Jeanette Monterio

Jeanette recently had this mixed media piece in the show about remembrance Skulls and Roses at Artworks Downtown.  Our Lady of Borders and was inspired by reliquary and shrines and what we hold in our hearts.  Below is her Artist Statement for the show.

Front of Reliquary:

“Oppression breeds revolt; and as a breed of men and women grow wiser and ponder through the ages, the time may come when even hopeless revolts will succeed beyond hoping.”

Great Women of Antiquity, (Boadicea), by Clement Wood

The pandemic was a time of deep reflection, evaluation and questioning. It brought to mind our connection/disconnection; our boundaries and what were we willing to include in our ever-shrinking sense of community; and our relationship to our society and our global responsibilities.  Though I don’t consider myself a political artist, I found myself questioning the choices that were made on my behalf and questioned if those choices reflect my values and did the choices I make truly support the greater good for humanity?  What are boundaries; personal boundaries and are the boundaries we create  for our protection, or from our fears?

I view my role as an artist from a tribal perspective, where the artist, healer and shaman are one.   So, my position is to present questions that evoke perspective evaluation.  Does the belief support the values; values support the action; and/or the action support the greater good for humanity?  

As a Mixed Media Artist (AKA alchemist), the choice of materials influences the direction of the creative dialogue.  I approach each piece by auditioning materials and as the piece evolves, a secondary message emerges as the metaphysics of the materials create a sub-text message.  Using found objects brings a deeper inquiry to what an object represents and how it is placed within the piece.  Working with interiors and exteriors allows me to evoke additional inquiries.   The juxtaposition and tension amplifies each component and each object can add a deeper meaning to interpretation.  

Our Lady of Borders:  A Reliquary of Boundaries

Mixed Media (with interpretations)-hearts (what’s written on the heart- open heart and sacred heart), keys (unlock), watch parts (time-time running out), mica (recognize flaws while remaining in a loving space), rust (a measure of time), emergency blanket (molded by heat to form interior heart), holy water font (preparing to enter the sacred space) and found objects (just because they are).  

Jeanette Monterio
Skulls and Roses, Artworks Downtown
JeanetteMonterio.com
MFA, BA from San Francisco Art Institute

Jeanette is a Bay Area resident and currently shows her work at Art Association Napa Valley.   In her studio in Novato, California, she can be found auditioning her collection of relics as she creates the next alchemical question. Her work has been acknowledged and awarded “Best in Show” and “Jurors Award” and “Honorable Mention” and Napa Register has written articles about her box art.  (see JeanetteMonterio.com for details). 

Artist Quote:  “I have no answers, only questions and if I can pique your curiosity, my job is complete.”

“The important thing is not to stop questioning.  Curiosity has its own reason for existing.”  Albert Einstein 

John Comisky

These are two new photos I have in my space called After the Harvest 1 & 2.  Much of the photography on vineyards shows grape clusters.  I’ve become interested in the beginning and end of the cycle as well.  This is obviously the latter.  The intend was to bring out the rich textures and colors that grape leaves can take on, by showing the aging process over time of one leaf.  These two shots were taken 6 weeks apart.

Emil Yanos

Last year when my studio re-opened after the lock-down, I brought home some clay, mostly slab scraps.  I cut the scraps into strips and rolled them into thinner strips which caused the edges to stretch and crack, creating the wonderful texture I wanted.  I stood the strips on end, stacking multiple strips together to form the finished composition.  These pieces were inspired by the striations that were revealed in mountains and hillsides when they were excavated to make the roads we travel on.  These wall pieces will be available at studio #27, 32 Forest Drive in Napa during Open Studios Napa Valley September 18-19, & 25-26.

Susan Antonini

Assemblage….is what best fits my work…

I first discovered the shadows on a piece of ceramic work at the DeYoung museum…and one day a neighbor had a garage sale with a box of unused adding machine tape….and the idea struck me!

So when I use adding machine tape or newspaper…I look to see what kind of shadows occur….they vary as the light changes…

The paper is painted before placing on the canvas…

And on occasion …I will add Kosher salt…grout or more paint to achieve the look I’m trying to create.

There is a website link on my about the artist page that shows a demonstration of a paper (assemblage) flag at its creation.

Ann Nunziata

Ann updated on her display at Art Gallery Napa Valley today.  Ann writes, “I decided that I should unify my exhibit to display a single medium.” Ann comments that there is an ongoing debate amongst artists about how best to display ones work.  Some feel a variety of mediums best informs the viewer about the artist, while others maintain that a consistent look and feel is desirable.  The latter is the approach of Open Studios Napa Valley where Ann has participated in recent years, that is when she not been traveling in September.

Marlene Haas Inktober

Marlene writes “
“Bubblegum “ is an ink painting: 14 x 14.   I began this ink series when I  found Zentangles  designs several years ago.   I liked the meditative aspect of repeated designs in Ink and color patterns.   Zentangles and pattern paintings  are part of my creative lexicon.   

 Inktober celebrates creations composed with inks and is highlighted the month of October.

 Bubblegum  is displayed at the Artist of The Valley, 1307 First Street. Napa, CA.

Marta Collings on “Green”

Sauvignon Summer
Limited edition Giclee on canvas 48″ x 36″  (original sold) 

The original oil was painted “Plein Aire” near St Helena off Silverado Trail.   I tried to capture the feel of summer in this piece by capturing all the subtle warm and cool greens that are so prevalent in the valley during the summer months.  I hope to convey the feeling of having a cool glass of Sauvignon Blanc while gazing across the vineyards. 

Marlene Haas

Marlene writes, “I became fascinated with the night sky.  This spring I viewed the full moon several consecutive nights.  I covered amazing colors and values of blue gray lit by the moon.  A new painting series was born,  I am now working on the 10th canvas in this series.  Four of the canvases are in the Art Gallery Napa Valley at 1307 First Street, downtown Napa.

Shown Left: Wine Moon, oil, 8″ x 12″

Moonglow, oil, 11″ x14″

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