Ryan Fine Art Gallery Reception and a Day of Wine and Art

This past Memorial holiday weekend was a busy one.  On Friday evening in downtown Livermore [my community] was a reception for an exhibit titled "What Lies Above Below & Through" at the Ryan Fine Art Gallery.  The exhibit runs now through June 19 and showcases some extraordinary work.  I am pleased to be a part of this show with my work "Sunset Mandala Mosaic."  Artist receptions are always fun because I love to talk "art" with other artists.  Admittedly artists speak a special language...but then I suspect  definitive languages are spoken at gatherings of medical doctors, architects or accountants also.

Ryan Fine Art Gallery is the creation of artist Linda Ryan, seen in this photo standing  on the right with artist Angela Johal.  Johal's work in this exhibit is titled, "At Sunrise."

I met a couple artists - Lynda Briggs and Ranjani Mohana - whose work is new to me.  Lynda's painting, "Free Fall 1" is one that she told me she worked on right up until time to bring it into the gallery.  Like her I enjoy discovering the possibilities in a painting. 

Abstract work is a different way of looking at the world, I think.  For me it is making the emotion of a thing or moment the key element rather than the compositional elements.  In a photograph of a scene - say a barn with a tree and tractor - those three things are the key compositional elements to work with on the canvas.  Take away the recognizable and you are left with freedom of expression.  Color becomes key and layers of color become the pages of the painting's novel.

I would categorize Lynda's painting as "nonrepresentational" abstract.  Yesterday, while helping out with the receiving and hanging of a new show at the Livermore Public Library's gallery space titled, "Abstractions," quite a conversation was cooking as to the definitions of "abstract" and "nonrepresentational."  In the prospectus (application form) for the show, the entry requirement stated: "...art work must be abstract-non-representational...."  Yet there were works entered that contained representational elements.

My own definitions are:

• abstract: design that is not photo-realistic.  Abstract could very well contain elements that can be recognized, but the point of the work is to not present a realistic life view, rather to present an expression (or impression) of a view or thought or emotion
• representational: to me this is like a photo: a barn, a tree...what the elements look like in Life or nature ["Realism" was a movement in the mid-1800's that changed the focus on paintings from the elite or upper class, or idealistic, towards the everyday and ordinary]
• nonrepresentational: this is an abstract construct in which nothing is recognizable - if you look long enough you might think you see a shape of something, but the point of the work is not the shapes but rather the manipulation of the colors and forms

I have a great encyclopedia, "The Artist's Illustrated Encyclopedia" edited by Phil Metzger.  Definitions here:

• "...abstract art: art containing little or no depiction of real objects or real scenes. Abstract art relies on shapes, textures, color, tone and other qualities for its impact, rather than on a depiction of things. In modern usage, abstract art is often used as synonymous with nonobjective or nonrepresentational aert, but that's not quite accurate. The terms nonobjective and nonrepresentational always mean 'totally unrelated to real objects,' while abstract is a broader term that can mean either 'vaguely based on real objects' or 'totally unrelated to real objects....'"
• nonrepresentational art: art not intended to depict real objects...relies on qualities such as form, color and texture for its impact...."

So, in regards to Lynda Brigg's work above, I would categorize it as nonrepresentational abstract.  My work, "Sunset Mandala Mosaic," I would categorize as abstract...you can recognize the tree shape although it is one not found in nature.

Another artist I met at the reception was Ranjani Mohana, whose work in the show is titled, "Lily Pond."

Ranjani's business card titles her business as Journey of a Passion.  On her website she says, "...born and raised in India and currently lives in Northern California. Her creative passion made her to explore sewing, crafts and painting...[she]is currently concentrating on painting with pastels...."

I admire pastel artists...this is a medium that provides great color used on a variety of textural supports, but is also soft.  Unfortunately it is one I can't use as I'm allergic to it.  Pastel is a medium that is a combination of chalk, pigment and some kind of binder.  For me it is the chalk that causes the problem.  Such beautiful works are created with the medium however.

Another artist whose work is part of this show is my friend Lenore Kreit.  Her body of work spans the representational to the abstract nonrepresentational.   Lenore was the organizer of the new show at the Livermore Public Library Gallery, "Abstractions," and my new work, "Nasturtium-Stirred not Shaken" is my take on a nonrepresentational mixed media piece.

One of the things I love about abstract work is being able to explore color and form...not being limited to the strictures of architecture or Nature.  But that's me.

Memorial weekend also offered artists and wine lovers in my part of the world a chance to combine both for the Art in the Vineyard event at Wente Estate Vineyards in Livermore.

The day was beautiful with the sun shining, temperatures in the low 80's and a mild breeze.  Sales were slow for artists, but greater than last year, according to an informal and totally unscientific poll...perhaps the economy has begun a slow improvement?