“Map of Guatemala,” a 69” x 60” hand-woven tapestry made of wool, cotton and synthetic threads by Aiko Kobayashi Gray, is on display in the Art Gallery at the Orinda Library during November. She uses bright colors to translate her visual experience of Guatemala into a vibrant map in tapestry form.
Tapestries by Aiko Kobayashi Gray and Artisan Jewelry by Lisa Marie Del Gavio
The Lamorinda Arts Council (LAC) invites the public to view magnificent tapestries by fabric artist Aiko Kobayashi Gray and antique and vintage artisan jewelry by Lisa Marie Del Gavio during November.
Meet the artists at a reception in their honor on Saturday, Nov. 9, from 2:30 – 4:30 p.m. where light refreshments will be served.
The travel itinerary of Kobayashi Gray took her to Guatemala and Japan this year. “My life traveling” is the inspiration for her fabric work and tapestries. It is no surprise that design elements from those two countries appear in her tapestries. She also draws inspiration from Marc Chagall (1920 – 1985). Chagall is described as “A pioneer of modern art and one of its greatest figurative painters.”
Kobayashi Gray is showing about 12 large-scale tapestries. Her theme in creating them is “the movement of air and wind and the harmony of color combination.” “Wind Whispers,” a 33” x 37” handwoven tapestry made of wool, cotton and synthetic threads, seems to float off the wall. Two exhibits of her work will be shown in Japan in late November.
Del Gavio’s artisan jewelry exhibit fills a large glass cabinet with pieces featuring antique and vintage elements. These elements give her pieces a unique look. She specializes in taking family heirlooms and building secure designs for them so they can live on to the next generation. Her “Vintage Turquoise Bead Pendant,” shows a brooch of black onyx crystals spaced with crystal rondels – a striking piece. Keep up with her work at imperialedesigns.com.
Visit the Gallery to view artwork from Nov. 2 – 30 at 26 Orinda Way. Hours are Monday – Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and closed Sundays and Nov. 11, 27 and 28. Call 925.254.2184 for more Library information or visit ccclib.org/. For questions about the exhibit or for more information, email gallery@LamorindaArts.org, visit LamorindaArts.org/galleries-2 or call 925.359.4490.
“I want people to see nature through my eyes. My paintings portray small moments in time from the outside world. They are meant to be soothing and calm, and bring contentment to the viewer,” said artist Denise Nomura. Her 30” x 40” oil on paper painting entitled “Feels Like Spring” brings to mind tall chartreuse mustard plants cascading over California hillsides every spring.
Art Gallery at Wilder: Abstract Serenity A Reflection of Nature’s Beauty
The Lamorinda Arts Council invites you to meet featured artist and LAC past president Denise Nomura in the Art Gallery at Wilder on Sunday, Nov. 3, at a reception in her honor from 2 – 4:30 p.m. where light refreshments will be served.
Nomura’s artwork has evolved from meticulous representational portrayals of nature to currently expressing herself in an abstract format. She says she has finally found her stride and comfort zone in abstract Impressionism. Follow her work at denisenomura.com.
“I am inspired by a variety of artists, including Monet, Seurat and Pissaro,” said Nomura. “These Impressionist artists were really the beginning of abstract painting, interpreting nature and light in a very non-traditional manner. I also love color and am so moved by Rothko, Willem de Kooning and his wife Elaine de Kooning. I am obsessed with Joan Mitchell, Sam Francis and my mentor and teacher, Frank O’Cain. I find all of these artists interesting in their usage of color and composition, plus their interpretation of what they see.”
Visit the Art Gallery at Wilder Monday – Friday from 3 – 5 p.m.; closed Saturday, Sunday and Nov. 11, 27 and 28. For more information, visit LamorindaArts.org/galleries-2, email info@LamorindaArts.org or call 925.359.9940. If you plan to visit, be sure and download the PDF with directions.
