Anything Goes!

George Rammel

"Anything Goes" is our theme for the first show of 2020 which runs through January and February.

Come by to see the wide variety of work from talented local artists!

Gregory Vasgerdsian

Handmade for the Holidays!

There's nothing more thoughtful than a lovingly handmade gift - support your local artists and crafters and do your holiday shopping right here at the aRt Cottage!

Jewelry, knit & crochet, upcycled art, notecards, mini journals, paintings, mixed media, collage, photography, home décor - there's something for everyone on your list.

Artists featured here:

• Margaret Lucas-Hill
• Pat Viera
• Joanne Zehrung
• Elliott Night
• Julie Van Wyk
• Margaret Dzikielews
• George Rammell

Tom Quinlavin - Working on Paper

Tom Quinlavin

Working on paper was essential to my development as an artist. The smooth and fast properties of paper meant I could take more risks. Despite several moves, I have been fortunate to have retained several pieces of work on paper from the past forty or so years.

A friend asked what the lines are about. The purpose is to contain the energy of the shapes they encircle – like a levee, holding back. In defining the space this way, it pushes the contrast between colors and the movement - or rhythm.

Early on in my career everything I did was about pushing energy out, energy expelled. Or as artist Ted Stamm used to say, it is “energy transferred.” So, sensing a need for some control, I started containing the source. Years later I consciously started encircling shapes. This essentially allowed me to draw by squirting paint straight from the tube, which is such a great feeling.   — Tom Quinlavin

Untitled, 1981

QUINLAVIN 

40 YEARS ON PAPER 

October 3 – 26, 2019 

Artist Reception & Open House

Saturday, October 5  •  2–5pm 

Artist 7

Artist 7 presents Abstractly Speaking 

August 6th to September 27th 

Join us for the Artist Reception 

August 10, 2019   3 - 5 pmGuitar music by Roy Gonzales

Artist 7 is a group of artists that meets regularly to discuss upcoming shows, museum events, and new techniques and media. The group also critiques current work by each artist and commiserates on the verities of the art world.

In Abstractly Speaking, they present their current abstract work, each exploring and going in different directions.

Artist 7 has decided that 30% of all their sales will be given to Legal Services for Children in San Francisco. The group says, “We are very moved by the plight of children coming across our southern border and want to use what we do best to contribute in helping those who help them.”

“All seven of us - Valerie Corvin, Lynn Glenn, Katie Korotzer, Jan Lainoff, Pam McCauley, Roberta Milstead and Dee Tivenan would like to thank FRO Schmidt, the owner of the aRt Cottage, for this opportunity to share our work with others.”

Quixotica by Roc DeWilde

"Maya awakens from a dream; her consciousness is impressed with strong feelings of wanting. By living experiences and reasoning, she becomes aware that her most important purpose in life is to know herself – as sharing the joy and beauty of LOVE."

As part of our All About Photography exhibit for July, we have a special audio-visual presentation called Quixotica by Roc DeWilde, whose photography spans over five decades in national and international media.

Quixotica is awe-inspiring entertainment - a series of 36+ images accompanied by lyrical music. Viewers will experience a moving narrative through sight and sound, created with compelling transitions, vivid colors and pools of shadows that are beautifully designed to spark your imagination.

FRO - Owner of aRt Cottage

Mary Dunn, Photo Editor for People Magazine said of DeWilde's work, “Roc directs his subjects so masterfully that they look alive. Each picture has an anecdotal quality – they express moments.”

Let's all Van Gogh to the Parade!

Fro's art car has been covered in sunflowers! The aRt Cottage will join the Concord Art Association to ride in the July 4th Parade this week. We're celebrating a big public art project happening this summer and giving a nod to a classic, Vincent Van Gogh. Hope to see you downtown!

Water, water everywhere...

Stone's Throw from the Golden Gate by Judith McCall

We're so lucky to live in Northern California, where beautiful waterscapes are everywhere. From the sandy coast of the Pacific Ocean, to the still waters of the San Francisco Bay, to the meandering rivers of the Sacramento Delta - creative inspiration abounds here in brilliant blues and greens.

Our June show is All About Water. We held an open call for this show, which always brings out new artists in the area and fresh works of art on the theme.

Be sure to join us at the opening reception on June 8th!

Trout by Pat Viera