Roseville Arts! Blue Line Gallery

Member's Profile

2012-01-26T11:00:00.000-08:00

Interview with William Ishmael

What is your background in art and how does your engineering background affect your art? -Kathleen
I have been drawing and sketching my whole life but began painting in earnest 25 years ago. I focused on watercolor landscapes at first which I did largely on day hikes so much of my earlier work was rocks, water, trees. Because of my engineering background the composition of those landscapes had foreground, middle ground, background, vanishing point... only a little looser than mechanical drafting! -William

You came into an art career later in your life, how did you discover art? -Kathleen
I took my 'best' landscapes to a class taught by Jim Estey who immediately declared when he saw them: "You must be an engineer or something. You need to loosen up!" So that class was my discovery of art-I discovered that loosening up with color and form was a lot of fun for me!
-William

What has art become in your life? -Kathleen
Art has become a focus in my life for expressing myself. One of the things I find fascinating about an exhibit like the one at the Blue Line Gallery is that it permits me to see a period of work all in one viewing and to gain from that vision new perspective about my current feelings and direction. My work here has some common themes -- portals to the spiritual realm, emerging hope, intensity of religious feeling, wholeness and fragmentation -- that became clear to me only after they were all hung.

It has also become the basis of some very important friendships. I enjoy artists and their points of view very much and I like collaborating with them. For example, I have known Meech Miyagi for a long time, but working with him on planning and executing the show has really helped us get to know each other better. -William

Have you found a lot of success through your art? -Kathleen
Yes indeed! I have many paintings in beautiful homes and offices throughout the Sacramento region.
I love to deliver and help hang the work so I get to see the setting for the painting and see how so many times it enlivens or enhances the space. I love that part very much. And I have many clients who purchase my work repeatedly -- a true measure of success!

My work is also achieving acclaim outside the region. This year my work was selected for juried shows in Santa Cruz and Long Beach and won the "Founder's Choice Award" for the on-line 'Infinity Gallery', (as well as being accepted into the juried Crocker Art Auction).

Also, I recently learned that I am a finalist for the Sacramento Arts and Business Council "Artist of the Year" and I am so flattered to have been nominated and to become a finalist! -William

Where have you exhibited your artwork?
-Kathleen
I exhibited with Pam Skinner/Gwenna Howard Contemporary Art Gallery for several years as well as the Art Foundry Gallery. I have also shown at the 2237 Gallery (Williams-Paddons Architects' beautiful lobby space in their office here on Douglas Boulevard.) as well as the Main Cross Gallery in Lexington, Kentucky. I have also exhibited paintings for short periods of time in City Hall in Sacramento, Piatti Restuarant in the Pavilions, Valley Vision's Board Room, and other similar venues. -William

Who/what inspires you? -Kathleen
I am inspired by the effects of time and weather on materials-old Roman walls, the sides of the Grand Canyon, deteriorated pavements, lichen on old trees, and the randomness of corrosion and erosion. The Japanese call that look Wabi-Sabi. I am also inspired by my readings in the world religious traditions and their artistic expressions-Christianity, Judaism, Native American traditions, Zen Buddhism, and Hinduism. -William

What mediums do you work with? And why are you drawn to them? -Kathleen
I do acrylic based work predominately. It is very durable and works with other materials well. And that quality is important because of the size of my pieces and the fact that my 'other materials' include iron, rust, sand, seed pods, burnt asphalt roof tiles, metal screen, ashes, etc. I love the textures and effects that I can achieve with that variety of materials.
-William

What are you working on right now, or would like to be working on? -Kathleen
I love commissions! I like the challenge of meeting with a client, seeing their home or office and doing a painting to enhance the space and do one they love. I thrive when the work I do is loved by the new owner!

And I am loving having done the work exhibited here that is 9 feet by 12 feet. I would love to do a commission for a lobby or large facility that is that size or bigger! -William

How long have you been a member and involved with Blue line Gallery? -Kathleen

I have only gotten involved with the Blue Line a few months ago through an introduction from Mark Bowles who will be having a show here next September. But I am so impressed with Julie Hirota and the volunteer staff that seem to be there all the time really putting in good work. And the range of activities that are supported out of this facility and this organization. Amazing! -William

For more Info on William Click Here

About Blue Line Gallery – Roseville Arts! is a non-profit community center for the arts.

405 Vernon St, Ste. 100, Roseville, CA 95678 | (916) 783-4117 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (916) 783-4117 end_of_the_skype_highlighting

www.rosevillearts.org | info@rosevillearts.org

Gallery Hours: Tues-Sat 11-3 Closed Sun & Mon

Interview with 石墨 Shimo

2012-01-25T13:50:00.000-08:00

Tell me about your History?

I was born and raised in Shanghai, China, and am now among the most respected artists in China. I received my BA from the China People's Liberation Army Arts Academy (Beijing) in 1983, and my MA from the Shanghai University Art Institute (Shanghai daxue meishu xueyuan) in 2003. I have studied with Jiangsu artist, Liu Kansheng (b. 1910, a disciple of Shanghai master Zhang Daqian, 1899-1983), and also with the celebrated artist Zhang Dazhuang (1903-1980) who is a faculty member at the Shanghai Chinese Painting Academy. Having established myself as one of Asia's most eminent artists, I now reside in Sacramento, California where I have lived since 2003.

Over the years, I have held numerous positions in the art community in China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. These include memberships in the Chinese National Artists Association, the Shanghai Calligraphy and Painting Institute, served as President of the Shanghai Modern Art Institute, Vice Chairman of the Shenzhen Art Research Society, Board Member of the New Hong Kong People's Club, and Honorable Chairman of the Hong Kong China Research Institute.

Before the Storm

My art can be found in collections around the world, with displays in the Tiananmen Museum of the State Department, Beijing; the Beijing International Art Museum; the US Embassy, Beijing; the Shanghai Art Museum; the Zhenghai Art Museum, Zhejiang; the Henan Calligraphy and Painting Institute; the Shenzhen Art Museum; the Bank of China, Hong Kong; the Bali Museum, Indonesia; and in California, the Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento, and the University of California Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco. I have also exhibited my work in solo exhibitions in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Ninbo, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, New Zealand, and the US.


Blessing from Heaven

How do you describe your art?

My art blends traditional Chinese technique with a modern aesthetic.
I synthesize the virtuoso handling of Chinese ink-and-brush painting and its aim to convey idea over exact appearance with 21st-century artistic impulse. While my painting is predominantly inspired by the rich cultural inheritance of Chinese painting, I unabashedly embrace bold color and multilayered effects in my individual style.

As I matured as an artist, I broke away from my training by adopting specially-developed bright inks and acrylic colors. Using sweeping strokes applied with large brushes, I reinterpret the landscape and floral motifs associated with traditional Chinese painting by emphasizing saturated hue and the interplay of negative and positive space. Such abstraction spans Eastern and Western sensibilities as well as traditional and modern modes. Best among my subjects is the lotus, the motif used in Force Meeting, Before Storm, which was collected by the Crocker Art Museum and Sacramento Convention Center. In Chinese painting, the lotus is a centuries-old symbol of mankind's fleeting perfection in the face of inevitable decay. Realized through broad areas of richly pooled color, this painting offers unexpected textural nuance and poetic detail.

Force Meeting

What mediums do you work in?

I work in various mediums, using a combination of ink and water as well as ink and acrylic on paper, mixed media on canvas, and creating designs and prints on blue and white porcelain vases and silk material to create bold and colorfully-rich art.

What inspires you? What other artists inspire you?

Since I was little, it has been my passion to become a great artist. I am inspired by the master artist Zhang Daqian, and the great Impressionist artist, Claude Monet.

Have you found a lot of professional and personal success through your art?
I opened a new chapter in traditional Chinese painting, created my individual "Accumulated Ink" (ji-mo) method and my own painting "language." And I have been acclaimed as a respresentive of "Neo-Eastern Expressionism."

Thinking

To See More Work by Shimo Check Out these Sites !

Website & Blog

About Blue Line Gallery – Roseville Arts! is a non-profit community center for the arts.

405 Vernon St, Ste. 100, Roseville, CA 95678 | (916) 783-4117

www.rosevillearts.org | info@rosevillearts.org

Gallery Hours: Tues-Sat 11am-3pm Closed Sun & Mon

Press Release

2012-01-13T11:00:00.000-08:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Julie Hirota, 916-783-2339 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 916-783-2339 end_of_the_skype_highlighting email: jhirota@rosevillearts.org

Gregory Kondos and Shimo

The Blue Line Gallery is proud to present two distigusted painters, Gregory Kondos and Shimo.

Gregory Kondos is one of California’s most prominent artists and is one of themost respected landscape painters in the United States. His landscapes are known nation-wide of Yosemite, the Sacramento River Delta, the coast line with its beaches and rocks, the Southwest, Aix en Provence, France, andthe islands of Greece, his parents’ home land.

Kondos has been an art professor for 30 years and the art gallery at Sacramento City College is named after him. Over the course of his life, he has won many awards including those at two Winter lnvitationals at the California Palace of the Legion of Honor, a Dillard Collection prize, Lifetime Achievement award at the Florence Biennale, and being elected into the National Academy of Art, New York.

Shimo, born and raised in Shanghai, China, is a famous contemporary artist, and a national 1st Grade artist. He received his BA from the China People’s Liberation Army Arts Academy (Beijing) in 1983, and his MA from the Shanghai University Art Institute (Shanghai daxue meishu xueyuan) in 2003. He has studied with Jiangsu artist Liu Kansheng (b. 1910, a disciple of Shanghai master Zhang Daqian , 1899-1983), and the celebrated artist Zhang Dazhuang (1903-1980), a faculty member at the Shanghai Chinese Painting Academy. Since 2003, he has resided in Sacramento, California.

WHAT: Gregory Kondos and Shimo
WHEN: Jan 12- Feb 25, 2012; Tu-Sat: 11am-3pm, or by appointment
Reception: 3rd Saturday, Jan 21, 7-9pm Public, 6-7pm Members Only
Additional Reception: Feb18, 7-9pm Public, 6-7pm Members Only

WHERE: Blue Line Gallery, 405 Vernon Street, Roseville, CA

About Blue Line Gallery – Roseville Arts! is a non-profit community center for the arts.

405 Vernon St, Ste. 100, Roseville, CA 95678 | (916) 783-4117 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (916) 783-4117 end_of_the_skype_highlighting

www.rosevillearts.org | info@rosevillearts.org

Gallery Hours: Tues-Sat 11-3 Closed Sun & Mon

Coloring Contest

2012-01-06T12:00:00.000-08:00

New Year's Coloring Contest

Information and Prizes:

* Top 3 Winners will have their entry framed and hung in the The Eli and Edythe Broad Children's Gallery once each month until May with their entry posted on our website slide show and a free pass to our monthly art club program.

* Top 5 Winners will have their entry posted on our website slide show and a free pass to out monthly art club program.

*Top 10 Winners will receive a free pass to our monthly art club program

Click Here to find a downloadable pdf version of the image & info

RULES:

Bring your completed entry into Blue Line Gallery located at 405 Vernon St. Roseville, Ca 95678 (during open hours.) Entry deadline is the 23rd of each month until May 2012. One entry allowed per child each month. Child must be between the ages of 2 and 13 to enter. All artwork must be done by the child.

Final judging will be designated by Blue Line Gallery staff. Judges decisions are final. Winners will be notified by telephone and/or email. Signature by parent or legal guardian constitutes agreement to use artwork, name and photograph/likeness of child for publicity purposes.

About Blue Line Gallery – Roseville Arts! is a non-profit community center for the arts.

405 Vernon St, Ste. 100, Roseville, CA 95678 | (916) 783-4117 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (916) 783-4117 end_of_the_skype_highlighting

www.rosevillearts.org | info@rosevillearts.org

Gallery Hours: Tues-Sat 11-3 Closed Sun & Mon