mARTinez Creates!

Featured art:  Aloe by Renaye Johnson

In each of our shows this year, we have been delighted to shine a light on local arts groups - Lamorinda Arts Alliance, California Watercolor Association, Concord Art Association, Contra Costa Plein Air and now Martinez Arts Association. 

All of these groups not only provide support for artists in the area, but they also benefit the entire community by hosting special events and building stronger awareness for the arts.

Join us for an Artist Reception on Saturday, September 10th (2-4pm) to meet and mingle with local artists, enjoy some live music and refreshments, relax with friends and best of all - check out the latest work from MAA members. 

Shenandoah by Dorrie Langley

Memories by Peggy O'Farrell

New cuties in our gift shop!

 

Painted rocks by Jeff DeSalles

So many great reasons to visit the aRt Cottage - we have a great show featuring artwork from the members of Contra Costa Plein Air Group, plus we have lots of new handmade items in the gift shop! You're sure to find something special for yourself, your sweetie's birthday, a hostess gift or just because.

Crocheted hats by Julie Van Wyk

Crocheted bikinis by Julie Van Wyk

Felted Frog by Kelly Williams

Felted Owl by Kelly Williams

Bringing the outdoors in

Black Diamond Mine by MJ Lazarski

For July and August, our gallery celebrates the joy of the outdoors with art from members of the Contra Costa Plein Air Group, curated by the group's founder, Nancy Roberts.

"To experience the beauty and joy of our existence here on earth is the path to achieve great happiness. My intention as an artist is to share some of this beauty from my perspective. My paintings attempt to explore the nuance of nature, inspired by working outside, en plein air. When not painting on location, I enjoy returning to my studio to work on commissions and in-depth studies. Primarily self-taught, I have followed a non-traditional path to my professional art career from a thorough study of the masters and contemporaries alike. Developing my composition, color harmony, tone, light, perspective, and brushwork skills help me portray paintings that are simultaneously engaging and inviting." — MJ Lazarski

Sakura by Nancy Roberts

Don't miss this summer show - you'll enjoy looking at many beautiful locales and familiar scenes, as interpreted by 20+ local artists:

• Dan Kennedy
• Dreher Warren
• Dwight Shackelford
• Gail Jones
• Hamil Ma
• Janet Mardirosian
• Kathleen Gadway
• Kathy Brokaw
• Linda Geniesse
• Lorraine Wells 
• Mary Frazier
• Mary M. Young
• Meghana Mitragotri
• MJ Lazarski
• Nancy Roberts
• Nathaniel J. Bice
• Patrice D. Newell 
• Peter McNeill
• Rebecca Davies
• Renaye Johnson
• Roswitha M. Kress
• Sharon Cohune

Martinez Marsh by Roswitha Kress

Journeys - Exploring my mind and the world

 

Jim Isham

Our show for May and June features beautiful work from members of the Concord Art Association:

• Anamilena Ayala
• Annette Batchelor
• Colin Hall
• Deanna Merrigan
• Deena Sheranko
• Irene Bee Kain
• John Nakanishi
• Kees van Prooijen
• Laurie Mansur
• Lori Rutledge
• Marjorie Graham
• Nancy Roberts
• Pat Calabro
• Pat Viera
• Renaye Johnson
• Saira Grube
• Sharon Petersen
• Tom Quinlavin
• Yumiko Nishizawa

CAA members will be guest docents here in the gallery each day during the show - be sure to come by and say hello! We're open Wednesday through Saturday, 11am-5pm.

Everyone is welcome to join us for the Artist Reception on Saturday, May 21st, 2-4pm. 

Renaye Johnson

Poem: Cyanaen Rocks

 

Rocks by Lorraine Wells

Cyanaen Rocks

How could water move    

Euripides Ignatius and Plato 

Do not have no way around it 

Dancing rocks bright red corals 

The wind blows high this very day 

day passed night on its way 

Bright blue sky 

Dancing rocks 

Jason sea Odyssey 

Sea is so calm here 

rocks more as soft boulders 

How could they move 

a little in two centuries 

Could the water move 

we through it 

could we move along the Water 

rock stone boulder 

dance in the sea 

We will kiss the lizard king and she

And be well in home

Yes home.

Thomas Stanton
© 2022

••••••••••

The Benicia First Tuesday Poets’ Group and members of Benicia Literary Arts have written ekphrastic poems about paintings from our show, Watercolor - A Happy Medium.

Ekphrastic poems are vivid verbal descriptions of a work of art. Fifteen different poets each came to the aRt Cottage to pick one pieces from each of the 15 artists in the show. 

Poem: Settled

 

Settled - Barbara Tapp

Settled

two buildings

one in decay

the other a beautiful house

located in close proximity 

each with a history

one more recent than the other

both inhabited

the building in decay

lives bats, spiders and other creatures

the beautiful house

people dwell

both places create a home

comfort from weather,

place to raise young,

have food,

realms of safety,

and most important thrive

both buildings life has settled

settled in

settled

Thomas Garry
© 2022

••••••••••

The Benicia First Tuesday Poets’ Group and members of Benicia Literary Arts have written ekphrastic poems about paintings from our show, Watercolor - A Happy Medium.

Ekphrastic poems are vivid verbal descriptions of a work of art. Fifteen different poets each came to the aRt Cottage to pick one pieces from each of the 15 artists in the show. 

Poem: Day Trippers

 

Day Trippers by Ruth Miller

Day Trippers

Beach bicycles navigate

Rough cobbled paths

Beams of light ignite

Kaleidoscope colors 

Sun filtered emotions  

Delight spirits to dance

Gusts of ocean air

Tangle hair in disarray

Laughter follows behind

Sand-covered lovers

Inhale fragrant breaths

Warmed by exertion

Seagulls squawk overhead

Race to the water

Boats bump the dock

Hearts beat in rhythm  

Seaside shops lure  

Travelers to their repast

Aromas of brewed coffee

Mated with baked croissants

Encourage seasoned riders’

Reflection upon years

Tasty morsels savored

Tender moments shared

Memories created to last

For when they cannot ride

Bicycles to the shore

Sandra Simmer

© 2022

••••••••••

The Benicia First Tuesday Poets’ Group and members of Benicia Literary Arts have written ekphrastic poems about paintings from our show, Watercolor - A Happy Medium.

Ekphrastic poems are vivid verbal descriptions of a work of art. Fifteen different poets each came to the aRt Cottage to pick one pieces from each of the 15 artists in the show.