Le amamos, Rafael López! (We Love You, Rafael Lopez!)

From My Name is Celia: The Life of Celia Cruz, a Pura Belpre Honor Book

We're so excited to tell you that Rafael Lopez is a man of many talents and has just celebrated the release of a series of postage stamps created for the United States Postal Service! Each of the 5 stamps commemorates a Latin American musical legend - Tito Puente, Carmen Miranda, Selena, Carlos Gardel and Celia Cruz. If you're familiar with Chemers Gallery's annual Children's Book Illustration Art Show & Book Signing, chances are you will have noticed Rafael's work.His use of bright, bold colors and playful acrylic on wooden panel paintings stood out among our December 2009 show. His illustrations came from books like Our California, My Name is Celia, and the award-winning Book Fiesta.

USPS Forever Stamps, painted by Rafael Lopez

AND, if that weren't enough, Gibson has created 5 customized Epiphone guitars with Rafael's artwork on them, which will be retired to the Smithsonian museum after they finish their national tour!

Rafael with customized Gibson Epiphone guitars

Rafael was the perfect choice to create this tribute to the Latin American musical greats. Music has inspired him since his childhood, he can't paint without it. It finds its way into his artwork in the form of winged conga drums, guitars with sacred hearts, musicians blooming from lilies and vocals taking the form of birds in flight.

So put on some salsa, tango or tejano, bust a move or two with a margarita or 4, and then sit down to write a good, old-fashioned letter. Just don't forget the stamp!

Artworks by Rafael Lopez are available for purchase at Chemers Gallery.
If you haven't seen them in person yet, come on in!

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Attention Local Artists!

Title: Get Your Paintbrushes Ready!

Get your paintbrushes, cameras & printing presses ready!

Old Tustin silk painting by Nancy Goldman, from 2010 show

Call for Entries
Tustin Art League & Chemers Gallery
present
Scenes of Tustin 2011
Juried art exhibition
Juror: Kamillia Hardy

April 30th to May 14th, 2011
Artists' Reception Saturday, April 30th, 5:30 - 8:00pm

Are you ready to submit your masterpieces to our 4th Annual Tustin Art League show? Submission dates are coming up, so get ready! Not a member? Not to worry, the show is open to everyone. Local amateur and professional artists always wow us with their "scenes of Tustin" and every year it just gets better! TAL is a Tustin Area Council for Fine Art (TACFA) program that has been meeting regularly since 2000. Its members actively participate in local events around town like the Tustin Street Fair, Tustin Tiller Days, TAL month at the Tustin Senior Center Gallery, art walks and the annual Promenade Home and Garden Tour.

Side Steps oil on canvas by Brigham Allebes, from 2010 show

Exhibition Rules:
Entry must be an outdoor scene from the Tustin area, created during the year since the last contest in May 2010. All mediums are welcome. Entry must be framed to Chemers Gallery specifications and ready to hang. (For details on framing see "Framing Specifications" below.) Artists must fill out an entry form, available at Chemers Gallery, on the Tustin Art League blog, or by calling 714-544-7715. Artists must state category (Amateur or Professional) when entering.

Framing Specifications:
Chemers Gallery will be happy to assist in framing your work; if you choose to frame it yourself, please bring your frame for approval prior to submission. No nicked, gaudy or falling apart frames, please. Oils, acrylics and mixed media can be unframed if gallery wrapped edges are painted. All other two-dimensional work must be framed and ready to hang. Simple frames are preferred, acceptable colors are black & any dark wood. Mats must be neutral white, acid free (like Bainbridge 8655), colored filets ok, and either double 4-ply or single 6 or 8-ply mats. No non-glare glass. Space & weight limits apply. Please see Karen Raab at Chemers Gallery for details.

Examples of black (left) & dark wood (right) frames

Examples of gallery-wrapped canvases

Entry Fees:
Maximum of 2 entries per artist.
Please make checks payable to TACFA.
Tustin Art League members $20.00
Non-members $25.00

Prizes:
Amateur
1st Place: $75
2nd Place: $50
3rd Place: $25

Professional
1st Place: $125
2nd Place: $75
3rd Place: $50

Deadlines:
*Entry forms must be received at Chemers Gallery by April 16th
*Delivery of ready-to-hang artworks at Chemers Gallery between April 20th - 23rd during regular hours of 10am to 5pm
*Judging will occur during the week of April 25th
*Artists' Reception Saturday, April 30th, 5:30-8pm
*Artwork must be picked up from Chemers Gallery May 16th between 10am - 5pm

Citrus Ranch Park fused glass by Linda Warwick Smith, from 2010 show

For more information, please contact:
Marsha Lindsey of Tustin Art League 714-544-7715
Karen Raab of Chemers Gallery 714-731-5432

Chemers Gallery
Enderle Center
17300 17th Street, Ste. G
Tustin, CA 92780
info@chemersgallery.com
www.chemersgallery.com

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She's Oh-So-Creative!

Maria Counts has been one busy lady! We see her when she runs out of clay and makes a trip from San Diego up to Aardvark's in Santa Ana. She never fails to bring us a box of goodies like these extra-special pieces shown here. And, we just couldn't wait to share them with you!

Rabbit Girl by Maria Counts

Ever the "mad scientist," Maria is always experimenting with surprising shapes, textures and forms. She lets the ceramics speak to her and tell her their story, even if she has to wait a while before they whisper their secrets. Rabbit Girl is keeping tight-lipped for the time being, but Maria is sure to crack her code when she's good and ready. You might notice the number around her neck and wonder what that means; well, so does Maria! See if you can spot the tiny word "up" somewhere on her body. Be sure to check out Kimono Boy on our website - he's another one that's keeping mum for the time-being!

Isadora Vessel by Maria Counts

A more typical style of Maria's ceramics is this four-legged Isadora Vessel. Maria beautifully unleashes the face within the clay using glazes, stamps and cut-outs. All four sides are different and work together flawlessly. You might be familiar with Maria's teapots as well. They are all as individual as she is, with no surface left untouched by her creativity.

We have oodles of other treasures from Maria, so come on into Chemers Gallery to take a peek! If you can't make it in, just click HERE** to see it all on our website. If you'd like us to let you know when we have even more, just drop us a line using our website's brand new contact form!

**Sorry, we're having technical difficulties and can't get any links up yet! Keep checking back!

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Chemers Gallery and Laguna College of Art and Design

Laguna College of Art and Design
Student & Faculty Juried Art Exhibit
at
Chemers Gallery

Artists' Reception
Saturday, February 26, 2011
5 - 8 pm
Show continues through March 12

Join us as we partner with the Laguna College of Art and Design for the first time ever! Chemers Gallery will be hosting a juried show of LCAD student and faculty work from the disciplines of drawing, painting, illustration and sculpture. All works are available for purchase. We're expecting about 70 pieces, from still life to landscape to figurative work.

Located in Laguna Beach, LCAD has been providing tutelage and opening doors in the arts for nearly 50 years. Instructors are well-versed in classical skills and cutting edge modern techniques and build a solid foundation for students of fine art, illustration, graphic design, animation and game art. Small class sizes ensure an education environment geared for success. Creating great art matters as much as the students do at LCAD, and faculty members take great pride in preparing them for a future in the career of their choice.

Sorry, previews won't be on our website until February 26th-you'll have to be as surprised as we are by the work! After the 26th, just go to our website, click "art search" and select "LCAD" under "category." Or, just click HERE.

Come to the artists' reception on Saturday, February 26th, 5 to 8 pm and support these talented students and faculty!

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Love Is In The Air!

We've been getting all gooey-eyed seeing romance everywhere,

and we just have one question for you:

Won't you be our Valentine?

"Love"
Mary Zarbano really gets our hearts going with her vibrant expression of love. This large oil on canvas draws you in with its bold, black curves and bright red center oozing energy.




"First Anniversary"
We're mad for Joyce Lieberman's newest acrylic paintings, especially the sweetly-titled "First Anniversary"! Joyce always delivers work full of joy and emotion. They make us want to dance! Her colors pop and her quirky compositions are endearing. She paints large and small, on both paper and canvas. Joyce is passionate about her work, and makes us want to live in her world of blissful florals and mirthful still life.



"Bride and Groom"
We're simply enchanted with Kristina Swarner's delightful mixed media prints, especially her Chagall-esque bride and groom! This dreamy scene is just so charming and special, perfect for a newly married couple or that landmark anniversary. Kristina participated in our Children's Book Illustration Show in 2009 and we've been nuts over her work ever since. We have lots of little treasures from her, and their small scale makes them even more intimate and tender.





"Love Couple"
We adore these Valentine grandmas by children's book illustrator David Diaz! Painted on handmade paper with a lovely pallet of pinks and reds, David originally created these sweeties for the book "Who's That Baby?" We've got a soft spot for the pair, and the way they're holding hands...AWWW!


"Indirectly Involved"
Dan Allison's romantic-looking photogravure comes with hidden messages. We think you'll be surprised once you figure out his coded text under these beautiful rosebuds! The complicated process of creating a photogravure is definitely a labor of love, and we're taken with the complexity of this image.







"Tropical Heart"
We're sweet on Linda Warwick Smith's whimsical fused glass panels! She uses a mixture of opaque and translucent glass with a little bit of dichroic glass thrown in to add sparkle. Her fanciful heart panel fits perfectly into a stand, so all you have to worry about is finding just the right spot to display it!







Don't forget about our heart-themed jewelry! We have silver open heart necklaces from Michelene Berkey, lampworked glass heart pendants from Joshua Warwick Smith and Swarovski crystal and enamel hearts from Anne Koplik. We also have glass heart paperweights from Canadian artist Robert Held.

And if your sweetie isn't into hearts we have so much more that says "I love you," or "I like you," or "I feel obligated to get you something..."

FYI, Michelene Berkey and Linda Smith will be at our Eye Candy Jewelry Trunk Show & More this Saturday! Join us for sweet treats, both edible and non!

Saturday, February 12, 2011
1 - 5 pm

Don't forget to bring the girls and your favorite guy!

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Shugah Rush

...Jewelry that's Delish...
...Fiber Art with a Twist...

Saturday, February 12th, 2011, 1 - 5 pm
(Just in time for Valentine's Day!)

Bring the girls & your favorite guy or two and spend the afternoon with us!

Back by popular demand is our fun-filled jewelry trunk show. Meet the designers/artists or their representatives. See and try on more jewelry than you can imagine! Learn about their techniques and have tons of fun with us sampling the sweets - edible and wearable!

Linda Smith
This just in! Glass artist Linda Smith will be joining us with her delectable fused glass panels and dichroic glass jewelry. She creates delicious mosaic inspired glass pendants, bracelets and earrings and pairs them with fine silver, Swarovski crystals, Czech glass beads and semi-precious stones. Linda will also be sharing her son's yummy lampworked glass heart necklaces with us. These hearts hang at a jaunty angle from sterling silver chains accented with crystals.

Michelene Berkey
Proving yet again that silver and creativity are two ingredients that produce sweet results, Michelene Berkey joins us all the way from Colorado with her latest treats. Harnessing the textures of nature, Michelene will bring her signature array of twig rings, pendants and bangles. Don't worry if twigs aren't your thing, she also makes adornments out of silver, gold, semi-precious stones, and pearls. Her recent concoction of twigs and bees are just so cute, we can't get enough! She's been creating lots of new looks just for our show, so be sure to check them out!

Joanna Craft
Local gal Joanna Craft mixes it up with flavors of the east and west. Her decorative papers, textiles and kanji symbols set in resin and silver hit the spot, as do her yummy handmade silver designs. Lately she's been working on a new collection with sterling silver, mixed metals and resin, playing with textures and shapes. Joanna's trinkets can be dressed up or down for a look that's simply enticing. Her jewels are easily customizable to satisfy all tastes.


Amy Kekst
Take a bite of the newest tidbits from Amy Kekst! Forever expanding her horizons, Amy cooks up fun and flirty finery using assorted gemstones, crystals, chains and one-of-a-kind vintage elements. Lately she's been playing with large off-centered focal gems and cascading fringe-like chain. Amy constantly tweaks her recipes to ensure that she's on top of the trends. She's sure to have a few surprises up her sleeve for us!


Barbara Lanci
If it's bold, eye-catching design you're craving, check out Barbara Lanci's show-stoppers! We carried her work a number of years ago before she moved to New York to study jewelry-making. We're so glad she's made her way back to southern California. Barbara continues to study with master jewelers to improve her already amazing skills. She works in fine silver, sterling silver and argentium (this mixture means her pieces don't tarnish-how sweet is that?) and seeks out unique stones to incorporate into her confections.

Dinna & Liz Yesachar

Bringing us timeless, classical styles, Liz Yesachar will be showcasing Dinna's feminine polymer clay, beadwork and Swarovski crystal pieces. Liz and Dinna collaborate from afar and fuse their styles together seamlessly. Scrumptious color combinations, intricate designs and unexpected materials are a signature of this mother-daughter team. Dinna strives to reinvent herself as a designer to develop luscious treasures. From petite rose rings to contemporary beaded Cleopatra collars, Dinna and Liz are sure to have something for every pallet. Don't forget their decorate bowls, vases and more!

Mary Hammond
If it's delicate pattern and whimsical design you want, check out Mary Hammond's fabulous hand-sewn scarves! Perfect to adorn yourself, drape over a table or frame as a wall hanging, Mary's pieces are created with fabrics, threads, ribbons and trims. Her tasty textiles invite you to touch and feel the varying textures. She brings us her goodies all the way from northern California. You're sure to feel simply scrumptious in one of her creations!



Pick Box from Ayala Bar
Tuck in to the latest delicacies from Israeli artist Ayala Bar. She's sent us a box of goodies for you to savor in her newest colors and designs. Always a crowd pleaser, Ayala Bar's jewels are like tiny wearable mosaics and range from the subtly understated to bold and notice-me big. A big plus...her line is redesigned every six months, so each mouthwatering piece is a limited edition.

Follow the links above to see works that we currently have in the gallery.
However, artwork for this show is NOT on our website.
We'll have trunks full of treasures especially for the day of the event!

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Enchanted by Kristina Swarner

8 new one of a kind mixed media prints from the talented Kristina Swarner! You may remember her from our 2009 Children's Book Illustration Show. Her small-scale illustrations are just too charming to pass up!

Woman With Long Hair by Kristina Swarner

Kristina knew she wanted to be an artist since she was a child. She was heavily influenced by her grandmother and her basement stuffed full of children's books. Thanks to Grandma Swarner, Kristina was forced out of the magical basement and into the sunny outdoors. Those early memories of exploring gardens and woods led her to create her heart stopping small wonders today.

House with Red Roof by Kristina Swarner

Although you can view all of Kristina's enchanting work on our website, they really are so much better in person. Every piece has a unique quality about it that just makes you want to hold them in your hands and hang them on your walls. We're sure you'll agree, these are truly little treasures!

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