Art after Dark Was Quite a Party Saturday Night

Art after Dark Is a Progressive Party in Paso Robles

Art after Dark happens on the first Saturday night of every month. Most of the partying takes place at Studios on the Park, so that's where I went tonight.

Although all the studios and galleries were open, I spent most of my time in four places:

• The Paso Robles Art Association Showroom Gallery
• The Paso Robles Joint Unified School District Gallery
• The Studio currently shared by Dean Crawford Jr., Sharon Sobraske, and Deb Hofstetter. 
• The Atrium Gallery

I did peek into the other studios and galleries. I enjoyed the music provided by the Julie Beaver Trio. I always enjoy their toe-tapping western music. It fit right into the theme for the Atrium Gallery Exhibit: In Love with the West.

Partying with the Paso Robles Art Association in their Showroom Gallery

Art, Food, and Conversations Are What Makes the Artist Receptions Special, © B. Radisavljevic

After stopping by to trade gossip and jokes with Robert Simola where the printmakers hang out just to the right as you enter the Atrium, I headed back to the PRAA Gallery for their exhibit, Artist's Choice. The artists chose their favorites from among their works to enter in this juried exhibit. 

Here is some of the art I saw there. The photos can only give you an idea of what's to be seen. It's worth a trip to Studios on the Park to see the art up close before this exhibit closes February 28. 

Art on Display for Artist's Choice Exhibit in PSAA Showroom Gallery, © B. Radisavljevic

Two of my favorites in this photo are the "Chapel on the Hill" in the upper left corner, and the man painting with his feet on the railroad tracks (left in very bottom row). I somehow got away without getting the titles and artist names on all the art pieces this time. It was crowded, and I was just photographing walls, not individual works. I hope to get back later and vote for my favorite for the People's Choice award. It will be really hard to decide. 

Art in PRAA Showroom February 3, 2018, Photo © B. Radisavljevic

My favorite piece in the collection above is the photo of the gate into the San Miguel Mission Cemetery. You have to see it up close to fully appreciate it. That could also be said of the other works in these photos. 

More Work from the Artist's Choice Exhibit in the PSAA Gallery, © B. Radisavljevic

I'm quite sure there was no one at the exhibit that was not captivated by the lion on the rock you see above. The photographer was at the reception to explain how he got that photo. It took patience. 

I had just gotten in an interesting conversation with someone about photography when we were called to attention as the juror, Julie Dunn, announced the awards. She approached each work of art and explained why she chose it for an award. In this photo you can also see some of the delicious food that was offered to us. 

Julie Dunn Explaining Why She Made Each Award, © B. Radisavljevic

The photos of the photographers with their works came later. I apologize for not getting all the names of those in the photos. I hope to correct that later when I get back to Studios on the Park again. I hope the award winners will forgive me until then. Deprise Brescia, who won the best of show award, seemed to be taking the photos of the other winners beside their winning art pieces. See some of Deprise's work in my October PRAA costume party post. 

One Award Winner Photographs Another, © B. Radisavljevic

Award for Art Just Above the Artist's Head, © B. Radisavljevic

After seeing the over seventy art pieces that were on the wall, I'm very glad I wasn't the judge. I would have wanted to give at least twenty of the entries awards. 

I didn't have much time after the awards to look around before it got too crowded to take more photos. So I grabbed some cookies and moved to the next gallery. 

The Paso Robles Joint Unified School District Gallery: Salute to the Military

Work of Elementary School Students from Paso Robles Schools, © B. Radisavljevic

Although I spent some time here, there were no artists and the room was almost empty. This is where students and faculty of the Paso Robles Joint Unified School District display their work. My last visit to this gallery was in October of last year, and all the displays were different. This time almost everything was on the walls and the tables were gone. 

The theme here was students saluting the military. The photo above shows how the elementary students addressed this topic. Below I show a portion of what the Paso Robles High School student artists did. 

Pictures by Paso Robles High School Students, Photo, © B. Radisavljevic

My eye was immediately drawn to the colorful picture in the center of the bottom row. It is titled "Brotherhood" and was done by Clay Wilshusen. As I looked at the contributions of the other high school students, I was struck by another picture on the same theme by Andrea Lopez: "Man's Best Soldier." The quote at the bottom of the label reads: "The bond between man and his dog is so strong that not even a bullet could tear through it." 

"Man's Best Soldier" by Andrea Lopez, Paso Robles High School, Photo © B. Radisavljevic

On to "Color Me Red" in the Studio 4 Gallery

Meet Photographers Dean Crawford Jr and Deb Hofstetter in their Studio, © B. Radisavljevic

When I arrived at Studio 4 Gallery, resident photographers Dean Crawford Jr and Deb Hofstetter were ready to meet and greet guests at their weekly "Meet the Photographers" event. There was a lot of interaction in this room. Definitely a party of its own. Below, Dean is standing with his back to the red wall talking to visitors. 

Dean Crawford Conversing with Studio Guests, © B. Radisavljevic

Although I spent some time talking to Deb, she vanished when I was ready to take her photo. I'll catch her one of my next visits.

It Was a Continual Party in the Atrium Gallery

Music from the Julie Beaver Trio fit right in with the theme In Love with the West. The audience, as you will see, was having a grand time moving with the music and sometimes singing along. 

Wine was $8 a glass, poured by RN Estate Winery

There were many types of art styles displayed in the Atrium Gallery, but it was so crowded it was really difficult to do justice to the wonderful sculptures. There was no way they could be isolated from the crowd. Unfortunately they are not on the website along with the paintings from this exhibit.

If you are able, I encourage you to come to Studios on the Park to properly appreciate the excellence of these pieces. Here are some visitors looking at the art on the wall. Most of the sculptures are on the pedestals in the center. 

Visitors Appreciate the Art in the Atrium Gallery, © B. Radisavljevic

I have many more photos, but I would encourage you to come in and look. I think I'll call it a night and go ahead and publish.

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Meet Vincent Bernardy: Musician, Painter, and Artistic Recycler

Vincent Bernardy is a New Resident Artist at Studios On the Park 

I met him for the first time during the October Art after Dark Event. His assemblage works are so unique that after you've seen a few of them you wouldn't need a sign to know they are his. He seems to love creating things related to construction, but he doesn't limit his subjects to that. He does like bold colors. You can see that in the assemblage behind him.

You can also see that he has fun mixing his media.  Vincent shares a studio  with others, so what's on the shared desk isn't necessarily his. I'm guessing those toad abodes are somehow connected with studio mate Anna Meyrick who speicalizes in mosaics and ceramics.

Anna used to share a studio with Eve Provost Chartrand. My favorite source of news at the studios told me that the reason Eve left is that she thought she didn't know enough about art so she left to teach it. I had to chuckle at that, but I knew what he meant.

An Overview of the Art in Vincent's Studio Corner

When I first saw this corner, my first thought was "This guy really loves tools!" That large assemblage on the upper right side especially fascinated me. I asked Vincent about it. He told me he doesn't like to tell people what his works mean to him, since he wants each person to come at it with their own fresh perspective. If someone tells you what a piece of art is supposed to represent or mean, it limits what you might see for yourself. He did finally share his perspective with me, but I won't tell you what he said. It would be really interesting if you look at it and share what it means to you in the comments below. See the full frontal view of this piece, as well as Vincent's other art, on his webpage

The Tools

It's obvious that Vincent likes to use tools in his work -- not just to create it. As I looked at these, I thought what great gifts they might be to your favorite carpenter or handyman. What may not be obvious is that those screwdrivers actually are real and removable. One could actually use them and put them back. What a functional work of art -- especially for the person who can never find the right screwdriver when he or she needs it. Not only that, as you can see, you can also use it to hang smaller pictures. Only your imagination limits the uses.

The assemblage below also has another use. Technically, it's a coat rack. Look carefully and you'll see the hooks. The shadows will give you a hint as to where to look. Notice how carefully the screwdrivers are arranged to show off the various colors and sizes.

Music

Vincent Bernardi takes his music to many local venues. You can sample it on his YouTube channel. The song I liked best was "Rodeo Clown." He teamed up with Jade Jackson for this one. I met her for the first time when she was performing at Sculpterra one day in 2010. Here's a link to the video I made while looking around the tasting room while she was performing. It includes a brief interview with her at the end.

You can connect with Vincent on Instagram or on his website.

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Meet Jordan Hockett at Studios on the Park

Jordan Hockett is New at Studios on the Park

I first met Jordan there on October 7 while waiting for Art after Dark to officially start. He was moving between studios setting things up. I finally caught him in his own studio and he confirmed he was an artist in residence -- not part of a set-up crew. Of course, artists in residence often do seem to be the set-up crew for a lot of events, so there's that.

Once I figured out Jordan belonged in that studio and I saw his work, I asked him to pose in front of the painting he's currently working on. You can see he likes abstract art. He gets some of his inspiration from tribal art in Africa and Mexico.

Jordan got some of his training as a student at the Atascadero Fine Arts Academy. He uses many different materials to express himself in art, and is proficient in both painting and sculpture. Find out more about him on his website.

Jordan Hockett Has a Zazzle Store

Here's where you can find all his store products there in one place.

Here are some of the designs that might give you an idea of the diversity of his work on Zazzle.  I'm sorry about all that white space, but I don't know how to get rid of it. Zazzle puts it in.

 day of dead skateboard deck alien wrist watch alien Two-Tone coffee mug

Jordan's Abstract Paintings

 Here are some of the paintings hanging on the wall of Jordan's studio.

These are some of his  smaller paintings with lower price points. This image is the correct size to pin on a Pinterest board.

Jordan's Halloween Jack-o-Lantern Sculptures

Jordan made these unique Jack-o-Lanterns and has been teaching classes on how to do it. The last class is this afternoon at 1, on Pioneer Day, but here's what he's been teaching people to do. I'm guessing it's at Studios on the Park. Class size is limited to eight. Cost is $60. All you need is to bring a pumpkin.

Which of Jordan's works do you like best?



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Art after Dark: Steve Johnson Explains His Work in Progress

Meet Steve Johnson, New Resident Artist at Studios on the Park

I actually met Steve a week ago when it wasn't so crowded, and that gave us more time to get acquainted. He shares a studio with painter Judy Lyon and the works of the late resident artist, Harold Spencer. Steve's wall of paintings is behind him. The paintings hanging at the back of the room are the work of the Harold Spencer. I miss him every time I visit Studios on the Park.

Steve is very excited about his work and I love the enthusiasm with which he discusses it. Like most of the resident artists, he is happy to answer questions. When I saw how much Steve loved his work, I asked if he would let me video his explanation of the work in progress you see on his drawing board. It's obvious he considers his talent a gift from God and that he wants to honor God with his work. The current drawing has a Biblical theme related to the Christmas story of the visit of the Magi.

Let's Watch the Video Now

This video was completely spontaneous. I had never met Steve before this night. Neither he nor I had expected to make a video. But when Steve started to talk, I knew I wanted to preserve what he had to say. I hope you will be glad I did. 

Another Look at Steve's Shared Studio

The photo below was taken the night of Art after Dark.

Steve's work is to the left of the photo. Harold Spencer's work hangs on the back wall. Judy Lyons works on the right side of the studio as you look in. She paints lovely watercolors of local scenery. She is rarely around at night.

The shot below is candid and unposed. It was cut from the shot above to size for Pinterest. Steve isn't facing the camera because he's engaged in conversation with someone you can only see in the photo above.

If you enjoyed this post, please share it. 

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Paso Robles Art Association Throws an Art Costume Party

The Paso Robles Art Association Hosts an Artist Reception Every Month

The party normally coincides with Art after Dark dates, but the artist receptions usually start at 5 pm, an hour earlier than Art after Dark. I usually go to Studios on the Park for the PRAA reception before five to get an early start. I go directly to their Showroom Gallery near the back of the building.

Each month has a new theme to inspire the artists, who then try to address it. This month's theme was appropriately "Costume." Some artists came in costume,  but some only put the theme in their works. By the time I took this photo, the party had become quite lively.

An Early View

Saturday I was later than I wanted to be because my Charter technician hadn't called to confirm our 6:00 appointment and I wanted to make sure my husband was home before I left. He never did call and he didn't show up, either, so I'm glad I didn't stay home. They must have fixed our connection remotely and not bothered to tell us.

I usually arrive to these art events early because the early birds usually find the best parking -- unless there are too many of them. I was really lucky Saturday night. Someone pulled out right in front of me, right across the street from Studios on the Park. Naturally I swooped right into the place. When I entered the building, it was almost empty with hardly an artist to be seen. I did run into artist Jordan Hockett as he ran between studios arranging things. I'll be featuring his art in a future post.

When I arrived in  the Showroom Gallery, they were still setting up. This is how it looked when I arrived as the party began.  There's still plenty of food, and the art is easier to see when there aren't so many people blocking the view.

Not All Art Hangs on the Wall

Although many painters and photographers participate in these art exhibits, not all the artists have works that can hang.  Here is one of my favorites from this show. Unfortunately the title of this acrylic painted bottle created by Deprise Brescia was only partly legible. It appears someone had left a cup on it and the title was smeared. I'm glad no one harmed this delicate but elegant artistic expression . I love the way the shadows dance on the wall behind it.

Deprise Brescia is also responsible for creating "Breath of Fire," an encaustic mixed media piece that does hang on the wall.  "Orange Magnum," which was created by a guest artist, sits below it. What a shame someone had to leave that drink behind. I wasn't sure whether to cut it cut or not, but that would have also cut off the design on the bottom of the decorated bottle.

I wish I'd managed to get a photo of my favorite painting, but somehow I didn't. It might have been too crowded when I found it. The painting was an exquisite tree in its "autumn costume."

Speaking of Costumes

Were I to give a prize to the best costumes on the peope I saw, it would go to this pair. I'm sorry I didn't get their names. They were so social I had to round them up to get this photo of them together, since they were both circulating with others, usually with their backs to the camera. I'm glad they agreed to pose for me.

So Much to See, So Little Time

This the second of my series on the October Art After Dark event at Studios on the Park. Here's yesterday's post, Welcome to Art After Dark at Studios on the Park , Part 1. I have often written about Art after Dark and Studios on the Park in the  years I've written this blog. To find the related articles, just use the handy search box in the right side bar. You will also see the future posts I'm about to write if you look in the Blog Archive near the bottom, in the right-hand column of the of the side bar. 

If you enjoyed this post, please share it. The image below was designed for Pinterest. 

Welcome to Art After Dark at Studios on the Park , Part 1

Welcome to Art after Dark at Studios on the Park

Studios on the Park in Paso Robles is just what its name implies. It's packed with artist studios and galleries. Most of the artists show up for events like the monthly Art after Dark. During these occasions you'll usually find at least one resident artist in each studio. I had the opportunity to meet some  new resident artists tonight. I hope to be featuring them in subsequent posts.

People Enjoying Art After Dark at Studios on the Park, © B. Radisavljevic

Since I saw enough tonight to fill several blog posts, this will be an overview of the entire event with few details. It will give you the pulse of the event with some of the sights and sounds. In other posts I'll take you into individual studios so you can see the work of many of the artists.

The Paso Robles Art Association Was Having a Party

Paso Robles Art Association Partying, © B. Radisavljevic

They have a gallery in this studio. The party was in full swing when I took this photo about an hour after it had started. As you can see, there aren't too many refreshments left. People are mingling, catching up with each other, and discussing the art. I'll do a post on this party later, and show you the art up close. This event started an hour before the main event.

The Main Event Begins with Music

By the time the event officially begins there is a musician or group ready to entertain those in attendance. Tonight that vocal artist was Swedish Sofia Talvik. I attempted to get a video, but decided not to use it. Instead, you'll hear Sofia live in the background when you see the video below of the Bound Scissors Project. Here's Sofia performing.

Sofia Talvik Performing at Studios on the Park October 7, 2017, © B. Radisavljevic

Sofia has many videos on YouTube that will give you an  idea of her diverse styles.  This is a bit different than what she sang tonight, but I loved the way she did it so I share it here. She is singing Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah." You can find the lyrics here if you have trouble understanding them.  Here's the video.

I also loved this audio version of "When It Rains on Chrismas Day." You can listen to it for free.

The Wine

Local wineries donate wine for Art after Dark so that Studios on the Park can sell it and raise money to keep up its work of art education in our community and to keep its art programs accessible for both children and adults. I wish I'd had these kinds of opportunities to experience art when I was young.

People Waiting for their Wine, © B. Radisavljevic

Alta Colina donated the wine for tonight's event. You can see that many art lovers are also wine lovers. There's a lot of pouring going on.

The Bound Scissors Project

The Bound Scissors Project, © B. Radisavljevic

When I saw this, my first reaction was "What in the world is this?" After all, the scissors are useless for cutting anything. Creator Suzanna Scott bound them all tight in fabric and thread.

 So what is this good for? It encourages people to be creative. As people walk by, a sign invites them to rearrange the scissors in some design and then to post the photo to Instagram with the tag #boundscissorsproject. Many people did stop to do some rearranging. Here are some subsequent photos.

Obviously it takes an artist to do this artistically, so I noticed Anne Laddon having a go at it. She's the one with the red sleeves in the video. You will hear Sofia Talvik's voice in the background and experience a bit of what the rest of us heard throughout the evening.

I hope you enjoyed this introduction to my series on tonight's Art after Dark. If you did, please share it. Use can use the image below on Pinterest.

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Studios on the Park Brings Art to All Ages

How Much is that Guitar in the Window?

On my visit to Studios on the Park, our Paso Robles local art hub, I noticed this guitar in the window. There was a sign: "Win this guitar," but with no details as to how to win it.

 Electric Guitar for Some Lucky Winner  Photo © B. Radisavljevic

If you've never been to Studios on the Park, a peak past the reflection in this window will give you a glimpse. The art on the walls ranges from paintings to mixed media.  The doorways you see lead to individual artist studios and galleries. You will often have an opportunity to meet the artists in their studios.

After I took this picture, I went back inside to find out how one might win this guitar and how long the opportunity would last. I discovered that the guitar is a custom-made Gary Kramer electric guitar. Find out more about its construction and history here.  Proceeds from ticket sales went to support art programs for both children and adults. Find out more about these art education programs. 

Reflections on Studios on the Park

I have enjoyed visiting Studios on the Park for many years now. I've met many talented artists, seen their work, and watched their demonstrations. If you're interested in art and you're in Paso Robles on a weekend, you simply need to see what's happening there. A wonderful time to visit is the first Saturday night of each month. That's when you can experience the magic of Art After Dark. Don't miss it. 

I have increased my understanding and appreciation of art through my many visits with artists at Studios on the Park. As I reflect on those visits I see that the   artists I've met are very much like me in wanting to express their talent in a unique way. They use all kinds of media to carry their message. I use words and a camera.  I'm not very good at drawing or painting. 

It's not the particular talent we have that's important, but how we develop and use it. I don't have to create paintings or mosaics or sculptures to appreciate the skill that goes into making them.  It is enough to watch the artists in action and listen to them explain what goes into creating. What a wonderful opportunity those at Studios on the Park offer to anyone who wants to create or learn more about art. We are fortunate to have it in our town. 

Harold Spencer at Work in His Studio in April 2015, © B. Radisavljevic

Go and meet the artists while you can. Resident artists come and go. Some have left this world for the next. I'm so glad I met Harold Spencer before he died last year. Read his obituary to see the caliber of artist you can meet just by walking into Studios on the Park. His work is still on display in his old studio. I used to visit him there often to watch him work and talk to him. I miss seeing him now when I visit, but even living artists you can meet today may have moved by next month or year. 

As a regular visitor to Studios on the Park I've watched as artists develop and grow. Some have changed styles many times. I walked in one day and it seemed almost all the painters were creating abstract art. I'm not sure why.   Others experiment with new media, styles, or themes independent of what the other artists are doing. I'm getting to the place now where I almost don't need to see the artist's name to know whose work it is among the past and present resident artists.  Past residents often place their work in the monthly exhibits. 

Become a regular visitor. Then you will notice who's coming and going and catch up on studio gossip, as I did last night. Most of all, you'll keep up with the Paso Robles art scene and have a good time. So don't miss Art after Dark on October 7. There will be lively music, fine wine, and refreshments -- if you look around. It's a great introduction to Studios on the Park.  See you there. 

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Studios On the Park: Studio of Anna Meyrick and Eve Chartrand

Some artists who share studios, for example Anne Laddon  and Tamara Thornton, work with the same media. Though they have  different styles and subjects, they use similar materials. If you enter the studio shared by Eve Chartrand and Anna Meyrick,  however, their walls show art  quite different  in both method and style. Let's look at Eve Provost Chartrand first.

Eve collects objects that speak  to her in a special way. As she thinks about them, ideas form as to how to use them to express art worthy of reflection. She often mixes media to express her ideas, or she may make a print, lightbox, or assemblage. You can see examples of all these types of work on her web site. To see these photos in more detail, just click to enlarge them.

Anna Meyrick's half of the studio is quite different than Eve's. As you can see, Anna's specialty is her mosaic art, though she also draws and paints. She has been involved in art education for over twenty years. She has used her artistic creativity to help those with special needs and at-risk young people.

Here are some of her other mosaics on her wall at Studios on the Park.  Learn more about her on her website. 

Click Photo to Enlarge

Not all of the artists in the related articles below are still in residence at Studios on the Park, but these articles were written while they were there.

Related articles

• Don't Miss Art After Dark Tonight at Studios on the Park
• Lynn Kishiyama Back in Residence at Studios On the Park
• Meet Joe Thomas at Studios at the Park