Redlands Art Association Newsletter

Reception Saturday July 24th 4 – 7 pm (change)

Originally from New York City, my wife and I moved to California in 1976. Over the last 34 years we’ve lived in Carlsbad, East L.A., Pasadena, and Pomona. We now live in a century old historic home in south Redlands.

I’ve been a member of the Redlands Art Association only since January 2010 after joining at my wife’s suggestion. As a Vietnam combat veteran having been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (P.T.S.D.) because of combat experiences, art and writing poetry have been, and are, both therapeutic and cathartic. I recently had some of my poems published and will have some others included in a second book. Retiring in 2009 has given me more time to paint and write poetry both of which revolve, for the most part directly or indirectly, around my P.T.S.D. and combat experience. I am also a docent at the Lincoln Memorial Shrine as well as volunteer time weekly at the Braswell Colonial Care facility.

Over the years, or should I say decades, I’ve given most of my pieces away as gifts. As well as winning several ribbons, for memory/shadow boxes at the L.A. County Fair I also make and sell crafts. These include painted cigar boxes, greeting cards, door hangers, decorated mini X-mas trees and magnets etc as fundraisers. I’ve sold them at the Redlands Y.M.C.A. Christmas boutique and The Art in the Park. The proceedings all go to support a Christian church and Muslim children’s orphanage in Sierra Leone Africa.

My favorite medium is acrylic on non-traditional material such as wooden puzzles and geometric shapes if possible, if not then on cardboard canvas. I would describe my style as eclectic symbolic collage art with an approach of “art outside the frame.” My philosophical view on my art is that frames tend to limit, restrict and cramp my creativity. Art, in my view, should “stimulate” either positively or even negatively so that a negative reaction to a piece, such as “what is that supposed to be?” is better that a ho-hum “oh that’s nice” reaction. My favorite color combination, cobalt and sky blue, comes from Genesis 1:3-5 representing a type of Judeo-Christian nadir if you will. I paint alone and use it as a time of therapy, creativity, meditation and introspection. Rather than duplicating what I see outside myself I try to project what I perceive and feel inside in a sort of free association of ideas and images. Thus my pieces tend to be, in a way, “rorschachesque.” Some of my favorite artists are Peter Max, Salvador Dali, Max Ernest, M.C. Escher, and Rene Magritte whose influences are evident in most of my work.

I have been a member of the Redlands Art Association for several years now. During this time I have been encouraged to just keep painting and have met so many dedicated and wonderful artists. I have come to understand the simple truth behind the quote by Henry David Thoreau, "It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see." I work at “seeing” every single week and as I look back at my older paintings I see growth. With every mile behind the paintbrush I learn a little more about getting to the bottom line in expressing just what I want to say. It is a journey that is so worth while to me, whether solely for my personal enjoyment or to share with others.

I have appreciated the opportunities and events sponsored by R.A.A., including the open studio on Thursday mornings (which I did for many months and made some friends there), the many programs, workshops, and classes I have attended, the opportunity to show/sell some artwork, both from the gallery and at other art events RAA has hosted like Art in the Park and Art on State Street (every sale makes me feel really terrific!). When I think about all the reasons I love to paint I think of the enduring quality of art. It is something of interest. I am pulled to create and I enjoy the process as much as the end result.

I have stacks of photos that beg me to recreate them in paint—using my own interpretation. This gives me a constant source of projects that I can tackle in my home studio. Then on other occasions (good weather permitting) I can get out and paint directly from life (en plein air). I enjoy doing this in small groups so I can see what other artists are producing as well as on my own when I go out of town. It is something I can do without being dependent on a team. It captures a moment and a feeling that can be conveyed in perpetuity. Art often makes me wonder about what is not said and the rest of the story. It makes me think. For all these things I am grateful.

Born in the San Francisco Bay area, Antionette has always been a lover of art and art in all forms. She became interested in Silk Painting due to a friendship in Lake Tahoe California ; she was introduced to Addie Chernus; a well known silk artist and instructor. Once introduced to Silk Painting, she has never looked back.

A mother of two and grandmother full time, she is able to escape all cares in her studio at home. Antionette is new to Southern California, having lived previously in Washington , Arizona and Grass Valley California. Her latest endeavor was with an online personal development company. This company decided to change marketing strategies, which has freed her to pursue her love of Silk Painting.

She continues to build on her skill set as an artist and is always eager to learn from fellow artists. She will be offering a beginning silk painting class for children and encourages any adults who may have an interest to contact her for information on a private class or upcoming workshop.