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4/13/2018 0 Comments

New York Times visited Upstairs Art Gallery ....press cuttings from the archives

Some things remain the same.....

Travel writer, Amy Gunderson, from the New York Times visited us and wrote about Upstairs Art Gallery in her article "36 Hours /Healdsburg, Calif." , published Friday August 26, 2005.

Amy says "Levin and Company (306 Center Street) is a small bookstore with an artist-owned gallery upstairs - called Upstairs Art Gallery - where the person working the desk is one of the creative minds behind the art adorning the walls. Even in the heart of wine county, it isn't just about the grapes."

Of the restaurants, hotels and shops mentioned in the article, many have gone by the wayside, but Upstairs Art Gallery and Levin's bookstore are still thriving, and in the good company of Downtown Bakery and Creamery, Oakville Grocery and Bear Republic Brewing Company ....all still highly recommended on any visit to Healdsburg.

Credit: New York Times, August 26, 2005. Article written by Amy Gunderson. Photos by Peter DaSilva.

Upstairs Art Gallery, Healdsburg, Califonia mentioned in travel article, New York Times, 2005

credit: New York Times, Amy Gunderson. August 26 2005

3/24/2018 0 Comments

Watercolors from my travels by John Warner

John Warner creates watercolor paintings of coastal landscapes and seascapes from Canada to Mexico, Hawaii, and the Mediterranean, as well as California's vineyards. John says he finds inspiration in their ever-changing light and reflections and warmth. John paints only from his own sketches and photos. This methodology is how he focuses
his vision into a very personal sense of place.

John says his love of watercolor began as a youngster visiting the galleries in Carmel, California. His aunt and uncle lived in Carmel. When the families got together on the holidays, they'd explore the beaches and art galleries. As an aspiring artist, John was enthralled with the unique environment. John says that to this day the Monterey Peninsula and Big Sur Coast continue to amaze and stimulate him to capture its rugged beauty.

John is our featured artist April 1-29 2018

3/24/2018 0 Comments

Birds' Eye Views - watercolors by Ron Sumner

Well known for his paintings of California birds, Ron Sumner is also showing some of his Sonoma county vistas - from a bird's perspective. Ron's ability to portray birds realistically in their natural environment is evident in his landscape paintings too. His work has won many awards including two editions of Splash - an annual international publication featuring 100 of today's most accomplished watercolor artists. Paintings by Ron Sumner will be featured through March 25 2018.

Reception Saturday, March 17th 2-6. Refreshments served.

3/18/2018 0 Comments

Save the Date.....

Join us on June 23rd 2018 as we celebrate 21 years of in Healdsburg.
That adds up to a lot of lives enriched by art!

2/23/2018 0 Comments

American Art Collector visits Upstairs Art Gallery

Upstairs Art Gallery gets a mention in the February 2018 Edition of American Art Collector - a team came to California to write a feature on Healdsburg as a great Art City destination. It sure is!

1/20/2018 0 Comments

Whimsical watercolors....by Phyllis Rapp

Starting off the New Year with the spotlight on Healdsburg artist Phyllis Rapp, our featured artist for January.

The artwork that she has chosen to display will depict watercolor winter themes that celebrate plants, animals and people in a whimsical style.

Phylllis is new to the gallery - but not really. She was a founding member of the gallery 20 years ago and was the gallery manager for many years. Then we scared her away and she went and lived on a sailboat in the Caribbean. But now we're thrilled to have her back.

Phyllis is featured artist thru Feb 4 2018.
Reception Saturday January 27 3-6pm

1/19/2018 0 Comments

American Art Collector Magazine spotlights Healdsburg

Pick up your copy (February 2018 Edition) of
American Art Collector Magazine at your local retailer. Upstairs Art Gallery is mentioned as the place to find 'local art by local artists' in their 7 page 'Arts City Focus' article featuring Healdsburg.

10/11/2017 0 Comments

October 11th, 2017

SANTA ROSA AREA FIRE UPDATE:
The gallery will continue to be closed Wed and Thurs (Oct 11 and 12th) due to the fire conditions and very poor air quality in our area.
Our gallery 'family' of 16 local artists are all safe and accounted for, including their pets, but we have been deeply affected by the fire. Some of us are evacuated from our homes, and several of us have lost our homes in the fire .....
We are happy to report that the fire has not come near the town of Healdsburg, so the gallery is fine.
Thank you for your support and concerns for our artists and we hope to see you under clear blue skies soon.

10/2/2017 0 Comments

October 2017

Color me Happy by Tony Minnino

Embarking on a new direction in his artwork, artist Tony Mininno shares a fresh and engaging side of his creative self in his colorful, passionate abstracts. Each unique piece, drawn from the reservoir of his life, is filled with soul and energy. Keeping in mind that color has the scientifically proven ability to alter one’s mood and feelings, Mininno thoughtfully applies each stroke, first in response to his own inner psyche, but also to further elicit such emotions as excitement, joy, calm, creativity and respect. These emotions, first experienced by the artist, himself, are then offered through his abstracts, as a gift to the viewer - a gift to pause and explore for themselves all that is drawn out in their own experience of his art.

"These paintings exhibit bright color and whimsical pattern and brushwork. I applied thick layers of paint that I have carved or incised with serrated knives to create directional movement or 'energy.'

Although I have given each painting a name that hints at my intention, I want the viewer to explore each painting and let his or her mind wander in and around my canvas and reach their own conclusion as to what it represents to them in their minds."

To further your art-viewing pleasure, Tony Mininno's small works abstracts will be on display along with, "Autumn Color," a show featuring the artworks of all the artists at Upstairs Art Gallery, October 2nd - 29th.

Reception: October 7th, 4-7PM

Tony will also be in the gallery on the following days:
Tuesday, Oct. 3, 11am-6pm
Wednesday, Oct. 11, 3-6pm
Saturday, Oct. 14, 11am-3pm

9/4/2017 0 Comments

Reasons to Rejoice

Debbie Harding - soft pastel paintings

There is not one blade of grass,
there is no color in this world
that is not intended to make us rejoice." - John Calvin

Focused mainly on landscape, floral and wildlife, each artwork is an invitation to see more acutely the richness of life that we can so often miss in our hurried pace.

"This quote by John Calvin has come to hold great meaning to me, as it so aptly describes the mood of my heart as I encounter new and amazing things in nature. Many times, overwhelmed with awe, I can only describe my feelings as intense joy, which find their expression in my artistic interpretations. It is my desire that my artwork will encourage and elicit similar feelings in the viewer. I invite you to rejoice with me in all that we are so blessed to see and experience in the gift of creation." - Debbie Harding

9/4/2017 0 Comments

Sonoma Impressions

Lenona Winter - plein air oil paintings

Winter has painted the Sonoma hills extensively for several years. This exhibition features work of this area as well as coastal and rural vistas.

“The Sonoma hills are renowned for their seasonal beauty,” says Winter. “As spring arrives hillside meadows blaze in shades of green and splashes of yellow, orange and violet wildflowers. In summer and fall the hills’ sumptuous shades of gold juxtapose with dark green oaks, casting long, luscious shadows. When I’m painting, an occasional hiker or curious cow may visit or a Turkey Vulture might swoop in for a closer look. It’s a calming place where I can feel the stillness of a summer afternoon and the warmth of the sun-soaked earth. Intoxicated, I return to paint it again and again.”

7/2/2017 0 Comments

Aqua media collage

Pieces of Me by Carolyn Wilson

Reception Saturday July 8 5-8pm

Full of personal history and layers of meaning, British expatriate Carolyn Wilson's new series of collage pieces capture aspects of her experience living and traveling in England. She says, "Communicating more than what is merely visible on the surface, my latest collage work incorporates ephemera, such as maps, printed words and postage stamps. The work is embedded with fragments of my life story - pieces of me. The mementos might end up being only partially visible beneath layers of paper, or completely hidden, but their inclusion is important to my creative process and the evolution of a piece. The viewer needs to take a close look to discover them."

Carolyn's collage work has a tactile, fabric like quality, and contemporary style framing of paintings on canvas or wood panels eliminates the need for glass, allowing viewers to enjoy and even touch the rich surface textures. Many of Carolyn's new works are small in size, although equally as creative and detailed as her larger paintings. She uses a variety of aqua media, (meaning anything dissolved with water) such as watercolor, acrylic, inks and gesso in combination with collage elements of found or hand colored rice papers.

6/28/2017 0 Comments

20 Years in business....

Some Gallery history.....The gallery opened 20 years ago today, and started out life as a place for Santa Rosa Art Guild artists to show their work. That aspect has changed, but much else remains the same. Interestingly, we were the first "Artist Owned" gallery in Sonoma County.

Photo Credit: Press cutting from The Healdsburg Tribune, June 25, 1997

5/31/2017 0 Comments

Hot Wax live demo by Rachel Laufer....and all that jazz!

Curious about encaustic art? Live demo 1-3 pm Saturday June 3 2017

Hot wax demonstration by Rachel Laufer

Hot Jazz!!

Melted beeswax has been used in art making for many centuries. Watch Rachel Laufer, our resident encaustic artist, get into her creatitive groove with a soundtrack of great jazz playing gently in the background. Wanna try your hand? Have questions? Great. All welcome!
Daniele Todaro's art isn't miss a beat either. Her energetic colorful jazz inspired artwork is livening up the walls in the gallery right now, too. See some of her instrument inspired art here

If you are a jazz fan, check out the 2017 Healdsburg Jazz Festival program of events ....It's happenin now! June 2-11 . www.healdsburgjazzfestival.org/festivals-2/2017-festival/

5/31/2017 0 Comments

Waxing nostalgic....new small works by Dan Scannell

Reception: Sunday June 4, 2-5pm

Dan is having fun exploring a new medium - encaustic hot wax paintings. His botanical images are painted in oils and appear to float above sketches and found papers which are sealed under a layer of clear wax.
This is a series of a dozen small botanical themed paintings, 11" x 14". Hang them solo, or they would look great clustered in a group , as they are in matching frames .

5/31/2017 0 Comments

Colorful, Light-filled pastels by Jan Thomas

Reception: June 4 2017 2-5pm

Influenced by strong shapes and contrast, Jan's recent paintings reflect a particular awareness of abstraction in the landscape. "I am increasingly interested in design and placement of shapes and quality of color to communicate a visual story of time and space", she says. "Working on artist grade sanded papers allows me to build up many layers of pastel to create luminous color and rich texture."
This current show includes small paintings, 8"x 10" or smaller, as well as larger works. The small paintings are wonderful additions to brighten a narrow wall or accent a table top when placed in a small easel. They travel well in a suitcase and are affordable for beginner collectors, and as gifts.

2/17/2017 0 Comments

Sunrise in Sonoma County

Laura Roney ...oils capturing early morning light

There is a brief period of time at first light where the sun's impact is most intense as light streaks across the land. Laura Roney's new series Sunrise in Sonoma County Oil Paintings reflect the part of dawn when the rhythm of life changes. She captures the impact of morning sun, first on the sky, then on the clouds and the earth. These representational landscapes depicting mornings based on what she says she sees rather than an idealized version of nature. "There's enough grandeur present in Sonoma County, I do not have to embellish it."
Laura's paintings will be on display until January 29. Come to her Artist Reception January 14, 2017; 2-5pm

2/17/2017 0 Comments

February 17th, 2017

April Featured Artist: Dee Andreini

Show title:   "Dreamscapes”
Show dates:   May 1- 28
Reception Date: Saturday, May 6th   5-8 pm

Artist Statement:

For me as an artist I have always been inspired by the beauty that surrounds me, especially here in our beautiful Sonoma County. It is an ever present love to express myself on canvas. I call this present show "Dreamscapes" as the sensitive nature of my work and the 'dreamy’ quality is a way of bringing the natural beauty that is all around us closer to the heart. I paint in oil and acrylics, most recently in oils, and use a painterly style that of late has been loser, using a lot of soft edges. My paintings are quite colorful and I often use intense colors. Over the years I have found that I am truly a mood painter, losing myself in the piece when I start to paint, then finding it hard to stop.
I began painting in high school when I was 15 years old, and hold a BA degree in Fine Arts. For me, a painting is not finished unless it has the capacity to stir feelings in the viewer. I hope for a personal connection between the painting and the individual, that they will relate as strongly as I to the subject and the feelings that took place when it was created.

March 2017
Eclectic
February 26 to April 2

by Tony Minnino
Reception March 4, 2017 2-6pm.

My eyes are the lenses on the camera of my mind.   Thousands of shots are captured each day as my eyes encounter the ever changing set around me in the movie of my life.   Shot, after shot, after shot, the camera rolls until that one special shot catches my attention.   Eclectic represents the eclectic mix of shots that comprise this body of new work.

Open House Sunday Feb 19th 2017 11-6

February 2017
Art from the Heart .
Open House.
Sunday February 19th 11-6.
Join us for homemade sweet treats and fancy drinks.
Meet 7 of our artists during the day : Debbie Harding, Jan Thomas, Dan Scannell, Cynthia Jackson-Hein. Rachel Laufer and Dee Andreini,Carolyn Wilson

11/4/2016 0 Comments

Love of Life and Land -Cynthia Jackson-Hein

December 2016

Holiday Gift show

Featuring jewelry by Jo Tobin-Charleston, JoAnna Noble, Brittany Ketcham Roney, Susan Harter-Oshiro, Luann Udell, Robert Yelland and artisanal creations by John Bennett, Melissa McCann, Peggy Parr, Joann Cassady, Nancy and Brian Roberts, Nancy Winn, Jonqui Albin, Randy Snyder, Michael Ecton
Reception: Saturday December 17th- Open House all day, noon-6pm

Cynthia's expressive brushwork and harmonious palette invite the viewer to see her latest impressionist oil painting series: Love of Life and Land. Her paintings speak of times gone by with personal connections to the things she most loves in life - people, animals and landscapes. She captures the emotion of actually being in a place, to feel the presence of an animal or person looking back at her, and the thrill she gets from seeing her subject come alive on the canvas as she paints.

10/1/2016 0 Comments

Welcome Rachel Laufer

Rachel Laufer, the newest Upstairs Art Gallery artist, utilizes an ancient way of painting to take her photographic images to a completely different level. Some of her art pieces have a combination of
ephermera layered into the encaustic medium, others have hand-dyed silk layers, while some are completely encaustic. Rachel says the flexibility of working with natural beeswax/resin of encaustic wax allows her to use pastels, oils, image transfers and mark making to further enhance her painterly images.

www.rachellaufer.weebly.com