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Scenes from the 2011 Scene on the Strait


The 15th annual Scene on the Strait, held August 13 in Martinez, was, once again, a marvelous coming-together of art, people, sunshine, good food and music, and some nice dogs—all for the benefit of the Carquinez Regional Environmental Education Center, which restores habitat and raises butterflies for release along the Carquinez Strait. Enjoy these pictures of this year’s event, and we’ll see you back again in 2012!

An art patron buys a painting from Scene on the Strait Volunteer Pat Hicks.

Mamie Walters, one of more than 20 plein air artists on site to talk to patrons about their work, takes a cool drink on a beautiful afternoon.

Several of the artists in the show painted on site. One of them was Sandra Lo, admired by a friend and a canine connoisseur of art.

Book editor Jeannine Gendar and her husband Mitch made the Scene, in part to see and support their friend, artist Ramona Kennon.

Not only fine art, but fine music (and good food) too! It was all happening at the Scene on the Strait, and we owe a big debt of gratitude to the many volunteers (young and old) who helped make it happen. Two of them are pictured below.

Until we meet again…next year!

 

 

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By kevin – August 14, 2011

A Scene Veteran: Timothy Horn

Tim Horn of Fairfax is one of our returning artists, and one of our most popular as well. About five years ago he said goodbye to his graphic design career and became a full-time painter. About half of his work is done in studio and the other half is “plein air,” that is, painted on location. He participates in a selective number of group shows every year, one of which is Northern California’s leading plein air festival, Scene on the Strait. Visit him at Horn Design, and while you’re waiting for the big event in August, feast your eyes on this sampling of Timothy Horn oil paintings.

“Forty Two Red”

“Foggy Geometry”

“Reliable Airstream”

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By kevin – July 8, 2011

Gregory Vasgerdsian: Another New Face (and Brush) at Scene on Strait

So far in 2011, we have shown the works of Jack Garasky and Robert Sandidge, two artists new to this year’s Scene on the Strait whose paintings you can see by scrolling below. Now, here is another accomplished hand making his first appearance at the show: Gregory Vasgerdsian, a California native who has lived in Martinez, the host city for Scene on the Strait, for 16 years. Greg has lived in Martinez one year longer than Scene has been in existence; this is our 15th annual.

Locally, Greg’s award-winning plein air art has enlivened the spaces of Epperson Gallery in Crockett, Walnut Creek Civic Arts, Amfa Gallery in Orinda, and many more. Check out his paintings below and on his website, and as we always like to say, check out the real thing—and Greg himself, painting on site—at the biggest environmental and art festival in Northern California, Scene on the Strait, taking place August 13th in Greg’s hometown.


“Afterglow”

“Color on Main”

“Port in Light”

 

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By kevin – July 5, 2011

Now Making the Scene: Jack Garasky


New to this year’s Scene on the Strait is artist Jack Garasky, creator of “My Tuscan Dream No. 2,” shown above. “Despite having loved art throughout my life,” he writes, “I’ve managed to evade a traditional formal arts education.  Now, later in my life, I’ve found myself attracted to painting and drawing more strongly than at any time before.  So, in that sense, I suppose you’d call me a late bloomer. I’m primarily an oil painter of landscapes, cityscapes, and representational pieces,” he adds.

We are happy for that because that means Jack will be showing his work on August 13, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Martinez Regional Shoreline in Martinez, along with twenty other exciting plein air artists from around California. He says he has been influenced by, among others, Bryan Mark Taylor, who will also be on hand at the Scene showing his paintings. Proceeds from the sale of art at the event go to support the environmental and youth programs of the Carquinez Environmental Education Center. If you’d like to see more of Jack’s work, go to his splendid website, or better still, come to Scene on the Strait and see his splendid paintings and meet him in person. In the meantime, here are two more Garasky works (admittedly, presented too small here) upon which to feast your eyes.


 


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By kevin – June 29, 2011

Our Signature Image for this Year’s Scene on the Strait

Every year Scene on the Strait chooses a signature image, painted by one of our participating artists, that we feel best represents the spirit of that year’s show. This painting appears on our posters, our newspaper ads and articles, and the postcards we send out to publicize the event. This year’s image is by long-time Scene on the Strait favorite, Nikki Basch-Davis, and it’s called “Tuscany in Benicia,” shown below. Nikki and twenty other top plein air artists will be showing their work at the August 13 Scene on the Strait, and all their paintings will be available for sale to benefit a great cause—the environmental and youth programs of the Carquinez Regional Environmental Education Center.

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By kevin – June 21, 2011

New Artist This Year: Robert Sandidge

Scene on the Strait, the premiere showcase for plein air art in Northern California, is happy to welcome Robert Sandidge to our roster of artists this year. He’s new to Scene on the Strait, but his art and his Diamond Springs gallery are very well known among aficionados of plein air. Check out the website for his gallery, and check out three of his paintings below. And oh yes, don’t forget to stop by and meet him when he appears at the 15th annual Scene on the Strait Saturday, August 13, at the Martinez Regional Shoreline in Martinez.

“Scooter,” oil, 12×10

“Water’s Edge,” oil, 16×8

“Majestic,” oil, 48×36

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By kevin – June 21, 2011

2011 Scene on Strait Set for August 13 in Martinez

Scene on the Strait, a unique art show and festival that benefits the environment, will occur Saturday, August 13, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Martinez Regional Shoreline in Martinez, California.

This year’s event is the 15th annual Scene on the Strait, which began in 1996 and has since grown into one of the largest and most popular showcases for landscape or “plein air” painting in the Bay Area and California.

Scene on the Strait is a benefit for the Carquinez Regional Environmental Education Center (CREEC), a widely praised nonprofit organization in which teenagers from underserved communities gain valuable work experience by planting native oak trees and raising Monarch butterflies for release. CREEC has restored almost seven acres of habitat along the Carquinez Strait and released countless butterflies into the wild.

Among the many hundreds of art lovers who come to it every year, Scene on the Strait occupies a special status because people can walk around and talk with twenty of the leading plein air artists in the state, who will be painting on site. There will also be live jazz music and gourmet food and drink available.

An added plus is that all art purchases are tax deductible of 40 percent or more. Art auctions will be held, and special discounts are available. Parking and admission are free. Call 510-787-9772 or visit this website for the latest updates and information.

Participating artists are: Rolando Barrero, Melinda Cootsona, Mary Lou Correia, Kevin Courter, Nikki Basch-Davis, Jack Garasky, Dana Hooper, Timothy Horn, Geri Keary, Ramona Kennon, Sandra Lo, Douglas Morgan, Teresa Onoda, Nancy Roberts, William Rushton, Robert Sandidge, Bryan Mark Taylor, Jerrold Turner, Gregory Vasgerdsian, Mamie Walters, and Norma Webb.

Scene on the Strait is made possible by the generous support of our many volunteers as well as Allied Waste Services, Conoco Phillips, Contra Costa Newspapers, Crockett Cogeneration, Richmond Sanitary Service, Shell Oil Products, Tell Rentals, and Southern Wine & Spirits.

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By kevin – May 2, 2011

Making the Scene at Last Year’s Scene on the Strait (2010)

The 2010 Scene on the Strait was one of our most successful festivals ever. A grand time was had by all. Twenty of California’s best plein air painters (including Sandra Lo, above) painted and chatted with hundreds of art lovers, who sipped wine and strolled around to the live sounds of a jazz trio in a beautiful waterfront park setting on a pleasantly mild and sunny afternoon. What’s more, all this sybaritic pleasure was for a great good cause: raising money for the Carquinez Regional Environmental Center (CREEC), which restores habitat for butterflies along the Carquinez Strait. And perfectly in keeping with the day, one could see an occasional tiger swallowtail butterfly flitting about, apparently enjoying the art as well. If you’d like to experience these pleasures yourself, be sure to come to this year’s event: August 13, 2011. Same spot, same time (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.)!

The 2010 Scene was dedicated to the memory of Pam Glover, an artist and teacher and long-time friend and supporter of the event. A special easel was set up with her paintings and tributes to her from her fellow artists. Here, in front of the easel, her daughter Anne-Marie Glover (above left, in blue), also a painter, shared happy memories of her mother with a friend who stopped by. Below are two shots of Scene painters chatting with people who appreciate their art. One is Mamie Walters (in the hat) and Teresa Onoda (in the chair).

Proceeds from the art sales at Scene on the Strait go to support CREEC and its environmental programs. It’s a big event that takes lots of work and time, and we’d like to celebrate a few of the people who make it all possible.

Pat Glover was one of the volunteers who oversaw the silent auction.

At the center of the all-important art purchasing table were Dave Hicks, the driving force behind Scene on the Strait, and all the volunteers.

Jeff Hicks, right, made sure that everyone had plenty of beverages.

And don’t forget the band! And, of course, where would be without all the art lovers who come out every year to buy art and support our cause? Thank you, and we’ll see you next year!

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By kevin – August 14, 2010

Meet Mary Lou Correia! See Her in Action!

One of the great things about Scene on the Strait is that not only can you see a major exhibit of wonderful plein air paintings in a lovely park setting, you get to meet some of Northern California’s top plein air painters and actually see them at work, painting. One of the artists who will be painting at the Saturday, August 13 event this year in Martinez is the award-winning  artist, Mary Lou Correia. Check out some of her paintings here, and then come by and meet her in person.

“John Muir’s Almonds”

“The Bather”

“Phil’s Fish Market”

Here’s Mary, in action

Proceeds from Scene on the Strait go to support the Carquinez Regional Environmental Center, which restores butterfly habit in the Carquinez Strait and provides environmental education and work for under-served teenagers in the area. Art purchases are partly tax deductible. There will be live jazz and fine food and wine at the event. Admission and parking are free.

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By kevin – August 6, 2010

Jerrold Turner at Scene on the Strait

Jerrold Turner is one of the Bay Area’s most admired Plein Air painters. Describing himself as “a modernist plein air painter,” he will be showing his works and painting on site at the 2011 Scene on the Strait art festival on Saturday, Aug. 13 at the Martinez Waterfront in Martinez. Beginning with “Orange Sheds, Mare Island,” the showcase image for last year’s Scene on the Strait, here are a few of his paintings:

“Orange Sheds, Mare Island”

“Sunday Papers”

“Palm Tree”

The artist, Jerry Turner, at leisure

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By kevin – August 2, 2010