The Oakland Art Association arrives in Orinda 80 strong
Every few years, the Oakland Art Association (OAA) brings some of its best work through the tunnel to Orinda – and luckily for local art lovers, this is one of those years.
Eighty artworks from the OAA will be on display in the Art Gallery at the Orinda Library during July, There is no theme nor media exclusion for the show, since the goal is to allow the artists total freedom in choosing the works they exhibit.
“We are so excited to showcase the wide range of work that OAA members produce,” said Jenny Kolkhorst, show chair for the exhibit. “We can only exhibit here every few years, so our members are very inspired to bring their art to this exceptional space.”
The public is invited to attend the artist reception on July 11 from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. where first, second and third place awards, and four merit awards, will be conferred. (A list of artists showing work was not available at press time.)
OAA is a non-profit group of artists, photographers and art supporters in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. They encourage artistic endeavor in their community, support public-school art education and arrange venues for members’ artwork. Visit oaklandarts.org for more information.
Visit the Art Gallery at the Orinda Library to see Eileen Keller’s “Utah Canyon” expressionist oil painting. It is part of the Oakland Art Association show that fills the entire gallery through July 31.
Eileen Keller, Ph.D., is both a psychoanalyst and a painter – an expressionist painter. Expressionism, an early 20th century movement that began in Northern Europe, is a deeply emotional response to subjective sensations of real objects and experiences. Color is exaggerated and saturated, forms are simplified and intensified visually, artists’ marks become more fluid and irrational — all in reaction to industrialization, urbanization and dehumanization.
Edvard Munch’s “The Scream” (1893) may come to mind, but instead look at Emil Nolde’s (1867-1956) iconic landscape watercolors painted while he was prohibited from creating by Adolf Hitler. His immersion in the natural world was the beating heart of his expressionist vision. Titles like Nolde’s “Red Clouds” (1930) marry three words – “watercolor,” “saturated” and “color.”
Keller’s vision reflects that tradition. “I want to paint the way a place feels to me. I work half-time now and devote myself to painting during my free days in my home studio.”
“Utah Canyon,” her 8” x 8” oil painting, suggests a bird’s eye view above a canyon. She is inspired by plein air artists Kathleen Dunphy in California and Bill Cramer in Arizona. Keep up with Keller at eileenkellerart.com.
Kathy Kenny, a contemporary abstract artist, retired early and has been painting for the last seven years. She roots her artworks in lived experiences reflecting the colors, rhythms and emotions of her world.
She took art history in college and has maintained a lifelong passion for modern and contemporary art. Her first career was gerontology. Still in touch with former colleagues, they share experiences about what they learned because now it’s happening to them.
Most recently she was a highly productive and efficient strategic planning and development consultant. The freedom of retirement ignited her creative impulses. First she explored glass and mosaic, then painting. Her 25-year practice of Nia, a holistic fitness practice, keeps her body strong.
Kenny agrees with Thomas Merton who said, “Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.”
“My viewpoint when drawing and painting depends on how I’m feeling, what comes up – playful and doodle-like, sometimes pure expression. Feelings come up visually when I let myself go, and go with my gut. If it’s not playful or joy, I don’t want to do it,” said Kenny. “I start as if I’m a beginner every time I touch paper or canvas. If nothing comes up, I just drop it and go on to the next thing.” Learn more about Kenny’s artwork at kathykennyart.com.
Visit the Gallery to view artwork from June 27 to July 31 at 26 Orinda Way. Hours are Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; closed Sundays and July 3 and 4. Call 925.254.2184 for more Library information or visit ccclib.org/. Questions about the exhibit or need more information? Call 925.359.4490, email gallery@LamorindaArts.org, or visit LamorindaArts.org/galleries-2.
Art to Take Your Breath Away
“CALeidoscope: Evolving Reflections of California” celebrates California as a cultural leader and hotbed for creativity and innovation by showing juried artworks from over 70 artists. July 11 to Sept. 13. Visit bedfordgallery.org.
“Monet and Venice” 100 paintings of six sites he visited, closes July 25 at the de Young. “Drawn to Venice” with 30 master drawings and prints spanning the Renaissance to the Rococo eras at the Legion of Honor, and ends Aug. 2. Visit famsf.org/exhibitions for details of both exhibits.
“Connectivity” features watercolors by member artists George Ehrenhaft and acrylic paintings of Angelica Samamé, plus guest artist Linda Yoshizawa’s monotype prints and solar etchings at the Moraga Art Gallery are up until Aug. 16. Visit moragaartgallery.com.
