| Artist on Art

Nov

30

Yvette Contois Guest 11/30/10

“A society is defined not by what it creates, but by what it refuses to destroy.” John Sawhill

Above is a favorite quote of local artist, art instructor, design and patent illustrator, Yvette Contois. She came into the KZSC studio to talk about the upcoming event Artisans’ hand-made gift sale in Santa Cruz, December 5 from 11-5pm at the Palomar Ballroom at 1344 Pacific Avenue (Upstairs). This is the third year in a row that she and Jenny Sandrof have organized this recycling and upcycling themed artist gift show. All one-of-a-kind gifts are under $25. This year has the added bonus of live music from Peter Weiss.

If you are going to do holiday shopping, this is the way to support local artists that are repurposing material that would otherwise end up in the garbage dump. You would be helping save the planet by using less waste in a season of waste (wrapping paper, boxes, christmas trees, tinsel, packing materials, etc.). The earth, particularly in this consumer driven capitalistic society, demands a mind shift to where products are built through processes that cause the least harm to the environment.

Yvette will be there with prints, whales (made of old redwood fence boards), pendants and earrings.

This is the second time that Yvette has been on the show to talk about her art practice and teaching philosophy. At the Art Factory, Yvette teaches all ages. For Kids: After School Art Classes, Homeschool Art Classes, Art Parties and Seasonal Art Camps. For Adults, there’s classes such as “Mom’s Nights Out, Art or Jewelry Making Parties”, and a monthly studio sale featuring fabulous art and gifts made by The Art Factory Artists Guild Members.

She brings a scientific approach to the work that is passed on to the students concerning “seeing” and taking the time to study and really be with a subject of inquiry. She also believes that when dealing with children, little invention should be done to their work. Their work is a “moment in time” chronicling their physical and mental development.

If you missed any part of the live broadcast, you can hear the whole show by clicking on the play icon below.

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Nov

29

Lynn Guenther – Guest for 11/23/10

Artist Interviews

On November 23rd, I had the pleasure of interviewing local artist, Lynn Guenther. Over the years, I was familiar with Lynn’s work as art educator and advocate. This year, I made it to Lynn’s Open Studios and was introduced to her amazing talents as jewelry maker, painter, journal artist, designer, and metalworker.

I first met Lynn as teacher of SPECTRA classes and after-school art programs at Bay View Elementary. During our interview, I found out that she serves our broader Santa Cruz community as well. She is active in supporting art in the local public schools with vigorous fundraising, as well as organizing special art events such as the River Arts Festival and, with Sandra Cherk, Bay View Elementary’s, Fiesta de las Artes. This is one of my favorite hands-on art events in the area, along with Ceram-A-rama.

Lynn also teaches ecology to our young people through art. Her “Art and Nature Classes” have been successfully acquainting young people with their local environment and teaching them inspirational techniques for illustrating and writing about “their place”.

This past Open Studio Art Tour, I met Lynn in her element, her home and studio. It was a pleasure to see the place of process and inspiration for this amazing artist. Her jewelry is greatly inspired by an apprenticeship with Native American artists, Little Patty and Michael Kioboti, and learned hand-fabricated techniques such as metal etching, stamping, and silver overlay, along with the expressive traditions of tribal culture. She creates contemporary wearable artworks with ancient meanings, timeless designs meant to build a bridge across world cultures.

Lynn also composes illustration journals filled with hand drawings and watercolor. Her formal educational background is in Illustration and Design (BFA from Michigan SU) . During her Open Studio, I spoke with Lynn’s partner Luis who explained her process of quickly recording real-time events in her journals. Then later when she has time, she goes back over the sketches painting washes. I enjoyed learning about the Lynn’s artistic practice mediated by her partner.

Lynn will be selling her wearable art for three consecutive weekends at various holiday faires. She began at the Fort Mason (SF) Celebration of Craftswomen Saturday and Sunday November 27 & 28th, 2010 at the Herbst Pavillion. The following weekend will be the Art in the Cellars at the Bargetto Winery at Main Street, Saturday and Sunday, December 4 & 5 from 10-5pm. Lastly, Lynn will be at KPFA Community Craft’s Artwork at the Concourse in San Francisco happening December 11 & 12th from 10 to 6pm.

Here are just a few of her beautiful wearable art. You can see more of her work on her website: LynnGuenther.com

She can be contacted via E-mail or phone: 831.425.0574

Below is a twitvid we took right before we went live for our radio show.

If you missed any part of the live broadcast, you can hear the whole show by clicking on the play icon below.

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Nov

18

Davis Banta Guest for Artists on Art 11/16/10

Artist Interviews

Local multi-media artist and UCSC Alum, Davis Banta came on to the show to talk about many art projects as well as his upcoming production and fundraiser, “You Had To Be There Learns to Share: A Benefit Sketch Comedy Show“, happening Friday and Saturday, November 19th & 20th, 7 pm and 9 pm.

Each show will be slightly different, so you may want to attending several to catch all the flying bits and pieces of hilarity, then go home and knit them into a sweater.

You Had To Be There gives something back to the community, by donating 50% of the money raised by these shows to the Santa Cruz Actors’ Theatre. Enjoy two evenings of original entertainment and support the local arts. The Santa Cruz Actors’ Theatre is located at 1001 Center Street, downtown Santa Cruz. The proceeds of the fundraiser go to the Santa Cruz Actors Theater. Tickets can be bought at Brown Paper Tickets.

You Had To Be There, Improv and Sketch Comedy is comprised of Davis Banta, Daniel Ruiz, Bob Nasr, Jon Rector, Helen Del Toro, and David Guzman.

Here’s one of their videos:

Davis does many types of projects from directing and performing theatrical performances to creating videos. He created a couple of promotional videos for Shakespeare Santa Cruz. Davis is also an audio artist. He also has been involved with the Drama Hour that began on KZSC and is continuing on-line with all new monthly Podcast.

This was a kind of reunion for Davis and me. We went through the KZSC Radio Class together in the Fall 2008.

If you missed any part of the live broadcast, you can hear the whole show by clicking on the play icon below.

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Nov

10

Lori, Gitanjali, Rivera for 11/9/10

Artist Interviews

The Guest for Artists on Art radio interview show for November 9, 2010 was local performer, singer, choral director, actor, Lori Rivera. We talked about the upcoming event, Universal Worship in Song, Celebrating the Divine Feminine, on November 14th, at the First Congregational Church at 900 High Street beginning at 7pm. For this event, Lori sings and directs the Jazz on High and The Happiness Choir. At the concert, the audience, that includes representatives from the Hindu, Buddhist, Wiccan, Jewish, Christian and Muslim faiths, is encouraged to sing along.

We began our interview with a question of how Lori began singing and performing. She studied at Hunter College and the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, both in New York. Lori spoke of her singing spiritually through her involvement with The Sufi Movement and The Sufi Way, as a multi-faith worship service that acknowledges and pays homage to the expressions of divine truth as they are revealed through all religions.

This event, Universal Worship in Song, Celebrating the Divine Feminine, is a benefit for Land of The Medicine Buddha, Central Asian Institute and Bread for the Journey. Tickets are $20 and available at Gateways Books and Gifts and at the door. No one will be turned away for lack of funds. Please come and add your voice and spirit to this beautiful celebration.

We also talked about Lori’s other upcoming events. The following week after the Universal Worship in Song event, Lori will be performing with So Vo So (for the second year in a row) in the upcoming Tandy Beal & Company’s Production of “Mixed Nutz! The Nutcracker Re-Mixed”, Presented by the Theater Arts Dept, Friday, November 19, 2010 - Sunday, December 5, 2010. This astonishing and gorgeous staged spectacle is the ideal way to begin the holidays.

Lori will also be a part of the New Music Works Women’s Voices, Saturday, January 15, 2011, 7:30pm – UCSC Music Recital Hall, Santa Cruz. Lori will be directing the Happiness Choir. The repertoire includes Phil Collins’ Sappho Songs.

Lastly, we talked about another upcoming performance in the new year in Smoke, a one woman show, written and produced by Joe Ortiz of Gayle’s Bakery and writer of the musical, Bread. In this one-woman show, the Lori brings to life two endearing characters—the innocent Celeste, looking for Mr. Right with a dangerously open heart, and the worldly Francesca, master of erotic strategy. Stayed tuned for more information on the next upcoming productions of Smoke.

Hopefully, Lori will come back and talk to us more. I also hope she’ll do a little singing.

If you missed any part of the live broadcast, you can hear the whole show by clicking on the play icon below.

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Nov

04

Maya Delano Guest for November 2

Artist Interviews

Local ceramic artist and painter Maya Delano was on Artists on Art show to talk about her art, process and her exhibition, DREAM HOUSE-Subconscious Musings In Acrylic and Clay beginning Friday November 5, and running through Dec.1, 2010 at the Santa Cruz Rehearsal Studios at 118 Coral Street, Santa Cruz, CA. The Artist Reception is Friday the 5th from 6:00pm-9:00pm. This space is 1 minute walk from the Tannery Art Center. For more information call: (831) 425-7277. This is an event in association with the November Santa Cruz First Friday Art Tour.

Maya makes art from the subconscious, accessing unique images and ideas from her collage and storyboards. The “Dream House” series is constantly evolving and includes images of kitschy RVs, hot air balloons lost in space, pink helicopters and flying corkscrews.

Here is a sample of work you’ll get to see:

Here’s a twitvid that we took just before the show.

If you missed any part of the live broadcast, you can hear the whole show by clicking on the play icon below.

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Nov

01

Sandra Cherk Guest for October 26, 2010

Artist Interviews

Local painter, artist, educator, Sandy Cherk came onto the Artists on Art show to talk about her upcoming installation in the new Cultural Council of Santa Cruz County exhibition at Santa Cruz County Government Center.

The Exhibit & First Friday Art Tour Reception is at the Santa Cruz County Government Center, located at 701 Ocean St and runs October 25th through December 22nd. (open during business hours)

Come see Sandy’s paintings, and other artwork by:

Pat Dellum- art glass

Craig Cheatham- photography

Aaron Johnson- wood prints and oil paintings

Mark Gottlieb- photography

The reception for the First Friday Art Tour, November 5th, 5-8pm on the 1st & 5th Floors.

This is her painting from Arana Gulch.

We started the show by talking with the education work Sandy has been doing in our Santa Cruz community, particularly Bay View Elementary, for 10 years since her younger daughter was in first grade. Sandy has been a tremendous asset for the school and helped create the Bay View Fiesta de las Artes which usually happens the third week of April. For more information, go to the Eddy ( online guide Santa Cruz City School news and events) for early April.

Sandy has a blog, Mu sings of Sandra Cherk.

Her website is sandracherk.com.

We talked about this painting her ability to convey the heat of the day through the medium of pastel water color crayon/chalk.

This year was Sandy’s 14th Open Studio. One the aspects that I love about Open Studio is ability for us regular folks to go into artist friends and neighbor’s houses and see how they work, their art practice. Sandy is exemplar in this practice by showing us the process by which she creates her paintings while creating the space for visitors to touch and feel the pastel chalks she uses. She wrote a blog that shows this process.

Here’s more examples of her beautiful work: