Patty Montgomery | Marie Cameron Studio

I’m taking a break from participating in Open Studios this year so I can focus on some large scale projects that require ALL my focus and a very messy studio although I love holding my own, I finally get to enjoy going to OTHER artists’ studios this year!

This is the final weekend and includes all the towns from Cupertino to Gilroy. Make sure to get out and take a peek at all the great work out there! I managed to hit a few studios yesterday in Los Gatos and San Jose and will make some rounds from 11:00 – 5:00 today – maybe I’ll see you out there!

Here are some highlights from my outing yesterday, click on the artist’s names for links to their websites.

Carol Greene at the Alameda Artworks ( Site 186 ) was showing some bold and beautiful Face Scapes.

Jennifer Williams was exhibiting her quietly soulful photographs at the Alameda Artworks, Studio 18 ( Site 186 ) along side of her mother Susan Williams who was showing playful, colorful paintings. Talent running in the family!

Richard Gullion ( Site 186) was showing energetic abstract paintings and drawings as well as ceramics in his studio at Alameda Artworks.

I have a big crush Mark Danitscheck‘s ceramic heads and his experimental glazing techniques! He was showing with Amanda Danitcheck at Alameda Artworks ( Site 186) and her exquisite abstract paintings – love those figures!

David Lippenberger was exhibiting his stylized figures and rubber band paintings at his studio at Alameda Artworks ( Site 186). He had a very interesting process of layering charcoal and gesso in his figure paintings and coating the abstract squiggles of the rubber bands with layers of paint making a lush, textured surface.

Stacey Nussbaum at the Alameda Artworks ( Site 186 ) was exhibiting really lovely pastels inspired by her bike rides through Santa Teresa Park.

David Stonesifer‘s studio (Site 452) in Los Gatos was fabulous! Beyond his gorgeous landscape and floral oil paintings ( he’s incredibly prolific!), you feel like you’re entering an enchanted world surrounded by lush grounds. No wonder his paintings are so beautiful!

Veronica Gross was hosting a number of artists at her Los Gatos Studio ( Site 328 ). Here she is among her glowing watercolor landscapes and florals.

Karen VanGalder was showing her ceramics ( Site 328 ) – a lot of character and beautiful glazes. Love those cats, perfect for Los Gatos!

Maralyn Miller ( Site 279) was hosting several artist at her fantastic studio in Los Gatos. It’s a real treat to see her gorgeous landscapes in what would be a runner up for a dream studio (my heart belongs to another)!

James Derieg ( Site 279) was showing his playful paintings and amazing dog house / garden / retreats.

Helen Scheel was showing her paintings ( Site 279 ), her fruit and vegetables were just glowing!

Patty Montgomery (Site 279) was showing her great mixed media paintings.

It’s that time of year again when the Triton Museum of Art hosts it’s annual Midsummer Arts Celebration. The sculpture garden sprouted with tents filled with art, jewelry and other wearable crafts. There was live music all day although I heard I’d missed out on a jam session with George Rivera on drums! I did see some juggling and enjoyed ice cream while checking out the creative output of the local artists who came out to support the Triton!

The Los Gatos Art Association and the Los Gatos Museums Gallery were well represented with lots of their member artists exhibiting (I’m a member of both of these organization – but couldn’t take on one more thing!). The following is a sampling of participating artists, I’ve provided links to their websites where applicable, so if you’re interested, just click on their name or photo.

I wonder which one of our members of the Los Gatos Art Association is responsible for this fun sign – I suppose I should recognize the style, but there are over 200 of us I think! Clearly, I’m not represented as I would be a long haired calico.

LGAA member, Maralyn Milller had her gorgeous California landscape oils on exhibit!

Rebecca White showed her lovely plein air work. She’s an LGAA member and heads up the plein air group – one day I’ll get out there with you Rebecca and we’ll paint up a storm!

I met Denise Natanson-Marcus who is a new member of the LGAA who brought her vibrant landscapes.

I was happy to meet Patty Montgomery of the LGAA for the first time as well and really enjoyed her mixed media pieces which had bits of bags, dental floss and can pulls collaged into her textured and subtly colored (almost monochromatic) works. Loved her compositions!

Julia Watson member of the LGAA and LGMG (and part-time manager of the latter) exhibited her lovely florals that she paints in oil.

Nina Bricker of the LGAA showed a variety of great pieces including this striking owl print.

Michael Rogan is a member of both the LGAA and the LGMG – he brought some of his beautiful watercolor landscapes.

Donna Orme of the LGMG was exhibiting her dynamic mixed media abstract work as well as her richly textured afghans.

Al Preciado, member of Kaleid Gallery was showing his exuberant mixed media paintings and sculptures and demonstrating his tin foil construction technique and offering samples to children.

I thought his dogs, especially the one in the front with its hatchet blade tongue were pretty bad ass!

Artists Jaya King (above) and Jeff Bramschreiber who are art educators at the Triton each had their own tents where they were demonstrating aspects of their creative process.