The Fall Judged Fine Art show is on the walls at Rainbow Stew in Yucca Valley until November 10, 2021.
Our seasonal fine art shows are open to the public and judged by an invited artist or teacher and they provide a fantastic glimpse of what our local creators have been focused on. Painted & drawn works, mixed media, assemblage, and more - these mediums can be worked with even if you need to stay at home, like so many over the 2020 year. Art, the written word, and other forms of expression are vital for us as they provide an expressive outlet during all kinds of emotional moments that range the gambit from still quiet to lively excitement. Our community is full of talent and this open judged show is just one of the moments when we experience the art forms that have seen our creators through the complicated months of 2020 and beyond.
A total of twenty-nine (29) entries were received from ten (10) artists, a strong showing! Typically, we have experienced smaller judged fine art shows, likely due to the fact that creations of paint or assemblage take time to complete, many artists working on a limited number per year. In the past our photography shows have been overwhelmingly popular on the other hand, upwards of forty or more entries to hang. I do wonder if the transition might be connected with how therapeutic it can be to create using mediums, possibly lending to the increase in finished fine art! Who's to say, we just love seeing our community member's beautiful works.
The 29 entries were sorted into the three judged categories of "Nature's Kaleidoscope", "Beautiful Creatures", and "Abstract".
Judge
Glenn Grishkoff has taught, performed and exhibited his work nationally and internationally in Japan, South Africa and Thailand. He was awarded special invitations from the Shigaraki Cultural Ceramic Park in Japan and from Chiang Dao Artist Residency in Thailand where he collaborated with hill tribe people and the famous "painting elephants". He has lectured at The Mashiko Museum of Art and The International Workshop Ceramic Art in Tokoname, Japan. The Oregon School of Art and Craft, The LH Project and the Florida Keys Community College have welcomed him as a visiting artist and lecturer. In 2008, Grishkoff was awarded the Idaho Commission on the Arts fellowship grant for his sculptural work. Grishkoff holds a MFA from the Claremont Graduate University and a BFA from California State Fullerton. He currently maintains a studio practice in Anaheim and Los Angeles and teaches workshops in performance, brush making and ceramics. He is currently a professor at Loyola MaryMount University in Los Angeles teaching upper division courses in Art and Ecology.
Artist Statement
California-based artist, Glenn Grishkoff, grew up watching his Russian father–born and raised in China–grind his own ink, calligraphically working with iconic glyphs onto rice paper. This childhood memory and his own experience in Asia taught Grishkoff the power of a brushstroke and the spirit of natural materials. The sculptural objects and performances he creates with clay, paper, wood, metal, glass, textiles and hair, reference his own story, the power of mark-making and the materials he uses.
Grishkoff believes that paying homage to the animal spirit within the physical world is an important part of human experience. The artist is also inspired by the sculptural qualities and possibilities of clay combined with other materials. Some of these material explorations result in objects that are used in performance. Grishkoff uses objects to establish a sensual connection between body and mind that ritualizes the performance space. Grishkoff often uses brushstrokes to represent breath, along with masks, garments, and sound. Together, these elements draw audiences into meditation and offer a spiritual experience.
Juror's Statement
When jurying an artist show I go beyond my own personal likes and dislikes acting in the moment and with my intuition. I rely on my background as a professional educator, artist and spiritual practitioner. We are judged the day we are born into this world and until the day we die. In an odd way we become accustomed to being judged by others in our daily lives but when we are judged on the quality of our creativity, and how it fits or doesn’t fit into society’s norms, this critique can become difficult to handle at times. Through my teachings I strive to free others from their fear of art to embrace the act of creativity as an essential component of daily life.
Some thoughts I often ask my students & artists friends to ponder & discuss when creating works of art:
- Are we born with talent or is it developed over time to be an accomplished artist? How does time play a role in making a work of art?
- For who and why do we make our artwork for? How can we stay true to ourselves?
- How does the creative process feed our soul and mesh into our daily life and the lives of others?
- Why are artist communities essential for healthy societies and cultures?
It was a pleasure being a juror for the Chaparral Artists group and I wish everybody the best in their creative endeavors and continued success.
Sincerely,
Glenn Grishkoff
Nature's Kaleidoscope
First-place
"Eclipsed"
Raini Armstrong
"Amazing use of the monotone color and bleeding of watercolor. The rough edge of the paper works with the theme and subject matter"
Second-place
"Joshua Trees Greet the Sun"
Jennifer Grandi
"The sky is amazing and its color makes the desert trees pop out. Well done with the frame and mat"
Third-place
"Cactus Flower"
Nancy Miehle
"The pink and green cactus flower really becomes forward and beautiful against the black background"
Honorable Mention
"Desert Shadows"
Sharon Nieters
"The line work in your plant and rock images are amazingly spontaneous, that really makes your flow of watercolor stand out. Enjoyed the the scale of your work and its frame"
Beautiful Creatures
First-place
"Creature of the Deep"
Nancy Kimes
"This work makes you look twice with the abstract line and its magical trout jumping out of the water. The intuitive blend of the point creates magic"
Second-place
"Fancy Feather"
Pearl Rodriguez
"The feather is the thing with hope! Black background really showcases the golden paint and gleam making an overall dynamic brightness. Beautiful feather line and color"
Third-place
"Connection"
Kim Clements
"The delicate pastel line work resonates with the beauty and life force of this Fox. Black background creates a beautiful vortex wis vortex with the foreground of the Fox image. Frame and mat work very well"
Abstract
First-place
"Eden "
Pearl Rodriguez
"Flow of liquid materials and color has a magical feel and the depth of line is fun and whimsical"
Second-place
"Intertwined"
Jeni Bate
"The shape of the canvas and flowing watercolor drew me inward into the words"
Third-place
"Red Vase"
Susan Burton
"The brush strokes and colors of the painting work in harmony"
Best of Show
"Desert Hare"
Jennifer Grandi
"Outstanding use of 3-D and 2-D materials. The use of color, brush strokes and background work amazingly well"
Thanks go to the participating artists that shared their work with us. To Rainbow Stew and all visitors that make these shows possible. And congratulations to the creators that placed!
If you find yourself out and about, make sure to stop by Rainbow Stew (please follow any guidelines that they may require) and enjoy the Judged Fine Art show. It will be displayed until November when we transition into the members-only "Same but Different" show!
We all want to take advantage of this great space because it sees a constant stream of traffic throughout the week. Chaparral Artists see sales through this venue, so do not pass up the opportunity to hang your art with us when you can during these shows.
Stay safe and continue creating!
