With sustainability becoming evermore present in design, it’s no wonder that artists are making more earth-friendly choices with their work.

According to the American Society of Interior Designers, sustainable design is the fastest growing segment in the interiors industry. As a result, more and more products are being developed with a broader sensitivity for lessening the environmental impact of design on the world around us. It’s a smart choice.

At Townley Gallery, two eco-minded artists have successfully integrated recyclables into their work, introducing unusual materials into the mix while adding a new shade of “green” to their artist palette.

Nearly two years ago, Cary Henrie sought inspiration in the aisles of his neighborhood Home Depot store. Henrie, who lives and works in Bountiful, Utah, and frequently ships cross-country, was in search of a more practical alternative to wood.

“I wanted something that was lightweight but also an interesting new surface and environmentally friendly,” says Henrie.

What caught his eye was a high-density polymer industrial insulation panel made from recycled water bottles. Withstanding Henrie’s rigorous textural process of sanding, varnishing, molding and cracking, the material surpassed his expectations. It also allowed him to easily cut new shapes and create broken edges, enhancing the sculptural quality of his work.

“I travel all around the world and am inspired by broken things, such as frescoes in Pompeii. This material looks antique and also performs excellently.”

Henrie’s “eco-panels,” a composite of the lightweight insulation backed with recycled wood for added stability and topped with a unique fresco plaster, are substantial to look at it yet easy to handle and hang on the wall.

Says Henrie, “A person should buy a piece of art because it forms a connection with them just by looking at it. But when they discover it’s recycled, it’s a huge plus!”

Portland-based artist Kristin Fritz was looking for ways to be less of a consumer with her work. And when an article in the local paper outlined the pros and cons between paper, plastic and reusable grocery bags, an energy-efficient light bulb went on! Fritz, who previously worked with colorful handmade papers from Nepal, wondered what paper grocery bags would be like as a new paper source. After months of experimentation in the studio and an eventual opportunity for an exhibition of her latest medium, her new process was crystallized and the result was a sell-out show.

“I knew I was on to something special, both aesthetically and conceptually. And the fact that I had left behind more traditional media for an unconventional recycled material clearly resonated with my clients as well.”

Fritz distresses and stains the paper bags with walnut ink then collages them on to canvas, creating a unique texture. She paints on the surface with more walnut ink, adding pure pigment for accents of red or turquoise patina.

Fritz’s work is now available for the first time outside of the Pacific Northwest. A special exhibition at Townley Gallery is scheduled for July 14 through September 14, with an artist’s reception on Saturday, July 14.

View recent works by both artists at Townley Gallery today! For more information, call (949) 715-1860 or go to townleygallery.com; caryhenrie.com; or kristinfritz.com.

, A FREE DAY FOR FAMILIES

Families will enjoy a fun-filled day of hands-on art projects with green, environmentally-friendly themes led by members of LOCA. Art projects include Happy Hats, Happy Huts, Puzzle Play, Rain Sticks, and Earth Bags, and participants will take home their finished art. The event will also feature face painting, live performances, complimentary refreshments, and the popular “Art Detective” scavenger hunt game which encourages careful observation of the art featured in the museum’scurrent exhibitions.

“Imagination Celebration at Laguna Art Museum is a great way for the community to come together to enjoy hands-on art projects and the museum’s exhibitions,” said Community Engagement Associate Jennifer Gardiner. “We are proud that Laguna Art Museum can offer this event as a free day for students and families, and we look forward to this event all year. Many families attend year after year and constantly tell us how much fun they had and how enriching the experience was for their children. We encourage all families to attend this free event and to experience the museum and all of the wonderful activities we have to offer.”

This event will take place in conjunction with the countywide arts festival Imagination Celebrationproduced by Arts Orange County and the Orange County Department of Education.

Admission to Laguna Art Museum will be free from 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. At 2:00 p.m. the museum will return to general admission and will resume normal operating hours until 5:00 p.m. Reservations for Imagination Celebration are not necessary.

For more information, patrons can contact Jennifer Gardiner at jgardiner@lagunaartmuseum.org or949.494.8971 x221. ***

ABOUT LAGUNA ART MUSEUM

Laguna Art Museum is a museum of California art. Its purpose is to provide the public with exposure to art and to promote understanding of the role of art and artists in American culture through collection, conservation, exhibition, research, scholarship and education. Working within the tradition of the oldest cultural institution in Orange County, Laguna Art Museum documents regional art and places it in a national context. The museum maintains its historic ties to the community and is responsive, accessible, and relevant to the area’s diverse population. The museum’s exhibitions, catalogues, and educational activities illustrate an ongoing examination of California art, which includes historical and contemporary art. Through collections, publications, and research on the art of California, Laguna Art Museum promotes understanding of the role of California art and artists in the development of the visual arts nationally and internationally. Laguna Art Museum 307 Cliff Drive Laguna Beach, CA 92651 p: 949.494.8971 f: 949.494.1530 www.LagunaArtMuseum.org  LOCATION Laguna Art Museum is located at 307 Cliff Drive in Laguna Beach, on the corner of PCH and Cliff Drive, next door to Las Brisas restaurant. CURRENT EXHIBITIONS California Artists: Late Nineteenth to Early Twentieth Century, from the Collection | On display through May 20, 2012 The Postwar Era: from the Collection, 1945-1980 | February 26-April 29, 2012 Victor Hugo Zayas: Mi Obra | February 26-April 29, 2012 NEW HOURS Monday-Tuesday, Friday-Sunday: 11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Thursday: 11:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. Closed Wednesday NEW PRICES $7.00 general admission $5.00 students, seniors, active military FREE for children under 12 and museum members TOURS The museum offers complimentary docent-led tours every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 2:00 p.m. No reservations are necessary. Audio tours can be accessed on any smartphone atwww.LagunaArtMuseum.mobi. Patrons without smartphones can rent an iPod Touch for free at the museum’s front desk.

]]> http://www.lagunaartnews.com/laguna-art-museum-hosts-imagination-celebration-free-day-for-families/feed/ 0 http://www.lagunaartnews.com/laguna-canyon-artists-annual-spring-exhibition/ http://www.lagunaartnews.com/laguna-canyon-artists-annual-spring-exhibition/#comments Fri, 13 Apr 2012 04:12:29 +0000 admin http://www.lagunaartnews.com/?p=500 Tom Swimm

Over 25 professional working artists will exhibit paintings, sculpture, jewelry, ceramics, glassware, fiber art and photography that is available for purchase. Event features artist demonstrations, refreshments, ample free parking. Free admission, open to the public, all ages.

Event Title:  Laguna Canyon Artists Annual Spring Exhibition
Dates:	May 12, 2012
Time:	11AM to 6PM
Where:	3251-3275 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, CA

TOWNLEY Gallery – Artist Reception: April 5 2012 / 6-9pm

First Thursday Art Walk – extended 3000 sq ft exhibit space – (Artists included at bottom)

When visiting Art Walk Laguna Beach stop by TOWNLEY gallery – Downtown Laguna at Legion and PCH

Located at: 570 South Coast Hwy • Laguna Beach, CA • 92651 – http://townleygallery.com – 1.888.9.TOWNLEY

(Extended ONE NIGHT Exhibit – with an additional 3000 sq ft space – Previously “Indian Summer Space”)

Artist Reception Thursday April 5th 2012 / 6-9pm
Wine • Live Music • Hors d’oeuvres

Unveiling New Works by
H. RIVERA
Showing April 5 – April 27 2012

H. Rivera is a civil engineer graduated from Guadalajara, Mexico at Iteso . After relocating to the US it was very quick that he returned to his passion of fine art. Painting and drawing was something he did ever since he could remember.

H. Rivera is the world’s first post-modern frescoist. Mr. Rivera has been well-schooled in classical art and techniques. Although he gained prominence as interpretive modern artist, he realized that much of the modern art world was banal and had lost sight of painting’s roots in the classical arts.

In his move to post-modernism, he sought to bring classical techniques to the altar with modern interpretations. Thus was born the art style of post-modern fresco. This technique, which was so wildly popular in Renaissance Italy, brings a stunning marriage of the old and the new.

Rivera has many paintings in private and corporate collection all over the world including:
acrylics, oils, and his most recent work of frescos (lime plaster).

Training:
University of Guadalajara – industrial engineering and art studies 1980-1982
Degree in civil engineering (ITESO) 1983- 1987

Media:
FVM a global magazine. August 2011
ARTWORKS a voice for the arts. Summer 2010
Laguna Beach Magazine September 2010
Laguna Beach Independent March 26th 2010
artsGuide to the arts April 15th
Juried Member of the Laguna ART Group™

(Rivera’s Previously Sold Works)

TOWNLEY Gallery Resident Artists and (extended 3000 sq ft one night exhibit) with Laguna ART Group™

Artists include:

Shane Townley
Nisperos
Cary Henrie
Krisin Fritz
Eren Alptekin
Joni Pakes
H Hugh Miller
Kraig Varner
Haleh Mashian
NelsonKaki
Steward
Nicky Alice
Paul Marto
Noel Madrid
Belle Tuckerman
Kim Jacobi

(Rivera’s Previously Sold Works)

By FRED SWEGLES / THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

ARTIST EYE LAGUNA GALLERY
Artist Reception – April 14^th  from 6 – 9 p.m.
Laguna Beach, and Irvine, Calif., April 3, 2012. Artist Eye Laguna Gallery will feature the original artwork of Ernie Jones for the month of April. Ernie lives in Irvine, and is one of the founding members of the gallery. His latest oil painting features the historic 4-8-4 ex-Santa Fe Locomotive 3751, the oldest surviving locomotive of its type in the world. The gallery will host an artist reception from 6 – 9 p.m., Saturday, April 14.

As a child, Ernie liked to draw – especially trains and airplanes. He grew up in Alexandria, Virginia, where his grandfather worked for the Southern Railroad. He spent many hours talking with his granddad about trains. His latest painting is a tribute to the age of steam and the contributions that trains and railroads made to the development of the American West. “The Last of Her Kind”

This grand old locomotive was the first of its type operated by the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway, and the first AT & SF locomotive to arrive at Los Angeles Union Passenger Terminal with a revenue passenger train on opening day, May 7, 1939.  The 3751 retired from service in 1953 after a long productive career spanning 26 years. It was donated to the City of San Bernardino in 1958, and sat in a remote park for 28 years, unappreciated and left to disrepair. Fortunately, in 1986, the San Bernardino Railroad Historical Society, clearing many obstacles, began to restore the locomotive at its new home provided by California Steel Industries in Fontana, California.

“In May, 2011, 3751 made a weekend excursion run to San Diego and I decided to capture the event on canvas,” said Ernie Jones. “The lure of this painting is that it depicts the powerful elegance of our past as the old steam engine proudly sits on its tracks in front of the modern San Diego skyline. What better way to capture this feeling than to include a grandfather as he shares a bit of train history with his two grandkids.”

About Artist Eye Laguna Gallery 

Artist Eye Laguna Gallery is a cooperative venture featuring the works of 16 award-winning Southern California artists.  The gallery exhibits a variety of original artwork including fine art paintings in watercolor, oil, acrylic and mixed media, as well as photography and sculpture. We are prominently located at Cress Street and PCH in the HIP District, a shopping, dining and artistic area on Pacific Coast Highway between Thalia Street and Blue Bird Canyon in Laguna Beach. Come meet and mingle with all our artists during First Thursdays Art Walk from 6 to 9 p.m. the first Thursday of every month.

Artist Eye Laguna Gallery is located at 1294-A So. Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, CA 92651.  Phone: (949) 497-5898. Gallery Hours: Sunday, Noon to 5 p.m., Monday thru Thursday, 1 – 6 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Please visit our website at  HYPERLINK “http://www.artisteyelagunagallery.com/” www.artisteyelagunagallery.com.

The Laguna ART Group is proud to welcome artist Sorin Bica

Sorin’s featured works can be viewed and purchased online at LagunaART/Sorin-Bica

The Laguna ART Group is proud to welcome artist Michael Hill

Michael’s featured works can be viewed and purchased online at LagunaART/Michael-Hill