While progressive American journalist William Allen White (1868-1944) famously said, “My advice to the women of America is to raise more hell and fewer dahlias,” we are glad Barbara Brady-Smith photographed this stunning magenta-hued dahlia. Entitled “Dahlia Delight,” you can view this 16” x 20” lustre print in the Art Gallery at the Orinda Library during December.
Art Gallery at the Orinda Library
The Lamorinda Arts Council (LAC) presents artwork from Barney Howard’s Creative Strokes Painting Group; floral photography by Barbara Brady-Smith; fused glass pieces from Reddy Lieb and ceramic sculpture by Judy Miller – on view in the Art Gallery at the Orinda Library from Dec. 2 to 30.
Meet the artists at a festive reception in their honor on Sunday, Dec. 8, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. All artwork can be viewed online at lamorindaarts.org/online-galleries/.
The Creative Strokes Painting Group includes paintings by Barney Howard, Chris Kutzscher, Anne Murray and Alix Watson. The group meets on a monthly rotation at members’ homes to dine and discuss their work and other topics.
Howard is showing 10 paintings culled from his creative travels in the East Bay, Northern California and the Sierra Nevada Mountains. His mother, Ruth Howard, helped develop his talent as a child. Further on, he credits Paul Klee’s influence as inspirational.
Brady-Smith’s exhibit of 20 floral photographs is entitled “The Art of Flowers.” She reminds us to search for the tiny details that are easy to overlook in photographs, such as her 16” x 20” lustre print, “Dahlia Delight.”
The petals mimic nature’s interwoven spiral patterns of how sunflower seeds grow. She credits Berkeley photographer Harold Davis as her favorite for inspiration of floral imagery and photo techniques. Visit her work at sharethejoyphotography.com.
Lieb’s exhibit of 30 functional and expressive glass pieces, paintings and mixed media is themed “Life Lessons.” Works in the show are titled within the theme, such as “There is Enough for Everyone” and “Balancing Act.”
She is inspired by Susan Sontag’s wise words, “Art is a form of nourishment (of consciousness, the spirit).” “Pointing to the Mystery,” an 11” x 14” x 2.5” fused and painted glass piece has symbols suspended in space, as if on a Calder-esque Mobile. Visit reddylieb.com to learn more.
Miller is showing 10 ceramic sculptures, including “Liberty and Justice,” a 13” x 7” x 6” work.
“Creating art for 30 years has been a driving force in my life,” she said.
She strives to create a narrative with her work, combining textures, forms and movement that tell a visual story. Visit judymillerarts.com to sample her artwork.
Visit the gallery at 26 Orinda Way during library hours, Monday – Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday – Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; closed Sunday and Dec. 24, 25 and 31. Call 925.254.2184 for more information or visit ccclib.org/. For more information or questions about the exhibit contact 925.359.4490, gallery@LamorindaArts.org or visit LamorindaArts.org/galleries.
Some of us may think “Dr. Who” is about to visit America upon viewing this photo. Others will recognize the image and perhaps remember hoping they had change handy to use this “Piece of History.” Lamorinda Arts Council Treasurer John Brown’s photo is part of his solo show in the Art Gallery at Wilder during December.
Art Gallery at Wilder: A Life Rooted in the Power of Photography
LAC Treasurer, John Brown, showcases his photographs in the Art Gallery at Wilder this month. Meet him at a reception in his honor on Sunday, Dec. 8, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Iconic moments in Brown’s life are memorialized by his lifelong fascination with photography. As a high school student, he was the class yearbook photographer. At Tulane University, he was head photographer for the yearbook and newspaper. At the Coast Guard Officer Candidate School, he was editor and photographer for the class yearbook. Perhaps most importantly, he met his wife Carol while taking her photograph.
To this day, the Orinda resident’s work remains fresh because his interests are varied and, “Every day presents a new opportunity to explore,” he said.
Photographers Ansel Adams and Bert Stern are his sources of inspiration.
“There are many interpretations for any picture, and all can be correct,” he said.
See more of his work in the Wilder online gallery at lamorindaarts.org/online-galleries/ or at johnsbrown.com.
Visit the Art Gallery at Wilder Dec. 8 – Jan. 5, Monday – Friday from 3 – 5 p.m.; closed weekends, Dec. 24, 25, 31 and Jan 1. For more information about the exhibit, contact 925.359.9940, wildergallery@lamorindaarts.org or visit LamorindaArts.org/current-exhibits-wilder/. Please download directions if visiting.
