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ARTSPAN - FIFTY24SF - ART SPACE 712

09.29.11.11

Reported by Larissa Archer, Harry J. Johnson, Neal Strickberger, Ethel Jimenez and RWM



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ArtSpan at SOMArts Gallery: ArtLaunch.

Artists: Over 400.

Photos and individual caption comments c/o Larissa Archer.

Review by RWM: Great party. Amazing selection of art with something here to match anyone's taste. All manner of styles emerge. More protean than gestalt.

Comment by AB: Yes indeed. San Francisco Open Studios runs the entire month of October and tonight's gala affair marks the official start for that. Hundreds of artists participate, the city is divided into quadrants, one quadrant open per weekend. For schedules, maps and additional information, go here. Here's an itsy bitsy sample of the art on display tonight courtesy of Larissa Archer and Neal Strickberger...

"Woman With a Hat" by Stevan Shapona, 2011. Oil on canvas, $800. Interesting mix of early-twentieth century subject, with the 'teens-era blouse, hat, and even posture of the sitter, and more modern tone, great abstract splashes of brilliant, almost flourescent colors. Similar tension between old world and new as Matisse's La Raie Verte.

"Spirits" by Sawyer Rose, 2011. Glass, solder, LED lights, oil on panel. $720.

Untitled by Arlene Diehl, 2011. Charcoal on paper. NFS. Weight, movement, drama, all expressed with a few rough strokes of charcoal. Masterful.

Untitled by Paul Cartier, 2011. Cyanotype. $225. This is the most beautiful and interesting cyanotype I've seen on display in San Francisco in recent weeks. Love the mix of soft and curved organic shapes with the jagged, scratched structures in the background.

"The Duchess 2" by Emiko-o Reware, 2008. Repurposed Lego. $4200. A real "statement piece," this necklace shows that jewelry is about more than carats and branding, and challenges the notion that high fashion and "recycled materials" don't mix. Depending on the angle, light does interesting and beautiful things with the translucent blue plastic. It would be equally compelling on the wall or on the body.

Detail of "The Duchess 2" by Emiko-o Reware in above image.

"Calla Lilies" by Carol Kummer, 2010. Oil on canvas. $400. Graphically strong and vibrantly-colored, this painting stands out against the sometimes-overwhelming abundance of imagery on the walls. I love the rough, unfussy brushwork.

Teaching artist Kimberley Sikora with hand-painted wine glasses for sale benefiting ArtSpan's Art for City Youth program.

"Warwick, NY" by Kimberley Sikora, 2007. Chromogenic print. $320.

Amy Ahlstrom and her art - "SoMa Squared." Dupioni silk and cotton, 2011, $600.

"Sacramento Towards Powell" by Oana Barac-Matei, 2011. Acrylic, collage, marker, resin on wood panel. $320.

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More ArtLaunch images c/o Neal Strickberger:

Art by Paul Jermann.

Andrew Knipe art at ArtSpan ArtLaunch gala.

Art by Fernando Reyes.

Art by Heather Capen at ArtSpan ArtLaunch gala.

Elizabeth Fracchia art.

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Fifty24SF Gallery: Rene Almanza - Stranger.

Review by Harry J. Johnson: This one-room gallery in the Haight is filled with 50 pencil and watercolor works by Mexican artist Rene Almanza. Almanza, 32, received his training in visual arts and illustration from the Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo Leónin in northeastern Mexico. As a youth he illustrated graphic novels, fanzines and signs, and later worked as an illustrator for newspapers. This show marks a transition from his earlier ink-based work; he has lately been incorporating paint into his drawings. He combines his knowledge of American comic book illustration with more emotionally expressive Oaxacan sensibilities. All works in this show measure 20 by 18 inches, each with a handmade frame from Oaxaca, and are priced at $650.

Art by Rene Almanza at Fifty24SF Gallery.

Rene Almanza art closer.

Art by Rene Almanza closer at Fifty24SF Gallery.

Rene Almanza art closer.

Art by Rene Almanza.

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Art Space 712: David Molesky - Protean Dreams.

Review by RWM, images c/o Marian Ferrara unless otherwise noted: Bold abstracts and paintings of the surf. Beautiful color schemes. The stuff of dreams.

Art by David Molesky at Art Space 712.

David Molesky art.

David Molesky and his art at Art Space 712.

"Eclipse of an Undercurrent" by David Molesky (c/o Art Space 712).

"Lobsterrama" by David Molesky (c/o Art Space 712).

Art by David Molesky at Art Space 712.

David Molesky art at Art Space 712.

David Molesky art (image c/o Ethel Jimenez).

Art by David Molesky in above image closer.

Tunes. David Molesky art at Art Space 712 (image c/o Ethel Jimenez).

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