Elk/Mendocino Second Saturday gallery openings
“Postcards from Home” is the title featured artist Sharon Garner has chosen for her February show at the Artists’ Co-op of Mendocino. When Sharon arrived and planted herself in North Coast soil years ago, she was already an accomplished baker and vocalist. In 1997 she met Stephen Garner who had lived in Elk since 1974. They were married in 1998 and in time she grew and blossomed into a graphic designer, sought-after culinary artist, and excellent photographer. These deep roots in the town of Elk have borne much fruit for both of these artists. Sharon expresses the sense of community that nourishes their lives in this collection of iconic Mendocino and Elk images meant “to honor where I live.” You are invited to come and experience this open memory box of images at the Artists’ Coop gallery from February 8th to March 6th The
Co-op is located at Kasten x Albion Streets in Mendocino, open daily from 11 am to 4 pm; meet the artist at the extended hours on Saturday, February
11th from 4 to 7 pm. If you cannot visit the gallery in person, then find our art online at www. artcoopmendocino.com Phone: 1-707-937-2217.
Partners Gallery Partners Gallery is showing the work of the late legendary Mendocino Coast artist Eduardo Smissen, from February 9 through March 6. Eduardo described his paintings as…“my reflections of divine chuckles or the frustrated stutter. Mystery has always been a source for my work, from the long shadows of film noir to the burning giraffes of surrealism.”
Smissen spent a year in Spain absorbing Salvador Dali’s Catalan coast influences. His images can startle, like a painting of a flaming suitcase falling into the ocean (Lost Luggage) or a large painting of very large flies (Fly Dynasty). Described as a fabulist, he fits the definition of an imagination unfettered by the laws of logic. His friend Stephan Kessler referred to Eduardo as “…an enthusiast and a joker whose conversational tone always had a slightly mischievous and ironic edge.” He utilized gunpowder in his work as well as discarded objects and flea market finds, giving them new meaning. “I use my life, my vision on areas I feel should be looked at, and pose questions I feel should be considered. My working method is fairly simple: Gathering, Arranging, and Execution.”
Eduardo’s widow Joelle Signorelli will join us at the Second Saturday opening on February 11, 5-7 pm. 45062 Ukiah St. Mendocino. Gallery hours are Thursday through Monday from 11 to 4:30.