The Connoisseur

Artwork by Richard Towle

Kweli on inspiration

Kweli discusses the inspiration for her work at the final show (The Waking Dream) held at Anuvue Studio in Huntington Beach in April 2009. The show featured the work of both Kweli Walker and Yumiko Yanone (seen in the background).

Video by Christie McGill

As Kweli says…a reinvention of the end

If you have to have an ending, ours was the best of the best. A large group of beautiful, supportive people came out to celebrate the work of two amazing women (Yumi and Kweli) and our little gallery at it’s finest moment. It was a bit like cat herding, but I finally got all the attending Artists huddled in one place for a group shot… or 2. (Thanks Justin) We’re a happy lot.

It was wonderful to see and talk with everyone, especially those who had never been to an Artist reception prior, but appeared to enjoy themselves tremendously. It makes me that much more convinced that people need a place to share in something positive..now more than ever…and it might as well be about something creative. I was amazed to find by the end of the evening, that through these generous people, we sold 7 paintings. It humbled me, still does, and makes me quite proud.

I had about an hour to myself (before people started arriving) to reflect on the past year and all the memories made. I paced back and forth from the Gallery to the Classroom and back inside the Gallery again, taking it all in, absorbing all I could hold on to. From here on out, I will remember those wonderful memories and of course, all of you who helped make them.

To each Artist, my heartfelt thanks for your contributions to the Gallery, making it unique and wonderful… and for your endless faith in me. Please know… I’ll be there ALWAYS for you.

Jamie (Young Rembrandts Teacher), Shiela (Mixed Media Artist), Jim (Photography), Susan (Intern), Jonathan (Digital Photography Teacher), Kweli (Mixed Media & Jewelry), Laura (Mixed Media), Yumi (Mixed Media), Leo (Dexter Sinister Custom Watches), MaryBeth (Mixed Media and custom Candles), Gina (Textiles), Cathy (Fused Glass), Cynthia ( Latin-Catholic Inspired Jeweley), Darcy (Custom Rosaries), Kara (Mixed Media), Vicki ( Recycled Art), Dominick ( Glass), Connie (Pottery), Liz (Jewelry from Haifa Israel), Klaas & Pia ( Tibetan Handicrafts), Tak (Mixed Media), Jamie II (B/W Acrylic Caricature Portraits), Karen ( Mixed Media), Michael ( Lazer Art), Jenny ( Food Artist), Marianne (Minimalist Jewelry), Lori (Mixed Media), Janet (Button Rings), Ivy (Bent Wire), Denise, (Glass), Deanna (Cuff Bracelets), Garland ( Totes), Kim (Day of the Dead Jewelry) and Jason (Glass).

To all the musicians who performed for us, Elleni, Megan, Katie, Cynthia and the Blue Lion Project, a big thanks!

For those behind the scenes HOOYA!, my very wonderful CPA Marty, my fabulous carpenter and friend Tim, my total pro sign maker Joe, my own Personal Printer (Dan), my magical electrician Alex and my lighting designer Damon.

And to Micheal…you just wait and see whats next! 😉

Photo444

Saturday Night, April 18th

We’ve been working diligently on our last show all week long. The combination of Yumiko and Kweli’s work complement each other perfectly and the viewers first impression upon entering will be very powerful. Four large, strong, colorful paintings have been deliberately placed “in your face”, with complemented color set to draw your eye through the room. I learned early on that I was gifted an ability to create something visually, where people do not always understand “the why”, but for some reason they feel good about what their looking at. It’s not something I understand myself, but it has always come second nature to me. It’s that mystery and balance that compels me to create…and will always keep me content, as I move on from the gallery into my next, unknown adventure.

I hope to see you all on Saturday night to support these two very talented (and more important) truly good, kind women. From me to you, a warm hug and big thank you for all your support and well wishes. H

The Waking Dream

Anuvue Studio proudly announces our final show, Saturday, April 18th from 7pm to 10pm. Please come join us to celebrate the work of Yumiko Yanone and Kweli Walker.

Dreams

Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly.

Hold fast to dreams
For when dreams go
Life is a barren field
Frozen with snow.

Langston Hughes 1902 – 1967

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.

818 Featured Works

Shiela Cavalluzzi

Hear mixed media

Afternoon Oil

Sorrow Charcoal

Red Drape Oil

See Mixed Media

Jamie Oliff

Three’s a crowd Acrylic

She’s Funny That Way Acrylic

The Architect Acrylic

Trust Me Acrylic

Karen Blackwood

Boats in Harwichport Fog Oil

Bay Fogbank Rolling In Acrylic

Statue at Huntington Garden Oil

Break at Leo Cabrillo Oil

Nantucket Sky and Water Oil

Tak Ioka

Leap Acrylic

Garden Acrylic

Lighthouse Acrylic

Sherlock Acrylic

New Show: 818

Carroll Thomas and 818

“818 will showcase a selection of work by 4 Los Angeles Artists, while in addition, paying a united tribute to Mr. Carroll Thomas. Mr. Thomas is the oldest living American Painter, still creating works of art, while personally operating and maintaining his own gallery located in Big Pine, California.

They have selected a photographic portrait, from my 2007 archives, giving the viewer a glimpse into the world of Mr. Thomas. It shows him holding one of his original watercolors that I purchased, inside his working studio, behind the gallery. These 4 Artists pay homage to this living legend, preceding his 99th Birthday. which will be celebrated April 29th of this year.

Carrol Thomas 2007 Photo by H. Krisher Lantow

Shiela Cavalluzzi 2009

Jamie Oliff 2009

Karen Blackwood 2009

Tak Ioka 2009

818 Artists

Shiela Cavalluzzi

Shiela Cavalluzzi was born in France and is an adopted Air Force brat. She moved to the United States at a young age. Like many artists, Shiela has done a variety of work from scenic painter for commercials and film to portrait artist at Disneyland. In addition, she has sculpted numerous Public Art pieces.She is currently working on several monumental scale sculptures to be installed at municipal and commercial sites. Shiela lives in California with her husband and two children.

Jamie Oliff

Jamie is a classically – trained animation artist. He has drawn since childhood, counting among his many influences such diverse artists as Toulouse-Lautrec, Heinrich Kley and Al Hirschfeld. Successful painter and author of Thinking Animation: Bridging the Gap Between 2D and CG, Jamie continues to push the boundaries of classic and comic art.

Karen Blackwood

Karen earned a B.A. in Fine Arts at the University of N.H. and studied at the School of Visual Arts and the Student Art League (N.Y). Since then her landscape paintings have been included in exhibitions organized by the Huntington Museum, the Pasadena Historical Society and the California Art Club. A professional fine artist, she has mpainted landscape murals and landscapes on canvas for clients in the Los Angeles areas of Hancock Park, Hollywood, Pasadena and the Bay area of Northern CA. Recently focusing more on Golf Landscape, Karen’s commissions include the 11th & 12th holes at Pelican Hill South, the 1st hole at Griffith Park, Wilson and an invitation to paint Pebble Beach. Tommy Fazio (Designer) has submitted Karen’s work to his Trump National Course Bedminster, N.J. for consideration.

Tak Ioka

Mr. Ioka grew up in Sacramento, California, where he attended and graduated from Sacramento City College. While there, he studied under Wayne Thiebaud and Greg Kondos.Following two years in the army, he attended the Art Center School of Design. After graduating from Art Center, he worked at McCann-Erickson advertising agency. In 1971 he opened three art studios to service most ad agencies in Los Angeles. In 1980 he closed each of the three studios and began free—lancing. Also, on a yearly retainer, he was head of the art department for Chanson Cosmetics in Japan. He retired in 1998, and to this day, still continues to draw and paint. “Painting everyday, I learn something new, and plan to continue learning”. His favorite mediums are: acrylics, charcoal and pen & ink.