If you’ve ever journeyed to the wine country, Rutherford Vineyard Worker, a 14” x 18” oil painting by Polly Ziolkowski, will take you right there.
The Lamorinda Arts Council proudly presents plein air paintings from The Glover Group in the virtual Art Gallery at the Orinda Library during December. All Council art exhibits are virtual until COVID-19 restrictions change.
This exciting exhibit celebrates the Grover Group’s 10-year anniversary. Participants met as students of the late, great plein air artist Pam Glover. Locals will remember Glover’s quarter century tenure teaching plein air painting at the Orinda Community Center. Her love of plein air painting still ripples through the local arts community. The group is also known for some playful rule-breaking styles because members strive for freshness and immediacy.
By observing social distancing and wearing masks, painting outdoors continues unabated for most of the group throughout the pandemic. The artists consider themselves fortunate to have so many beautiful locations in California to paint plein air. “Painting outdoors with fellow artists satisfies our need to be together as artists and helps preserve our sanity,” said Maria Santo Stefano, organizer of the exhibit. Enjoy the online gallery of artwork images and a video by visiting www.lamorindaarts.org/online-galleries.
Oil paintings dominate the media, with some pastel work. Polly Ziolkowski’s Rutherford Vineyard Worker, a 14” x 18” oil painting will have you dreaming of a St. Helena road trip. It focuses the eye on saturated color and dense grape vines bathed in sunlight.
Because the group’s artists paint with intense color and identify as colorists, their work delights the eye, a hallmark of plein air painting. For 10 years a core group has painted together at least once a week; other members join in as convenient. The group allows participants to enjoy personal and professional connections. Members belong to the same galleries, show together in different venues and some even take the plein air class at the Orinda Community Center.
Members of the group consider the Art Gallery at the Orinda Library their traditional showplace because Glover herself set up annual exhibits here for her students. The Council is delighted The Glover Group continues the tradition. The 19 artists showing work in this virtual exhibit include: the late Maureen Angelo, Flora Baumann, Dana Beebe, Julie Bradner, Claire Finne, Sylvia Fones, Therese Gladstone Gordon, Renie Herrera-McDonough, Susan Kendall, Alecia Larson, Janet Mardirosian, Margaret Mason, Allyn Morton, Iris Sabre, Mary Spain, Maria SantoStefano, Mary Claire Stotler, Taki Tu and Polly Ziolkowski.
To get in touch with the group, contact Maria SantoStefano at www.santostefano.weebly.com or Susan Kendall at www.susankendallart.com. To learn more about the Lamorinda Arts Council, go to www.lamorindaarts.org.
