I will be participating in this year’s Vino de Sueño (VDS) art and wine charity auction. Tickets are available for purchase on the VDS website. My painting is paired on the label of the Quail Crossing Vineyard‘s 2009 Pinot Grigio. Half of the proceeds go to a charity set up through the nonprofit People Helping People to benefit the vineyard and agricultural workers of the Santa Ynez Valley.
Here are the details:
Date: Saturday, November 12th, 2011
Time: 3:00-6:00 PM
Location: Santa Ynez Valley Marriott Hotel
Cost: $50 including unique wine glass
Dress: Business Casual
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The Art From Scrap charity event “A One Night Stand” blew all of my expectations! It was packed with art enthusiasts eager to pluck off the walls of the Brooks Art Institute gallery an original piece of art by one of over 200 talented artists for only $200. These nine inch square works of art were donated by artists to benefit the nonprofit’s continued effort to educate children in art and environmental conservation and provide recycled art and craft supplies. The line for admittance was out the door and down the block because the place was so crowded, it had to be managed for fire safety! The way it was conducted, it was a mystery whether you would get a painting by a well known artist such as Yoko Ono or John Nava or a lesser known artist, as all the artwork was presented without the artists’ name or signature. The names will supposedly be revealed at a later date on an online catalog on the Art From Scrap event website.
With Heather Mattoon, the lovely model for my piece on the top row. Her piece sold so immediately that I didn’t get a chance to see it after waiting in line for admittance.
UPDATE:
Unfortunately, someone took the tag to the painting I submitted early in the evening, but strangely didn’t follow through with purchasing it. Because of this, it was marked as sold for the entire evening and was unavailable to other interested buyers. Although this was disappointing, the painting can be viewed and purchased at another charity art auction this November: Vino de Sueños, (Wine of Dreams), a charity art and wine auction from the nonprofit People Helping People that benefits local agricultural and vineyard workers in the Santa Ynez Valley. It will be available for purchase at the auction, and will be on the label a local vintage of wine produced especially for the event.
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Though I was taking an operatic vocal workshop during the Fiesta proceedings in Santa Barbara last weekend, I did manage to participate in a fun and unique way: I helped a fellow artist paint the Santa Barbara Mission’s altar on a float that circulated in the parade on Friday. I mostly worked on the figures. The results are below.
I can’t help but think when I contemplate Old Spanish Days, that although there are many things that I love about Spanish culture, isn’t this holiday really celebrating Spanish colonialism in the Americas? Is this necessarily a good thing? I’m ambivalent given the near extinction of many Native American cultures and people in the history of Spanish colonialism. Aw, if only holidays such as this and Thanksgiving could be simple! But alas, history is anything but that.
On another note, the opera workshop was two and half days, and as much as it got me using my voice again, there are many ways I could improve the two arias I sang. The first was Deh Vieni non Tardar, sung by Susana in Mozart’s Marriage of Figaro. The second was one of Händel’s few arias sung in German, Flammende Rose, Zierde der Erden. In the first, Susana is being a bit duplicitous, dressed as the countess, she exclaims her happiness about finally meeting with her true love. The second song extols the virtues and beauty of the rose. Here are links to the arias I sang during the vocal workshop recital:
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This Saturday’s opening reception was very exciting and much anticipated for me, returning to my roots in Santa Ynez to show my artwork in my first solo gallery exhibit. It couldn’t get much better to see old and new friends, artists and appreciators, together at the opening to the show.
Here are some shots from the opening mingled with some shots of the artwork:
(Click on the images below to view larger.)
View from the front doors of friends and onlookers.
Title: Grin and Nod
Date: 2006-2011
Medium: Bronze and wood.
Description: This piece satirically portrays fulfilling expectations and social norms, and the aspect of performance in daily life. Darkly whimsical, it grins with a face painted white like a mime or harlequin and nods on wooden rockers with safety guards, reminiscent of a childhood rocking horse.
With artists, John and Debra, and gallery owner, Connie Rohde.
Repose
24″x20″
Oil on canvas
2010
This video titled “Diti,” meaning divided self, was inspired by the composition and content of Frida Kahlo’s double self-portrait “Dos Fridas,” and portrays the divisions in our identity that create dissonance and complexity within our daily life and sense of self. In Kahlo’s painting, her European self sits with a surgical clamp that is not quite able to keep her blood from spilling on a stark white dress, while her Mexican side sits with her blood circulating around a photo of her husband, Diego Rivera, as a child. In my video, Ghazala Rafiq is portrayed with her Western academic self initially rejecting integration with her spiritual Eastern Indian self, until they both dissolve. I’m interested in drawing attention to the disparate parts within each person’s psychology and somehow integrating them through dialogue and interaction.
Artists and writer couple Gwen and Bill with friend.
Portrait of a Young Man
Oil on canvas, 2006
16″x12″
With my delightful, talented, and lovely model, artist and teacher Mac, with the painting she modeled for, “Artist Muse,” behind us.
Artist Muse Sold
30″x30″
Oil on canvas.
2011
Description: Mackenzie Duncan and her husband Michele portrayed inside Duncan’s birch forest painting. Part of an artist as muse series.
Captive
10″x8″
Oil on canvas
2010
Description: Karina Puente portrayed in front of her self-portrait. Part of an artist as muse series.
Muse
16″x12″
Oil on canvas
2011
Description: Karina Puente portrayed in front of her self-portrait. Part of an artist as muse series.
A high fire Tenmoku tea set, including a teapot, creamer, sugar jar, two vases, and two cups.
Title: Hoof
Date: 2005
Medium: Aluminum
Description: The most basic and ignored part, the foundation. Made of a crude material, aluminum to suits its role as unglamorous support.
Hoof – rear view.
Family and friends.
Bronze spiders with some pottery.
Harlequins in Repose
24″x24″
Oil on canvas
2010
Title: Selves – 1 of 3 Sold
Date: 2006-2011
Medium: Bronze
Dimensions: 3x ~(4″x2″x2″)
Description: This grouping alludes to the disparate and disconnected roles or parts played out within each of us. It starts off with a solid bronze head, and continues with two increasingly less material castings from the original. Reflections on more or less substantial roles or parts of a single person’s integral self.
Title: Respiration
Date: 2006-2011
Medium: Bronze
Description: This bronze self-portrait reflects the act of taking in and pushing out, which includes both the literal act of breathing, and the less obvious flow of dialogue, information, conversation, etc. It’s a meditation on allowing a series of interactions to take place, internally and externally.
Another view of the high fire Tenmoku tea set, including a teapot, creamer, sugar jar, two vases, and two cups.
Portrait of Rafael
Oil on canvas
18″x14″
2002
Persimmon tea set with teapot, one un-pictured tea cup, angular vase, and a tear drop vase. Sold
Portrait of Uwe
Oil on canvas.
16″x12″
2003-2011
Blue tea set with gold accents. Set includes teapot, three tea cups and a tear drop vase.
Title: Farmed (Chicken and egg) Sold
Date: 2005
Medium: Cardboard, glue, metallic spray
Description: This piece reflects upon animal treatment and use in our culture. It also comments on mindset, parenting, and psychological awareness.
Painting on the pillar:
“Lily Sleeping” Sold
Oil on canvas.
10″x8″
In less than three weeks, I hang my show at C Gallery in Los Alamos! I thought I’d show a bit of the process of preparing for the show. The finished products, you’ll have to come and see! The show reception is on Saturday, May 14th, from 4 to 6 pm.
The show is titled “A Thin Veil,” which reflects on the aspect of performance in the surface activities of daily life. My subjects are all shrouded in the look of harlequins and mimes, and yet are portrayed in moments of respite or solitude. Despite this, they are posed and are therefore still performing, as models. There’s no escaping that we perform a multitude of roles, but this body of work celebrates that and invites you to explore it in a variety of intimate portraits.
Early stages of a few of the most recent paintings.
A bit further along.
My first firing on my new/used kiln! The verdict: a complete success!
Some of my pottery that will be available for sale at the show. (Here it is shown after the first firing, prior to being glazed.)
May 5th UPDATE:
A peak at the glazed pottery before it is fired for a second time, this time at cone ten. It’s hard to tell the difference at this stage, but there are four different color glazes with similar colors for accents. Come to the opening May 14th to enjoy the results!
Hope to see you at the opening on May 14th!
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This year’s Artists and Easels event was an exercise in speedy hanging and disassembling of a show. I’m not quite sure what my record time is for getting 16 paintings up, plus half a dozen pieces of pottery arranged, but I believe it’s safe to say it has improved with the practice! For four hours I greeted those with staunch enough to come to Los Olivos on a cold rainy Saturday. The space was so great, both Gwen Cates and I were sad to take our work down so soon from the walls of what was once the Judith Hale Gallery in Los Olivos. The space, now vacant, has a notice of intent to serve alcohol on the premise, so undoubtedly it is bound to become another wine tasting store front.
Below are pictures of Gwen Cates’ colorful landscapes and my portraits and pottery, along with Bill Cates’ wine barrel furniture creations. Enjoy the event virtually!
Gwen Cates and me, (from left to right.)
Gwen Cates and Michele Pike.
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Below are some photos from the two shows I’m participating in this winter. First, the Wednesday night reception of “I Can See Your Tag,”, which was at the Betteravia Government Center in Santa Maria, CA. Second, the Thursday night reception for “100 Grand” at Sullivan Goss, An American Gallery, in Santa Barbara, CA. Both shows will remain up until the end of February.
At the “I Can See Your Tag” reception with my painting, “Harlequins in Repose.” Oil and acrylic on canvas. 24″x24″ 2010. It was fun to mingle with the other artists in this unusual location.
With artist Juan Manuel Perez Salazar and artist, gallery owner, and curator for the show, Connie Rohde.
At the reception to the 100 Grand exhibit at Sullivan Goss with artists Rafael Perea, Nevin Littlehale, Matt Rodriguez, and Solana Foo. My painting is behind us, with the two harlequins. “Captive,” 10″x8″ Oil on canvas. 2010.
At the 100 Grand reception at Sullivan Goss in Santa Barbara, with our Mayor Helene Schneider and Kate. I love that Ms. Schneider has a vested interest in the arts!
I’m going to return for more photos of the show when it’s less crowded.
UPDATE:
Here are more photos of the exhibit at the following month’s First Thursday opening:
“Captive,” my contribution to the show, is in the middle of the top row.
There will be two opportunities to see my most recent work:
On Thursday, at the opening to the 100 Grand group exhibit at Sullivan Goss, An American Art Gallery, in Santa Barbara, CA. The show will remain up from December 2, 2010 through February 27, 2011. The reception coincides with the First Thursday Art Walk this week, December 2, from 5-8 pm. View more info on my painting here.
Captive, 10″x8″, 2010
Today, Wednesday, December 1st, from 4-6 pm, there will be an opening reception to the “I Can See Your Tag” exhibit, which will remain up from November 22, 2010 to February 10, 2011. The show is at the Betteravia Government Center, at 511 E. Lakeside, in Santa Maria, CA. This show exhibits a range of revealing portraiture. The following paintings will be in the show:
Repose, 24″x20″, 2010
Harlequins in Repose, 24″x24″, 2010
Two fun art events so far this month: Vino De Sueños and a solo art show at the Book Den in Santa Barbara. The show at the Book Den will remain up until the 28th, however, the two harlequin paintings in the front will be taken down this Thursday to be transferred to a show in Santa Maria at the Betteravia Government Center, exhibiting from November 22, 2010 – February 10, 2011 at 511 E. Lakeside, Santa Maria, CA. It may be viewed Monday through Friday, 8am – 5pm.
At Vino de Sueños with Steve Shuler-Jones of Fiddlehead Cellar. My painting represented their Fiddlestix pinot noir label, which I was very happy about. It was one of the best wines, according to my palate!
With artist Melody Owens.
With my painting, “Harlequins in Repose,” a piece that explores performance and role-playing, while taking an ironically staged glimpse at performers in repose.
Friends, artists, and family.
Artistic director of Vino de Sueños, Karina Puente, (left), and event web and graphic designer, Kros Andrade, (right).
Art reception at the Book Den coinciding with the First Thursday Art Walk in Santa Barbara. I have a solo show in the front display and back wall of the store.
November 4, 2010
With Book Den owner, Eric.
From left to right: artists Solana Foo and Ashley Lape, me, and Alex.
With artist friend, Rafael.
With artist Sandra Azar.
The two paintings in the window displays are the following:
Repose. 20″x24″ Oil on canvas. 2010
Harlequins in Repose. 24″x24″ Oil on canvas. 2010
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I have three events coming up in November. I will be showing work at the Book Den in Santa Barbara, Ca, for the month of November with a reception 5-8 pm Thursday, November 4th. On November 6th from 3-6 pm, I will be participating in the Vino de Sueños charity art auction. Lastly, I am a participating artist this year in the Wildling Art Museum‘s annual Santa Ynez Valley Artist’s Studio Tour, 10 am -4 pm on Saturday and Sunday, November 20-21.
After participating in last year’s Vino de Sueños charity art auction, I happily accepted the invitation to participate again this year. The event is run by the non-profit People Helping People.
Date: Saturday, November 6th, 2010
Time: 3:00-6:00 PM
Location: Santa Ynez Valley Marriott Hotel
Cost: $40 per person, including unique wine glass
Dress: Business Casual
Buy a ticket on the Vino de Sueños event page.
My painting this year is going on a bottle of Fiddlehead Cellars wine, on one of Kathy Joseph’s Pinot Noir wines.
My painting in the auction this year was created specifically for the event. Titled, “Harlequins in Repose.” Click image to view it larger.
I’m excited about showing at the Book Den in November and hope to see some familiar faces at the opening! The reception will be around 5 to 7 pm, on November 4th (specifics soon!) It will coincide with Santa Barbara’s First Thursday Art Walk, so come say hello, see the new and recent works I’ll have up, and cruise around Santa Barbara and see what’s happening in the art scene, as many galleries have opening receptions for shows simultaneously.
Some readers might recall the post I put up last year on the Wildling Art Museum‘s annual artists’ studio tour. Well, this year I’m participating as an artist rather than spectator. Come by my studio as part of the tour! It’s a fun way to pass the weekend, and you can wine taste in the evenings after looking at the art from 10 am to 4 pm Saturday and Sunday, November 20th and 21st.
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