As the year closes, I'm feeling very proud of the artists of CAL! 

At the recent Artist Talk, I felt a profound appreciation and respect for the artists who revealed their long journey to their present acts of creation. Hearing each one speak about how hard it was, the times when they weren't sure where they were headed, the hard work it took and the serendipity that informed them. Simultaneously, I was in awe and felt great respect for their perseverance, trial and error, and how they evolved to their present creations. 

Too, I well know about those whom I'd encouraged to enter and who did not get in; I had a few declined, as well. It takes courage and faith to keep making one's heartfelt, thoughtful artwork that emerges from your creative self and it's declined. We appreciate you. This has happened to me on a number of occasions. Suffice to say, I feel with you, I deeply respect your investment on all levels. Each judge has their own, unique criteria; each show has a different theme, and each venue has its square footage to accommodate a certain number of artworks. Your art-making is every bit as important and valid whether it gets into a show or not. Our recent "Art Share" gathering at Mark Woods' home elicited the same response from me as I had at the recent Artist Talks: deep appreciation and respect for not only the work produced, but hearing your stories. Whether juried-in or not, your efforts will continue to inform and inspire. We all have something deep inside to tell the world through our artistic vision.

We've had a good run of shows this year, and have aimed to bring a higher caliber of venue. This has afforded more opportunities on the one hand, but also, some became more limited. Our having become a group member of TAG afforded more exhibition opportunities to artists. The subsequent smaller galleries that were in a high profile area, allowed for fewer works accepted. 

I'm proud of our board who has worked so hard to keep all facets of CAL, functioning to bring these exhibits to you, alongside a few fun things along the way. We are primarily, an exhibit-focused group, with an emphasis on connecting with one another through our Art Shares and Artist Talks. Please stay in touch and keep creating; that keeps us all connected to ourselves and to one another.

Nora Koerber, President, CAL, 2025

Membership News

Lisa Amundsen Gianni

Lisa is teaching a 4-week course at Otis College of Art & Design in April called "Designing a Professional Artist Website". The course will be taught online so anybody can attend regardless of location.

Lisa is an artist as well as a professional digital designer, who has worked in the field for over 10 years.

Below is more information and a link to the course:

Designing a Professional Artist Website

Time: 1:00PM to 4:00PM
Dates: Apr 04, 2026 to Apr 25, 2026

Course Description: Design and build your own professional portfolio website. Students learn key web design principles tailored specifically for artists, along with practical techniques for photographing and presenting artwork beautifully without the need for studio equipment. Students learn how to tell their story as an artist, creating a cohesive and engaging online presence that showcases their work. By the end of the course, students create a polished, fully functional website using WordPress that reflects their unique artistic identity. 

Sign Up Here

Eric Renard

I am thrilled that "Alone in Seattle" was chosen for the SxSE B+W Exhibitioncurated by Celso Gonzalez-Falla. Born and educated in La Habana, Cuba, (Colegio de Belen, Universidad Católica de Santo Tomas de Villanueva, Civil Law) González left as a Cuban political exile in June of 1961 and arrived in Texas.  ART news listed Sondra and Celso in 2004 as one of the top 25 photo collectors and in 2011 as one of the top 10 photo collectors.  ART net listed Sondra and Celso in 2015 as one of the top 12 most influential photo collectors.

“Alone in Seattle” captures shadow and light to create an evocative atmosphere, focusing on the solitary figure of a woman as she navigates a cobblestoned alley. Her silhouette, a stark contrast against the tones of the city, suggests a quiet strength, a poised resilience in the face of her perceived isolation. 
The cobblestoned streets, worn by countless footsteps over years, whisper tales of a past that feels both tangible and immeasurably distant. It is more than just a street scene; it is a portal, beckoning us to step into a “different time and place,” a moment suspended, where the familiar landscape is rendered uncanny and profoundly personal.

2025 Neutral Density Photography Awards
I am honored to have been awarded a Bronze Medal in the 2025 Neutral Density Photography Awards for my black and white. series, “Backlit Morocco” which captures the heart of Morocco’s most iconic locales. The series draws its power from the dramatic interplay of light and shadow, particularly within the ancient, labyrinthine medinas of Fez, Marrakech, and Chefchaouen, as well as the majestic Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca.
In each frame, a singular, silhouetted figure stands as a testament to human presence, a quiet counterpoint against the imposing grandeur of historic architecture. These solitary forms are not merely subjects; they are deliberate choices that provide a crucial sense of scale, breathing life and narrative into the silent stone and intricate design. The absence of color strips away the literal, allowing the essence of these exotic places – their textures, their mystery, and their enduring spirit – to emerge with profound clarity, inviting contemplation and a deep appreciation for the timeless beauty of Moroccan heritage.

Eric M. Renard
www.ericrenardphotography.com

1.  Alone in Seattle

2.  Backlit Morocco

3.  Backlit Morocco

Katie Bishop

Katie is honored to have HEARTSPACE selected as one of the artworks featured on the promotional materials for the wonderful Pasadena Society of Artists Annual Open Exhibition. 93 works by 49 artists are in the exhibition including two of her artworks, LAVENDER BLOOMS and HEARTSPACE. 

The exhibition is at:

Whites Gallery, 2414 Honolulu Avenue, Montrose, CA, until January 10. 

Hope you can come to the reception on Saturday, Dec 13 from 2-4 pm.

1. Heartspace
2. Lavendar Blooms
3. Gallery Promotional Ad

Elizabeth Gorcey

 Elizabeth is featured in:

'Open Show'

Gallery 825 located at 825 N. La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90069

reception: December 13th, 2025 10am-5pm

Exhibition runs from December 13th to January 9th, 2025

Juried by Patrick A Polk, Fowler Museum at UCLA

2 artworks  'Console' and 'Harlequin'

Juried Critique

Oceanside Museum of Art

Reception Dec 9th  from 6 to 8 pm along with Critique

704 Pier View Wy,  Oceanside, CA 92054

Jurors Paul Ecdao, Billy Gross and Rokhsane Hovaida

Art work  'Passing'

         1. Console

         2. Harlequin

  3. Passing

Lisa Sachs

From April through July, artist Lisa Sachs will showcase her mixed-media collages at Fox Jewelers in collaboration with Tom Hoerber. 

This month, she is also offering a behind-the-scenes look at her distinctive collage process to fellow artists at the Buenaventura Art Association.

1. Buenaventura Workshop Ad

2. Anacapa Rookery

3. Pride of Sintra 

Sherif Hakeem

Sherif Hakeem is a wildlife Hyper-realistic fine art charcoal artist. He has an upcoming solo show on Tuesday, January 20th from 6:00pm-8:00pm at the Old Town Newhall Library in Santa Clarita, California. 

1. Eyes to my Rescuers
2. Hopper the Hyper
3. The Battle Cry

Karen Safer

Karen is the recipient of recent multiple awards and is currently showing in multiple shows.

Recent Awards: TIFA (Tokyo International Foto Awards) 7 Honorable Mentions. 

Selected December Exhibitions: in Athens, Barcelona, Glasgow, London, Paris, Pomona, Portland, Toronto, Sao Paulo (Brazil) and Los Angeles in Monad Gallery Exhibit. 

Publications: Artist Close Up Contemporary Magazine (Amsterdam); 

Purple, Glasgow Gallery of Photography, Scotland 

1 FLOW Exhibit at Echos Studio, Sao Paulo, Brazil - “Sublime Burmese Waters” - Dec 6-19, 2025.

1st Annual Members Exhibit - Sasse Museum of Art, Pomona, CA,  Dec. 5-27, 2025 - “Hiroshima Screen” and “Greenland - Red House” 

TIFA - Tokyo International Foto Awards, Japan, December 2025, 7 Honorable Mentions

1. Sublime Burmese Waters
2. Hiroshima Screen
3. Tokyo International Foto Awards

Jasimen Phillips

Jasimen Phillips Exhibits “Checking the Mail” at PVLD

Expressionist painter Jasimen Phillips presents Checking the Mail in the Palos Verdes Library District’s Annual Community Art Show, on view through January 4. Painted on a sideways-oriented canvas, the work reframes a familiar moment—a lone futuristic figure sorting mail—into a study of solitude, technology, and longing. Phillips’ bold palette and Afrofuturist undertones transform an everyday gesture into a quietly cinematic meditation on modern connection. Her participation in the PVLD exhibition highlights her continued impact on the evolving landscape of Southern California contemporary art.

Checking the Mail

Barbara West

Barbara's two paintings will appear in the next edition of Plein Air magazine. One got honorable mention in floral.  One got honorable mention in still life. Both divisions were non plein air.

Susanne Belcher

Susanne has work on the wall at both Gloria Delson Contemporary Arts Gallery (where one of pieces was featured on their invitation) and Los Angeles Center for Digital Art (DTLA),  during the month of December.  Visit http://www.gdcagallery.com and http://www.lacda.com for exhibition details

1. Drive By Tie Dye on the 101, digital photo collage archival print      (LACDA)

2. Neon Eye Candy, digital photographic archival print (26x26 at GDCA)

Annie Clavel

Annie has an upcoming show

"Dans mon coeur, La France" in the Startup Art Fair

February 27 - March 1

at The Kinney Venice Beach, 737 Washington Blvd, Venice, CA 90292

She also is instructing an upcoming class:

Abstract Watercolor on YUPO

Catalyst, 6630 Westminster Blvd.

Westminster, CA 92683

(714) 891-3626

Price: $45 (art supplies not included)

Saturday February 7 from 2 to 5 pm

to reserve your spot  HERE

https://www.artsupplywarehouse.com/products/abstract-watercolor-on-yupo-2-7%7CCATYU0207.html