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Pinole Artisans
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Saturday, 28 April 2012 16:49 |
I have just returned from a 12 day trip to Spain and Portugal; I also had the fortune to go on a two week Rhine river cruise last Oct. I've been reflecting on all of the marvelous art I had the opportunity to see. The galleries and museums left me with the joy of seeing such great art but also the wish to have been able to spend more time enjoying it. (One of the problems with tours is that you have limited time at each site). Then I recall how my friend and I tried to see the entire Louvre in half a day and I can only laugh! Talk about overload! In an ideal situation we could go several times and spend more time looking at each piece of art. Fortunately we do have several art galleries and museums in our area with that opportunity. When was the last time you visited one of the San Francisco galleries? It's well worth it to revisit favorites often.
Jean Fisk
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Monday, 27 February 2012 20:44 |
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Have you taken a class lately? I took Jim Ott's second color pencil class and totally enjoyed it. After I took his first class I figured I didn't need to take another one but I'm glad I did. It's refreshing to work with other artists and watch their art work progress. I also learned some more techniques from Jim. I know I get a lift every time I take a new class.
Another great experience was the drawing class that Joyce Yamada presented at the Pinole Artisans' February meeting. Even if your medium doesn't involve drawing, the class stretched the brain and gave many insights for art in general. Well done, Joyce, come back and do another program.
There are many places that offer classes including our own gallery. Life is a process of learning and growing.
Jean Fisk
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Tuesday, 31 January 2012 15:58 |
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We are looking forward to working with our new board member, Carolyn Hess. Here is some information on Carolyn:
Carolyn Hess is a native Californian. Her dream, as a child was to become a famous artist, and her education has always moved toward that goal. In the mid 70's when she began to study watercolor, she realized that she was dreaming in watercolor washes, and it has been her primary medium ever since.
She graduated from the California College of the Arts with a degree in illustration and has worked in the arts since.
She has shown with many groups and associations in San Francisco, beginning in the mid 1970's. She was a children's docent at the Museum of Modern Art in San Francisco and taught watercolor workshops to adults. She was represented by the Images Gallery in San Francisco during the 90's and worked full time as an art consultant for Ann Getty. Her paintings are included in the Getty collection as well as many other collectors in the Bay Area. She has worked as a demo artist for Windsor Newton, Fractal Design, Cal Comp and Sennlier Fine Arts. In 1999, her painting, "Bloomsbury Square" was accepted in the National Watercolor Association show.
She worked as an in-house graphic designer and illustrator for Deja Vu Publishing Company, and was a contributing artist to the Psychic Reader Magazine.
She currently shows her paintings at the Pinole Artisans Gallery and can be seen online at carolynscolors.com. Jean Fisk
President
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Thursday, 29 December 2011 16:35 |
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Greetings and best wishes for the year 2012. As I write these words I think back to all of the Pinole Artisans' accomplishments in 2011; what a busy and rewarding year it was. The new year comes with many challenges and exciting experiences for all of us. We start with general meeting on Friday, Jan, 6 at
7 PM at Pinole United Methodist Church.and open a new show at the Gallery. on Fri., Jan. 13. The Board will be having a special meeting working with the grant money projects on Tues., Jan. 10 so it looks like we're off and running! Do find the time in your schedule to be creative; that's what it's all about. |
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Sunday, 27 November 2011 19:26 |
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Tis the season to be busy! The Artisans certainly are busy with shows at Pinole Art Center and also at Pinole Vista Shopping Center on Fitzgerald. Be sure to stop in and look at all the "goodies" when you are in the area. I always try to buy my Christmas gifts from the Artisans' shows. Also coming up is the Artisan Holiday potluck dinner and activities on Fri., Dec. 2, at Pinole UMC. Do take time for your own reflections and creations in the next few weeks.
This month I'd like to tell you about another one of our Artisans: Tanya Joyce. Tanya exhibited at the First Haight Ashbury Street Fair, read poetry with the Pegasus Program, produced plays by John Lennon at San Francisco State University, and exhibited paintings in San Francisco, Los Angeles and Chicago. Critic Alfred Frankenstein called Tanya's adaptation of 18th century English watercolor technique "brilliant". Her first solo exhibition at The Fleming Museum of the University of Vermont drew favorable comments from renown sculptor, Jacques Lipchitz. Her ink work attracted the attention of the Chinese scholars and painters. Her large murals of the 1990s extended the scope and power of her brush. She was one of the first artists to champion the use of recycled materials in art. Tanya is a delight to visit with, take some time to talk with her.
Jean Fisk
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Friday, 28 October 2011 01:47 |
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I have just returned from my dream trip - a cruise on the Rhine and Moselle Rivers. We were in Germany, France, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. The art galleries, cathedrals, and outdoor art and sculptures were awesome. We saw great art classics at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, the Gutenberg Museum in Mainz, and the Kunstmuseum in Basel. It seems like every town had a lovely old cathedral with stained glass windows, paintings, sculptures and other pieces of art; it amazed me that these were saved during
World War II and reinstalled after repairs or rebuilding of the cathedrals. What a learning experience it was!
I returned to the rush of the upcoming holiday season. ( It seems to start earlier every year). We Artisans have a busy schedule ahead of us with a new show at the Gallery, our Chevy's fundraiser auction and dinner, and a planned show at Fitzgerald shopping center. Every year I buy my Christmas presents at our shows; it's supports my colleagues and I can shop while I'm working - a real time saver!
I look forward to seeing you at our next meeting on Friday, November 4 at 7 PM at Pinole United Methodist Church. Enjoy the season!
Jean Fisk |
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Thursday, 29 September 2011 21:01 |
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Our Pinole Artisan's membership is such a diverse and interesting group; I'd like to share a little bit about one of our members: Semion Mirkin. Semion, born in Russia, earned his Master's of Fine Arts degree from the School of Fine Arts in Leningrad. He was a sculptor and designer creating public monuments as well as architecture, oil painting, scultpure, jewelry, bas relief, illustrations, and posters. Some of his work was declared as "national treasures" and exhibited in the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg and the Museum of Lenin in the Urals. Semion emigrated to the US in 1979 where he designed and made jewelry atTiffany's as well as other forms of art. He has works in the US at the Museum of Russian Art in Jersey City, New Jersey and Duke Museum of Art. Be sure to visit with him; he has some good stories to share.
Our next meeting will be Friday, Oct. 7. at 7 PM at Pinole United Methodist Church in Gilmore Hall with the program presented by Jessica Kolman, who creates the HEYFACE cards and prints.
Jean Fisk |
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Friday, 29 July 2011 21:05 |
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As I reflect on the reasons I'm glad I'm a member of the Pinole Artisans, I think one of the most important is the support of colleagues both in artistic endeavors and in other phases of our lives. At the monthly meeting during our Peer Awards and at the gallery and other shows everyone is very supportive of each other's work. When asking for help or suggestions with a piece in progress, many good ideas are offered. Likewise when concerns or problems befall a member, there are many caring friends in our group. It's great to belong to a caring community.
This coming month offers many exciting classes, show and other activities, including our Art & Wine in the Park on August 28th. Be sure to check them all out.
Jean Fisk
President
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Tuesday, 30 August 2011 16:05 |
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What a marvelous gift has been given to the Pinole Artisans! The Women's City Club Foundation of San Francisco by way of their treasurer, Tanya Joyce, who is also an active member of the Artisans, has given the Artisans a $5000 grant. Way to go, Tanya - thank you! I invite our members to suggest possible uses for this grant. Send your suggestions with a cost estimate to Jean or any board member for consideration.
The board will start looking at ideas at the Sept. 1st board meeting.
The last two programs following our general meeting have been fantastic! Our own members, Tanya Joyce and Caroline Hess, have presented professional programs. They leave me in awe at the talent and experience found within our own membership. We certainly have a gifted and active group.
Jean
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Sunday, 26 June 2011 17:07 |
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The Pinole Artisans celebrate our art not only through the Pinole Art Gallery, but also in many other venues. Right now we are doing a "satellite show" SUMMER MADNESS, at Pinole Vista; later this summer we will be doing "Art in the Park" at Fernandez Park. In the past we have done other shows at various places.
On top of that the Artisans have connections with other art groups such as Pt. Costa, Pt. Richmond, Martinez, El Sobrante and Benicia, to name a few. How fortunate we Artisans are to live in such a vibrant and diverse area of art which we can connect to and exchange ideas. Surprisingly each art group seems to have its own personality. What a joy it is to be an active member in the Pinole Artisans group!
For our July 1 Pinole Artisans' meeting, the program will be presented by Pinole Artisans' member Carolyn Hess who is an extraordinary water color artist, and will doing a demo for us. She will also show and talk about her work and experiences. |
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Friday, 29 April 2011 21:31 |
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I just returned from a great trip to Savannah and Charleston for nine days. One of the things I do whenever traveling is to stop in the local art centers and small galleries for a visit. I carry a few of the Pinole Artisans brochures and business cards. After looking around I introduce myself and ask about their group. It's a marvelous way to get acquainted and they often share other specials spots that a visitor might not know about.
While in Savannah I went to the Telfair Museum and Art Galleries; there were artists everywhere sketching and painting. When I went into the modern gallery section I found a group of tables in the entry way with kids doing all kinds of art projects. I stopped to visit (of course) and found out they were celebrating "Sketch Crawl 2011" throughout the city that day sponsored by the Savannah Art Association. Of course I bought the T-shirt and got their flier. They told me that this day is a national art celebration day and couldn't believe that we in the Bay Area didn't participate. I'll get on line and find out more about it; wouldn't it be fun to celebrate in our area too!
Celebrate art every day! Take along some brouchers and fliers!
Jean Fisk
President
PS: The May meeting of the Pinole Artisans will be Friday, May 6, 2011 at 7:00 PM at the Pinole United Methodist Church in Gilmore Hall. The church address is 2000 San Pablo Avenue in Pinole. The program will be presented by artist, Ray Marshall of the Montclair district of Oakland, who has published a new coffee table book, Paper Blossoms, which is a pop-up book of coloful flower arrangements. Mr. Marshall will display the book and talk about the process involved. Visitors are welcome. Bring a sample of your art for the Peer Awards. |
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Tuesday, 05 April 2011 00:02 |
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This month I've been reflecting on one of the most rewarding benefits of belonging to Pinole Artisans: the programs following our monthly meetings. Even though the guest speaker may not address my area of interest, each speaker shares his/her creative process in general. They share their inspiration, their problem solving and often give suggestions for selling and/or sharing their art.
If you have been missing our programs, consider coming; it is time well spent. This is just one reward for being a member of Pinole Artisans, so if you haven't renewed your membership yet, don't forget. |
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Monday, 28 February 2011 23:50 |
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 We have several new and exciting activities coming up in the near future. Our next Gallery Show, "Experiment with Light" will be installed on Thursday, March 3rd - if interested, call Joan Landis.
We also will be having a Satellite Show starting March 25 and going throught April 4 at Pinole Vista Shopping Center. For more information contact either Ira Nelken or Joan Landis. A future event, the second annual "Art in the Park" to be held in August is in the planning stages; for more information contact Bill Lake.
Several Board Members attended an information meeting by the City Council budget committee about beautifying the vacant lot at San Pablo Avenue and Tennant Avenue. Seven non-profits in Pinole were represented. Further meetings are planned.
Congratulations to member Casey Storm Northern who won the bronze metal for necklace making form Fire Mountain Gems for 2010. The necklace and certificate are on display at the Pinole Art Gallery. Be sure to stop by and take a look at it!!!
News comes from Charlene O'Rouke of Friends of the Pinole Library that Pinole Artisans Member Don Lieske's "Bookworm" sculpture has been selected as the logo for the Pinole Library.
"Bookworm" will appear on book plates, in theLibrary newsletter, on bookmarks, and other uses to be determined later.
Edna Cabcabin Moran is an artist and children's book illustrator. She will speak to us about her art and the process of having her work put into a children's book,. She illustrated the book, "Can You Catch A Coqui Frog?" The book has beautiful pastel pictures by Edna. |
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