Heart of Art Exhibit, CA #EastBayartshow #Valentinesartshow #heartofart

 

Heart of Art Exhibit, 2/7 - 5/2

Artist's Reception: Saturday Feb. 7,  5 to 8 PM

Alina B in Danville, CA

I'm California bound!! Whee!!! If you live anywhere near the San Francisco Bay Area, I hope you'll come to this Valentine's inspired art exhibit at Alina B's boutique in Danville, CA. I will be exhibiting my contemporary works (abstracted landscapes, abstracted still life images) along with contemporary works by my dear friend and amazing artist Nancy Hartley!!! Can't wait!! So thrilled Alina asked us to participate. The work will be up Feb. 7 - May 2 and I'll be there for the big reception on Sat. Feb. 7, so I hope to see you!!! My heart is very full, indeed.

Sandy Ostrau Workshop Jan. 2014

 

Sandy doing a landscape demo 

I was thrilled to attend Sandy Ostrau's 3-day workshop in Orinda, California (Bay Area) in January. Everything about it was delightful. My dear friend and fab artist Nancy Hartley invited me. She and her hubby Brian went all out to make every moment of my trip so delightful. Thank you, all!!! I was inspired on so many levels.

 Sandy's color mixing

 Sandy showing ways to optimize use of layers

 Another sweet Sandy demo

Learned a few fabulous tips: 

- Simplify. Simplify. Simplify. 

- Experiment. You can always paint over the work, or turn it 90 or 180 degrees.

- Color gets all the credit. Value does all the work.

- Quinacridone red and white make a luscious sky color.

- Learned to make earthy taupes that mix well with oranges and greens.

- Unexpected color pops brilliantly when placed next to a neutral.

Play time!!! I burned the candle at both ends. Up early for breakfast then Nancy picked me up and we laughed our way to class. We watched Sandy and were endlessly inspired, painted with amazing painters all day, enjoyed al fresco lunches, went gallery gazing, took walks on the reservoir, dined out, laughed and shared, enjoyed home cooked meals and even attended Brian's running club's annual gala in San Francisco the last night. On top of that, I met ad pal Roberta Taub Abel for a delightful dinner, too! She drove into Danville from Berkley to see me and catch up. What fun.

 

Nancy Hartley's paintings at Layfayette Gallery

 Yummy home-cooked meal at Nancy and Brian's. Delightful and healthy. Oh the stories I must have told.

Nancy and me after painting, shopping and drinking. Art buddies for life!

 Nancy and Brian on gala night in San Francisco. So delighted to be their guest. We danced all night!

 Dinner with Roberta Taub Abel. We worked at Leo Burnett and JWT together in Chicago 

too many years ago. So many stories and so many common friends!!

 Sad departure. Glorious views!!

Thank you, Nancy!! What a dear, dear friend!! Lot's of love to you! XOXO

Sandy Ostrau Workshop with Nancy Hartley

In mid January I joined artist Nancy Hartley at a fabulous abstract painting workshop in Berkley, CA taught by accomplished artist Sandy Ostrau. Sandy paints amazing abstracted landscapes and figurative works. This was Nancy's second time to take one of Sandy's workshops. We had so much fun. Above, Nancy and I are taking a quick break from painting. 

Here is Nancy with one of her fab paintings. Be sure to check out Nancy's art blog.

Her work is so striking. She has an unmistakable style. 

 

 Here is Sandy demonstrating how she starts a figurative work. Somehow I missed 

getting a great picture of her.  You should see the joy and excitement in her eyes. 

 

Close on the beginning of one of Sandy's figurative paintings.

Here is Sandy's completed figurative painting she started in the workshop (above).

 Here's a completed abstracted landscape Sandy started in our workshop. It's clearly abstract, 

but you know it's a landscape. Love her colors, thick juicy paint and graphic designs.

Sandy took this picture of me as I attempted to move beyond my patterns

to begin to play and experiment and see what emerges. It's magic!

Sandy Ostrau is represented by Allison McGrady. Nancy, my husband Jim and I toured Allison's gallery in Orinda while we were in the Bay Area. Check it out! Now, it's time for me to head to the studio to start creating some new works with all I learned!! Stay tuned.