2011 Exits on a High Note

After a bit of a tough year, EBAG exits 2011 on a high note thanks to the planning of Kabir Adejare, Glynda Dixon, and the rest of the Board. On Sunday night, December 11, EBAG held it’s last general meeting for the year. It was a holiday gala hosted by EBAG at Chevy’s Mexican Restaurant. Around 30 members and 5 guests attended the event. Dinner was preceded by a social hour and the distribution of various service awards. This was followed by an enchilada buffet. The overall mood for the evening was festive and upbeat, a great end to 2011 and a promising start to 2012.

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Photos by FROgard

EBAG Service and Recognition Awards
by Kabir Adejare

For the first time in its history, the Board gave out service and recognition awards to a variety of deserving individuals who have contributed greatly to the development and success of the East Bay Artists Guild. The following awards were presented.

(Note – The following is an abridged version of Kabir’s write up of the event. It has been edited for space reasons.  To read the full, unedited version, click here. – Editor)

Artists Guild Award 2011
Jeannette Fromm

For her significant contributions and support of Arts and Culture through East Bay Artists Guild.

• Member of the Founding Board of Directors
• Membership Director: 2006-2010,
• Vice President:  2010-2011
• She Assisted in the formation of EBAG’s policies, procedures, and Bylaws
• Created EBAG Newsletter, the first draft of EBAG’s Exhibition Policies, marketing materials, and essential membership forms
• Creation and early maintenance of  EBAG website, member recruitment, communication, and membership roster maintenance, membership meeting coordination, special event and exhibition co-coordination, etc.
• Jeanette has done a remarkable job for EBAG for five years straight, our organization would be blessed to have another person like her.

Founding Board Members Plaque

In Recognition of their Exceptional Leadership, Vision and Artistic contributions in support of Arts and Culture.

• President – George Rammell
• Vice President – Stephanie Riechmann
• Treasurer – Joanne Corbaley
• Secretary – Leslie Patterson – Werner
• Exhibition Committee – Bobbi Garrop
• Property Management Committee – Frank Cunningham
• Membership Committee – Jeannette Fromm

Volunteer Recognition Award
Walter Crew

For his commitment to the growth and support of East Bay Artists Guild.

• One of the artists that started EBAG
• Long time board member, Vice President, President, Exhibition Chairman
• He opens and puts up our Crescent drive store front exhibit
• Directs our John Muir Hospital Art Show
• Walter works with Ruth Sison at the DVC library to get our group to exhibits there.
• Tireless volunteer – Over the years he has helped other members with their paintings, moving EBAG panels using his truck.  Hanging art at our exhibits, and taking them down ETC. He is the guy that picks up the key and returns the key for our current meeting room in Pleasant Hill. Walter has done and still doing an amazing job for EBAG.

Certificate of Appreciation
Nina Tyksinski

For her outstanding contributions and commitment to the growth of East Bay Artists Guild

• Exhibitions Director
• EBAG president from 2010 – 2011.
• Newletter Editor.
• Nina’s contribution to EBAG is remarkable. She was one of the few people that worked tirelessly to hold EBAG together for many years. She created all the email address that EBAG currently uses.
• Nina’s contributions to EBAG are outstanding.

Certificate of Appreciation
FROgard Butler

For her outstanding contributions and commitment to the growth of East Bay Artists Guild

• Education Director for three years.
• Organized plein air painting, field trips, and speakers and demo artists for each month.
• Applied for the Pleasant Hill Foundation Grant
• Participated and helped set up Art on the Plaza and did art demo with children
• Her contribution also includes outreach for EBAG, by advertising EBAGs presence through local papers, radio announcements, passing out flyers, etc.

Certificate of Appreciation
Keiko Stong

For her outstanding contributions and commitment to the growth of East Bay Artists Guild

• Keiko is the amazing treasurer that does it right. EBAG was blessed to have Keiko as its Treasurer for more than three years.
• She sends email to all Board members every single time that we have a new member, she prepares treasurer’s report every single month.
• She prepared EBAG budget every year, she deposits checks, among other things that she does for EBAG. Keiko has done/and still doing a great job for EBAG.

The contributions of every single member is very significant. It was really nice to see so many of you at the EBAG annual Party and Award Night. Thank you all again for being a proud member of the East Bay Artists Guild.

 

John Muir Medical Center Art Show

The John Muir Medical Center Art Show, Sponsored by EBAG kicked off to a lively start last Saturday, December 3^rd at 9 am when artists began to drop off their works for display. Receipt of the artwork and hanging was overseen by the team of Walter Crew, Glynda Dixon, and Nancy Robinson. They were assisted by Jan St. Onge, Barbara Hall and Dave Dondero.

Our judge for this event was Pat Stout.  Pat is a long-time art and painting teacher for the Pleasant Hill/Mt. Diablo Adult Education programs.  She had her work cut out for her as she had 51 superb entries to sort through.

First place was awarded to Michael Warwick’s painterly photograph titled “Spanish Mission”. The elegant composition and soft pastel colors are among its strongest points.

"Spanish Mission" by Michael Warwick

Second place went to Bobbi Garrop’s “Chicken Friend”. This portrait manages to be amusing, warm, homey and authentic.

"Chicken Friend" by Bobbi Garrop

Nancy Robinson earned 3^rd place with her “Splash of Teal”. This non-figurative abstract acrylic has a surprisingly soothing effect on the viewer for an abstract painting. Light and dark blend smoothly and there is just enough red accent to spice things up and make it exciting. Nancy, obviously a master of color also took 3^rd place last year with her figurative abstract “Green Stripe”.

"Splash of Teal" by Nancy Robinson

There are many other fine works in this show. One of my favorites is the mystical water color “Desert Mirage at Sunset” by Jan St. Onge. Almost monochromatic, Jan’s work effectively conveys the sense of far off lands.

"Desert Mirage at Sunset" by Jan St. Onge

Please stop by the show and peruse the artwork.  The JMMC Aspen Surgery Center is open Monday through Friday during normal daytime working hours. The show will continue through January 25th.

EBAG Seeks New Executive Board for 2012

EBAG is looking for two members to volunteer to join our current vice president on the Nominating Committee to seek candidates. Of course, interested members can come forward on their own simply by emailing eastbayartistsguild@yahoo.com to nominate themselves. The election takes place at the January General Meeting. The elected positions are President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary. Our current secretary has agreed to stay on for another year. Perhaps the vice president will also stay on. HOWEVER, we definitely need a new President and Treasurer. As far as the board-appointed directors go, we are also looking for new directors for Exhibitions, Education, and Publicity. A new newsletter editor is also needed starting January.

To volunteer for the Nominating Committee, please contact Glynda Dixon at 945-6073.

Membership Renewal for 2012

Our Membership Director, Lynnett Sweeney, will soon email membership the instructions for renewing your annual membership with EBAG. Yearly dues will remain at $28. Renewal deadline is January 31.

Crescent Drive Catch-up

Our next change date for the Crescent Drive exhibit will not be December 22, but instead will be January 5. We appreciate all the timely communications of your plans to ebag.crescent@yahoo.com. Get on the hanging list one week before the exhibit change. We only need to hear about changes to the current exhibit. Please refer to our Exhibitions Policies which can be found on our Members Only page on the website (password: Renoir). Thank you!

EBAG Welcomes New Member

The Guild welcomes new member Felicia Morris (Light7notes@yahoo.com). She enjoys working in pastels, acrylic and photography.

 

 

DVC Library Show – EBAG Artists Tell Stories Through Art

By Janice De Jesus
Pleasant Hill – Martinez Record
Thursday, November 24, 2011

PLEASANT HILL — Many artists are inspired by a particular subject they intend to capture in a painting or sculpture.

Kabir Adejare - Photo by Janice De Jesus

But Kabir Adejare said he creates art specifically to tell stories — historical events, current affairs and folk tales.

Upon entering the Diablo Valley College Library, one can view “Imura,” Adejare’s pen and ink on canvas and wonder, “What’s the story behind it?”

The artist will tell you that “Imura” represents a young woman’s preparation for a coming-of-age ceremony back in his native Nigeria.

“I paint when I have something to say,” said Adejare. “I’m not a writer. I’m an artist who has something to communicate to the world, and my paintings describe what I’m thinking.”

While he claims he’s not a writer, a visit to Adejare’s website indicates otherwise. Not only does Adejare post his paintings on his Web site, but he also writes a whole story behind the painting, indicating an exact event or situation that inspired him to create art. He also adds an extensive explanation of the techniques and creative process behind his designs.

Adejare, a Concord resident, finds just the right medium to tell his stories. He has a wide range to choose from — acrylic and oil paint, pen and ink, plywood cut, batik, appliqué and embroidery.

“I consistently explore new contexts in which to promote very familiar, but valuable life lessons,” he said.

For instance, his pen and ink on canvas that shows a woman

holding the world’s burdens on her shoulders, titled “Global Burdens,” boldly addresses social justice and current affairs, he said.

“With the problem in Sudan, and men going to war, women end up building the nation and putting pieces back together,” he said. “She carries the nation on her shoulders gracefully. Women have a voice, but no one’s listening.”

As president of the East Bay Artists Guild, Adejare wants artists to know the group he joined in 2007 is still as warm and welcoming as ever. The group, which currently has shows at a storefront along Crescent Plaza in downtown Pleasant Hill and one at the Diablo Valley College library gallery, consists of professional artists as well as newly-exhibited artists.

His woodburning piece hanging at the DVC library pays homage to mathematician Thomas Fuller.

Adejare first explored the world of art drawing on the outside walls of a house as a kid growing up in Nigeria. The first artist in his family was his great-great grandfather, who created colorful beaded crowns with African images.

He later worked as an apprentice to some of the country’s most notable artists. He often conducts workshops in the local area using batik. .

One of the main reasons Adejare — who works as a phlebotomist for the American Red Cross — creates art is to share the richness of his Nigerian culture to the rest of the world. His website, www.jareking.com, provides a window to his African culture.

Adejare, who will also show his artwork at the John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek from Dec. 3 until Jan. 26, is honored to display work among his artist guild peers at DVC.

For Walter Crew of Pleasant Hill, exhibiting at the DVC library is a lot like coming home. Crew, president of Pleasant Hill-based Las Juntas Artists, took painting classes at DVC, and said his subjects include animals and local hiking trails.

“I think our show is a must-see for local artists and art enthusiasts,” Crew said.

The DVC art show also includes the work of East Bay Artists Guild photographers Michael Warwick of Walnut Creek and Lafayette resident Dave Dondero.

East Bay Artists Guild Show
WHEN: Through Dec. 10
WHERE: Diablo Valley College Library, Pleasant Hill
INFORMATION: http://ebag.wordpress.com/

EBAG Celebrates 50th Anniversary of Pleasant Hill

Crowds gathered at the Pleasant Hill City Hall on Sunday, Nov. 13, to celebrate the city’s 50th anniversary. EBAG figured prominently with a exhibit of paintings, photographs and other wall art. EBAG member Mark Pemberton won 1^st prize in the “Day in the Life of Pleasant Hill” photo contest with his shot of fellow EBAG member FROgard Butler creating one of her well know tableaus of Mount Diablo.

The show will remain on display at the City Hall, 100 Gregory Lane,   during normal working hours through December 1^st.

1st Place - Photo by Mark Pemberton - A Day in the Life of Pleasant Hill.

SEPTEMBER 11TH MEETING – ART CRITIQUE

Our September meeting was called to order by President Kabir Adajare.  Before beginning the art critique several bits of business were addressed.

Kabir, with support from Walter Crew, pointed out that we still potentially have two shows for this year.  In November, we are slated to hang a show at the Diablo Valley College Library.  This would be followed by our annual show at the Aspen Surgery Center in John Muir Hospital.

FROgard Butler asked why our newsletter is published in the Members Only section of the website, and is not available public viewing.  Mark Pemberton followed up by asking what had happened to his proposal of July 14 to eliminate the newsletter and to use the website blog to replace it.  In general, the Board and attendees were favorably inclined to the two proposals and Kabir stated that it would be taken up at the next Board meeting.

Kabir then asked for a volunteer to take the open Vice President position that was created when he assumed the role of President.  Glynda Dixon volunteered to fill that role.

Roz Zinns asked if it would be possible to increase the Crescent Street display period to 8 weeks, up from the current 5 weeks.

Kabir then brought forth the idea of EBAG sponsoring an Open Studios event.  The idea was to have a coordinated event on one weekend when EBAG artists would open their studios to the public.  This type of event has been used successfully by other artist organizations as a way to network and increase sales.  It was acknowledged that it would take a lot of work and perhaps could be considered for next year.  Kurt Vorheis and FRO volunteered to prepare an initial outline for the next meeting.

With business completed the Artist Critique was begun.  FRO was the first artist to present.  She showed a multi-colored, monoprint of a Greek windmill.  This monoprint required 5 passes through the press, with a different color each time.  Fro explained the alignment difficulties associated with doing 5 passes.

Martin Biro presented his “Chaco Canyon” oil painting, one of his Native American themed series.  Martin was succeeded by Walter Crew who brought one of his nature paintings that he started 8 years ago and claims it is “still in process”.

Mark Pemberton presented one of his digital abstracts, titled “Political Landscape”.  If you look at it closely you can find all sorts of political messages hidden in the curves of the abstract print.  Suzanne Cerny followed with an interesting oil painting of a beach scene.

"Political Landscape" by Mark Pemberton - All Rights Reserved

Lila Strong presented a wonderful collage dedicated to Native North American art.  Leslie Norgren showed off a necklace that she created.  Roz Zinns then presented her painting of a person sitting in front of a building.  Created using water soluble oils, the painting was based upon a photo taken in Portugal.

Kabir A. Adejare - All Rights Reserved

Kabir presented a 4’ x 3’ pen and ink creation showing 3 women and 1 man, in his usual, highly stylized, form.  Although not yet finished, it was stunning, none-the-less.

"Family" by Kurt Vorheis - All Rights Reserved

Kurt Vorheis, who had been moderating the evenings presentation, was the last artist to present.  His stainless steel “Family” abstract was quite interesting.  I understand that he is now working of a 5 foot tall version of the Family.

It was a very full evening with lots of wonderful commentary associated with the artworks.

Learning Watercolor Techniques

FRO shows one of her "dog" watercolors.

On Sunday, August 14, FROgard Butler taught the 20 attendees to the East Bay Artists Guild meeting the difference between a tight and a loose painting. FRO is a local artist, member of EBAG and Outreach Coordinator for the California Watercolor Association. Brushes, watercolor paints, watercolor paper and all required supplies were provided.  Hands-on techniques were taught to the other artists through the medium of watercolor. Painting along with FRO, members of the guild and guests learned 8 ways of using watercolor to get different results.

Fun was had by all 20 in attendence - no one was afraid to experiment.

The eight techniques included

Graduated Wash
Salt
Lifting
Bubble Wrap
Sponge
Splatter
Dry Brush
Wet into Wet

Not only was the presentation informative, especially to those artists present that are not painters, but it was also a lot of fun.   FRO is a highly energetic and skilled instructor.  Even more impressive was the creativity show by the other artists in doing this series of simple exercises.