OPEN STUDIOS!

It seems nearly impossible that it is time for East Bay Open Studios again, but that is the case. We just celebrated  the opening reception for the Open Studios exhibition, and this is also the 40thbirthday of ProArts, the organizational engine that drives Open Studios in the East Bay. 

Once the pressure of detailed preparation is done, Open Studios becomes a nice opportunity to reconnect with regulars (people who come by each year to see my work and say hello) and to meet new people. It’s nice to get new work out into the open and get responses from people. I am happy to say, most people ask very pertinent questions. Only once did a lady actually put a swatch of fabric next to a painting to ask her husband, “How do you think this green would go with the sofa?”

If you can get a chance to visit the Pro Arts gallery at 150 Frank Ogawa Plaza, you will see work by over 400 artists. Each is given a 16” square. This makes for an eclectic and fun exhibit. Give yourself  time to take in every piece. You can also collect post cards of those you want to remember, and pick up a catalog with maps.

Blue Lagoon (Detail)

The painting posted above is a detail of a 36" x 36" piece entitled Blue Lagoon. I hope you will come by to see the whole painting. I will be with my usual gang: The Uptown Twenty, we call ourselves now. We create a beautiful shopping environment within an auto body shop. You must come see us, it is a beautiful place. We have painters, potters, jewelers, weavers, and mixed media artists, all exhibiting under a skylight bright ambiance. We have also live music off and on throughout the weekend, some food to munch on, and tables where you can sit and rest your feet.

Opening festivities will be Friday, June 6th from 6 - 9 p.m. (Yes, I will dance a tango or two) Then, two weekends:  

Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 7 & 8, 14 & 15 at

                                 401 26th St. Oakland (between Broadway and Telegraph)

Hope to see you there!