ARTS ALIVE! JANUARY 3, 2009

OLARG Gallery

A Fine Farewell...

Although we did not know it this last Arts Alive! on January 3, the exhibition was to be our last. The OLARG Gallery ceased to exist this morning at 9:00 which was unexpected but was to be respected as our use of this space was a gift. A Fine Gift it was...the Arts Alive! opening exhibitions were well attended and sales were made which was gratifying to all of us who were involved in this endeavor. Even on this last night, a commission came through which made a very cold night perhaps one of the coldest ever, end with a glow in this artist's heart. Many thanks to all who made these past months possible especially John King and his Dogbone fellows. Our most sincere thanks to Michael Hollrigel who made possible this fine space for our Arts Community.

December Opening was attended by crowds of happy Holiday Celebrants. We had a grand time for both the artists and patrons alike. Sales were most welcomed by our emerging artist Sarah Gray. We hope that this show will pave the way for her incredible talent.

“Sightlines For Life”

“I have been fortunate to visit the studio of Tom Klapproth. The Studio of Tom Klapproth is filled with light, energy and most of all truth. It is what makes good art great. Tom is a maker of art work that is infused with the color and joy of his love of life. The images of our Humboldt County’s landscapes, the people from and of his life, all have the shimmering and irrepressible elements of his truth of purpose. This enduring quality of creating work is not something you can plan or copy. It is a spontaneous and unstoppable energy source that comes from my metaphor, “the Baja house”. This is the gut of creation. It is the driving vision that comes to the maker of Art with an undeniable moment of an altered state of mind. The seduction of making becomes what is the best of those we call artists” says Ruth Jameson, curator of the OLARG Gallery .
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Born in Racine Wisconsin, bachelor’s at U of Wisconsin at Madison. A MA in Fine Arts at UC Berkeley, he has taught for CR and various local arts programs for children. He has had a studio locally since 1980.

This work is our privilege to present at OLARG for the December Arts Alive on Dec. 6th of this year. The OLARG Gallery is located at 317 Third Street in Old Town Eureka. Please call 707 – 445-5487 for additional information. Some of Klapproth’s very large works can be seen at the Oberon Grill in Old Town across the Street from the Vance Hotel.

A NIGHT FOR ANN
Once in a great while, you meet another soul that speaks your language. Long it has been one of my traits to speak in soft words of love and life about the many things which make my world go round. Thus it is with Ann. Her picture poems which accompany some of her painted works, enhance the soft spot that targets your emotions when you gaze at her art. Some of the words are compellingly poignant that almost bring tears, some make you chuckle with the double entendre which we all can recognize as “yes this is you, or take this broken heart of yours”….

This show of works by Ann White was gratefully received by those who attended on a very rainy night. It was however full of music by John King, meeting old friends, and getting to know new ones. A beautiful exhibition of art by a beautiful soul…

ANN WHITE

“Games of the Heart and other Stories ” is a series of prints and paintings that uses the Metaphor of “Game Boards” to explore the paths and choices that confront the player of Life.

Very much like a child’s Game Board Chess, Monoply etc. the choices one makes opens or closes the opportunities (“potentially”) that occur during a lifetime.

These choices can result in positive as well as negative states. My Work comes from my own choices and acts as a springboard for exploring a visual language to express the universal condition of Human existence.” Ann White 2008.

IT WAS A NIGHT TO REMEMBER!

It did not rain. The Rain watch had been in effect all day, but we got lucky. And we were lucky to have a wonderful turnout for our first combined show between The OLARG Gallery and Kronos Fine Art. The boys in the band played their lively music in the alley, and our Host for the Wine Tasting was so very gracious, Thomas Meagher and his generosity were much appreciated. We had a nice contribution for the Eureka Park Zoo.

The evening was enhanced by sales for our featured Artist Rachel Schlueter. Please come by to view our space which is pictured above, but make sure to call first as this Gallery Venue does double duty as a conference room for our business community.

Michael Hollrigel, is a ceramicist of raku and high fire works, with a passion for the World Clay.
As we open a new venue for the arts, Michael will play an important role in helping this new gallery suceed. He is a much needed energy element in our local art scene.

Principal, PEMr. Hollrigel is a Civil Engineer and Project Manager for OLA projects in California. He has specific experience and training in water and wastewater projects, land use planning, residential and commercial development, has experience in LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), is certified to support Green Building projects, and has managed environmental assessment and cleanup programs.

Mr. Hollrigel has provided leadership to the design-build team for the Humboldt State University Behavioral and Social Sciences Buildings, the Blue Lake Rancheria and Casino development, the Yurok Indian Housing Authority Residential Development Program for Northern California, and the FEMA-funded program to reconstruct five miles of Humboldt Bay levees, which is the largest program of its type in Northern California.

“BRUSHES BRILLIANT”
Rachel Schlueter
Rachel has been involved in the arts in Humboldt County for over twenty years. She paints in oil, a medium that is truly her element.

“Rachel’s brush work is beyond doubt masterful.” says Ruth Jameson. “When I first met Rachel over a year ago, I was entranced by the magic of her use of color, but more than that, the way she applied it to the canvas. You have a visceral reaction to the energy and motion of her brush strokes. It’s almost as though you can smell the paint, and feel it as it was first applied to the canvas.”

The depth of emotion and empathy she conveys within a small format is both entrancing and surprising. She had a natural sense of composition and space elements. Some of her work has the definite feel of sculptural space both positive and negative. This is illustrated in her new circus series.

“Before delving headlong into oils I experimented with many different media. I was lucky to find Stock Schlueter, teaching, he imparted much wisdom on the art of oil painting and becoming a serious painter. I pass along this wisdom whenever I get the chance, because I believe it to be grounded, fundamental and easily over-looked. Painting is work. In practical terms, take short breaks (answer emails), have meals, clock out. Maybe take weekends off? Your success is your responsibility. I find the harder I work the more inspired I become. Exposing myself to art on a daily basis is something that agrees with me. My job is to be inspired and I’m making progress. One of my favorite contemporary artists, Marlene Dumas wrote this: I ‘d love to make paintings that have the same appeal as soul music. Aretha Franklin with R.E.S.P.E.C.T., Otis Redding with The Midnight Hour, and Janis Joplin, Cheap Thrills! That is worth working for.

Oscar Larson & Associates
Take great pleasure in the Opening of their new Gallery OLARG. The Oscar Larson & Associates Rental Gallery will be open on October 6th for Arts Alive! with featured Artist Rachel Schlueter. She specializes in the rendering of portraits of people with brush strokes which are energizing and poetic. Please join us for an evening of art, music and refreshments. For additional information contact:
Ruth Jameson Kronos Fine Art at kronos@operaalley.net.