Gregory Gallardo
Artist Statement
"I am an art school dropout" ... Upon receiving a scholarship to attend art school, I did what any rational 17 year old would do; I left home, left school and traveled the worked as a musician. Music more than art encompassed my life for the following 10 years. Ironically, this journey influenced my visual arts in ways that no formal art education could have. One vital lesson I learned as a musician was that the space between the musical notes was just as important as the notes themselves. Visually this concept can be applied to the use of negative space by the strategic application of both color and texture to evoke a sense of motion, rhythm and tempo. In my most recent works my collage techniques emphasize this illusion. Sharp tears reveal white edges which add Rhythm. The magazine paper imagery is glued in patterns, moving the eye around the piece. Figure and background flow in balance. While on the surface this technique may appear academic, the underlying message mirrors my personal views on life and death; a seamless harmonious coexistence.
My journey for creating "art" is a selfish act. The process becomes all encompassing, with the outcome of a work of art often becoming inconsequential to the path that lead me to the final conclusion, i.e.
"The point of the journey is not to arrive." When working with collage, ideas unfold without any predetermined direction. Letting the magazine paper speak to me, a page is turned and textures, patterns and color are randomly discovered, altering the theme as each torn piece is glued into place. Building works in this manner becomes a spiritual experience; living in the moment and allowing chance to guide the eventual outcome. The organic imagery taken from the torn magazine paper which comprise my works speak of my link to nature. Found upon closer inspection a torn photograph of a purple sunset becomes the blush of a cheek, a birds nest and the needles of a cactus form hair. My hope is that this method of reinterpretation will give the v iewer cause to reconsider their ideas of our own origin.
40% of the proceeds on direct sales of Gregory's art goes to local charities.
www.gregorygallardo.com
Ironstone Vineyard Heritage Museum presents news, updates, exhibit info and insights on wine, gold, food, art and anything else that strikes a cord.
Friday, March 28, 2014
Meet Artist Robert Feigen, Spring Obsession Open Division Accepted Artist
Robert Feigen
My name is Robert Feigen and I am the artist that has performed the attached painting. I am a graduate of California Polytechnic College in Pomona, California with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Behavioral Science and in Business Administration. I have studied for three years at the Sonora Arts Academy and have been an artist for fifteen years. I am now retired and have chosen to focus on my passion for painting and the arts.
My fifty pieced "RatzNKatz" series is a primitive, anthropomorphic, mystical, fantasy, humorous artistic presentation and is my own style of painting in oil and acrylics. The vivid colors and the action of the characters are an expression of myself for a world of happiness and harmony through strength and balance in the face of potential adversity. There is also some sauciness and arrogance thrown in at times. If the viewer stops, looks, laughs, and smiles then leaves only to come back again I will have been successful in my artistic intent.
The RatzNKatz characters in the paintings have human-like faces and qualities and the Ratz with the exaggerated bodies interact to symbolize both the struggles to coexist and to challenge each other with the underdog (Ratz) being in control of the dominant species (Katz). The themes in each painting are unique and expressive within a particular genre. The "RatzNKatz Symbiosis 2013" is number forty seven (#47) in the Series and depicts the annual meeting between the Ratz and Katz Clans to peacefully coexist in a harmonious way. Of course there is a whole lot of cheating and mischief going on as well as the teasing amongst the characters and between the Ratz N Katz.
The original paintings and stories in the series are for sale. However, the rights to reproduction are not. Whe the paintings are actually reporduced in a limited edition series, the buyer/seller will be entitled to a percentage commission. Therefore, it is a win/win for everyone.
I want to thank you for your interest in my art.
robertfeigen@gmail.com
O-137 RatzNKatz Symbiosis 2013 acrylic $1850 |
My name is Robert Feigen and I am the artist that has performed the attached painting. I am a graduate of California Polytechnic College in Pomona, California with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Behavioral Science and in Business Administration. I have studied for three years at the Sonora Arts Academy and have been an artist for fifteen years. I am now retired and have chosen to focus on my passion for painting and the arts.
My fifty pieced "RatzNKatz" series is a primitive, anthropomorphic, mystical, fantasy, humorous artistic presentation and is my own style of painting in oil and acrylics. The vivid colors and the action of the characters are an expression of myself for a world of happiness and harmony through strength and balance in the face of potential adversity. There is also some sauciness and arrogance thrown in at times. If the viewer stops, looks, laughs, and smiles then leaves only to come back again I will have been successful in my artistic intent.
The RatzNKatz characters in the paintings have human-like faces and qualities and the Ratz with the exaggerated bodies interact to symbolize both the struggles to coexist and to challenge each other with the underdog (Ratz) being in control of the dominant species (Katz). The themes in each painting are unique and expressive within a particular genre. The "RatzNKatz Symbiosis 2013" is number forty seven (#47) in the Series and depicts the annual meeting between the Ratz and Katz Clans to peacefully coexist in a harmonious way. Of course there is a whole lot of cheating and mischief going on as well as the teasing amongst the characters and between the Ratz N Katz.
The original paintings and stories in the series are for sale. However, the rights to reproduction are not. Whe the paintings are actually reporduced in a limited edition series, the buyer/seller will be entitled to a percentage commission. Therefore, it is a win/win for everyone.
I want to thank you for your interest in my art.
robertfeigen@gmail.com
Meet Artist Libby Fife, Spring Obsession Open Division Accepted Artist
Elizabeth (Libby) Fife
O-052 In Between acrylic 10x10 $165 |
What I paint:
I paint landscapes and figurative works using acrylics on board and canvas. The work is realistic or representational in the sense that it comes from actual images-things that I observe-and that there is a kind of resemblance to those images. It's also abstract in a sense because it doesn't portray things in minute detail, down to the nitty-gritty. I omit and refine and simplify because that is my world view. It's how I see things in real life and so that is how I paint too.
Why I paint:
Why paint instead of say, playing an instrument or cooking or dancing? Painting seems to allow me to express, through design and content, what I think and feel about my interests and the environment around me. With the exception of writing, painting is the only other creative outlet that gives me the freedom to explore and share with others the subjects that interest me most.
How I paint:
My technique for painting is simple and straightforward and matches my personality. Ideas for paintings begin with my own observations. I become attracted to something that I see. It could be something in my landscape or a person's gesture in a vintage photograph. I then gather information to flesh out the question or idea. This gathering usually involves in-the-field research. By that I mean I take my paints outside and get busy! I look at colors and the design of my idea and try to get a feel for things. If it's a conceptual figure piece, I do some online research to learn about my subject. Whether I am painting a landscape, a building, or a figure, the bottom line is that I have to be connected to my subject in some way otherwise I just can't paint it effectively.
What the work is about:
Part of my work is project driven and reflects what I am currently learning about at any given moment. My questions or interests are the starting point. I utilize vintage photographs, both my own and ones that I find, along with my writing and research to structure and support each project. The common denominator in all of this is my desire to learn about something that interests me, to paint it and to write about it, while making a strong and interesting-to-me composition to support it.
The second part of my work has more to do with what I call "structure." For painting, structure to me has to do with puzzles. How things in my environment fit together. Although I view my world as a whole, I quickly zero in on what that world is composed of. For people, it's their body parts all moving together with their environment. The gestures of their figures set against their background or interlocked with other figures. For the land, it's all of the pieces such as trees, hills, and sky acting together. To me, people and objects are not stagnant even if they are frozen in time in a photo. Shapes, colors, and light and shadow are important too but really secondary to the above.
I paint landscapes and figurative works using acrylics on board and canvas. The work is realistic or representational in the sense that it comes from actual images-things that I observe-and that there is a kind of resemblance to those images. It's also abstract in a sense because it doesn't portray things in minute detail, down to the nitty-gritty. I omit and refine and simplify because that is my world view. It's how I see things in real life and so that is how I paint too.
Why I paint:
Why paint instead of say, playing an instrument or cooking or dancing? Painting seems to allow me to express, through design and content, what I think and feel about my interests and the environment around me. With the exception of writing, painting is the only other creative outlet that gives me the freedom to explore and share with others the subjects that interest me most.
How I paint:
My technique for painting is simple and straightforward and matches my personality. Ideas for paintings begin with my own observations. I become attracted to something that I see. It could be something in my landscape or a person's gesture in a vintage photograph. I then gather information to flesh out the question or idea. This gathering usually involves in-the-field research. By that I mean I take my paints outside and get busy! I look at colors and the design of my idea and try to get a feel for things. If it's a conceptual figure piece, I do some online research to learn about my subject. Whether I am painting a landscape, a building, or a figure, the bottom line is that I have to be connected to my subject in some way otherwise I just can't paint it effectively.
What the work is about:
Part of my work is project driven and reflects what I am currently learning about at any given moment. My questions or interests are the starting point. I utilize vintage photographs, both my own and ones that I find, along with my writing and research to structure and support each project. The common denominator in all of this is my desire to learn about something that interests me, to paint it and to write about it, while making a strong and interesting-to-me composition to support it.
The second part of my work has more to do with what I call "structure." For painting, structure to me has to do with puzzles. How things in my environment fit together. Although I view my world as a whole, I quickly zero in on what that world is composed of. For people, it's their body parts all moving together with their environment. The gestures of their figures set against their background or interlocked with other figures. For the land, it's all of the pieces such as trees, hills, and sky acting together. To me, people and objects are not stagnant even if they are frozen in time in a photo. Shapes, colors, and light and shadow are important too but really secondary to the above.
O-053 Winter Hillside acrylic 10x10 $165 |
About The Faces (or Lack Thereof):
I currently paint my figures without facial features, relying instead on
posture and gestures, color and line and shape, to express what I think. I
accept that images of people in general can provoke strong reactions whether or
not facial features are included. Getting a reaction by not including facial
features is not my intent but it's very OK when that happens. It's my
hope that all parts of my paintings will
elicit responses and get a dialogue going. I love to talk about my work and am
anxious to know what others think. It's why I have gone to some length to
explain what I do, how I do it, and why I do it.
Meet Artist Diana Eppler, Spring Obsession Open Division Accepted Artist
DIANA
EPPLER
www.dianaeppler.com
“My painting subjects are varied as that is my nature. I will probably be perpetually in some period of transition with my art which, I hope, is a good thing. I try to work towards a melding of classical, contemporary and my own style; always striving to share with the viewer a means of expression which is representational without being literal or prosaic.
O-127 Courthouse, Fall Morning oil 22x28 $1900 |
I used to worry where was I
going with my art? Was I a colorist,
tonalist, impressionist, plein air or studio painter? I now know my art leads me. Each piece is individual and dictates how it
should be painted. First comes what I
feel, then what I see. When I paint it
is me and it is my own. An idea for
painting frequently comes from my emotional response to color and light. I build around that, often changing the
subject matter partly or entirely until the color, light, movement and design
meet to fit the mood. This manner of
creating a painting works well for the studio, which I very much enjoy,
however, painting en plein air (outdoors in one sitting) is a good way to
rejuvenate the very feeling that create the moods. The California foothills offer the artist an
abundance of choices to paint.”
O-129 Vineyard Pond oil 11x14 $450 |
Born in Amador County, Diana
lived at Lake Tahoe and in Nevada, Southern and Northern California before
returning to the foothills in 1997. She
now resides in Jamestown. She attended
Western Nevada Community College and studied with Wellington Smith, noted
artist, lecturer and teacher. Workshops
over the years included Janet Tarjan Earl, Edgardo Garcia, Jeanette LeGrue,
Kathleen Dunphy and Charles Waldman although she considers herself, basically,
self taught. Past Board of Director of
the Siskiyou Art Assoc., Creative Arts Guild and Mother Lode Art Assoc. Past member of the
Lithia Artists Assoc., Central Sierra Arts Council and Central Calif. Art
Assoc. Founding member of the Post
Gallery and founding Director of Aloft Art Gallery, Sonora . Currently her
works can be seen locally at Ventana Gallery, Sonora; Galleria Copper,
Copperopolis and the Europa Café in
Sonora as well as on her web site.
She has been accepted in
numerous juried shows and won many awards including Foothill Favorites in the
MLAA Shows. A finalist in California
Shines Statewide Art show for the 2011 US Capitol Christmas Tree
Celebration. Her works hang in homes and
businesses across the country.
Meet Artist Patty Ehlers, Ironstone Spring Obsession Art Show, Open Division accepted artist
Patty Ehlers
O-059 A Kiss graphite 16x20 $425 |
I received a Bachelor of Arts in Art from San Jose State
University with a concentration in Design.
Following college I worked as a free-lance illustrator which allowed me
to segue into a job with Lockheed.
While at Lockheed I worked as a Cartoonist and Technical Illustrator. Europe called and I couldn’t pass up the
opportunity to work in England but had, by then, moved into the Technical Field
of Computers. Art was never out of my thoughts and I dabbled
in textiles and ceramics as a hobby.
O-058 Egg Head graphite 14x18 $375 |
In 2011 I retired and relocated from the Bay Area to the
Sierra Foothills. I jumped back into
the art world by taking drawing classes at a local gallery. The focus in my drawing class was
portraiture.
I enjoyed portraiture but there seemed to be something
missing for me. Graphite is so soothing
to work with and to view but my cartooning background took over. I enjoyed skewing the reality with the
quirkiness, the gray tones with the vibrant colors, and taking advantage of illustrating
the abundant wildlife of the Sierras.
Meet Artist Judy Day, Ironstone Spring Obsession Open Division accepted Artist
JUDY DAY
O-065 June Loop wc 16x20 $225 |
Judy attended Art Center School of Design and Cal State
Northridge, where she received a Bachelor Degree in Graphic Design and a K-12
Teaching Credential in Art Education and Math.
She recently retired from 25 + years teaching at David Starr Jordan
Middle School in Burbank, California.
Judy taught Beginning art, Cultures through Art, Photography,
Cartooning, Animation, and Algebra. In
April of 2010 she moved the foothills of Jackson, and began studying with
several local artist and concentrating on her painting.
O-066 Fort Bragg wc 16x20 $275 |
Judy’s art credits include the following: Illustrating three
educational children’s books, numerous brochures, posters, paintings and cards,
two cut paper banners (3 x12 feet) that hang seasonally in the First Christian
Church of North Hollywood’s Sanctuary.
For the last 5 years, Judy has directed a week long children’s art camp
in Studio City for 3rd thru 12th graders. She is currently serving as the President of
the Amador County Artist Association.
Her awards and honors are: 1993-94 Jordan Middle School
Teacher of the Year, 1994 Burbank Woman of the Year, 1995 Outstanding teacher
Award given by the LA Times and CSUN School of Education, and finally in 2002
the California League of Middle Schools Educator of the Year Nominee.
Judy loves the outdoors and has hiked and sketched in the high
Sierras most of her life. “My art is
inspired by my backpacking trips into the Sierras, vacations around the world,
majestic landscapes, historical sites and practically everything in my
neighborhood. You never know what will
catch you eye and inspire you”
Judy’s art work is displayed at the Sutter Creek Gallery, at
35 Main St. in Sutter Creek, California.
Meet Artist Geneva Davis Season, Spring Obsession Art show OPEN Division accepted artist
Geneva Davis Season
O-176 Springtime Splendor oil 16x20 $400 |
O-179 Garden Entrance oil 12x16 $400 |
The intensity and emotion in my paintings frlow from my love of all subjects, whether florals, gardens, figures, animals or landscapes. I want my collectors to enjoy the painting and appreciated what I saw and how I interpreted what I was seeing. I thank God everyday for giving me the ability to paint and share it with others.
O-178 Tropical Splendor oil 14x18 $1200 |
My paintings may be viewed at Pinecrest Gallery, All That Matters in Twain Harte, Town Hall Gallery in Copperopolis, Ventana and Aloft Gallery in Sonora ... My home studio is open to visitor's by appointment only. genevadis27@yahoo.com
Meet Artist Barbara Conley, Ironstone's Spring Obsession Open Division Accepted Artist
Barbara Conley
O-088 Old Homestead wc 6x10 $495 |
O-089 Winter Day wc 8x10.5 $495 |
O-087 Kris & Nolan at the Roundup acrylic 16x20 $2300 |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)