Sign of the Times

The deep recession, with its lost jobs and falling home values nationwide, poses another kind of threat: to the art galleries. The tide of big spenders that decorated their homes with vineyard and wine art from their trip to the wine country is receding, leaving some communities high and dry. Yountville lost one gallery last year and Images Fine Art South on Washington is closing April 30.

Citing exorbitant rent increases and the slow economy, they are closing their Yountville location and selling everything in stock at deep discounts. Granted, they still have a St. Helena location, Art on Main, but losing another gallery in Yountville is worth mourning. It appears that visitors are looking for a beautiful place to stay that has great food and wine, but many of their wallets are empty when it comes to shopping for pricey souvenirs.

Tough economic times have come before and boom markets inevitably follow. The ebb and flow of tourists and art patrons cycles through the wine country with each passing season. But our artists are steadily creating magnificent pieces, transforming color and line into beauty, and lifting us out of the flotsam of discouraging news. When the market is right, our artists will be selling pieces again and the wounds incurred in the current recession will be healed.

Maceo Montoya Mural at Ceja's Lounge

For a trek down history lane, check out the Montoya mural at the Ceja tasting room on 1st St in downtown Napa. Rich in detail and vibrant colors, the work traces the line from ancient winemaking to the present with depictions of Baccus, Egyptian winemakers, Father Junipero Serra, Spanish conquistador Cortez, a present-day farm worker and of course, the recognizable face of Cezar Chavez. The painting depicts the struggles balanced with the joys of the winemakers. Full of strong images of the vineyard workers, the artist honors the Mexican-American contribution to the winemaking process. The Ceja family background as immigrants and vineyard workers has influenced the artwork and it stands as a proud homage to the workers that went before.

Check it out for yourself at 1248 First St in downtown Napa, open daily 12 to 6, Saturday 12 to 10, closed Wednesday. Check out the Ceja Vineyards online at www.cejavineyards.com

Silence in January - Patrick O'Rourke

Patrick O'Rourke's "Winter Oak" piece above perfectly captures the January scene in Napa with the lone oak standing guard over the leafless vines. This moment, when days are short, tourist traffic wanes, and locals take back their turf, is when the statuesque beauty of the oaks steps forward from the background and shares the spotlight.  The vineyards, of course, are the big attraction and the main agribusiness of the area, but the oaks were here long before, and still reign as the most stately of trees. 

O'Rourke has studied the flora of Northern California and produces some of the best-selling landscapes of the region, but this scene rings especially true in winter. 

In his bio, Patrick O'Rourke says he has a lifelong passion for the sweeping vineyards and oak studded hillside of the wine country. Take a look at his collection, and you can see how accurately he draws the distinct colors of the land, from season to season, portraying the land and the vines we're all surrounded by. 

You can view his entire collection at Gallery 1870 in Yountiville. 

http://www.gallery1870.com/artist_patrick_orourke_artwork_landscapes.html

Sue Reed - Mysterious Nature

Many of us are moved by the beauty of nature and Sue Reed has a bold and unique take on the colors and patterns found there. Abstract and magical, she creates powerful and provocative images such as "Shape Shifters" above. 

At first glance, it is simply light playing on the water ripples of a creek, but a longer look reveals the hint of someone or something lurking within. Many of her "figurative abstractions" have ghostly and angelic women draped in floral essences and surrounded by kaleidoscopic colors and patterns. Boldly representing an inner self or higher consciousness, the technique draws one in, and touches a poetic place in our hearts. 

You can see more of Sue Reed's work at her open studio this weekend or online at: www.sueannreed.com 

Post-Holiday Cool-Down - Wendy Goldberg

We've had our fill of shopping and gift-giving, eating and drinking, traveling to relatives homes or hosting guests.  The hectic days of December have given way to the sigh of relief and relaxation.  As we put away the decorations and put the tree out on the curb, we turn our attention to the balance of winter ahead.  Do we find sanctuary in the quiet, cool days?  A time to return to our pace, our art, and our self-generated joy? 

The days are getting longer, we keep reminding ourselves.  There's art being created in studios, garages and basements. And art showing in galleries, and cafes, and even banks that will brighten the dull grey days. 

The beautiful work above is "Night at the Mill: Housatonic" by Wendy Goldberg.  The mood she captures here is perfectly January, and the shadowy theme for her show is a perfect match for this wintery day.  Browsing her pastel drawing and painting collection is like taking a refreshing day trip to the coast.  

Check out her show Drawing Out the Shadows in Forestville through January 18 at the Quicksilver Mine Gallery (6671 Front St, 707-887-0799). 

For show info: www.quicksilvermineco.com

For Wendy Goldberg info: www.wendygoldbergart.com

Oscar Aguilar Olea

Oscar's personal tour of his home studio revealed an extensive collection of female nudes done in various techniques, all maximizing the mysterious, sensuality of the form.   Take a look at this oil and egg tempera on canvas - Torso.  Exquisite lines and shadows draw an elusive, yet alluring temperament. 

Oscar's Exhibit, Configuraciones, opens November 7, 2008 at the Napa Valley Museum through November 30, 2008.

www.napavalleymuseum.org/exhibits.html 

View more of his work at his web site, including oils, watercolors, etchings. 

www.aguilarolea.com 

Edmund Ian Grant

(copyright Edmund Ian Grant 2008 all rights reserved)

Ed Grant talked us through his expansive Villa Spankadellik like a tour guide in Rome.  His humor and passion for his subject was evident in each piece as he showed us his entire collection room by room.  

Jazzy, romantic, vibrant, humorous and sometimes political:  the painting above is called Psycho Babble.  

Take a virtual tour yourself at his web site:  homepage.mac.com/edmundgrant

 

Or catch him at the St Supery Gallery before November 1st, 2008.

www.stsupery.com/visit/gallery.html