« January 2010 | Main | March 2010 »

February 2010 Archives

February 2, 2010

Oil Painting Classes by Kushlani Hall at University Art

Oil Painting Classes by Kushlani Hall

This class is for the person who always wanted to learn how to paint and for painters who enjoy painting with a group of like-minded people.

In this course you will learn how to paint what you see, not what you think you see, to create realistic paintings. In the process you will learn oil painting techniques and color mixing.

Time: Wednesday mornings from 9.30 am to 12.30pm
Place: The University Art Store in San Jose CA http://www.universityart.com/San_Jose
Fee: $80/month (4 meetings/month)
Contact: Kushlani at kushij@sbcglobal.net or (408) 942-5087

Kushlani has been painting for more than 15 years. She has won awards for her paintings and is represented by two galleries in the Bay Area.

Visit Kushlani's website here www.KushlaniHall.com

TAINTED LOVE at Psycho Donuts Feb. 14th

Want a seriously memorable Valentine's Day? You gotta be at Psycho Donuts. Here's what's going wrong at Psycho Donuts on Feb 14, beginning at 10:00am:

Tainted Love Donuts-You've never seen donuts like these on Valentine's Day, try the "Aphrodisiac Donut," and "The Abstinance Holes."

Tainted Art by Christine Benjamin, Nic Caesar, Murphy Adams, Skip Crank, Sid Enck Jr., Michelle Waters, Lacey Bryant, Michael Foley, Sherwin Viray, Denice Vaughn, Tamiko Boiko, Carlos Villez,Keith Bowers and Deborah Barba! Purchase a piece of original art for your Psycho Valentine, starting as low as $35!

Tainted Songs-Psycho Karaoke! Sing a song, get a free donut!

Show runs form Feb. 5th to March 14th, 2010

Store Hours:
Monday - Thursday 6am-5pm
Friday 6am-11pm
Saturday 7am-11pm
Sunday 7am-5pm

Psycho Donuts
2006 S. Winchester Blvd
Campbell, CA 9500
408-378-4540
http://www.psycho-donuts.com/

KALEID Gallery Feature Exhibits for February, 2010

KALEID Gallery presents featured exhibitions by Sandi Billingsley and Mark Damrel for the month of February.

http://www.kaleidgallery.com/sj/images/face%20the%20garbage.jpg
art by Sandi Billingsley 

Transfiguration is a collection of three dimensional art is an expression of Sandi Billingsley's faith that "we humans can live in luxury while being environmentally responsible." Transfiguration is essentially the art of changing the properties of an object. In this case it refers to the changing of garbage into art.
    This series is made entirely from rescued materials. The core is made of Styrofoam collected from shipping packages, friends and  dumpsters.  Sandi then applies a combination of old paint clothes, junk mail, phone books --- basically anything with natural fibers headed for the trash. Dipping these flexible materials in non-toxic glue gives them strength to hold interesting shapes. Finally, the piece is finished with "Aqua Brand" textures and paint which are non-toxic.  The result is an environmentally friendly piece of art.


Relativematter_web.jpg
art by Mark Damrel

Relative Matter is a series of paintings by Mark Damrel inspired by the hardships he encountered on his journey into fatherhood.  "Years went by with little to no hope.  I started to get used to the fact that I would never have a family, and then it happened." 
    In groupings of mixed media paintings on wood and paper, he explores the themes of childhood memories, despair, hope and joy. 

Meet the artists at the opening reception on Friday, February 5th, 7-9pm, featuring live music by INFM, and Tyler Boyd.

This reception is part of the South First Fridays art walk and is free and open to the public.

In addition to the feature exhibitions, peruse the art of 60 regional artists work in the gallery.

Gallery Hours:
Tuesday - Friday, Noon - 7pm
Saturday, Noon - 5pm

KALEID Gallery
88 South Fourth Street
Downtown San Jose
http://www.KALEIDgallery.com
408-947-1785

February 3, 2010

Future Generation Art Prize

The Future Generation Art Prize is a world-wide art prize of $100,000 USD open to all artists up to the age of 35.

20 shortlisted artists will show their work in an exhibition at the Pinchuk Art Centre. The jury will select one main Prize winner who will receive a total of 100,000 USD (60,000 USD as a cash award, and 40,000 USD toward the production of new work). An additional 20,000 USD will be allotted to fund artist-in-residency programs for up to five other special prize winners. Images of works by all the shortlisted artists will be posted on the PAC website, and members of the public will be invited to vote via the Internet for People’s Choice Prize.

The prize is established to discover and provide long-term support for a generation of emerging artists, wherever they may live and work, this unique artist-focused prize aims to make a major contribution toward the production of new work by young artists.

The jurors are:
• Daniel Birnbaum (Sweden) – Director of the Städelschule Art Academy, Frankfurt am Main; Director of the Venice Biennale 2009
• Okwui Enwezor (Nigeria) – Director of Documenta XI; Former Dean of Academic Affairs and Senior Vice President at San Francisco Art Institute
• Yuko Hasegawa (Japan) – Chief Curator of the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo (MOT); former Chief Curator of the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa
• Ivo Mesquita (Brazil) – Chief Curator at the Pinacoteca do Estado de São Paulo; Curator of the 2008 São Paolo Biennial
• Eckhard Schneider (Germany) – General Director of the PinchukArtCentre
• Robert Storr (USA) – Dean of the Yale University School of Art; Director of the Venice Biennale 2007
• Ai Weiwei (China) – artist

To encourage the assistance of one generation of artists to the next, a group of renowned Mentor Artists has committed its long-term participation in the Prize and will provide in-person counsel and support to the Prize winners. The Mentor Artists are Andreas Gursky, Damien Hirst, Jeff Koons and Takashi Murakami.

Submit your online application from 18 January until 18 April 2010 at http://www.futuregenerationartprize.org

February 9, 2010

Patti Garcia at Red Berry Coffee Bar

Enjoy the opening of an exhibition of stunning photography from Patti Garcia and meet the artist herself. Dessert treats will be provided. Artisan coffees and teas are available to complement the sweets and lift your spirits. An easy walk from downtown San Jose, Red Berry Coffee Bar is located directly across from City Hall. Street and covered parking is available.

Artist's Reception: Friday, February 19, 7-9 pm

Red Berry Coffee Bar
231 East Santa Clara Street
San Jose, CA
408.286.0508

February 11, 2010

TWO BUCK Tuesday at KALEID February 16th

TWO BUCK Tuesday, curated by Matthew Bailey Seigel
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
family friendly free for all ages

$2 ART SALE starts @12pm

FUN TALKS start @7pm featuring:

Chef Patti Searle is a professional chef, caterer, and owner of Thrivin’ Edibles, a 100% vegan food enterprise. Raw vegan food is her passion, both as a creator and a consumer and she will be giving a talk called, “Super Foods? How about Foods that are Super?” She’ll include hints on how to prepare these everyday GIANTS in the fruit and vegetable world. Arrive on time at Two Buck Tuesday as Patti will get the evening started at 7pm. Oh, and she is bringing samples of her world-famous HuuRaw chips! ?thrivinedibles.com

Gary Coleman, oil and pastel painter, will explore artistic priorities. LIKE: Does painting to sell have to mean selling out? If it does (just a little), does the artist hoard his/her own work? Is it selling out to paint for recognition and respect? Is fun more fun than suffering? Is it necessary to continue to “build a body of work”, or is it OK to move on to something else when the body seems to be getting old? Gary will show some of his own work to illustrate his own decisions. He is over 70 years old, and so you should listen to and respect his wisdom.? garycolemanartist.com

Lisa Fisher-Mejia has been performing bellydance in the Bay Area for the past 5 years. She has also performed in Seattle and Los Angeles. She sews a lot of her own costumes. She likes to experiment with a fusion of dance forms, including gothic, tribal, East Indian, and Burlesque. At KALEID, she’ll be performing the standard Cabaret style bellydance taught to her by her Mother (who was a bellydancer in the 1970s).? myspace.com/staribun


SKETCH ARTISTS 6-10pm featuring:

?Gary Coleman (read above)

M.P. Nothing, you may know him as Mo from barefoot coffee, now you will also know him for his graffiti & graphic novel inspired art, and perhaps his friend Jeff will attend as well.

Emonic's artwork has been featured all throughout the west coast in various shows and events. He currently works as freelance illustrator in addition to working on his own personal projects. You can see his work at www.emonic.net

Chemix is relatively new to the art world; while he has focused mostly on collaborating on projects and managing his brother Emonic for the last 3 1/2 years, he has only recently started his foray in actively creating work and hopes to expand and learn along the way.

Carol Ponsaran is an artist and teacher. carolponsaran.com

Mahoney Perkins draws zines, prints and publishes. jwlk.com

Chuck Hepburn, descended from Mary, Queen of Scots, and yes, related to (and met) Katherine Hepburn. He was physicist on the Mars lander mission. And he opened for Beck in Las Vegas. However for us, he will be modeling for the sketch artists, dressed as a cowboy, playing guitar! as he too is a professional model!

Also ALL artists are invited to bring their art supplies, and take a place at the sketch table! Space is first come first serve.


LIVE MUSIC @9pm featuring:

Matt Geddes solo live blues act www.musicalcarrion.com


FOOD, COFFEE & CERAMICS featuring:

Chef Patti is bringing samples of her world-famous HuuRaw chips!
?
Red Berry Coffee Bar, artisan roasted, single origin coffees, are on location to serve and explain their selection and vision. redberrycoffeebar.com

?Keith Bunnell will demonstrate his ceramics all evening in front of KALEID. He has been throwing for almost 5 years now and is currently going to Foothill college to get his major in art. He mostly does Raku firing but he has been experimenting with Soda firing as well. twitter.com/ithrowthings


TWO BUCK Tuesdays is an all day $2 art sale and evening quirky speaker series that happens on the 3rd Tuesday of the month.

See past events- flickr.com/photos/phantomgalleries

KALEID Gallery
?88 So. 4th St. (btwn Santa Clara & San Fernando)
Downtown San Jose, CA 95112?
www.KALEIDgallery.com?
408.947.1785

Facebook: www.facebook.com/kaleidgallery
Twitter: www.twitter.com/KALEIDgallery

Parking: street metered parking (free after 6pm) or 4th St. Garage (@San Fernando) $3 after 6pm.

February 16, 2010

Loud And Moving at Art Ark Feb. 20th

Art Ark Gallery is proud to present....

LOUD AND MOVING a group exhibition

Art Reception: Saturday, February 20th 6-9pm (Ear protection recommended)

Curator & Contact: Andrew Hedges (hedgesindustries[at]gmail.com

ART ARK GALLERY
1035 South 6th Street
San Jose, CA 95112


Words, Painting, Music at WORKS Feb. 20th

a wild one-night collaboration of live painting, open mic poetry, and jam with drums and other instruments—all happening in a simultaneous soup of creativity!

artists participating so far...Chris Arcus, Brande Barret, Lacey Bryant, Michael Buscemi, Roberto Duran, Claude Ferguson, Michael Foley, Bea Garth, John Kurtyka, Elizabeth Parashis, David Larimore, Francesca Lovecchio, Joe Miller, Al Preciado, Rueben Rutlledge, Michelle Waters, and more (including you)!

saturday, february 20, 2010, 6 to 10pm
drums, canvasses, and a drawing table will be provided.
refreshments will be available.

all donations and proceeds benefit works/san josé, your community art and performance center.

works/san josé
451 south first street

Thursday Gig _February 18, 2010

THURSDAY GIG'S Art & The Spoken Word presents-

Artist Zoya Scholis
I grew-up in Monterey, California with my mother and two brothers. We were poor during my childhood which was difficult but also turned out to be a gift in many ways. There was lots of room for my imagination to flourish.

As a girl, I was known for my drawing and story telling. In 2nd grade I won a set of oil pastels in an art competition. I can still remember dancing my way home with my rainbow in a box.

I worked my way through college as a bilingual nursery school teacher in the Mission District of San Francisco, where I lived. Eventually, I went to Cal. State, Hayward and graduated with Honors in 1993.

I began teaching elementary school in Monterey in 1996. In 1999 I started to lead workshops on “Art for Personal Growth” (artforpersonalgrowth.com) through organizations such as, Men and Women as Allies, Friends of CG Jung and Monterey Adult School.

I now live and work in San Jose, CA. I am grateful to be working toward my vision of community by facilitating connection and meaning through art.

In my current paintings, I indulge myself with the privilege and challenge of making abstract art. I consider art-making to be an exploration of my own psyche, and ultimately an experiment with the divine.

Poet Al Preciado
I have read at Willow Glen books, Thursday Gig, Overpass, Mexican Heritage Plaza, Works/San Jose and TEN10.

My poetry can be described as emotive, musing about romance and childhood, and an overall yearning for elusive love.

For a moving and impressive video of Al Preciado reciting for LITnIMAGE Magazine, check out this link: http://www.litnimage.com/preciadovideo.htm

Open Mic follows

Thursday, Feb. 18, 2010, 6:30 - 9:30 pm

STONE GRIFFIN GALLERY
415 E. Campbell Ave., Campbell

This is a Pot Luck BYOB, Soft Drinks, Water event
Donations of $1 would be appreciated
If you can't bring food or donate, come anyway : )

Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School official San Jose launch!

Calling All ART MONKEYS!

Anno Domini is proud to announce that that it is an official chapter of DR. SKETCHY'S ANTI-ART SCHOOL!

Dr. Sketchy’s is the world’s premier alternative drawing movement. Every month, over 3,500 artists gather in nearly a hundred cities (including New York, Hollywood, Sao Paolo, London, Rome, Paris, Tokyo, and Melbourne) to sketch glamorous, subcultural models and compete in drawing contests in an atmosphere of artistic mayhem.

Dr. Sketchy's was started in December 2005 by a 22 year old art school dropout in a dive bar in Brooklyn (Miss Molly Crabapple). An artist and former model, Molly has created an alternative to the dull drawing classes she had posed for and now Dr. Sketchy’s has exploded into an international phenomenon. http://www.DrSketchy.com

“If art class had been this cool growing up, 90 percent of Americans might be painters instead of lawyers and presidential candidates.” ~New York Post

Join us for the inaugural launch of Dr. Sketchy's San Jose at Anno Domini Gallery!

Featuring Live Model: Kiss Me KATE
Mistress of Ceremonies: Trina Merry

Thursday, February 18th at 7pm. Come early as seating is limited!
$10.00/Door Bring your sketchy pads and favorite drawing materials.

Special thanks to Mistress Trina Merry & Master Drew Clark, our resident MCs!


Anno Domini // the second coming of Art & Design
366 South First Street, San Jose, CA 95113
www.galleryAD.com 408.271.5155

February 18, 2010

Professional Training in Expressive Arts Therapy

Become a Certified Expressive Arts Practitioner

The professional training in Expressive Arts Therapy begins March 19th, 2010 in San Jose, CA

Register by March 1st and SAVE $600!

12 Wonder-filled Weekends of Visual Arts – Performing Arts - Intuitive Arts – Language Arts – Sand-Tray

Enthusiastic Expressive Arts Therapist/Trainer Dr. Jane Goldberg takes you on a life-changing journey, one weekend a month to explore and express your highest creative nature and how to awaken it in others.  

Within one year you will complete the program and be eligible for immediate Certification. Come advance your own career! Come for greater clarity, consciousness and community. Celebrate your capacities for creative leadership! Come alive to your own life! 

Introductory Workshop Experience - Gifts from the Creative Fire
Saturday, February 20th, 2010
9:30am-12:30pm
Location: High School Campus in San Jose

COST PER CLASS: ONLY $25 / Includes Art Supplies (3 CEU’s available)

Jane Goldberg is a Phd, M.F.T., a R.E.A.T., Registered Expressive Arts Therapist, a C.E.T. and a Distinguished Fellow of the National Expressive Therapy Association. She is a founding member of the International Expressive Art Therapy Association.

To REGISTER NOW for the training or the introductory workshop:

Call Jane: 949-760-0115, or Local Contact: Tessa (408) 347-4151
or email Jane jane@expressiveartstraining.com

Testimonial from Jean Houston, Ph.D. World Renowned Author, Scholar, Philosopher and Teacher: "Jane Goldberg and her Expressive Arts Training Institute reach into the vistas of human possibility and bring home to her students and listeners a recognition of the possible depths of the Creative and spark a life force that can change the world. She quickens creativity, so that the room seems to paint itself in her presence.”

Call for Artists - Art on the Square 2010

Art on the Square is a series of juried outdoor art shows on the streets surrounding Courthouse Square in downtown Redwood City. Shows are held monthly from June through September and feature fine art and fine craft in a variety of media at price points for every budget.

Art on the Square is looking for artists who work in painting, glass, photography, ceramics, fiber and more. There's wonderful jewelry at each show, and for those who can't get enough of it, we've added Jewelry on the Square on July 9th.

Art on the Square 2010 dates:

Art on the Square with Music on the Square: Fri June18
NEW!!! Jewelry on the Square with Music on the Square: Fri July 9
Art on the Square with the PAL Blues Festival: Fri July 23 & Sat July 24
Art on the Square with Music on the Square: Fri Aug 6
Art on the Square with the Redwood City Salsa Festival: Fri Sept 24 & Sat Sept 25

Monthly jurying until shows are filled. Artists can download an application at http://www.redwoodcity.org/events/PDF/ArtApp2010.pdf

For questions, contact:
Julie Goodenough, Beth Mostovoy
Producers, Art on the Square
E-mail: ArtontheSquare@sbcgloal.net
Web: www.redwoodcityevents.com
Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/event.php?eid=81805512818&ref=ts

Charis DeRemer in Love & Chocolate Exhibition


image by KALEID Gallery artist Charis DeRemer

Davenport galley is proud to present: Love and Chocolate. A group show featuring Ed Dickie, Mattie Leeds, Larry Harden, Vince Broglio, Alanni Winkler, Adolpho Martinez, Charis De Remer, Marilyn Kuksht, Tazio, Jamie Abbott, Jane Gregorious, Linda Watson, Roger Knapp, Jim Lewis, Steve Rudzinski, Linda Bates, Carol Teachout, Laurie and Joel Spray and others.

Exhibition on view through February 28th.
The show runs Feb, 3rd-28th.

Davenport Gallery
450 Highway One Davenport CA 95017
831-426-1199

Art Night at Empire Seven Studios this Friday Feb. 19th

Bring your art supplies and something to contribute to the still life!

Empire 7 Studios
525 No. 7th St.
San Jose

February 21, 2010

Geri McGilvray at Norton Gallery March 2010

Palo Alto artist Geri McGilvray will show thirty paintings in various media in a one-woman show at the Norton Gallery. The retrospective show is themed “Through The Eyes of a Woman.” and includes her models, favorite musicians, and Sebilius, expressed in a way that draws on the infinite array of colors which she feels through her heart. She expresses the energy of living things with a lyrical quality in brush strokes and a bold use of color.

The reception will be held on Friday, Mar. 5, from 6:00-9:00pm. Live music by Doug Jones.

Exhibit date: March 1 - 30, 2010.

Norton Gallery at the Pacific Art League
668 Ramona St.
Palo Alto, CA
Open: M-F 10am-5pm, Sat 10am-4pm.

You can view more of Geri's work at www.Geriart.net.
Contact her at Geri@thegrid.net. Phone: 650-269-2502.

Claude Ferguson at Gallery TEN10 February 26th

Gallery TEN10 presents mixed media artist Craig Ferguson for its next last Fridays art exhibitions series on February 26th.

Artist's Reception 7-9pm, includes drum circle and open mic
sober potluck environment

Gallery TEN10
1010 East Taylor Street
San Jose, CA

Gallery TEN10 is a house for the intersection of the Arts, centering on the visual, written and spoken word and music. The artists are responsible for the facilitation of all aspects of presenting their creative context and the director provides the venue. The emphasis is on sharing, but selling is possible at the artist’s behest with all proceeds going to the artist.

For more information contact Director Al Preciado at 408-476-1968

Wonderland 2010

Canvas Ghost Productions Presents WONDERLAND 2010 Art Show

Come experience the sights and sounds of Wonderland 2010, inspired by the story of Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. This is an art party, so dress as your favorite character and come meet the artists.

Participating Artists: Al Preciado, Amy Fort, dNA, Carlos Villez, Celeste Young, Christine Benjamin, Christopher Elliman, Cloud, Darius B'Alexander, Diana Hartman, Eileen Graham, Faye Kala, Gianfranco. Glenn Domingo. Jared Konopitski. Jaya King, JB Kelly, Justyna Przygoda , Kathy Blackburn, Kate Saturday, Lacey Bryant, Laura Callin Bennett, Maggie, Matthew Bailey Seigel, Michael Foley, Michelle Waters, Mike3.5, Takashi, Talia Gragert, Tomek Przygoda, Trina Merry

Musicians:
Saturday: Paul Relvas and Fontain’s MUSE
Sunday: Dune Tran, Jenny Milne, Bill Rupel, Corpus Callosum

Catered by: Fundamental Gourmet

Save the dates:
Saturday, March 20, 7pm to 10pm,
Sunday, March 21, 11am to 5pm (Tea Party at noon)

Free for all ages. Free street parking. Bicycle friendly venue.

Location:
Canvas Ghost Productions
992 South Eighth Street
San Jose, CA 95112

The Art of Truth, Compassion, Tolerance at Art Ark March 5th

The Art of Truth, Compassion, Tolerance
curated by David Zhang

This traveling exhibition has been shown in more than 40 countries and over 200 cities worldwide. Last year a preview was held at the San Jose City Hall Rotunda. The show features oil paintings by 12 artists including: Kunlun Zhang, Xiaoping Chen, Yuan Li, Kathleen Gillis, and Xiqiang Dong whose art portrays the experiences, visions, and hope of Falun Dafa followers as they attempt to safeguard justice and peace while upholding their values in truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance. An inspiring exhibition not to be missed!

For more information please visit the web site at: www.FalunArt.org

Opening reception: Friday, March 5th 6 -9pm
Part of the South FIRST FRIDAYS monthly art walk. Free shuttle service to the Art Ark Gallery every 15 minutes between
5:45 - 9:15pm in front of the Miami Beach Club

Exhibition dates: March 5th - March 28th
Gallery Hours: Friday - Sunday 10am - 9pm

Art Ark Gallery
1035 S. 6th St
San Jose, CA 95112
www.ArtArkGallery.net

February 22, 2010

We Love Music at On the Corner Music

On The Corner Music's 3rd annnual "WE LOVE MUSIC!" gallery this Friday Feb. 26th, 8pm - Midnight.

25 artists exhibit their own interpretation of what music means to them on a 12x12 record sleeve, plus DJs and no tax on all LPs & CDs. This event is free and open to all ages.

On the Corner Music
530 E Campbell Ave
Campbell, CA 95008
(408) 871-0305

February 23, 2010

Sketch Book Show opens March 5th at KALEID Gallery

This is the last week to check out February's feature exhibits by Sandi Billingsley and Mark Damrel (on view thru this Friday, February 26th.)

Transfiguration is a collection of three dimensional art is an expression of Sandi Billingsley's faith that "we humans can live in luxury while being environmentally responsible." Transfiguration is essentially the art of changing the properties of an object. In this case it refers to the changing of garbage into art.


Relative Matter is a series of paintings by Mark Damrel inspired by the hardships he encountered on his journey into fatherhood.


And then join us First Friday March 5th for the opening of the Sketch Book Show curated by KALEID artist Lacey Bryant.

Gallery Hours:
Tuesday - Friday, Noon - 7pm
Saturday, Noon - 5pm

KALEID Gallery
88 South Fourth Street
Downtown San Jose
http://www.KALEIDgallery.com
408-947-1785

February 24, 2010

Fault-lines exhibit by Andy Gouveia

Phantom Galleries just installed Fault-lines an installation by Bay Area artist Andy Gouveia at 388 South First Street.

The 8' x 8' image is a spray can and house paint mural painted live in Golden Gate park as part of the Indy Arts Fest 2009. This exhibition also hosts an array of his smaller paintings dealing with the myth and mystery of the ancient world.

Exhibit on view 24/7 from the sidewalk now through April 17th.

To see more of Andy's work, please visit his website at www.andygouveia.com.

February 27, 2010

Lucy Liew exhibition at Soula Power Yoga March 2010


?
Floral Fantasy paintings exhibit by Lucy Liew at Soula Power Yoga

Floral Fantasy: a series of floral images inspired by everyday magic.
Painting for me is a visual diary that celebrates the everyday wonders of life. The mood of the composition may be introverted and reflective…or extroverted and celebratory, depending on how it is interpreted by my physical, mental and spiritual “lens”. It is an ongoing challenge to create a piece of art that elicits hope and inspiration in the midst of life’s challenges. I challenge the viewer to look more closely at the beauty of our natural world and draw parallels with the beauty of life. In this series of paintings, you are invited into a lush garden of floral fantasies that are a fusion of the real and the fantastic. The flowers, foliage and insects are rendered using fine illustrative details to suggest reality while the rich colors, rendered in multiple layers, and the playful juxtaposition of organic curvilinear elements and representational images invoke a magical dreamlike realm.

The beautifully decorated Chinese vases collected by my mother were the inspiration for one series in Floral Fantasy which use floral motifs as representational images of family “trees”. Each of the flowers used in these compositions have special significance in Chinese tradition: the tree peony symbolizes honor, love and affection, while the magnolia bloom exemplifies nobility, dignity and perseverance.

The lotus blossom is the central theme of another series in Floral Fantasy. This flower is widely regarded as a symbol of purity and perfection, often in conjunction with a spiritual awakening or rebirth. This collection also features butterflies and dragonflies to reinforce the themes of joy, transformation and new life.

Floral Fantasy is a visual celebration of life and the human experience. It is through the visual media of painting and drawing that I am able to transcend the barrier of language to share my thoughts and inspirations with viewers around the world. While I often draw inspiration from my own cultural heritage, I believe that the underlying oneness in all cultures, East or West, allows these stories to connect universally with viewers through the shared experience of life.

Meet Lucy at the artist's reception on March 5th, 7pm- 9pm

Born in Malaysia, of Chinese-Melanau descent, Liew is a graduate of the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts in Singapore and a Commonwealth Foundation Fellowship winner from England. Liew has been active in the S. F. Bay Area since 1997 and was awarded a San Jose City Branch Library Project in 2004. Her work has been featured internationally in numerous solo and group exhibitions, as well as in various private and corporate collections around the world. Liew’s work is also in the permanent collection of the National Art Gallery in Malaysia. Liew currently resides and works in San Jose, California.

Soula Power Yoga
200 S. First Street, Suite 70 (on the Paseo between 1st & 2nd)
San Jose CA 95113
408-993-9642
www.soulapoweryoga.com

Hours: Mon & Wed, 9am-1, 4:30- 9pm
Tues & Thur, 9am-11, 4:30- 6:30pm
Fri, Sat & Sun, 9am- 1pm


About February 2010

This page contains all entries posted to Phantom Galleries in February 2010. They are listed from oldest to newest.

January 2010 is the previous archive.

March 2010 is the next archive.

Home | Archives

Powered by Local Artists
Produced by Two Fish Design

info [at] phantomgalleries.com