Dear Friends and Collectors,Dear Friends and Collectors,
One of my favorite movies growing up was The Wizard of Oz. I loved Judy Garland singing “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and I worked on it relentlessly with my voice teacher when I was very young. I also loved the rhythm of saying “Lions, and Tigers, and Bears…oh my!” Today, I’ve got my own artistic rhythm of “Auctions, Exhibits, and Workshops…oh my!” to tell you about. Here goes:
Auctions
I support several organizations throughout the year by donating a painting for them to auction off to raise money; it’s my way of giving back to groups I believe in and support their mission. I am excited to once again be invited to participate in the California Cool Art Auction to benefit the Laguna Art Museum. This is my fourth year contributing a piece to a very worthy institution in my hometown. Online bidding begins on February 16 on the ARTSY platform and concludes March 4. Each the works are hung at the Laguna Art Museum so visitors can see the entire catalog in person. The main event is the buzzy live auction on March 2 at the museum. It’s one of the hottest tickets in town, and I’d love to see you there! For more information, click here. Exhibiting: Cactus Tapestry at Ruth Bancroft Garden, 2023, 30x24in is available in the silent auction.
Exhibitions
I was selected by curator Kelly ‘RISK’ Gravel, to show in the exhibit Urban Expression at the Orange County Center for Contemporary Art in Santa Ana, CA. I am an artist member of this great group of artists at OCCCCA, and submitted one painting, atypical of my usual garden work as it includes a figure, for this international call for artists. Exhibiting: Meditation at Clare’s Garden in Brea, 2020. 35x24in, available $1800. The show will runs through March 23. 117 N Sycamore St, Santa Ana, Friday through Sunday 12 to 5pm. Here’s an interesting 360-walk through the gallery and this incredible space.
I will be returning to Europe in late March to begin preparations for my solo exhibit in spring 2025 at the Villa Les Camélia Cap d’Ail Museum, just west of Monaco. This show will be mounted during the Festival du Jardin de la Côte d’Azur, of which I’ve participated several times as an artist, jurist, and panelist. I will be painting onsite in April, preparing an installation of my painting process. Watch for images on my Instagram account, and plan to come see me there next spring!
This will be a busy summer with two shows in France: May-June, I have a solo exhibit works on paper at St. John’s English Library in Menton, France; and, June-July a solo show of Mediterranean garden paintings at Chateau l’Aumérade in Provence, near Pierrefeu.
Workshops
Sunnylands, the Annenberg Foundation garden and conference facility in Rancho Mirage, is one of my favorite places in the desert. I’ve been very fortunate to teach several workshops and was again there in early February to teach two sold out classes in beginning pastel. My students are adults, usually with no experience with the medium, but a desire to learn and have fun. I was impressed with the quality of the work that came out of the full day workshops. We worked on dry pastel techniques, drawing still life and understanding negative space.
I’m also teaching a free pastel workshop at OCCCA on February 17. The class has limited enrollment. Sign up here.
I enjoy teaching workshops to share my techniques with new artists. If you have an opportunity, please come! We have a great time together in a low pressure atmosphere that unleashes a lot of creativity.
Oh My!
Thank you for following me on IG for daily/weekly/monthly updates. I enjoy connecting with my followers.
Yours In Art,
Gianne