000-07:00

(in progress)

Here's something I've been working on, and haven't posted about here yet. It would appear that I am firmly in the middle of a Green Period. (click on image to enlarge)

As in the theme of the post before last, this painting is being resurrected from a state of abandonment. Somewhere down the line I'll show you the painting which it has evolved from. That curly bit on the right is a vestige of its former self, and perhaps it'll have to go.

Below, it's shown with another painting which has been not abandoned but stalled for some time, awaiting my renewed attention.

Nature Bits

2010-04-11T09:19:00.000-07:00

Nature--particularly the botanical world-- is the richest source of inspiration for me.
These were taken on a recent walk nearby. I tend to call it Spanish Moss, but don't know if that's what it truly is. The third picture shows that it's growing like crazy, whatever it is, as a result of so much (endless) rain this year.

...and below: other recent moss, fungi & lichen, seen either in our yard, or on a recent hike near Calistoga.

Calling it done...

2010-04-08T12:44:00.001-07:00

Well, for now at least. There's a Picasso quote I sometimes mention to my students that says something like..." a painting is never finished, it just stops in interesting places." That's come to mind a few times in the studio recently, as I resume work on some pieces begun long ago.

This canvas was one of those, started (my iphoto records reveal) in 2007. It spent most of two years hidden in the racks.
I've been working on it in recent weeks, and it's already up in a show, the one I hung at the Santa Rosa Country Club yesterday.

(scroll down for some exhibition news, & click on photos to enlarge).

Photo 2 shows 'Source of Spring' together with a couple others (liking the three foot square, I gotta say); photo 3 shows an early phase of the process. Somewhere along the line the canvas was flipped.

(Google alert: well, research shows the quote above attributed to Paul Gardner (?), not Picasso, and also give us this, from Da Vinci: "Art is never finished, only abandoned."

Creating Pattern Repeats

2010-04-04T16:26:00.000-07:00

I love fabric designs-- but had no idea how one worked out a repeating pattern (like this recent fave, called Chiang Mai Dragon, by Schumacher). So I love the simplicity of this tutorial, over on Design Sponge. (sorry, can't for the life of me remember whose link sent me over to it.)

I've also enjoying gaining insight into the process of the pattern designer over at the blog of Tula Pink.

Paintings on the move...

2010-03-31T16:10:00.000-07:00

After a comparatively quiet winter, a number of my paintings are heading out on display in various venues. I'm showing several paintings (mostly 'Trees') out at Local Color in Bodega Bay, together with Susan Ball's beautiful work (show continues through May 16th). Wednesday, I'll be hanging paintings at the Santa Rosa Country Club, (showing together with glass artist Kate Black-- there'll be a reception Friday, April 30th); and finally, here in Graton (though not open to the general public) , a number of my paintings are being featured in the lovely guest cottage of Spirit Hill.

(to the left above: paintings at Local Color: three below: paintings at Spirit Hill. click to enlarge)

flickr fascination

2010-03-26T20:25:00.001-07:00

If you've become hooked on the Flickr photo site as a source for endless inspiration & admiration, you'll probably find these diagrams interesting. They compile the changing colors of photos submitted around the calendar year. More info, explanation, links et al here.

A glance at my most recent page of flickr faves shows an upsurge in coral, with accents of turquoise and, as always, yellow.

Final week for Bob & a Beer!

2010-03-25T12:34:00.001-07:00

If you live in the East Bay, you have through the end of March to catch our friend Bob Stang's paintings hanging at the (awesome) Albatross Pub in Berkeley, and enjoy a pint of your favorite ale at the same time. More of Bob's work can be seen here.

Nature & Numbers

2010-03-24T23:19:00.000-07:00

Similar theme to one posted here a while back (see here), but I never get enough of this sort of thing...

created by etereaestudios.

Studio Views & Details

2010-03-20T13:29:00.000-07:00

Over on facebook someone commented about these: "...organic dreams, like penetrating the abstract chemistry of spring." I like the sound of that. Thanks Suzanne!

"dear ada" and celebrating Spring

2010-03-20T12:46:00.000-07:00

I've been visiting "dear ada", the blog, for a coupla years, off & on, by now. She posts an assortment of what she finds beautiful & inspiring. Scrolling down the current blog page, it looks as though she's on a roll, and feeling the Spring (not sure where she's based)-- like we are. Thanks for bringing us so much magnificence!

top to bottom:
Fiona Hall,
Ruth Van Haren Noman,
Jennifer Bain.

Visit "dear ada" for much more, + links.

2010-03-12T15:10:00.000-08:00

Detail of a painting in progress-- actually working over the top of some started looong ago & never resolved. This flower-like form is one that actually grew out of a jellyfish for me, and is now showing up in a number of my paintings.

beatriz mihazes

2010-03-09T10:24:00.000-08:00

Hey peeps, if you are in fact still out there.
Long time no see. And when did we last have a shot of the pure, design-y exuberance of Brazilian painter Beatriz Milhazes?
See also links & video here.

Paintings at Thumbprint Cellars

2009-12-10T20:33:00.000-08:00

(One of the (somewhat older) paintings-- from my 'islamic tile period' recently featured in the Thumbprint show. And perhaps this one has found a permanent home...?)

First of all, let me just say: Facebook ate my blog.
Perhaps you've heard of this thing, this Facebook. Bloggers who I used to visit, they started saying they were spending their internet energy over there, and now I can see how it happens. I have been neglecting this space miserably.

Now: I have paintings, six big ones, hanging up at the new location of the Thumbprint Cellars Tasting Room in Healdsburg.
Not entirely my most recent-- after seeing the space I chose the paintings that I thought would fit best there. (Alas, show now closed)

SRJC Art Faculty Exhibition-- (2 more days!)

2009-11-04T14:18:00.000-08:00

The bi-annual Faculty Exhibition at SRJC (where I teach) will open tomorrow (Thursday, November 5), with a reception from 4-6.
I've seen a sneak preview, and it looks like it should be a strong show, so if you're in the neighborhood, check it out. Two of my paintings are included.

The show will remain up through December 12.

"Dualities"

2009-10-20T23:05:00.000-07:00

... that's the name of the show opening Thursday evening at the Sebastopol Center for the Arts. This earlier painting of mine, called "Rhyme or Reason" is one which will be in the show. (It's about 5 x 8') For several years, all my work was in the form of diptychs, and dealt with contrasts of one sort & another.
Not so much any more.

after ARTrails

2009-10-19T09:49:00.000-07:00

Well, the two weeks of Artrails are just past. As many of you know, I took the year off "on sabbatical", which allowed me to go out and visit several artists each day-- mostly ones within a couple miles of me here in West Sonoma County-- and be here to be support to Tony as he participated in our back-yard studio. My apologies to my faithful visitors who may have been disappointed to find me not in the catalog... I expect to return next year, but most likely showing down the street at the Atelier. We weren't sure how the split-location would work out, and when the momentum was there for a AtelierOne building-specific opening in September, I decided that would be my one Fall Open Studio Event for this year.

(details of work in progress)

I've been leaning more purely abstract in the studio the past year or more, and as things incubate & shift, it's been helpful not to think too much about having a lot of visitors & the whole commercial end of things. Sort of an on-going see-saw for some of us.

I really enjoyed visiting with my colleagues out on the 'Trail'. As well as enjoying the fruit of their artistic output, I was impressed with their level of professionalism, and happy to be able to experience ARTrails as a viewer for a change!

September's Studio

2009-10-09T22:35:00.000-07:00

Here's the digital review of what was on the walls last month when the Atelier One in Graton held a Building -wide Opening.

Before the studio slowly reverts to its full working mode, I photo-graphed all the walls, as well as what was up in the hallways.

If you click on any image, you should be able to see 'em nice & big.

Now-- back to work.

Andy Harper

2009-10-06T19:19:00.000-07:00

Never heard of him before-- guess he's from England; but looks as though I'll be making a jaunt to Oakland some day this month to see his paintings at Johannson Projects (photo via SFGate).

loving Ernst Haeckel...

2009-09-24T22:34:00.000-07:00

Here's a dose of art meets nature beauty for you... best viewed larged.
Just saw (via Netflix!) a documentary on Haeckel called 'Proteus'....

2009-09-22T23:24:00.000-07:00

I don't know how they do it... but I like it...
by korb, via moon river. (better viewed large)

art in context

2009-09-18T17:50:00.000-07:00

It's fun to see my paintings out in the world-- here's "Blue Moon" as shown in Cabana Home of Mill Valley.

notes from before...

2009-09-18T17:13:00.000-07:00

In the early eighties, when I was a shy 20-something art student at the California College of Arts & Crafts, I took a class called "Drawing from Nature"-- or something like it-- from an instructor named Don de Vivieros. I still remember things he said in that class, & handful of places we went to work-- I think my mom still hangs some work from those days. In the move to my new studio last year, this page of notes labeled "DeViveiro's Law", surfaced. And this past weekend, Don-- (a Sonoma County resident), and his daughter-- came into my studio.... a small world, no? And some of this advice-- bears re-reading.

(click on images to enlarge)
notes continued on back with:
work with what happens, don't use force.
don't think while you do, only before or after.
vary vary vary.

inspired!

2009-09-15T10:21:00.000-07:00

Maybe it's just the coffee talking... maybe it's the afterglow of so many great conversations this weekend... or of hanging all my work together & lighting it (almost) properly and getting some perspective...but I'm feeling inspired. Inspired to get back to work-- inspired to take it up a notch-- inspired to dream a bigger dream... so thank you! Loving my community even more, if that's possible.

Pretty good coffee buzz, too.

Open Today @ Atelier One

2009-09-13T09:39:00.001-07:00

Somes scenes from last night's opening party at the Atelier One, where I've had my studio operations for the past year. It was a lovely time-- especially for the sense of community amongst the building's residents, many of whom don't open their studios often.

new to me: Deborah Salomon collage

2009-08-30T08:30:00.000-07:00

Yesterday found us at the Art for Life Auction, where we were happy to donate art to a good cause-- and come home with art! I've always loved Deborah's work.

In-progress today

2009-08-26T15:28:00.000-07:00

After a month spent just finishing up that batch of paintings for Far West, now I'm working on this. As Tony said, 'for every action there is an equal & opposite reaction'-- so perhaps this is the opposite of stripes. 3 x 6 feet.

(As always, click to see bigger.)

Of Gifts & Genius

2009-08-24T13:35:00.000-07:00

I'm bumping this up to the top for my Monday Morning peeps to find-- it's Elizabeth Gilbert (of Eat, Pray, Love fame) speaking on the nature of 'genius'. I was reminded of this by a book I've begun reading called "The Gift" by Lewis Hyde (subtitled: Creativity & the Artist in the Modern World) which came highly praised by another group of artists.
And if you've never heard of the TEDtalks, another fascinating one is Jill Bolte Taylor's talk on lessons learned by surviving a stroke.

Today's the Day... Opening Reception

2009-08-22T10:39:00.000-07:00

Hey guys, today (Saturday) is in fact the day--
I have an opening reception downtown here in Graton.
Drop by if you're in the neighborhood:
Far West Trading Company, 3-6pm.
Scroll down 2 posts for links & more!

P.S. Thanks to all who came out, & Lou, Gary, Naisie et al.
Look how cute they are...

Show continues til October 4th, & while you're in town, check out paintings by Janet Moore, Lorraine Cook & gallery artists at the Graton Gallery, too!

Stripes!

2009-08-13T10:43:00.000-07:00

In honor of my upcoming show at Far West Trading Company in Graton-- now my Stripe Series has it's own page! See here.

The (formerly, temporarily) Lost Work

2009-07-07T17:12:00.000-07:00

About a year & a half ago, I started doing a bunch of work on paper... experimenting with some things, trying to make a break of sorts with what had come before. I don't believe I posted much during this period, either. Then, with an open studio coming, they were cleared away to a portfolio in Deep Storage, where they remained, un-found, 'til recently.

It's always interesting to re-discover work from a prior period-- and see how it differs from what you held in your memory.

sciencenatureartsciencenature*art

2009-07-04T10:56:00.000-07:00

nature and numbers from Bethany Lesko on Vimeo.

I've got some sunflower-inspired motifs going on in the studio--and it's that time in the garden too-- but it turns out I haven't been following the rules... : )

whole lotta 'stripes'

2009-06-30T13:57:00.001-07:00

My next showing (at Far West, lovely downtown Graton, date to be revealed) will be of these, so I'm revising & completing a few, and adding a few new ones to the mix.
The 'stripe' paintings have been an on-going series, with its genesis back in abstracted forest pieces from my grad school days.

Oh, and here's the June view from the studio's doors; plenty of distraction, work to do, and inspiration-- out there.

'Express' Article, & 'Uptown Unveiled'

2009-06-18T11:37:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Dewitt Cheng of the East Bay Express for writing up our show! The article is here: East Bay Express.

And if you can make it, TONIGHT is Oakland's "Uptown Unveiled." Sounds like it'll be quite a block party.

summertime feeling

2009-06-15T16:26:00.001-07:00

Yesterday was our last official day of Open Studios down at Kuhl Frames + Art (though the show remains up through June 27th, on which day we'll again gallery sit from 11-4).
Thank you to all our visitors, and friends old & new. The show was the maiden voyage of some new-ish work, and it was great to get feeback on it, and especially have some folks really connect with what I'm trying to do. A favorite quote from yesterday:..."it's like a ballet-- or symphony-- of molecules..."

After last weekend, Tony and I were talking about Artist Residencies-- ones we've gone on, or self-created; we've both experienced summers that have been expansively creative periods. After a quick get-away, we look forward to re-creating some of those conditions right here at home this summer. I darted into San Francisco last week to catch a couple of shows before they ended last week, and well, I'm feeling just generally inspired.
Come on, Summer!
(In the top photo: that's me, 13 years ago, taken by Tony in the summer just before we became a couple. Yes, I'm drawing in a garden in Sebastopol while housesitting, seven years before we moved up this way. Bottom photo shows the full frame, with Tony's painting-in-progress on an easel to the right. click to see bigger)

Back to the Garden

2009-06-08T11:51:00.000-07:00

When we're away for even a few days, as we have been-- we're always pretty glad to get back to the garden & its inspirations, & to see what's changed during our absence...

'Kuhl Art' Show Is Up: reception Friday!

2009-06-04T12:01:00.000-07:00

This past Sunday found Tony & me down in Oakland hanging our (Pro-Arts Open Studios) show at Kuhl Frames + Art.
It was fun to hang out a bit with Travis & Elisa, and see the cool business & studio operations they've created there. They moved to the East Bay from Santa Rosa a couple of years ago, and it looks like it's agreeing with them.

this Friday in Santa Rosa: VineArt!

2009-06-04T10:22:00.000-07:00

If we weren't tied up in Oakland with the Art Murmur on Friday-- you can bet we would be over on South 'A' Street in Santa Rosa, at their annual 'Vine Art'. I've written here before about South A's WinterBlast; this is the summer (but wear your hats & scarves anyway) event, complete with wines & elegant eats. You are guaranteed a good time!
...and artist friend Laura Hoffman is graciously hosting some of my work in her space, too.

meanwhile, back at Studio B...

2009-05-26T16:07:00.000-07:00

Looking at some of the new work with some of the previous crop...

And over on Tony's side, he's thriving on a kind of visual chaos (the photos show multiple small paintings stacked up together). Our Tony is definitely a more-is-more kind of guy.

Card for our Upcoming Show!

2009-05-21T12:14:00.000-07:00

Wine & Photos

2009-05-13T10:30:00.000-07:00

This painting of mine is gracing the label of a fabulous Chardonnay by Eric Kent Winery. They feature an artist on each label; Tony & friend Bob Stang appeared on last year's wines, Claire Cotts & I on two of this year's offerings. The wines are so much in demand, that alas my Chardonnay is already sold out...
...and here, lending a sense of scale to this 4 x 6'' painting, a photo taken by Paul Gower on a recent visit here....

further along...

2009-04-14T15:45:00.000-07:00

New! in progress; and a Studio Visit

2009-04-01T12:59:00.000-07:00

If you're a regular visitor to this space, I thank you for your persistence. It seems that once I fall out of the blogging habit-- well, I'm slow to resume. I have however been painting! (you know, when I can find time in my busy knitting & gardening schedule. SPRING! It is SO happening in Sonoma County right now.)

Here are a bunch of shots taken this morning at my studio down the block. I was invited to participate in a critique with a group of local artists who came to visit the other day-- and as you can see, I set up the space like a very crowded gallery. As much as the feedback from the group, it was helpful to me just to get the work all together like this, and as a result I feel I'm making fast progress on my most recent painting. (click on any image to enlarge it)

video weekend at Dear Ada

2009-02-15T09:52:00.000-08:00

For a dose of inspiration & cheer, click over here.

And, if you're not familiar with TEDTalks (chances are you've been e-mailed one somewhere along the line), click over to here,
and browse.