Flourish

Beauty in Buenos Aires

Back from Buenos Aires with a collection of great photographs! I’ve just returned from a two-week sojourn with a class of photographers led by the fearless Ron Zak. Zak is the Photography Department Chair at Solano College and he has been leading these excursions around the world for over twenty years.

On Dec 29 we arrived and settled into our home base in the San Telmo district. Having been away from city life for so long, it took me a while to work up my urban mojo. Buenos Aires is a vibrant, grungy, cosmopolitan, complex city with a mix of cultures and a passion for art, architecture, dance, and beef.

Our group of 23 photographers (all ages and experience) tried to capture this chaotic beauty in our photos—each of us with a different tilt. Part of the fun was sharing our work at the end of day and telling stories of “the great capture” or the one that got away.

 
Highlights for me were the immense walls of graffiti, our excursion to a local dance hall, the Recoleta cemetery, the MALBA museum, Palermo Thai food, ambitious dog walkers, Museo Evita, looking for the disappeared, Spanglish lessons, and the flea market on Avenida Defensa.

Zak told us to look for themes in our work, assuring us one would emerge. After a while I determined that my photos were “Indirect Portraits” i.e. photos of human evidence but not typical portraits. I definitely learned a lot during the trip and got to know a place I had never imagined I would visit. Coming back is like returning from another lifetime—one filled with noise, color, drama in the land of Tango.

(see more photos in Tangoland album)

Gettin Crafty Up in the Valley

If you have your ear to the ground (metaphorically of course) you've heard the rumble of the Bay Area urban craft movement coming our way. As one who religiously frequents Maker Faire, Bazaar Bizarre, and Renegade Craft Fair, I am loving the fact that the Napa Valley has had nonstop craft events all month. 

It started off with the White Barn Winter Fair on November 19th to benefit the Arts Council of Napa Valley. Nimbus Arts followed with their "Hands on Fire" ceramic show and sale. Last weekend I stopped at the "Holiday Shopping Extravaganza" and saw good friends Valerie Raven, Nina Zaslove, and Nancy Shapiro. Napa Valley College has a Pottery Sale and Open Studio Thursday from 11:00am-8:00pm and "Santa's Helpers" returns to the Napa Expo the 11th & 12th.

So I couldn't help throwing my hat in the ring when potter Nikki Ballere invited us to be at the Artisan Trunk Show in St. Helena on Dec 17 & 18. I'll be showing off my latest sewn creations at a booth with my boyfriend Robb McDonough who owns Barn Simple Press. Other fantastically creative artists in the show include: Christopher Jones-Marino, William Callnan III, Mercedes Baker, Daithi, Melissa Garden Streblow, Melissa Baker, Slader Brown, Nikki Ballere, Sonia Lub, Layla Musselwhite, Jenna Wells, Lynae Marie Skookumchuck and Thief of Hearts.

We kick it off Friday with a fun party from 6:00-9:00pm and continue Saturday from 10:00-5:00. Come check out the beautiful space upstairs at the Odd Fellows Building in St. Helena at 1352 Main Street. I guarantee you will find a wonderful work of art or jewelry or letterpress or pottery that you cannot live without.

Viva la Craft!

 

A tilt on tomatoes

Last night I was joined by a cadre of bloggers at Gott's Roadside for a twilight tour of their self-sustaining garden in St. Helena. We were celebrating "Tomato Week" as part of SummerFest 2010 at AWaytoGarden.com. Being an aspiring lenshound, I jumped at the chance to take some artsy photos of Executive Chef, Rick Robinson's abundant crop of corn, tomatoes, peppers, melons, and herbs. Garden Manager, Christopher Landercasper proudly toured us through the rows of green before we sat down to a feast of tomato dishes including classic Gazpacho, Panzanella, Southern Scalloped Tomatoes, and my favorite...Tomato and Mayo Sandwiches (on Wonder Bread)--thus proving myself once again the least gourmet of the group.

But I was there for the pics not the recipes. So I decided to try something new with my digital shots. I took them to tiltshiftmaker.com and automatically, the spot focus changed and the perspective softened. Suddenly the photos looked magical and reflected the equally enchanted warm night we were having (for a change in the Napa Valley). So if you are looking for a fun way to alter your photos, or offer a slightly warped version of your experience out in a tomato field, try "tilt shift". And remember, "The man that cannot visualize a horse galloping on a tomato is an idiot”--Andre Breton

 

Napa Blog Wave

Allow me to introduce you to a lovely group of ladies who are part of a growing contingent of bloggers in the Napa Valley. I encourage you to check out all of the informative and fun blogs hosted by my amazing friends starting with Indra Fortney of Style & Shoot. Become an un-snob at AficioNapa written by epic dreamer and food writer Brooke Cheshier; visit Napavore for a ton of great restaurant musings by Rachelle Newbold; and look up Literary Legacies to follow Julie Dalrymple on her journey with great writers. Plus get amazing seasonal recipes on Diane Padoven's Napa Farmhouse 1885 blog: share inspiration with Julia Allen at Folia Design; and celebrate the crafty life with Katherine Jalaty at Making Chicken Salad. With so many creative blogs, you can do your Summer Reading online!

Open Arms in Benicia

Not too long ago (2005 isn't ancient history) the town of Benicia on the Carquinez Strait was ranked #7 of the "Top Art Spots", in American Style Magazine and was one of Money magazine's "Best Places to Live". I was cheered by that thought having already been to a few Open Studios weekends at the historic Arsenal. Back then I had already met Mike Kendall who started the BANG List (Benicia Artists Networking group) and I had fallen in love with the setting along the water and the massive light-filled studio spaces.(See more photos in my album to the right.) 

 

Arts Benicia has evolved and undergone many changes since then. It is still the hub of the largest community of studio artists in the Bay Area and they continue to mount fantastic exhibitions curated by Kathryn Weller-Renfrow. But the energy this year seemed refreshed, brighter and certainly optomistic about new directions. This year they welcome a new Executive Director, Larnie Fox. Larnie is the past Director of the Children's Fine Art Program at the Palo Alto Art Center and he seems to be bringing a cool new vibe to the place. I look forward to more opportunities to visit and participate in this amazing community.

I hit the pavement with the lovely Manda Moon Reyes, recently back from country living in Oregon. We hit every studio and discovered some new favorites like Hip Chick Designs that carries vintage items and recycled goods to drool over. And I was introduced to two prolific painters Carol Dalton and William Harsh. But I had the most fun seeing old friends like Mike Kendall, Kari Brink, Biganess Livingstone and Joseph Mele who had just returned from a residency in Bali with some gorgeous prints. My little friend Liam and I loved the creature-like sculptures of Mary Oros who, by far, had the most interesting installation of work. Of course the arsenal buildings and the makeshift gardens are prime for fun photography. I was inspired by everyone and everthing.

 

If you are curious, come check out the next exhibition at the Arts Benicia gallery Structure and Light, featuring work by Hedi Desuyo and Linda Grebmeier. The exhibit will run from May 15 through July 11, with a reception May 23, 2-4 p.m.

 

 

Who's who

Thought I would take a solo trip into SF last night to visit some openings on the usual First Thursday gallery pilgrimage. I wanted to honor my friend Apollonia who has new work in 2 galleries, opening simultaneously (so proud). But I wasn't alone long because the night turned into a "Who's Who" in the microcosmic world of Ann's art connections. Right away I ran into 2 couples I know from the North Bay (glad to see you guys checkin the scene!) And darting in and out of galleries, I ran into a stellar cast of Bay Area artists who stopped to chat. Below is an image collection of what the night would have looked like as a spontaneous exhibition!

Luckily I did find my friend Apollonia and her husband John Lightfoot of Site Specific Documentary at Stephen Wirtz Gallery in the 49 Geary building. Apollonia is showing a new series of incredibly beautiful photographs of the USS Hornet, a retired aircraft carrier docked in Alameda. These photos are so rich and deep--in a somewhat vignetted perspective--they resurrect the ship and the lives that once inhabited it. Selections from her series are also part of a vast photography show at SF Camerawork called An Autobiography of the San Francisco Bay Area. SF Camerawork is celebrating its 35th anniversary with this two-part exhibition. "Part II, The Future Lasts Forever," which opened yesterday includes more than 30 participating artists representing an international mix of well-established and emerging artists.

One such artist is the magnanimous Linda Connor, who was showing a series based on nineteen century astrophotographs of the star studded sky. Linda photographs sacred places, which she has pursued around the globe. I am a huge fan of her work and its ability to attain an elusive state of meditation (even amid a packed gallery opening). Check out more of her work here.

I actually ran into Linda at the Haines Gallery where Mike Henderson was exhibiting and jamming with his blues band.Mike Henderson makes large expressive, gestural abstract paintings that are influenced by the blues and jazz music he also creates. Out on the dance floor was William Wiley, tall dark and very coordinated! Wiley is a mainstay at the di Rosa collection in Napa. I stopped to congratulate him on his huge retrospective at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. What's It All Mean: William Wiley in Retrospect includes over 90 paintings, works on paper, sculptures and mixed media pieces that demonstrate the power of this man's legacy. It's coming to the Berkley Art Museum in March--I wouldn't miss it for the world.

Last stop was Paule Anglim Gallery, with more pleasant surprises (like running into Enrique Chagoya, Kara Maria, Wanxin Zhang, and Hung Liu). They were all there to see new work by Randy Hussong (aka Hot Rod Randy). Randy's 350lb. steel plate box "Trap" resounded with his usual irony that both creates laughter and worry. It is an entirely appropriate piece for the time and place we find ourselves at the start of 2010--always in danger with a tenuous, but solid way out.

I hope this night is predictive of my year ahead--I started off alone on a quest for inspiration and found that I have many friends along on the same quest, all glad to see me as much as I was them. Happy New Year art world!

 


 

 

 
 

images above: Apollonia Morrill, Linda Connor, William Wiley, Mike Henderson, Enrique Chagoya, Kara Maria, Wanxin Zhang, Hung Liu, Randy Hussong

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.

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