Sacramento's 2nd Saturdays

This was my first time going to one of Sacramento's Second Saturdays. Events like this can always be hit and miss. For me, this time, was a miss. Below are a few images of hopping around the different galleries in Sacramento. One of the galleries had live painting going on, which was cool to see, but extremely traditional. I was craving something more exciting and energetic. So away I went to midtown to see what was brewing. There was a good crowd out, some live music here and there accompanied by mediocre art. The work that I was most drawn to was at the B. Sakata Garo Gallery. I have already seen the artist, Terry Thompson's work about 10 months ago in San Fransisco at ArtZone 461 Gallery, but good work none the less.

Out of the work I have seen thus far in Sacramento, the Skinner Howard Gallery is by far the strongest gallery that shows unique and challenging work.

Skinner Howard Gallery

The Skinner Howard Gallery (located at 723 S Street in Sacramento, CA) had an open reception this past week. I was invited by showing artist Micah Crandall-Bear to come and check out the work. This group showing is anchored by Kendall LeCompte's ceramic teapot collection. There are 69 teapots showing, each with their own story and identity and imagination flowing from their unique spouts. Below is a description from the artist.

"Let's say you're sitting in a nice chair, you have a hot cup of tea in hand, and you're enjoying Christopher Logue's delightful WAR MUSIC. He's writing modern poetry that does not translate, but rather grows from the Iliad. You are transfixed by Logue and in a second of distraction, spill a bit of tea on yourself, shifting your thoughts to tea for that moment. In that second when Homer and tea cross paths in your mind.... Well, 100 teapots later that second has matured.

Unlike confluence, but a happy one for me and unlikely to repeat (though there was an incidence with Marcus Aurelius lately...)

Should these pots catch your eye, I do suggest you go find Logue series - for nothing concerned with my work, merely because it is among the best modern poetry." - Kendall LeCompte

I also met artist Rogelio Manzo. He is a passionate painter and quite funny. Below is one of his paintings on the right.

One of Micah Crandall-Bear's paintings above. Micah's work is bold and strong and textural. He is a long time member of the Sacramento art community. Go to the Skinner Howard Gallery to see Micah's work in person.

 I fell in love with a painting by artist Chris Ehlers, titled "Hidden Insight" 58" x 55". You know when you fall in love. There is that...feeling... that humans feel, well, I felt that when I came across "Hidden Insight", everything about the work just felt magical. The composition, the mark making, the color palette, the contrast, the size, everything about it just made me feel like jumping into the painting and rolling all around it in. Isn't that how you are suppose to feel when you are in love, with a painting.

The encaustic painting I found by Marti Somers.

After taking a ten year hiatus from Sacramento I am diving into the art scene here to see what it really is all about. I hear so many different, word choices, about the scene and I am interested to check it out for myself. Sacramento it seems is on an up swing with their midtown life, I even read in the paper they have professional mermaids in bars, who doesn't love that? Perhaps my love of water and magic will finally combine together, I hear they are looking for more mermaids. Watch out Ariel, here comes Margo.

David Molesky @ Rae Douglass

Artist David Molesky had an opening at the Rae Douglass Galley located in Berkeley, CA.

"Rae Douglass Gallery announces Turbulent Mirror, a solo exhibition of paintings by San Francisco-based painter David Molesky. The exhibition dates are December 11 – January 8, 2010, and the artist reception will be held on Saturday, December 11, from 6 to 9 pm. 15 percent of all sales will be donated to Ocean Voyages Institute/Project Kaisei and their effort to rid the Worlds oceans of plastic debris.

In this series of oil paintings Molesky has moved out of the context of naturalism by depicting waves with a darkly saturated palette that heightens their emotive force. His use of modern synthetic colors not only suggests the oil and plastic present in today!s oceans, but also represents a deep emotional reaction to the environment." - Rae Douglass Gallery

The gallery is located here and if you are in the area you should see the strokes in person:
Rae Douglass Gallery

2911 Claremont Ave.

Berkeley, CA

 

Here are some images from opening night. It was great fun with lots of laughing. Molesky always puts on a great show! David just published his first book which can be purchased here.

David and Charles Cunningham of epressbooks.

Nicholas Coley and David.

It is always wonderful to meet up with my painting peers and get some fresh air.
 

Madera Dedication

About a week ago was the dedication for the Madera Police Station, for "Currents". I came in on this project when it was almost complete, I got to paint what John and I call the haiku trees. This mural has the most people any mural John has painted thus far. The Madera mural, "Currents" is a diptych and discusses about the history of police as well as opening up the discussion of the choices we make as children and teenagers and the impact our choices have on our future.

I wrote about the installation here :: http://studiomargo.blogspot.com/2010/05/my-true-love.html

Here are some images from the dedication. The mural is located at The Madera Police Department Headquarters 330 South C Street, Madera, Ca 93638.

The trees, inside the trees!