Too Much Color

Gallery unrelated consumer report

Ok people…is it me? Or is it that we Americans are given too many choices? For instance…You go into a store to buy tea. I happen to drink green tea. In the good old days, I used to go to the store, find my tea, then get the heck out. Well now there’s about 35 different brands of green tea to search through. They really push the stuff now so everyone can be “healthy”. They put allot of “healthy additives” in it to make it taste yummy, screwing it all up until it’s no longer healthy. But…people pretend it still is and drink it with a good conscience. I ask you. Do we really need 35 choices of green tea? Wouldn’t you rather just see the nice pretty box, with Japanese information that you can’t understand, verifying it as the really good stuff. That’s the kind you can feel confident that you have the very tip of the tipsiest part of that dang green tea leaf…you know…just the point! NO. They got to offer bottles and bags and boxes and powders and stuff that looks like grass clippings that have dried up in a lawn mower bag. And don’t get me started on the “flavors”.

Forget tea for the moment and let me really throw you a curve. Jamie and I were wandering through Target on Saturday night trying to find some soap. Apparently I am now allergic to natural soap. I’m not exactly sure what’s left after that. Maybe I should just rub wet sand all over me. Didn’t some tribe do that to keep clean? Anyway, on one of the aisles we went down, I was suddenly rendered speechless. Now maybe some of you already know about this but I guarantee I didn’t. You know the good old product Listerine? I used to sit and watch my Dad swishing that stuff in his mouth until he couldn’t take the taste another second. Well, by God, he would be thrilled to know that stuff comes in every color of the rainbow now. I saw 3 different blues, 2 greens, a purple, a yellow, an orange and I think even pink! They were all lined up at attention, proud as fruit punch, all in the same bottle shape and size. I implore someone to tell me what the heck we need rainbow Listerine for? Are people now trying to match their hygienic products with their bathroom decor? Or is it better to offer more colors for the health of the psyche? Because if so, I’m still waiting for the 3 ply, unscented, peacock blue toilet paper

A Happy Camper

Jamie hosted her Gold Rush party and we enjoyed ourselves immensely. We had a small group of enthusiastic people and we actually went away with cold hard cash. Kweli actually brought in a gold tooth! Just what I was waiting for. It wasn’t hers but it was a tooth cap none the less and it made us all laugh!

Erin go Braugh

Irish Blessing

May you always walk in sunshine.
May you never want for more.
May Irish angels rest their wings right beside your door.

Characture in caricature

Susan (extraordinarily witty and charming) was the first (and only) intern we ever had at the gallery. Now that she’s off and graduated (and can only kill me if she can locate me) I thought it might be cool to show you what our Jamie is currently working on… and Jame…you better keep up when I start running!

Student Art Competiton

Hey! We’re having a STUDENT ART COMPETITION

STUDENT ART COMPETITION
Anuvue Art Gallery and Studio
Student Art Show April 4th -10th, 2009

Cash and Art Class Prizes
We are now accepting entries from all artists 17 years old and younger.
Some of the schools have asked us to have the form emailable.
Please contact us at anuvuestudio@gmail.com if you need an entry form emailed directly to you and we will happy to oblige.

First Place winner will be awarded $100 cash prize and 5 free art classes with Anuvue Art Studio.
Best of Show winner will be awarded $50 cash prize and 3 free art classes with Anuvue Art Studio.

All winners and Honorable Mentions will be featured on our website: www.anuvuestudio.wordpress.com

Artwork will remain on display at Anuvue Gallery Studio through Friday, April 10th. The artists may choose to offer their art for sale during the show.

All entrants will receive recognition for their talents and an equal chance to win the contest. Entries will be judges using age appropriate standards by a committee of local professional Artists.

How to Enter the Anuvue Student Art Contest:

Entries are accepted by appointment only
Anuvue Art Gallery and Studio
22311 Brookhurst Street, Suite 207
Huntington Beach, Ca. 92646
Hours: Tuesday – Friday: 4:30pm – 8:30pm and Saturday 1-5pm
Heather Krisher Lantow (714) 465-9400
Jamie Lee Sugarman (714) 637-1950

All entries must be received by 5 pm – Saturday, March 28th, 2009

Entry Fee is $5.00 per student
Completed entry form must be presented with each piece of artwork.
We will accept up to two pieces of work per student.

Entrants must be 17 years of age or younger.
This contest is open to any style and medium in 2D only.
Artwork larger than 24” x 36” must be pre-approved.
All original work will be available for pick-up Saturday, April 11th, 2009 1pm – 5pm.Winning Artists need not be present at the showing to win.

Gold Rush

Jamie is hosting what to me sounds like a “Gold Rush” Party in the classroom. I know art, not gold, but here’s what she’s up to…and if ANYONE brings teeth, oh…Please come show me

Hey Ladies,

I’m hosting a BUY YOUR OLD GOLD party. I work with a wholesale jeweler who is buying for cash on the spot. I sold her two thin gold chains, two chain bracelet’s and a pair of hoop earrings, all from the 70’s, for $145. She’ll evaluate your gold and white gold while you wait. I’m hosting this party in the room for my art class. Please come, if for no other reason than to see the Gallery….and me.

Saturday, March 14th: 5:00-8:30
Anuvue Gallery classroom (upstairs)
22311 Brookhurst, Huntington Beach
My cell: 714/ 319-4468

We’re in a strip mall at Brookhurst and Bushard. We’re upstairs from Massimo’s Pizza.Don’t pass Bushard! There’s no way to turn around until you’re on PCH.Forward this to all your friends that might be interested. A little extra cash in the pocket is a fun thing.Please let me know if you’re coming. She needs to estimate her cash.

See you then, Jamie Sugarman

The Food Artist

Now I’m a firm believer that every gallery opening should have great work to show their guests. But, I’m proud to say Anuvue, in addition, offers our guests the creations of a fabulous food artist. I first met Jenny Walker a few years back at one of my Halloween events. She lives around the corner and has 2 beautiful children. Jenny and I spoke one day in the gallery and it all lead to her designing her special menus, with loving attention to detail…and flavor! Jenny traveled around the globe before she was married and learned allot about the many different secrets to world class cooking. Secretly l think people come for her appetizers and the art is just a bonus…well maybe the booze is in there too.

I went to Jenny’s house just prior to the opening for 818 to get an inside peek into her food world… with all of you in mind. She had the food channel serenading her from small TV in the kitchen, while she created her edible magic. She was searing pork tenderloins in a pan (see…I know words like searing) when I banged on the front door with camera in hand. I watched as she coated them with some sort of mixture that had cumin, cinnamon and chipotle and it all smelled wonderful…even to a semi vegetarian. Folks, meet Jenny, The Food Artist…a very charming woman and provider of extraordinarily good things to eat

BTW…our menu for the evening…shown above, Island Pork Tenderloin bites with Arugula and mandarin orange slices with citrus vinaigrette drizzle….. Bruchetta with Roasted Eggplant, Roasted Red Pepper and Feta Cheese…. Smoked Salmon and Cucumber rolls and to top it all off… outrageous brownies topped with raspberries! OH YEAH

818 Opening

The 818 opening had a wonderful turnout. I’m very happy to see the younger crowd coming to appreciate the art and the music…and naturally…the FOOD!

I’m embarrassed to say that the day before, I had been playing with my white balance buttons…and well…my memory isn’t what it used to be. I didn’t even notice until I was importing into Lightroom…a tad late.
It took me a while to get anything at all to show you…please forgive the green, dark people…(not a word Jim).

The Artists all came out to say hello. I enjoyed speaking with them all. Jamie Oliff told me his ideas come from the famous old bar in Hollywood, The Dresden. He sits at the bar, orders cranberry juice and sketches all “The Players” on a napkin. Then he goes home, and with only black acrylic paint, he produces what you see. The white is actually the canvas surface! He said he would take me there to shoot anytime. I am definitely going to visit soon and with the proper settings!

Katie Chappell provided the music for the evening, and when she took her break, other friends entertained us. I was sorry not to get their names. Both young women have beautiful, resonating voices…and the young man…well, he actually played the box he was sitting on like a bongo. I was mesmerized by the sound. It reminded me so much of Ireland and the “In the bar and out” musicians. So wonderful to have so many talented people all together.

Jamie had kids all around her in an impromptu art class. Very fun to see Moms scattered around them. We were also joined for the first time by Cynthia Morehouse (flower in hair), who makes the most beautiful Latin-Catholic inspired jewelry and our newest Glass artist, Dominick Camera (Hat). A big welcome to both.

I dedicate this opening to the Homeless Gentleman (whom at the time, I didn’t know was homeless) that accosted me in the Hallway (2 hours prior to the party) over 8 Pacifico beers. I don’t drink, but I imagine they were worth it. And a very special thanks to no less than 7 of Huntington Beach’s finest, who responded within minutes, calming a very shook up woman and taking control after frantic calls from hair salon and pizza parlor witnesses… who saw my husband running down the middle of a very bust street… in hot pursuit after the much larger guy. His back pack was a bit weighted down, what with the frozen steaks, coffee, beer and all.

My special thanks as always to Jamie, Susan and Micheal, who without their help and love…this would not be possible. Emma will do the lead in…with her favorite painting, The Lighthouse, by Tak Ioka.

Hope

I usually stick to gallery business but once in a while…I throw in a story. The past weeks have been full of things that have happened to you… to me and to others…and there are things that I would like to say.

Some of you know me and others don’t. I’ve worked in the Printing Industry for more years than I care to let on. I don’t have grey hair yet but reading glasses are definitely coming into play. I’ve already purchased 1.0 readers from Rite-Aid with a scowl. I work during the day, which allows me to have the gallery, opening it only at night. I’ve worked with the same folks, grown with them, cried with them and thankfully have had many more laughs with them than a person has a right to. I wouldn’t trade those years for all the money in Saudi Arabia. You can’t buy the love I hold inside for each and every uniquely lovable one of them. Well, there might be one exception…but I figure karma will take care of him.

Our company had 3 owners originally and I learned from and respected each one for their individual gifts. We lost our “Money Man” one month ago to a sudden heart attack. He was semi-retired and enjoying his life and it hurt his family tremendously… the suddenness and finality of his death. He was a good man. We lost our “Big Boss Man” today. He had been retired for many years but he was my mentor and our founder and very dear to all our worn and withered, printer hearts. He hired me 21 years ago, actually patting me on the butt and sending me into the pressroom…like a lamb to the slaughter. I was a very young 30, without an ounce of confrontational skills, working with men I knew who would not take me seriously. Such was my very first day. I still howl at that memory and wonder at the respect I ultimately came to earn… and the fierce protectors and champions each and every one of them came to be around me. Tonight, my heart goes out to both Families because I know what it is to lose a beloved Father. I would not want to endure it again. The last owner asked me to send a mass email….and in it I said the things I knew had to be said to be proper…but I finished with something about how Gutenberg was about to learn exactly “How it’s really done” Chuck would have liked that and I owed him.

I looked out into the shop today and watched the faces I have come to love. I see an economy that hurts our industry and make me fearful for all these people around me. I do not know what the future holds and with times as they are, people are amazed to find that I do not watch TV or read the newspaper. I am an optimist by nature and do not like being brought into the harsh realities the news wants to pull us down into. I may be naive in my own little world but I will continue thus so because I will not be polluted by negativity. Bad news sells, along with Brangelina appearances and American Idol songs. But If my mind can stay positive with the world in turmoil, I win a battle every day. I can smile at my fellow man in hopes of making them wonder at what simple secret I hold… that they do not. Fact is, you can choose to be positive in your own mind…or you can make it seem as hopeless as you like. For me, if the sky falls tomorrow, I’m going to be searching for a way to lift it. I was given this life by the grace of God and I almost screwed it up once…I wouldn’t dare waste it again.

Take a good look around you. If you can say you have one friend, if you have clothes on your back, if your children have enough food to eat and if you still have breath in your lungs…you are better off than allot of people who deserve better than their circumstances have given them. If I lose my job tomorrow, if I lose the gallery next, I will still be who I am. I can and will go on and I don’t need the government or Hollywood or the news people to tell me what to feel. And I will make a new dream out of whatever is left from the ashes of the old.

Don’t let the negativity surrounding you…infect you. Keep on going. Don’t look back. Hell, don’t even look sideways. Just keep on going straight. Plant some goodness in your soul and a smile on your face because people need to see it. ..and they need to know it’s ok to have hope.

attitude

A friend up in the Bay Area shared this with me today. I thought I would share it with you…