Lodi Sandhill Crane Online Art Show

Celebrating the Season of the Cranes October 2021     LSCA Online Art Show   Artistic expression has been an important element in LSCA's efforts to encourage exploration of sandhill cranes and their environment. For this season, Art Show Chair Jill Cauthen is developing an online art exhibit.   Christine Blue with her prize-winning photography at the 2019 Sandhill Crane Festival Visit lodisandhillcrane.org for entry details and a gallery of prior years' art. Deadline for submission of entries is October 18th. ******************************************************************************************************* Sandhill Crane Student Art Exhibition   Attention students and teachers   Coordinator Kathy Grant has announced that Sandhill Crane Student Art Exhibition entries will be accepted October 12th-15th.   Student art will be exhibited at the Lodi Public Library and Thornton Branch Library throughout November. Check the LSCA website for entry information.   www.lodisandhillcrane.org   Join Today!   Membership helps support the work of LSCA.   By becoming a member you will be part of the team that provides educational information and unique opportunities to see the cranes ... while encouraging aspiring, and inspiring, artists.     Tours Available Crane viewing tours are available, though currently-scheduled slots are filling fast. Visit the LSCA website for availability and reservations.         Lodi Sandhill Crane Association www.lodisandhillcrane.org

October at Gallery 10: Marleen Olive

Partnering abstract design with representational art inspires Marleen to find many different possibilities for painting from photographs. What does the photo say to her?  The natural beauty of nature?  Or perhaps a mood?

Most of Marleen’s paintings begin with random shapes she paints on her paper, using only three colors.  She continues to pull out a design using just those three colors, and sometimes white.  She paints in acrylic, ink, and watercolor.  At first Marleen resisted risking the quality of her results by allowing the unpredictability of intuitive painting to take over, but she soon discovered that it is the unknown, inherent in trying something new, that forces attention on the final result.  The painting is improved using this method.

Marleen has been actively involved in art throughout her life. She was an art instructor at Southwestern Community College, in Brookings, Oregon, for 13 years.  After moving to Amador County in 1999, she taught watercolor classes until Covid hit.  Marleen is the current president of the Amador County Artists’ Association, and she is a member/owner of Gallery 10 in Sutter Creek.  A collection of her paintings hangs at Gallery 10, and during October she will be the Featured Artist.

A reception will be held for Marleen on Saturday, October 2, 2-5 P.M. Stop by, say hello, have a snack, and enjoy Marleen’s beautiful new collection of paintings.

October at Sutter Creek Gallery: Abstract Artist Curtis Stromme

Abstract artist Curtis Stromme goes his own way when creating acrylic paintings:  The artworks are untitled, allowing viewers to provide their own interpretation and connection to the artwork.  Unmatted pieces are surrounded by simple chrome frames so as not to detract from the art, which makes the paintings seem “to go on into infinity,” he explains.  Rather than using canvas, Stomme paints on paper, layering the acrylic with blocks—not brushes—to create his vivid compositions.  Sutter Creek Gallery will feature this unique artist during the month of October. 

Despite occasional excursions into representational art, inspired by numerous trips to Portugal, Stromme realized quite early that creating acrylic abstract paintings was what brought him pleasure.  He starts with a background color, then applies additional paints which skid across the surface and sometimes collide with those added earlier.  The layers create a textural surface while metallic swirls, circles and lines add vivacity.  Stromme says that “knowing when to stop is the most difficult part of painting,” which many artists can agree with.  He also produces what he calls art trading cards.  These 2.5 x 3.5-inch abstracts are painted on mat board.  Some of these cards come mounted on paper and can be framed for display. 

Sutter Creek Gallery will host a reception in Stromme’s honor on Saturday, October 2, starting at 2 p.m., at 40 Main Street, Sutter Creek.  Besides original paintings and photography, the gallery offers many affordable items including prints, cards, jewelry, pottery, gourds and fiber arts as well as custom matting and framing.  The gallery is open Thursday through Monday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  For additional information, call 209-267-0228, email suttercreekgallery@gmail.com, or visit www.suttercreekgallery.com.