Flourish

Tenemos la cultura

Some North Bay artists with a wonderful vision pulled off an incredible Day of the Dead photo exhibition at Studio II Gallery in Napa. Headed by the talented David Alosi who has been publishing photography since the 1980’s, this group of travelers have documented ceremonies all over the world. David has traveled to China and Cuba with Napa Valley College, where he has also studied Spanish for six years and volunteers with in the Photography department.

Other photographers like Shelly Alger, Juan Diaz, Hedi Desuyo, Adrianna Arriaga, Arturo Ramos, and Ron Zak (many of whom traveled with the same program) exhibited gorgeous photos of marigold dripping baskets, sacred cemeteries, and various details on Dia de los Muertos altars. I especially liked Adrianna Arriaga's solarized images of "calaveras" which were a nice contrast to the dramatic black & whites by Ron Zak.

  
Another amazing experience was walking into the side room to see Thea Witsil's Rock Altar. Thea owns the Wildcat boutique in Napa. Besides her beautiful tattoos and smile, Thea is a great collage artist and community activist. Her stunning altar displayed hand-tinted portraits of dead musicians she wanted to honor. The idea was to try and identify all of them...and Thea would donate to the Hispanic Network in your name if you succeeded. Did anyone get them all?

 
The musica, the people, the gathering of artists from many backgrounds was such an inspiring combination. I hope to see more events like this in our town to reflect the uplifting mix of cultures and artforms that we all bring to the table. Please support the artists and Studio II by checking out the show which is up until Nov 22.

A letter to the editor.

I just wrote this and sent it to the editor of the Napa Register. I thought "Hey, if it doesn't get in the paper at least folks can read it here". Oh, and photos of the Canadian Thanksgiving are over in photo albums at the right.

Dear Editor,

With Thanksgiving a month away, I know it’s a little early to start talking turkey, but I have something to be grateful for here and now. I want to give thanks for our brave artist community. Two recent events have given me new hope in our endeavors to stimulate and support Napa’s burgeoning art scene.

First was a private gathering—a Canadian Thanksgiving hosted by my terrific friends at RVS Design. Attending were an impressive group of old and new residents of Napa, all gifted as visual artists, writers, and entrepreneurs. In a town with supposedly “nothing going on” this collective group has managed to find several ways to make art happen independent of formal institutions i.e. by organizing book clubs, blogging, using alternative venues for exhibitions or fundraising…and by just gathering. I know there are other creative groups like ours, operating under the radar, secretly and thanklessly working to nourish what can be called a tenacious underground culture.

Last night (Oct 27), at a monthly public forum of the Wandering Rose organization, there was proof in the pudding. Over thirty artists, musicians, writers, and activists came together to talk about a commonly shared vision—a community space for the arts in downtown Napa.

 

The mood was anxious; everyone excited to share their opinions on how to turn such a vision into reality. Kristina Young, Interim Director of the Arts Council of Napa Valley, spoke of an eight year history of unsuccessful efforts by the ACNV to create an art center at various sites. Dana Smith, Assistant City Manager, came to hear the group’s needs and talk about the city’s future plans for art ordinances and public spaces. The message was mixed: the city understands the need for community venues, but can do little in this economic climate to allocate funds to renovating or purchasing new buildings.  

 

But artists are survivors! In times of crisis it is our ingenuity and passion that not only get us through, but really make us shine. So many heads lifted when John Hannaford of Napa Valley College commented that it is time for this arts community to look inward, to find our mutual strengths and resources, and create change at a grassroots level. We may never have a place as grand as Copia to ourselves, but we can follow examples of other self-made organizations that started out with nothing more that an empty warehouse and a capable group of determined artists. I thank John for that observation—a simple reminder to Stop Whining!

 

This conversation will continue at the next Wandering Rose Open Forum on November 17. To learn more about this feisty group of young activists, go to www.wanderingrose.orgor find them on Facebook.  You’ll be thankful you got involved.

Sonoma surprise

Spending more time in Sonoma Valley at my new studio, I have gotten back into one of my favorite habits...walkabout. When I left the city to get closer to nature, I reveled in the many opportunities in Napa to just head out and explore beautiful new scenery. Now I have this whole other valley to explore. And last Tuesday was way too gorgeous to stay locked up in my turkey coop studio.

 
I headed east to a part of town I had never ventured into. I guess its called Lovall Valley. I drove up Old Winery Road and found one of the oldest wineries in California, Buena Vista. There is a magnificent old stone press house covered in vines, the hues on the trees, just starting to peak red. I wandered the grounds which sit on the edge of Nathanson Creek. Tourists buzzed in and out of the tasting room, but I was the only fool not drinking--too enamored with what was perhaps the most perfect fall day ever.

 
After that I drove up Castle Rd, just because, and wound up at Bartholomew Park Winery. OMG!Call me clueless but I never knew this place existed. It's a photo geek's dream with its winding trails and water features plus the historic residence and gardens of the Haraszthy Villa. Hungarian born Colonel Agoston Haraszthy, founder of Buena Vista Winery, built the house in 1857. He found the property on a trip to visit General Vallejo. In 1863 two of the Haraszthy sons married two of the Vallejo daughters...weird!

 
History lesson aside, I loved discovering this scenic space and plan to return with more practical walking shoes (der). To end on a Halloween note, I headed to the Sonoma Cemetery and got a few interesting shots of headstones and such. I am fascinated by the trinkets that people place on graves for their loved ones. It sometimes says more about a person's life than any epitaph could possible convey. I also love the way the plastic flowers fade in the sun and tell us perhaps that eternal life might not be all its cracked up to be.

 

 Happy Halloween and Dia de los Muertes (see more pics in the Sonoma Discovery album at the right)

Harvest Party of a lifetime!

Hey, just wanted to share a brilliant fall moment that was shared by about 100 people at White Barn Farm last weekend. WBF is the home of my new art studio in Sonoma. The property is owned by artist Peter Hassen and his wife Louise, founder of The Children's Garden Co., who have revived the farm's six studio spaces in the former turkey coop (yes it smells a little like feathers). I moved into Studio 4 only a week ago, but already I feel like I am part of a new community of inspiring artists. Next door is painter Alden Marsh who's been at WBF since 2007. His natural still lifes capture part of the magic that happens in the Sonoma landscape as weather and light constantly change the views.  

  

 
Peter and Louise decided to celebrate the season (and their birthdays) with a perfectly planned harvest party. There were amazingly fresh tacos, abundant wine, and cupcakes, plus pumpkin carving, bonfires, and a communal canvas. As a resident artists, I participated by taking black & white headshots of partygoers. 

 
But the party was really perfected by the kids. There were about 2 dozen, of all ages, running through the barn buildings, up and down the hay loft, across the field. They were playing Star Wars, tag, hide n seek, eating donuts on a string, scooping our pumpin guts, fingerpainting on the wall. Watching them felt like being back in time. It made me jealous of those special days when the grown ups disappear and the world belongs to you. The kids you just met and hour ago are now your best buds for life and the night lit up by sparks was all the adventure you would ever need.

Thanks for a great party, P&L. I feel right at home. (See more pics under the Harvest Party album on the right.)

Get preppin!

Just wanted to let you know that you might smell smoke coming out of my new Studio 4 at the White Barn Farm. Having moved in last week, I'm burning rubber preparing for an event sponsored by the owners coming up fast. Better make it look good! So far I've built a tinsel chandelier for ambiance (I call it Trinkle). Also arranged a "meditation on white" on one of the walls. Sewing projects underway: scads of coffee clutches and owl babies. Also finishing up some ol zines, shooting photos for the new zine, blah blah blah. You'll be so proud when you see. xoxox

   

  
 
 

It's Alive!

Before I even visited the di Rosa Preserve, it had me under its spell. An artist friend in S.F. came back from a tour once in 1999, and with a wild stare told me I must go there (period). Four years later I was working there as manager for their offsite gallery called Off the Preserve! Since then, there have been several reincarnations of the structure, mission, and identity of the organization.

The latest move is a new branding campaign with logo makeover and web reconstruction. It's a welcome change from the static old identity. It speaks more about the wild and crazy nature of this collection. And frankly makes things look more fun. It reminds me of that crazy look in my friends eyes... 
Last weekend I went to check out the selection of auction pieces for the di Rosa's upcoming benefit auction which takes place October 17th. The show was super impressive; installed beautifully by James Orlando; and representing the best possible artists from the collection. There were plenty of things I'd love to take home (if only my art budget were the size of my aspirations). But I did sneak in a bid on one cool piece by Laura Paulini. Other artists include: Nathan Oliveira, Deborah Oropallo, Richard Shaw, Enrique Chagoya, Robert Hudson, Paul Kos, Jim Melchert, Gordon Huether, Robert Brady, Kara Maria, Freddy Chandra, and Tara Tucker. The exhibition in the gatehouse is only open until Oct 15, so slip in on a tour or just visit 9:30 am—3:00 pm, Wednesday through Friday.

 

Back in time...kinda

All hail the founders of the Great Handcar Regatta!Only in its second year this awesomely unique festival held last Sunday in Santa Rosa was a major success despite the brain boiling heat. I was so impressed with my friends Spring Maxfield and Todd Barricklow who brought this amazing spectacle to the North Bay. It shows that creativity on the fringe can bring together a community in a cool way. {See more photos in my Reeegatta photo album at the right.}

Inspired by goings on at festivals like Burning Man and Makers Faire, Spring and cohort Ty Jones wanted to create "alternative entertainment far beyond the usual festivals of bland consumption and detached spectatorship." They produced the festival on a shoestring budget, and secured permits from the Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) that allowed them to race the handcars legally on the tracks.

The Handcar Regatta celebrates innovation and human-powered ingenuity to devise cheaper, viable, and hitherto undreamed of methods for bizarre transport. The "contraptions" in this year's race had names like: La Carreta Diabolica by Los Guapos Diablos; Wonkatania by Uff-Da-Loompas; Methodical Juggernaut by Infernal Manufacturing, and Todd's own Two Penny based on a penny farthing bicycle. The winner for speed was the MOG built by the Children’s Museum of Sonoma County!

 

The idea of looking backwards to move forwards comes from a growing movement known as steampunk, which is a throwback to Victorian-age visions of the future. The steampunk style is often associated with 19th-century author Jules Verne, who helped pioneer the science fiction genre with novels such as "A Journey to the Center of the Earth" and "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea."

Hordes of people were out in their finest bustiers, bowler hats, parasols, and spats. Victorian-age harlots mixed with mad inventors, while a macabre train circled the fair booming modern beats. Never again will such a heap of creativity and fantasy and mechanic wizardry meet again...until next year!

My newest obsession...

Find me on Polyvore

Late Summer in Carneros

Yesterday a spontaneous lunch with my man rolled into a nice stroll and photo-taking opportunity at one of the most scenic places in the Napa...the Carneros Inn. When this agristyle resort popped up in the middle of nowhere, I couldn't get my heart around it. Now that the amenities have opened up and the gardens grew in, its a great place to spend the afternoon playing bocce, eating at the Market, or sipping a summery brew at the Farm. Someday maybe, they'd like to put in an art gallery!!!

So click over on the photo album on the right called Late Summer, and get a taste of what it looked like through a shutterbug's eyes in the most perfect time of year.

I have Issuu's

Since the Nest space on Main Street is closing at the end of September, many Nest fans are asking "What will you do next?" Well the future's so bright I gotta wear shades. I am hoping to move into a new studio space (somewheres in the next valley over) to work on some big design ideas that have been brewing. It won't be open to the public like the Nest, but I will keep you updated here at Flourish and the finished items will be available through the Nest online shop.

Also I am excited to add that I will go back into publishing (having fond memories of my days as a Pearl Necklace zine editor) and have a new online zine coming out called Trinca-tron! it will be full of diddling from my studio and stories on places, friends, and art I love. All this is thanks to a cool online publishing tool called issuu. If you are a zine fanatic like me, you can also read online publications on issuu and create your own virtual reading room.

So stay tuned Nesters...the arts scene in the wine country is still flourishing!