Seeing Solano—a project co-founded by artists, Susan Schneider and Deanna Forbes—is an independently organized and self-administered group of up to 25 professional artists committed to bringing public awareness and support to Solano Land Trust’s mission through exhibits and sales of their art. Seen through the eyes of painters and photographers working in a variety of disciplines, the growing collection portrays a rich visual portrait of the beauty and diversity of Solano County’s landscape waiting to be discovered and protected for future generations.
The artists are sharing their works with the public in several regional exhibits over the months prior to the biannual gala art auction—the Heritage Feast—benefiting Solano Land Trust. This year's Heritage Feast will take place October 13, 2012, at Rush Ranch.
Adriana Arriaga
Napa CA - ashearim@hotmail.com - adrianaarriaga.com
Statement
My work ranges from portraits to unusual traditional and digital processes like light painting and infrared photography. This last process was perfect for the Solano Land Trust project. I’ve been using a digital infrared camera, which allows me to give a dreamy and peaceful look to this beautiful open space.
Education
Associates Degree in Social and Behavioral Science from Napa Valley College and Associates in Photography.
Exhibits
Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum, Studio II Gallery (Napa), Charles Creek Vineyard (Sonoma), River House (Petaluma), Solano Community College (Fairfield), Calistoga Roastery, and Napa Valley College.
Marylou Correia
marylou@mlcorreia.com - www.mlcorreia.com
Statement
Mary Lou Correia’s inspiration for painting arises from observing Nature and man’s gentle intrusion into it—the angular slope of an old barn, reflections in a quiet stream, the changing of light of a pastoral scene. Influenced by the Impressionists’ use of brilliant, sensuous layers of color, she observes the grace and beauty of Nature to capture a vignette in time. Painting loosely with exuberant brush strokes, her vibrant color combinations express the changing moods of the landscapes. The subtle use of figures stirs the viewer’s imagination. Challenged by painting pure landscape with only the hint of human presence, her painting encourages the viewer to appreciate and preserve landscape for future generations.
Education
Bachelor’s Degree, Syracuse University; graduate work at CCAC in Oakland.
Teaching art at Salinas High School and Monterey Community College. Designer and Director of Publications for Saint Mary's College in Moraga. Recipient of many awards and exhibited through the Bay Area and nationally.
Exhibits
Oil Painters of America Annual (Washington D.C.); Plein Air Painting Festivals in Carmel, Marinscapes, Alameda Plein Air Festival, Scene on the Straits (Carquinez CA); Hearst Art Gallery (Saint Mary’s College, Moraga); Haggin Museum (Stockton); Past Recipient, Best of Show Award from Laguna Plein Air Painters’ Association
Collections/Teaching
Mary Lou’s works are in collections throughout the world. She teaches plein air workshops on a regular basis through the Walnut Creek Civic Arts Education Program.
Representation
Beck Gallery, San Anselmo; Portnoy Gallery (Carmel); Salisbury Fine Art Gallery, San Luis Obispo; Studio 7 Fine Art, Pleasanton
Professional Affiliations
Laguna Plein Air Painters Association
American Impressionist Society
California Art Club
William Craig
Napa Valley CA
Biography
Born and raised in Walla Walla, Washington, Bill escaped at the earliest opportunity and fled to California to pursue his studies in Art and Music at the College of Marin and later at Sonoma State University. After college he worked as a screen printer who relied heavily on the photographic process before turning to straight photography as his chosen medium.
He is now, by profession, a photographer, and has operated his own photography business, Craig Prographica, for the last twelve years. He is a regular contributor to the local newspapers and magazines and for the last five years has turned his attention to fine art photography.
It has been said of his work that he has a knack for taking ordinary photographs and giving them an unusual look or perspective. He says of his work, “my early training in art, and my professional experience in layout and paste-up lead me to see photographs as building blocks: pieces of a puzzle that, when combined, provide a secret view into nature or the human experience.”
Ellen Dodd
Sausalito, CA 94965 - ellen@ellendodd.com - www.ellendodd.com - www.criticalcolor.com
Biography
Ellen Levine Dodd grew up in a small New England beach town near Boston, the 3rd oldest of many nieces and nephews in a large close-knit extended family. As a young child her love of art, nature and the landscape was nurtured by living in a beautiful coastal town close to Boston’s rich art scene, where she was encouraged to draw, paint and photograph.
Her art education began at an early age with after school art lessons from a local artist who taught a drawing group that met twice a week, as well as photography mentoring from an uncle whose hobby was 'taking pictures'. This, as well as an excellent public school education, led to an art scholarship to Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts, where Ellen studied art at the Worcester Art Museum, and photography at the Worcester Craft Center.
In her junior year at Clark, Ellen decided to take a break in her formal education, and travel to Europe, the Middle East and Israel on a photographic quest to explore the meaning of culture. She started in England, touring the moors, lakes and coast of England and Scotland by motorcycle. Trading in the bike for a Eurail Pass, she traveled to Scandinavia, Denmark, Norway, across Lapland to Sweden, from there to Germany, Austria, and then to Turkey. Her adventures in Turkey provided adventures so different from life in the United States that an awareness of cultural diversity ignited. After Turkey Ellen continued on to Israel, living on a kibbutz for 6 months. When she returned from her travels she attended Massachusetts College of Art, studying photography and printmaking with instructors who included Jerry Uelsman, Minor White, and Robert Frank.
Again taking a sabbatical from school, she toured the United States, living for a number of years in New Mexico. After an extended stay in the Southwest she moved to the San Francisco area and finished her formal education at Sonoma State University, studying painting with Walter Kuhlman, and William Morehouse, papermaking with Chuck Hilger, and gallery management with Bob Nugent. Ellen finally graduated on the National Dean's List, with highest honors from Sonoma State University and a BA in Fine Art with a double major in Painting and Photography.
After graduating, Ellen worked for a short time in the paper mill at Sonoma State University, producing paper pulp for artists including Sam Francis and Inez Storer, as well as a helping out as a studio assistant for papermaking workshops. She started creating handmade paper paintings of brightly colored abstract landscapes that were inspired by memories of her travels.
As a young business entrepreneur, Ellen produced the 1981 Artisan's Guild Show at the Marin Civic Center; developed a consulting business working with many well-known visual artists, musicians, and creative professionals; and as a gallery director, developed and ran the Bradford Gallery in San Anselmo, CA. While working at the Bradford Gallery, Ellen started painting in casein, using colored pencils and other mixed media to further explore the many colors and forms of nature. She has also worked in digital imaging, color management, and large format printing.
Currently, she works full time as a painter, fine art printer and photographer maintaining an art studio in the historic ICB Building in Sausalito, California.
Statement
The landscape has always inspired an emotional response in me. The color and the beauty of nature evokes a feeling of freedom and a desire to express the story of something larger than myself, and at the same time something small enough to be a personal expression of feelings deep within my soul. It is about an enduring connection between the long ago past, our present condition, and our hopes for the future. In the landscape, we are confronted with the bits of abstraction that live within the vista of enormous possibility.
Painting is a way to tell a visual story about my self, my personal history, and a history of universal truth for all of us. I use the layering of paint as an analogy and reference to the passage of time. I scratch into the layers and draw onto them, revealing what has come before, and what there is still to learn. The texture conveys a richness of experience. The colors inspire a passion for living with feeling and sensitivity, for enjoying and nurturing the positive side of life. The deeper and darker colors are juxtaposed as a balance. They admit the challenges and struggles that have been and will always be part of the human condition.
Though I observe and inform my paintings from nature, they are more an allegory using nature as a means rather than an end. We live with nature surrounding us, as a part of our reality. We owe nature and the landscape our ultimate respect. Its story deserves telling. Its beauty deserves protection.
Becky A. Dolcini Castillo
Napa, CA - bdcphotoinfo@gmail.com - www.beckydolcinicastillo.com
Statement
I grew up on a working ranch in West Marin County. There I cultivated a sincere love for the land and for my passions in art, nature and photography. Working with Solano Land Trust I feel I have a multidimensional collaboration: exploring the land, portraying our expression of the land and its inherent value as artists and then sharing it with the public. The shared result of this artistic work with the greater community broadens the experience and connection to the land for everyone.
Exploring the outdoors through photography, I often focus my images on small details and abstract shapes. Though these elements may not be noticed or apparent at first, their discovery is exciting. The natural world never ceases to provide new and fresh experiences that enrich my creativity.
I follow my creative spirit, playing with the intersection of nature, people, patterns and light in digital and film photography.
Education
Napa Valley College, Digital Photography Certificate coursework, 2008-present
Continuing education, Successful Project Management, 2007
“Beyond Leadership Experiential Exploration”, an ongoing personal life coaching advanced leadership development program to explore learning, field creation, energy awareness and collective consciousness, 2011, 2010, 2005
B.A., History; English Minor with Writing emphasis, University of San Francisco, cum laude, 1996
St. Ignatius Institute Certificate, University of San Francisco
Oxford University, Centre for Medieval & Renaissance Studies, England, September 1994-May 1995
Exhibitions
Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum; Charles Creek Winery (Sonoma CA); Marin County Fair, (San Rafael CA); Napa County Fair; The River House (Petaluma, CA); Napa Valley College
Awards
2011 College Seen, First Place, News and Events
Deanna Forbes
Vallejo CA
Statement
Not being a plein aire painter, I paint in my studio from pastel sketches done at the site. Pastel is pure color in lightweight sticks. I like to travel light and move around freely sketching in different spots. Besides the box of pastels, my daypack has a small clipboard, a few sheets of paper, a thermos of coffee and a film camera. I usually do 2 or 3 sketches per visit. —Deanna Forbes, Aug. 26, 2011
Exhibitions
de Young Museum; de Saisset Museum (Santa Clara Univ.); San Jose Museum of Art; Monterey Museum of Art; Crocker Museum; Oakland Museum; Triton Museum; SFMOMA Artists’ Gallery; William Sawyer Gallery; Wordworks (San Jose); John Natsoulas Gallery (Davis); Weigand Gallery (College of Notre Dame de Namur); Carl Cherry Center for the Arts (Carmel); Diego Rivera Gallery (San Francisco Art Institute); Somar Gallery; Mendenhall Gallery (Pasadena); San Diego Museum of Art; Michael Himovitz Gallery (Sacramento); Smith Anderson Gallery (Palo Alto); Napa Valley Museum and others.
Collections
Oakland Museum of Art, Crocker Museum, Monterey Museum of Art, de Saisset Museum, Monterey Bay
Aquarium, numerous private collections.
Teaching
Stanford University - Guest lecturer in Art; College of Norte Dame - Lecturer in Art; University of California Santa Cruz - Visiting lecturer.
Bibliography
Albright, Thomas. Art in the San Francisco Bay Area 1945-1980
Hill, Scott and Laura. Exploring the Facets of Human Character
Art of California 6.92 Dimond, Mag. Staying the Course 1997
Natsoulas, John. Bay Area Figuration Then and Now 2006
Linda Grebmeier
Benicia CA - www.paintsong.com
Statement
I focus on my direct visual experience, and my memory of it, while exploring light and structure in both natural and urban landscapes. Exploring the Solano Land Trust properties has been a treasured experience for me. Thank you.
Exhibits
Arts Benicia Gallery; Benicia Historical Museum; Kings Arts Center (Hanford CA); Merced Multicultural Art Center; Dolby Chadwick Gallery (San Francisco); Sacramento Temporary Contemporary; City of Benicia Mayor’s Office; Peter L. Spinetta Family Law Center (Martinez); Solano Community College (Fairfield); Sonoma Valley Museum of Art; EBMUD (Oakland); Marin Museum of Contemporary Art (Novato); Turner Print Museum (Chico); California State Polytechnic University (Pomona); Springfield Art Museum (Springfield MO); Sanchez Art Center (Pacifica CA); Hearst Art Gallery (Moraga); Crocker Art Museum (Sacramento); Bolinas Museum; Eloise Pickard Smith Gallery (Santa Cruz); California Museum of Art (Santa Rosa); Marin Civic Center.
Collections/Selected Awards
William J. Carroll Government Center (Vacaville); Turner Print Museum at CSU (Chico); Fleishhacker Foundation; Marin Museum of Contemporary Art (Novato); Kaiser Permanente (Vallejo); Solano County Events Center (Fairfield); Richmond Memorial Civic Center; Imagery Estate Winery (2006 Malbec), Glen Ellen CA; Solano County Government Center, Fairfield CA; Valero Refining Company, Benicia CA; Artist-in-Residence, The Ucross Foundation, (Clearmont WY); Best of Show Award, 1st Solano County Visual Arts Exhibition, Center for Creative Arts, Fairfield CA; East Bay Municipal Utilities District Bldg. (Oakland)
Lisa Greenstein
El Cerrito, CA 94530 - lisagreenstein@gmail.com - blog: www.daily-painting-practice.blogspot.com - www.lisagreensteinpaints.com
Statement
When I go out doors to paint on location I walk around for a while searching for something that moves me to paint, like the myriad of colors in a rise of hills as they recede into the atmosphere. I’ll set up my portable easel and stand in that one place for a few hours, working quickly to paint what is before me until the sunlight changes too much to continue. As I paint in silence, the bugs, birds, and animals forget that I am intruding and resume their usual doings. This is when I become aware of feeling a deep connection to the land.
Education
Santa Monica College 1973-1975, California College of Arts and Crafts (now CCA) 1976-1978. Recent color study with Camille Przewodek, 25 years of weekly life model drawing and painting at McGee Street Studios
Exhibitions
Bedford Gallery of the Dean Lesher Center for the Arts (Walnut Creek), Sebastopol Center for the Arts, Prescott Joseph Center (Oakland), San Pablo Civic Arts Gallery, Crockett Contemporary, Fingado Art Gallery (El Cerrito), Canepa Gallery, Pro-Arts Juried Annual (Oakland)
Murals
Numerous murals for the Berkeley/Albany YMCA, Solano Avenue, Albany
Teaching
Trained with Miriam D’Uriarte in child art education and taught at the Berkeley Child Art Institute, 1988-1995
Carlyle P. Johnson
Vallejo, CA - 707-694-0660 - www.Photoirregulars.com
Education
Because I earned an MBA instead of an MFA, my education in photography began after my retirement in 2003. From then to 2008, I spent full-time attending photography courses at Napa and Solano Community Colleges while perfecting my craft in the field through class assignments and projects of my own such as experimenting with hybrid photography. Hybrid photography is probably better known as digital-transfer where the film negative is digitally scanned creating a file that is then digitally-edited prior to printing.
Gallery Exhibits
My work is in the permanent collection of the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum. Juried exhibits at Studio II (Napa), Maxwell Gallery (Dublin, CA). Of course, while a student my work was shown at permanent collection of Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum.
Founder, Photoirregulars—a group of some 30 exhibiting photographers in the tri-county area.
Influences
I use film because of the old cameras and lenses that are my tools-in-trade. My starting points in creating vintage looking photographs are both film and lenses. Once the negatives are scanned, I am able to digitally-edit my images to further create the painterly or pictorial look that you see here today. I have been extensively influenced in my work by photographers and selected artists of the early 20th Century.
Specifically, I am experimenting with mimicking the look of the California Tonalists (1890-1930) such as Arthur Matthews, Xavier Martinez and Gottardo Pizzoni to cite a few. Their work is best characterized as exhibiting the gentle nuances of light, generalized forms, and a restricted palette as a means of conveying transient moods.
Please feel free to call for comments or questions. Thank you for your interest in my work.
Carlyle P. Johnson
March 1, 2012
Elizabeth Kendall
Berkeley, CA - betskendall@sbcglobal.net
Statement
In my landscape paintings I seek to create a physical memory of California places. The images shift between abstract and representational as a way of engaging the viewer’s intuition in putting the picture together. The gesture of the brush and feel of paint seek to recreate the feeling of being in that place, on that day. Ideally, in the context of our indoor electronic lives, they act to refresh and put ones psychic feet where they belong, in the physical, natural world.
Education
M.A. Art, San Francisco State University, 1985; B.A. Art Mills College, 1975; Rhode Island School of Design, 1973
Exhibitions
Nielsen Arts (Berkeley); Carl Cherry Center for the Arts (Carmel); Canessa Gallery (San Francisco); Alta Bates Community Gallery; Addison Windows Gallery (Berkeley); Epperson Gallery (Crockett CA); Alameda Art Center; Pro Arts Open Studios (Oakland); Valley Art Center (Walnut Creek); Sticks Fine Arts (Berkeley); Venue 9 (San Francisco); Frants Albert Associates (Oakland); Arts Benicia; Diablo Valley College
Diana Krevsky
Vallejo, CA - dkrevsky@interx.net - www.artspan.org/artist/dkrevskyinterxnet
Solano Land Trust Series
The hills of King Ranch and Lynch Canyon are distinctively sculptural, constantly reshaped by season and changing shadows from passing clouds and variant color of recurrent sunlight.
This series of works reflect moments in time spent trying to discover the elusive simplicity of these remarkable expanses of land. I hope to bring to the experience of seeing the art the same pleasure encountered when seeing the natural world.
Education
BFA Degree with Honors, Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, NY
Exhibitions
Over the course of my longtime career in the visual arts, numerous works have shown in gallery exhibitions and art venues throughout the San Francisco Bay Area region and United States. Important solo exhibitions include International Pavilion of Humour in Montreal, Quebec, San Jose Museum of Art, and Southern Exposure Gallery in San Francisco. Recently, a piece was in a notable international group exhibit held at Galeria Nacional in Costa Rica and then at Meridian Gallery in San Francisco.
Collections
Private collections in the Bay Area, U.S., and as distant as Seoul, Korea. In 2011, several landscape paintings depicting scenes of Vallejo’s wetlands and Mare Island were acquired by Touro University.
Environment
Environmental and land preservation concerns go beyond my interest in translating the natural world into art. Active public participation involving these issues has been a longtime focus. Most particular are the establishment of Mare Island Shoreline Heritage Preserve (City of Vallejo Advisory Board and Task-force), and environmental cleanup of Mare Island Naval Shipyard as community member of the Restoration Advisory Board.
Marc Pandone
mpandone@att.net
Biography
Born and raised on Long Island, New York, and forever grateful for the influence of my parents, who at a very early age encouraged me to be creative and gave me the toys and tools to explore and play with the process of making pictures and objects. I learned from them, as well, to develop a sense of independence, a respect for education, and a genuine appreciation for life in all its forms.
Education
Bachelor of Arts degree in studio art/art history and Italian language, Art and Literature from Connecticut College in New London. Year of study in Florence, Italy through Gonzaga University. MFA, California College of Arts and Crafts (CCAC), with a major in drawing
Studied with many fine artists, including Barclay Hendricks, Marti Wakeman in Florence, Vince Perez, Jack Mendenhall, Charlie Gill, Jack Ford, Bob Bechtle, Richard McLean, Eleanor Dickinson, Richard Gayton, Gordon Cook, Fred Martin, and my advisor and friend, Don deViveiros, CCAC.
Teaching
California College of the Arts (CCAC), University of California Extension at Berkeley, the College Preparatory School in Oakland, and the San Francisco Academy of Art College, Solano Community College in Fairfield, Professor of Art, drawing and two-dimensional design, figure drawing and painting, collage, watercolor, and landscape painting, with emphasis on plein air. Recipient of two Sabbaticals while teaching at Solano College.
Exhibits
I have exhibited in fifty solo and group shows in galleries and museums in Connecticut, Florence Italy, Virginia, Colorado, Arizona, Utah, and California. In addition, I have been a visiting artist and lecturer at the Oakland and Napa Museums, Evergreen State College (Olympia Washington); Wallace Stegner Center (San Francisco); and University of California, Davis, Nature and Culture Program.
It is my intention that my work continue to explore the interconnectedness of life, the environment that sustains it, and the artwork that mirrors them both and is inspired by each.
Statement
For me, art is not simply a process of making pretty pictures; rather, every act of creativity is a political, economic, and personal statement. I constantly struggle to reconcile the beauty of our living planet with the environmental degradation perpetuated by those with self-interest in mind. My aesthetic stance resonates with Aldo Leopold’s contention that, “The land ethic simply enlarges the boundaries of the community to include soils, water, plants, and the animals, or collectively: the land.”
My approach to the land and landscape eschews the photorealist and the idealized sublime. I do not mean to merely reproduce or display a detailed rendering. Each of my works is, rather, a reflection of a time in which I had the fortune to be a witness in place.
Drawing and painting on site and in the field requires patience and “gear”. The process is one of continued presence, observing not only the scene and deciding on the composition, but also taking into account light, color, temperature, wind, and so on. In addition, I am asking (in January), “Do I have my fingerless wool gloves in my pack? and (in July), “Have I taken enough water with me?”
Out of my struggle with the intricate interactions between nature and culture emerges my commitment to generating intelligent dialogue though the public presentation of my art.
Brian Rothstein
Vallejo, CA - litk989@yahoo.com
Statement
I am most interested in drawing and painting the majestic oak trees found at King Swett Ranch. I’ve found two, so far, that exude the kind of personality that intrigues me and suits my expressive style. When I visit the property I usually take photos and do some sketches. I take these back to my studio and work from there. I usually paint oils on canvas as well as mixed media on paper.
Education
San Francisco Art Institute, 1995. Studied with Julius Hatofsky, Bruce McGaw, and Sam Tchkalian.
Professional
Worked from 1984-1999 as a scenic artist in TV, films, and live performance.
Exhibitions
Arts Benicia; Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum; San Pablo Bay Flyway Festival (Mare Island), Frank Bette Center for the Arts (Alameda); First Church of Religious Science (Oakland); Pro-Arts (Oakland), CA; City College of San Francisco; Mandana Community Recovery Center, (Oakland); San Francisco Art Institute; Contract Design Center (San Francisco); Santa Monica College, Leonardo Gallery (Venice, CA); University of California, San Diego.
Collections
The Rothman Agency, Beverly Hills, CA.; Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum
Bibliography
Psychescapes, Contemporary Art that Explores the Human Psyche, Liz Afif, 2010.
Susan Schneider
Vallejo CA - seschnei@pacbell.net - www.susanschneider.com
Education
BFA San Francisco Art Institute; Miami University (Oxford OH); Columbus College of Art and Design (Columbus OH); Printmaking Summer Abroad (Falmouth College of Art, U.K.)
Exhibits
Arts Benicia Gallery; Epperson Gallery (Crockett); Solano County Health & Human Services Building (Vallejo); Briggs & Company Gallery (Winters CA); Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum; U.S. Forest Service (Mare Island); Asilomar Conference Center (Pacific Grove); Solano County Services Building (Fairfield CA); Nash Gallery (Crockett); Napa Valley Museum (Yountville); Solano Bank (Vallejo); Vacaville Art Gallery; Finley Center (Santa Rosa); Fairfield Center for the Arts; O’Rourke Art Gallery (Benicia); Fetterly Gallery (Vallejo); Heritage Square (Emeryville), Wetlands to Ridgetops Art Exhibit (Vallejo), Diego Rivera Gallery (San Francisco Art Institute)
Collections
Deloitte & Touche (Boise ID), Kaiser Permanente (Vacaville & Vallejo), Touro University (Vallejo), Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum, County of Solano (Fairfield & Vallejo), Silicon Valley Bank (Santa Clara), Borel Private Bank & Trust (San Mateo), California Academy of Sciences (San Francisco), private collections in the bay Area and U.S.
Professional
Graphic Designer; Art Director, California Academy of Sciences (1989-2006); Curator, SF Bay Flyway Festival (1996-2007), Founder, Access for Artists (1996); 2001: Open Space Odyssey; Seeing Solano (2011), public artist
Biographical Statement
As an artist it’s my job to see and reveal for others to see. I aim for something akin to immersion. As a studio artist for the better part of 40 years, painting in plein air was not primary for me.
I had been doing a series of pastel desert scenes from photos and I became frustrated that I couldn’t get the color I wanted. So, I decided I had to paint to mix my own and bought a field easel and a paint box and started painting in Golden Gate Park on my lunch hours. My friend, Alkemene Bandar—my senior and painter-friend took me to a palm grove and told me to use the biggest brush I had in my box. And I could use only black, white and orange tempera paint—the kind kids use in school. As humbling as that was at the time, it was exactly the place I needed to be to learn—or rather to unlearn—what I had thought I already knew.
“Go for value and temperature, forget color,” she said. “Don’t worry about making everything look like what you see . . . stop drawing the tree, and be the tree” Though I’d been using oil paints since I was 12 years old, painting those palm trees with orange and black tempera was when I truly began to paint. It was my “Obi-Wan Kenobi Moment.”
When I need to recharge and find my feet—exploring open space does it for me every time. I schlepp all my stuff out there, just to get lost. My favorite places to paint are where I encounter wildlife. The more quiet and focused on working I become, the more likely the creatures who live there go about their business without fear of me. After a while, they may even come close enough to get a better look at me. Those close encounters make my day. I leave wondering, “Did I make their day, too?” Except for the bugs. I always feel terrible and helpless when they get stuck in my paint. Lately, I’ve been using pastels and taking photos for studies, then, doing the painting at the studio.
Solano Land Trust is stewarding some extraordinary and diverse properties—some with very special creatures. For example, the Fairie shrimp and Tadpole shrimp at Jepson Prairie. Looking at them one can’t help but connect to something timeless. I enjoy exploring different habitats in all kinds of weather. Fog and heavy clouds are my favorite . . . the sense of air as a material that we’re walking through, and which veils or opens up spotlights on landscapes, captivates me.
Larry Seamer
Vallejo CA - lseamer@comcast.net
Biography
I was born in California, dividing my life between the Southern and Northern ends of the state; with a 10-year hiatus in New Mexico. I spent the first 25 years of my career as a scientist, working in clinical and research laboratories before moving into biotechnology marketing. I retired from all of that in 2011 to focus on photography.
My interest in art began in my teens. Taught by my grandmother to paint landscapes, I ‘dabbled’ in oils off and on for most of my adult life. I returned to painting in earnest in my 50s when I met an excellent teacher in San Francisco. Classically trained at the Art Institute of Chicago in the 1930s, she was a great influence. We spent many Sunday afternoons in her studio, listening to music and painting. However, due to the constraints of time and career, I moved from oils to digital photography four years ago.
As I captured images of the natural world with my camera, I found that actually I was the one that had been captured, and the lessons learned with oils translated well to this new media. My passion for photography led me from exotic locations to finding beautiful images in my own backyard. This exhibition has allowed me showcase work that I have made on Solano Land Trust property, within a few hundred yards of my house. The birds, wildlife and habitat here in Solano inspire and rejuvenate me, and photography allows me to share my enthusiasm.
Gregory Vasgerdsian
Martinez, CA - gregory@g2vcreative.com - www.g2vcreative.com
Statement
The feeling of paint as it comes off the brush, the beauty of color as it is laid down—this is what charges me. I paint from life with oils in the alla-prima style (i.e. all in one session), enamored by strokes of paint and the beauty of blends. Impacted by the beauty of the landscape, I am compelled to express what I see and feel with paint.
Born and raised in California, I reside in the San Francisco Bay Area city of Martinez. My subject matter comes from where my travels take me but is largely from the local Bay Area (The Carquinez Strait, California Delta, East Bay Hills and the California Coast). I seize the opportunity to paint often and sketch whenever there is half a moment. To create is the driving force in my life.
Education
Extensive studies with artist, Elio Camacho; B.F.A. Studio Art University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ; A.A. Diablo Valley College, Pleasant Hill, CA
Awards
2009 and 2011—Best Humanity and the Bay, Bay Area Wetlands to Ridgetops Art Exhibit.
Exhibitions
Monterey Museum of Art; Scene On the Strait (Martinez); Ruth Bancroft Garden, CA; Epperson Gallery (Crockett); Walnut Creek Civic Arts; Art Passages, Arts and Culture Commission of Contra Costa County; San Francisco Bay Flyway Festival, Wetlands to Ridgetops Art Exhibit (Vallejo); Arts Benicia; Umpqua Bank (Benicia); Orinda Library; Amfa Gallery (Orinda); Briggs & Co Gallery (Winters, CA); Napa Valley Mustard Festival Art Exhibit (St. Helena); Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum
Representation
Alison McCrady Fine Arts (Orinda), Briggs and Co Gallery (Winters), Janice Rowell Gallery (Pacifica), Studio 41 (Benicia)
Irby Walton
Vallejo CA 94590 - colorsbyi@yahoo.com or phone: 707-644-3810
Education
B. A., History, Washington and Lee University, Virginia, 1959
B.F.A., M.F.A., San Francisco Art Institute, 1965
Fulbright grant, Florence, Italy, 1967
Over the years I have participated in various group shows throughout the Bay Area.
Statement
My painting has always served as a way for me to get more in touch with myself. Painting abstractly allows me to spread out more in exploring my world, the world, and feeds me in ways that surprise and delight.
Nancy M. Walton
Branciforte Street, Vallejo CA - nmwstudio@yahoo.com
Education
B.A., Design, U.C. Berkeley; M.Ed., Holy Names College, Oakland
Statement
A long time ago I went to U.C. Berkeley thinking I would major in painting, but the energy in that department was too much for me and I fled into design where things had a more obvious order to them. Today I look for order in the landscape, for forms that interest me as a way to organize the work. Trusting that foundation, I give myself over to the paint or pastel, particularly enjoying layering colors to convey the land’s aliveness. In these actions, on a good day, boundaries between me and the land disappear, and I feel perfect order.