Open Studios -- Week 4, Part Deux

Yesterday, at the invitation of artist Kellyann Gilson Lyman, The Shadow visited Aspect Framing and Gallery in the Tenderloin district of San Francisco.

Artist Kellyann Gilson Lyman with some of her work at Aspect Gallery

Artists featured in the current exhibit at Aspect Gallery are:

• Kellyann Gilson Lyman
• Tantra Bensko
• Galina Milton
• Marion Wickstrom
• Thalia Stratton
• Irina Milton
• Bonnie Tomek
• Steven Blumenkranz

Another work shown at the Gallery

Aspect Framing and Gallery is a wonderful space in the Tenderloin. In addition to being an art gallery, Aspect also offers framing services for any piece that you buy during this exhibit.

More works being shown at the Aspect exhibit

This exhibit will be shown through Thanksgiving at Aspect Framing and Gallery, 731 Polk Street (between Ellis and Eddy), in San Francisco. Gallery hours are Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., or Sundays by appointment.

Aspect Gallery will be open today from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. for San Francisco Open Studios. Stop by and tell owner/operator Lon Richter that The Shadow sent you.

You can view more information on Aspect Framing and Gallery here. More pictures are available here.

The Shadow Begins Week 4 of Open Studios

Week 4 of Open Studios in San Francisco has begun and The Shadow was there to bring it to you.

Artist Mark Harris in his studio last night

At the invitation of Artist Mark Harris, The Shadow went to the opening party at SOMA Artist Studios last night. In addition to Mark, other artists at this great space are:

• Anne Subercaseaux
• Suzanne Radcliffe
• Elise Odom
• Louis Bording
• Sheila Nichols
• Keiko Fujimoto
• Flora Davis
• Margaretha Miglo
• Martine Jardel
• Laurielu
• Deloris Thomas
• Renee Eaton
• Mike Kimball
• Lillian Rubin
• Kat Flyn
• Muscovie Design/Jersey McDermott
• Kate Handwerger
• David Bryant
• John Fitzsimmons
• Scott Rankin
• Bohdanna Kesela
• Jessica Allee
• Wago Kreider
• Trudy Chiddix
• Jeremy Garza
• Carolyn Hinman
• Linda Sanders Colnett
• Tama Greenberg
• Nancy Ewart
• Hye Seong Yoon
• Lois Llewellyn
• Rebecca Kerlin
• Willian Ulrich
• faye Eisenberg
• Cynthia Lubarsky
• Jana Grover
• Nanci Price Scoular
• Nora Kruys

One of the works on display last night

At this studio, you will find work in just about every medium imaginable (including video). The Shadow was at this particular studio last March for an Open Studio event and he was impressed by alot of the new work that was being shown.

A metal sculpture being shown last night

The artists of SOMA Artists Studios encourages you to come and view their work. They are located at 689 Bryant Street (at 5th Street) in San Francisco. Viewing hours are 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Most of the work that The Shadow is displaying is available for sale.

More work on display at SOMA Artist Studios

The Shadow would like to thank the artists at SOMA Artist Studio for allowing him to view and photograph their works for this blog. More pictures from our evening out is available here.

Open Studios -- Week 3, Part Deux

After a very exhausting weekend, The Shadow decided to go full force into Week 3 of Open Studios. Having already visited the artists at 2111 Mission Street (see our earlier entry) on Friday, on a very sunny Sunday visited several artists and galleries.

One of the works on display during Open Studios

The Shadow visited the following artists and galleries on October 21:

• Jeanne Hauser
• Kenneth Leaf
• Caro Pemberton
• Art Explosion
• Cell Space
• 1890 Bryant Street Studios
• Workspace, Ltd
• Project Artaud

Some of the artwork being shown at various galleries

Open Studios Week 3 covered the following areas:

• Bernal Heights
• Castro
• Duboce
• Eureka Park
• Noe Valley
• Glen Park
• Portolo

There are too many artists to list but The Shadow wishes to thank all who invited him into their studios.

The Shadow was able to see just about every medium that there was. San Francisco is definitely one of the greatest artists havens in the country, and our travels this week proves it.

The Shadow with three artists at Workspace, Ltd

Next week, the focus is on the following areas:

• Financial District
• North Beach
• Russian Hill
• SOMA
• Tenderloin
• Bayview
• Excelsior

You can download a map of the open galleries here. For more pictures of The Shadow's adventures during Week 3, Day 2, click here.

The Shadow pARTicipates and pARTies

After spending a wet Friday night visiting two art receptions and making a stop at Aspect Gallery to preview a group show there -- more on this next week -- The Shadow decided that it was finally time to come into alliance with ArtSpan, the non-profit organization that is the force behind Open Studios every year.

This piece, shown at the reception, says it all

ArtSpan held its annual fundraiser, pARTicipate pARTy, on October 20, 2007. This party has two purposes: 1) to enable art patrons to view art from selected artists participating in all 5 weeks of Open Studios throughout the city; and 2) enables you to participate by creating a work of art to be auctioned off the following year.

Attendees working on this year's art project

The Shadow cannot even begin to describe what a great party this was! It had all of the elements of good people, great art, good DJs (yes you heard us right), and, of course, the chance to become an artist.

Selected works at the reception

There was also a silent auction that night. Artist Suzie Buchholz put together the work that was created by attendees of last years party and the work was auctioned off. The Shadow was even able to purchase a piece. The proceeds from the auction goes to ArtSpan's Art for Youth Program, enabling hands-on art experiences for low-income and at-risk middle school students in San Francisco.

The art of Suzie Buchholz that was auctioned off. The Shadow purchased the piece on the top right.

To create the work that is auctioned off, party guests are asked to make something from materials that were provided. A member of ArtSpan will spend the next year incorporating the elements together to create a work of art that is auctioned off.

Top: A party guest hangs her contribution.
Middle, bottom: The Shadow works on and contributes his work.

Open Studios will be going on for another 2 weeks. But if you don't have time to view the various galleriess and studios throughout the city, you can come to SomArts, 934 Brannan Street, San Francisco. The works that The Shadow saw at the party are on exhibit through October 28, 2007. Gallery hours are Wednesday - Friday, Noon to 4 p.m., and Saturday-Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is Free.

Partygoers at pARTicipate pARTy

For more pictures from the party, click here.

The Shadow Sees The Depth of Sensuality

Later, on Friday night, after The Shadow left the Mission, The Shadow had a commitment to view its newest exhibit, "The Depth of Sensuality" at One Taste Urban Retreat in San Francisco.

One of the works showing at the exhibit

As always, One Taste Urban Retreat opened its doors to lovers of sensual art. It was the perfect way to spend a wet, rainy Friday night in the city.

Artist AnneKarin Glass with one of her works at the reception

The Shadow has seen the work of many of the participating artists before. It was a fun night and the perfect end to an evening before The Shadow set out for Open Studios over the weekend.

Artist Heather Robinson shows off one of her works

This exhibit will be showing at One Taste Urban Retreat, 1074 Folsom Street, in San Francisco through November 14, 2007. As always, all of the works at this reception are available for sale or rental. Contact the gallery for more details.

For more pictures from the reception, click here.

The Shadow Begins Open Studios Week 3

When this blog was started 2 1/2 years ago, The Shadow mentioned that he would be going to reveal the dark side of art and culture in San Francisco. This weekend The Shadow did just that.

On Friday, October 19, 2007, The Shadow, at the invitation of artist Elisa Harms, went to visit several artists at three galleries located at 2111 Mission Street, in the Mission District of San Francisco -- this was one of the areas being covered during Open Studio this past weekend.

Artist Elisa Harms in her studio

The three studios The Shadow visited were: Project Three, Suite 401, and Blue Studio. The artists The Shadow visited that night in each of these studios were:

• Sidnea D'Amico
• Matthew Frederick
• Blair Bradshaw
• Marie Bourget
• Liz Hickok
• Randall Heath
• Julia turner
• Elisa Harms
• Ashlee Ferlito
• Christina Mazza
• Alison Tungseth
• Kath Nichols
• Chad Xavier
• Marisa Vela
• Natalie Luney
• Katie Gray
• Ellen Rosenthal
• Eric Ryan
• Denise Laws
• Eric Saxby
• Natasha Mitchell
• Robert Donald

One of the works shown Friday night

Unfortunately, because of a prior commitment, The Shadow could not spend as much time here as he should have. But he did enjoy his time here.

More work on display Friday night

The Shadow would encourage you to visit the galleries at 2111 Mission Street. It is located on the corner of Mission and 17th Street, 4th Floor.

For more pictures from The Shadow's visit, click here.

The Shadow Enjoys A Sight Visit

The Shadow continued his tour of art openings by visiting the Monadnock Building in San Francisco on October 17, 2007 for another ARTWorkSF opening. This exhibit was entitled "Sight Visit".

Artist Blake Tucker with one of his works at the reception

The artists showing at this exhibit are:

• Jeanne Hauser
• Blake Tucker
• Ethel Jimenez

Artist Jeanne Hauser with one of her works at the reception

Matt McKinnley, Chief Curator at ARTWorkSF describes the exhibit as thus:

From the Presidio to the Bayview and Outer Mission, the diversity of San Francisco is a natural backdrop for depicting the gamut of lifestyles, cultures and neighborhood haunts that define the personality of our pre-eminent peninsula!

Alcatraz #36 by artist Ethel Jimenez

This exhibit is a must see if you are new to San Francisco, a visitor to the city, or a long-time resident. The works are wonderful and reflect the culture and flavor of San Francisco.

Patrons at the reception

This exhibit will be on display through December 28, 2007 at the historic Monadock Building, 685 Market Street (at Third Street) on Floors 3, 4, and 5, in downtown San Francisco. Viewing hours are from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. daily. As always, all of the work at this show is available for sale or rent. Contact ARTWorkSF for more details.

For more pictures from the reception, click here.

The Shadow Meets Mi Jung Penziem

As The Shadow continues to go through October and Open Studios Month -- he always finds time for his friends at ARTWorkSF.

On October 16, 2007, ARTWorkSF previewed both a new artist to the collective and a new venue to show their works. The artist was Mi Jung Penziem and the venue was Otis at 25 Maiden Lane in San Francisco.

One of the works from Mi Jung Penziem on display at Otis

Mi Jung is a very pleasant artist who knows how to use colors well -- especially in the darkness of Otis. Mi Jung is exhibiting 6 paintings at the lounge, but it is worth seeing.

The Shadow with artist Mi Jung Penziem with one of her works at Otis

In terms of the venue itself.....Otis serves great drinks and is a great place to hang out. The Shadow and his associates had a great time there. And The Shadow was able to enjoy his signature drink -- a dry martini -- there. The drink was made with care and was excellent.

Otis is located at 25 Maiden Lane in downtown San Francisco. They are open for lunch and after-work drinks.

People enjoying themselves at the reception at Otis

The exhibit will be available through October 24. Stop in to Otis for a peek and a drink and tell them that The Shadow sent you.

As always, all artwork at this exhibition is available for sale or rent.

For more pictures from the reception, click here.

The Shadow Hears Visual Voices

In the 2 1/2 years that The Shadow has been attending art receptions at ARTWorkSF, he is always surprised because of something new, innovative and creative. Well, for First Thursday at the ARTWorkSF Gallery, ARTWorkSF Founder/Director Johnny Davis did not disappoint. October's exhibit is entitled "Visual Voices".

One of the works at the exhibit

You may notice something different about the above picture. To the right of the picture (although it cannot be seen clearly) is a poem. This month's show was juried by several local poets.

Poet Lady Monster reads at the reception

Artist featured in this exhibit are:

• Kathryn Arnold
• Miguel Arzabe
• Mikolai Atanassov
• Will Bullas
• Pauline Crowther Scott
• Mary Lou D'Auray
• Phillip Gallegos
• Sevilla Granger
• Sarah Haba
• Heather Hanan
• Pat Koenigsberg
• Raphael Landea
• Lenka Manning Warder
• Cheryl McDonald
• William Noguera
• Nicolas Smith
• Richard Tauber
• Melissa West
• Rosalie Anneli Yerby

Another work (with accompanying poem) at the exhibit

Here is the way this exhibit came to be: Ten local poets were asked to select works that inspired them. The poets then had two weeks to write the poems. The results were amazing, to say the least!

The poet (jurors) are:

• Jennifer Barone
• Christopher Bernard
• Steven Gray
• Joyce Jenkins
• Ingrid Keir
• Jenny Jo Kristan
• Joe Ledbetter
• Lady Monster
• Ginger Murray
• Phillip T. Nails

Artist Cheryl McDonald with poet Steven Gray with Cheryl's work "Free Will"

Attendees at the reception were able to come and view the work and read the accompanying poems for about an hour. At 7:00 p.m., ARTWorkSF held its first Poetry Slam in the gallery with poets reading their work from the art that they selected from the show. Poet Steven Gray, for example, read the poem that was inspired by artist Cheryl McDonald's sketch "Free Will" (pictured above):

Free Will by Steven Gray

It's a free country but it costs a lot to live here
and it takes some power to resist the system,
you are free to move around but the necessities
of life are like a monkey on your back
and you are being manipulated every minute
by the workings of the military-industrial
state. The burdens and the limitations leave you
like a dancer with an anvil in his arms

conforming to a pre-existing choreography.
You wonder is there free will in the house,
the walls are everywhere and what if free will is
a wishing well. Your life is drifting in and out of
control, the women are consensual, the seven
senses magnifying everything, including
the illusion of intent, but every day
I exercise my will, "if you don't use it, you lose it."

There's a legal distinction when it comes to "knowingly"
or "intentionally" causing someone's death, or was it
in the heat of the moment, you are free to call
a lawyer if you need one, and if you're a product
of the system with genetic programs wired
in your head and nothing is your fault, what happened
to free will. It fell apart and you're a fallen
man, but there is free will on a Sunday morning.

There is free will on the freeway but you wouldn't
know it, free will where the men and women blow it,
and it shows up in their clothing. There's a foreign
clown in the sky, he pulls you like a marionette,
the puppets have a screw loose though, they can't be useful
all the time, the strings controlling them turning
into butterflies and liberated women
strolling by the ruins of the classical.

(reprinted by permission of the poet)

Patrons at the reception before the Poetry Slam begins

Overall, a good time was had by all.

This exhibit will be shown at the ARTWorkSF Gallery, 49 Geary Street, Suite 234, in downtown San Francisco. Gallery hours are Tuesday - Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. As always, all work in this show is available for sale or rental (for three months). Just inquire at the gallery.

For more pictures from the reception, click here.

The Shadow Views Mystical Female Nudes

As The Shadow now tries to let you know what is happening in the art world after suffering computer problems, he was very pressed to show the description of a show he attended on September 15, 2007 from one of his closest friends, artist MB Stephens.

One of the works from the reception

The Shadow met artist MB Stephens during another reception and was able to view an album of her work. Her work is very sensual and sexual without being pornographic. It is very tastefully done and the photography is wonderful.

Artist MB Stephens relaxes at the reception (top)
Another work from the reception (bottom)

The artist describes her work as follows:

I began exploring the sensual female nude in fine art photograph and digital art in late 2005. There is a sense and presence of the mystical, figurative, organic and the sensual in the work present. I, also, speak quite certainly of and to the female experience as I create each piece. I refer to my pictures as my fantasies and think of each one as a world formed in that moment which belongs only to them in their
individuality. In this way, they come to life for me as if each takes its own space from the mythology that spins around inside my mind.

Another work on display at the reception (top)
Artist MB Stephens with her husband, Bill, at the reception (bottom)

This exhibit will be on display at One Taste Urban Retreat, 1074 Folsom Street (between 7th and 8th Streets) in San Francisco. This exhibit will be showing through October 10, 2007.

Artist MB Stephens with Johnny Davis, ARTWorkSF Director, at the reception (top)
Artist MB Stephens with The Shadow at the reception (bottom)

More pictures from the reception can be viewed here. Although this reception closes in a couple of days, if you wish to purchase or rent any of the works shown or to contact the artist, contact ARTWorkSF at the Gallery Links on the left side of this blog.