We’re so excited for our upcoming event, Hearts for the Arts! Meet the art and the artists behind this “love”-ly silent auction benefitting the Arts Council’s arts education programs, SPECTRA and Mariposa’s Art.
Want to see it in person? Stop by Artisans Gallery on Pacific Ave January 31st through February 12th to view and bid on love and heart inspired art by local artists. Join us for a reception Sunday, January 29th, 3-5 PM!
Michael Bashista
This was our first donation to Hearts for the Arts: Artist Call! It’s called the Flame of Love, by Michael Bashista, and is a beautiful sculpture made out of translucent calcite. Michael came late in life to sculpture, discovering its uniqueness as the one art where the medium is removed in order to work with negative space. He believes, “in the stone’s stillness, there is great movement. In the sculptor’s hands, there are great possibilities.” To see more of his fine stone work, head over to his website here. Thank you, Michael!
Alexa Shoemaker
This paper craft octopus is a delightful donation to Hearts for the Arts: Artist Call by Alexa Shoemaker Brooks. Alexa says, “Octopuses are beautiful, intelligent creatures, and they happen to have three hearts!” Learn more about Alexa and the piece here.
Stacy Frank
Stacy of Stacy’s Studio is a Santa Cruz artist and printmaker whose studio is located on the West Side. Her works on paper include etchings, monoprints, monotypes, paintings and drawings with a natural history angle. Her art donation for the auction is a monoprint with drypoint and carborundum to be mounted on a cradled panel. Looking great so far, Stacy!
Janet Silverglate
This Hearts for the Arts: Artist Call contribution is from Janet Silverglate who says, “I have a weird eye for things, I work exclusively in found objects. It makes you realize all of the stuff that gets thrown out.” What a fun figure! You can see more of her work right now on the walls of Gabriella Cafe. Then come to Artisans Gallery to see this work up close. Thanks, Janet!
Janice Serilla
Our next artwork donation is this adorable oinker painted by Janice Serilla Design. Janet is a pet portrait artist and animal enthusiast. She says ” I love animals and their spirit. This cute little pig will make everyone smile!” You can bid on this cutie at Artisans Gallery starting at our artist reception party on Sunday January 29th at 3 pm. Thanks Janice Serilla!
Karen Asherah
More love for Hearts for the Arts, this time from Karen Asherah. Karen is a fine art photographer of animals and nature with a focus on the sacred and sentient nature of all beings, particularly equines. Her donation is called “Tres Amigos,” a stunning image of three mustangs living in sanctuary at Return to Freedom (Lompoc, CA) that demonstrates their deep bonds of friendship. And there she is at work, getting a little love from a donkey! Thank you, Karen.
Sylvia Valentine
Sylvia Valentine found magic when she discovered a tree branch heart on a misty rainy afternoon. Sylvia is sharing that magic with our fundraiser for children’s arts education. Sylvia’s name means “Maiden of the Woods” and she loves capturing the spirit of a place. “I believe that art can be a prayer (silent, still, intimate) and beauty is medicine!” says Sylvia. See more of her beautiful work at Nature Photographer SylviaValentine.com.
Claire Lerner
This donation-in-progress is a mixed media piece about finding love! Claire has been working as an artist for 30 years and is a longtime participant in our Open Studios Art Tour. She also teaches art at the high school level, meaning it’s no surprise she is donating her talents to benefit arts education! Thanks, Claire.
Andy Orsini
This Hearts for the Arts donation is beautiful and functional! This wooden box is made of Walnut, Maple and Bloodwood, all in their natural colors (no stain!). With it’s internal compartments, it’s a great box for jewelry and the heart on the lid is the perfect way to open it. Andy says, “I love the tactile aspect of wood, the smell and feel, it is, by far, the most appealing material to most people. That and I love making things that people use, something highly functional and perfectly matched to its need!” Mission accomplished, Andy. See more of his woodworking here.
Liz Crain
This donation is too cute and funny to pass up! From the “Crazy Heart” series by ceramics artist Liz Crain comes the imaginary product “Valentine Fixative,” which purports to help one hold onto one’s sweetie: it’s “Romance in a Can!” (The back says so.) Liz likes to crack herself up in her clay studio by completely hand-making vintage-looking cans of invented and often ironic brands, “rust” and all. Check them out at her website here!
Jane Ferguson
This lovely painting is called “Birds Of A Feather Stick Together.” Artist Jane Ferguson says, “The UK Robin is one of my favorite garden birds and brings back happy memories of being brought up in England. I feel the red breast helps captures the Valentine theme.”
Jane has been creating art full time for about 16 years and recently moved to Santa Cruz from Cupertino. You may recognize her work from our Open Studios Tour this past year!
See more of Jane’s work at her website here.
Isobel George
The amazing artists contributing to our Hearts for the Arts 2017 auction are really going above and beyond! This donated artwork is the third in a series created especially for Hearts for the Arts by artist Isobel George. Isobel says, “I enjoy marrying my painting and my poetry in this whimsical way… it lifts the spirit!” She has been making paintings in her Aptos studio for 25 years, where she works in watercolor and, more recently, in oil and acrylic. Her art donation is in watercolor and ink on 300 lb Arches paper. See more of Isobel’s work on her website here.
Marie Massey
This beautiful donation is a plein air oil on canvas painting called “Santa Cruz Mountain Meadow.” Artist Marie Massey painted it on location at the Steinbeck estate in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Look closely for the heart-shaped design in the wrought iron gate! Find more of Marie’s colorful paintings on her website here.
Nancy Gonzalez Caro
This cozy donation is a beautiful quilt by artist Nancy Gonzalez Caro. Entitled “Live, Love, Laugh,” it is an all-handmade work of art, featuring hand-dyed perle cotton thread, hand beading and hand quilting.
Mary Vidnovic
Mary Vidnovic of Mary Vidnovic Fine Art & Photography is a first-time donor to Hearts for the Arts! Her painting is called “Looking at the world through heart-shaped glasses.” Sounds good to us!
Randie Paige Silverstein
This donation, a serigraph print, was inspired by a photo of a Scarlet Tanager from a bird calendar. Artist Andree LeBourveau says, “The bird’s shape and color reminded me of love and printing it on old sheet music made my heart sing. Hopefully yours will, too.” Andree is a local Santa Cruzan who has been a printmaker for the past 26 years. She is one of 20 members of Printmakers at the Tannery!
How to Care For and Maintain Your Living Heart Shape Succulent Design:
1. Every 7 days, soak the base of the design (covering all the succulents) in lukewarm water for 10 minutes. Allow the design to drain well before hanging.
2. Keep your design in the house during winter months (Nov – Jan). Succulents don’t thrive when cold and wet at the same time; especially when not planted in soil.
3. Make sure the design has direct or indirect sunlight. Don’t put the design near heater or fireplace.
4. This is a living design. Plants will die, and leaves do fall off. Remove plant or leaves when showing signs of dying. Maintaining your design is important to the longevity of the succulents. The succulents will continue to grow on the form
5. The succulents can be removed from the form and reused.
Liza Scully
The title of this donation, “No Words, Just Love,” is getting us in the right mood for Hearts for the Arts! Artist Liza Scully created this work with cotton muslin, silk organza, embroidery floss and shell buttons. A book artist who works with paper and fabric, Liza says, “I am currently working through an obsession with shell buttons.”
Lynn Jaye
