“Color is just delicious, it is my world, it starts everything going. I spread it on my palette and I feel my creative juices flowing, it lights my life”

Color Is My World

Color Is My World

In my study and joyful exploration of Abstract Art, I focus on color, texture, line and shape. I utilize these elements as they develop their own life in my paintings and lead me to incredible, wonderful discoveries. In my figurative paintings it is much the same. I use those same elements of color, texture, line and shape to express the feelings evoked by the model's presence.

 
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My Art Journey

 

After taking my first art class with 100 other people in the park in Northridge, California, at age 3I, I made a life-changing decision. I would return to college and add an art major to my BS degree in Education. I decided I just loved art. I could use my teaching skills imparting that love to others. My husband, at the same time, also made a life-changing decision, to accept a 6-year job offer in Lausanne, Switzerland. Our family of four went off to a new life.

 In Switzerland, the Ecole des Beaux-Arts is THE place, the College of Fine Arts. After learning to speak French, taking classes to prepare a credible portfolio, and interviewing in French, I was accepted as a student. In addition to drawing and painting, I spent 6 years, walking through old cities in Europe, visiting the art museums, seeing extraordinary art exhibits, and absorbing the new cultures, history and colors surrounding me.

 All of the above informs my art. Many of my paintings have found homes in private collections in the US and Europe. Since Covid, I continue exploring mixed media and abstract art online, with mentors Tesia Blackburn and  Diane Williams, working solo in my studio and joining the Artists Alliance Community to be with my artist friends. At 81, my art journey continues!

About My Art Experience…

  • Studied at Ecole des Beaux Arts, Lausanne, Switzerland

  • Wrote and illustrated Bugs, a learning book and game for pre-schoolers

  • Studied Life Drawing with Sherry Kwint-Cattoche and Jody Mattison at Walnut Creek Civic Arts

  • Studied Expressionist Figurative Painting with Lin Fischer

  • Studied Mixed Media with Mira White

  • Studying Abstract Art with Tesia Blackburn and Diane Williams

  • Hired models for our Open Studios drawing and painting group since 2005

  • Member Artist Alliance Community created by Jen Tough, an online community offering exhibitions, challenges and resources

  • Selected member of Blackburn and Friends, a San Francisco Bay Area abstract artists collective

  • Member ARTIST7 ,a group of professional artists who meet to critique their art, share technical expertise and exhibit together.

  • Member La Morinda Art Alliances  and Alamo Danville Art Society

  • Member of Beyond the Brush group, a collective of East Bay women artists who meet to critique, share, support each other and exhibit together

  • Published book “Acrylic Painting with Passion” by Tesia Blackburn includes my painting and quotes

  • Acrylic Artist Magazine includes my painting

Selected Exhibitions and Collections

  • “Art for a Lifetime” juried show, Bedford Gallery, Dean Lesher Regional Center for the Arts, Walnut Creek, California

  • Solo shows: An entire floor at “Serenity” series at UCSF National Center of Excellence in Women's Health Center, Sutter Street, San Francisco in, 2014, 2019 and currently Sept 2020 through April 2021

  • Solo shows : Walnut Creek City Hall and Stomp Wine Bar, Blackhawk, CA

  • Town of Danville Artist Open Studios 2018 and 2019

  • Wente Winery Tasting Room, Livermore ,CA

  • John Muir Hospital LaMorinda Art Alliance show, 1st place honors

  • San Francisco  49 Geary , Fifth Floor Exhibit

  • San Francisco Orangeland Gallery

  • Bay Area Figurative," A Celebration of the Human Form" juried show SomARTS Cultural Center, San Francisco, California

  • "The Artists Among Us", Contra Costa Jewish Community Center

  • Exhibited artworks entitled, "The Road to Wellness" at Breast Cancer Symposium art gallery sponsored by University of California Office of the President. 

  • Numerous juried shows at DACA and ADAS art galleries in Danville, CA

  • Numerous shows at Art Cottage, Concord CA

  • Juried show at JPG @The Bank, Lafayette ,”New Currencies” over 40 artists selected from open call by Jennifer Perlmutter

  • Blackhawk Gallery Exhibiting member since 2009

  • Juried Non.Ob.Show, Blue Line Arts, Roseville,CA

  • Art in the Park , Merit winner

  • “Abstractly Speaking” Orinda Library Gallery

  • “Fire and Water” San Francisco

  • “Fresh Works III” Juried Exhibition, Harrington Gallery

  • “All Figured Out”, “Walk in the Park” Juried Exhibitions Village Theatre Art Gallery

  • Eiger BioPharmaceuticals collection

  •  Private collection Lausanne, Switzerland

  • Private collections Cincinnati, Ohio, San Francisco, Marin, Palo Alto  Blackhawk, Danville, San Ramon, Berkeley, Walnut Creek, Alamo and Lafayette CA