CAL NEWSLETTER, February 2025

President’s Letter

This is a new year, with times of tumult and repair, but many have yet to reach a place of resolution. We sent out a query as to who needed help for art supplies and or studio space to work on their art, due to the loss of homes. We had several members who stepped up to generously offer both. We had one person who'd lost everything, but is taking a bye for now until their life gets back to normal.

 I knew of an artist/ sculptor who'd lost most everything: his family home, studio, library, all originally put together by his father, a known sculptor. I asked if he could come to our meeting; if he might be interested in receiving some art supplies. He agreed. Some members were quite generous in their offerings and were happy to help him out. It was truly, heartwarming and we was very grateful.

At the meeting, we asked what type of social events members might like to transpire in CAL. We got answers, and we hope to bring as many of these ideas to fruition. as we can. Then came the fun part of the meeting. Some artists brought their work to share. This was, as it always is, a very inspirational gathering. Seeing other artists' work, hearing their process of ideas to struggles, to what medium really worked for them, their history of how they got into art- it all felt like a tribe. We each do art, but it is often, an isolating activity. When we get to see different ways of working, we are inspired, as well as hearing how others have overcome their own obstacles, or just hearing how they did something really wonderful. This makes it worthwhile, in my book, to keep keeping on, even when times are hard.

We have a few new things on the horizon this year. As you know by now, CAL has become a member of TAG gallery. Our one big group show, Imaginations, is just around the corner. Thank you to all who submitted work. There were many submissions, well beyond spots available for them. If your work did not get in, there will be more opportunities. Do know you are in very good company!

 Keep creating, and keep an eye out for more. We'll be at one of the galleries at Bergamot Station in November! I asked Eric Renard, our show chair, if he could make that happen, because it was a top favorite "what if" for me. He made it happen! (Bravo, Eric!) 

I hope to see you come support CAL at our upcoming TAG reception. It's a pretty cool venue if you haven't yet seen it. There will also be other shows going on simultaneously, to check out from different members of TAG, which is inspiring!

 Bring some wine or cheese/ crackers and send me a line about that if you please, at: norakgroups@gmail.com

Looking forward to seeing you soon, at TAG gallery for our Imaginations show, Saturday, March 1st, from 5 PM to 8 PM.

Take care, and keep creating!

~Nora Koerber

Membership News

Gayle Martin

Gayle's work will be part of Women Painters West exhibition “Brushes with Nature’s Palette".

The show is online at www.womenpainterswest.org from February 1 - March 14
 and showing live at Mulberry Row, 13327 Ventura Blvd.,Sherman Oaks
(818) 788-8285

1. 405 Ceanothus
2. Aspen Dreams

Lisa Sachs

Lisa’s solo exhibit titled Dualities will be on view at the Ojai Art Center. Lisa combines drawing with collage elements using different materials inspired by her imagination and what she sees around her. The Ojai Art Center is located at 113 South Montgomery Street in Ojai. 

The opening reception is April 12 from 1 to 3 pm. There will be live music, food, and drink.

1. Dualities
2. Nile Adventure
3. Topa Topa

Eric Renard

Lens Magazine - The 2025 Colorful Edition
Eric’s work is featured in Lens Magazine and on view in the following exhibits.

Abstract Exhibition
Eric’s piece Canoes was selected for this exhibit at The Artists Gallery.
Canoes $1,200 - Canvas 60 x 40 x 1.5"
On exhibition through February 21, 2025

Artroom Gallery's Blue Exhibition
Eric’s piece Blue received first place in this exhibition

About Lens Magazine
The International Lens Magazine takes a single concept each month and allows its contributors to delve into any ideas and emotions evoked from this theme, leading to a rich and varied selection of photographs and stories behind them. The magazine features the most influential photographers in the world alongside emerging photographers from all around the globe. 

In this vibrant Colorful Edition of 2025, we are pleased to feature exceptional articles on fascinating projects by professional photographers from around the globe. We are excited to present a significant series by Mark Edward Harris, who covered the devastating latest giant fires in Los Angeles, California. Eric M. Renard exhibits a collection of colorful photographs capturing worldwide travels.
        
About the Artroom Gallery
The Art Room Gallery received entries from many countries around the world: Taiwan, Germany, Canada, USA, Switzerland, Italy, France, Ireland and Australia. The Blue theme in this competition included a diversity in types, styles and mediums (oil on canvas, acrylic, watercolor, digital art, photography).

1. Lens Magazine
2. Abstract Exhibition - Canoes
3. Artroom Gallery - Blue

Rhiannon Valenti

Rhiannon’s painting Barbie's Magic Altar is  on view in the online exhibition Bright / Light at the Cultural Center of Cape Cod.

The exhibition opens on the Cultural Center website on February 10 and will be promoted across their networks throughout the month of February.

Nora Koerber

Nora will be exhibiting her work, The Catalina Casino, with the Pasadena Society of Artists' Centennial Exhibition at the Pasadena Museum of History, (which is celebrating their centennial, as well). This exhibition will be divided into two parts, spanning Spring and Summer. Nora's work will be shown with those artists exhibiting in the Spring. That reception will be: Sunday, March 2nd, from 3-5 PM. The show runs from March 1st to May 30th.

Also, Nora's work, Regeneration, 9"x12", oil on panel, was juried into the upcoming CAL show, Imaginations, at TAG Gallery. The reception will be Saturday, March 1st, from 5 - 8 PM.

1. Catalina Casino, 11"x14", oil on panel
2. Regeneration, 9"x12", oil on panel

Kathryn Bishop

BG Gallery, in Santa Monica, is presenting 3 of Kathryn's artworks at the Palm Springs Modernism Show from February 14 through 17.  Pansies, Lavender Blooms, and The Start of it All. They are each alcohol ink reverse paintings on plexiglass.

1. Lavender Blooms
2. Pansies
3. The Start of it All

Suzanne Belcher

Susanne currently has work on display in two venues during the month of February.  Two of her digital photo collages were accepted into WPW's Brush with Nature's Palette for an in-person show at Mulberry Row in Sherman Oaks through March 14th.  She also has a large digital print on display in the Los Angeles Center for Digital Arts February exhibit Electron Salon that was selected as the feature image for the shows announcement.

1. Nature's Alchemy - digital photo collage 18X22
2. Tutu Florarina - same as above (WPW at Mulberry Row)
3. Resurrection - (an homage to those affected by the recent fires at LACDA)

Terry Romero Paul

Terry’s work is on  view as part of the Women’s Painters West show Brush With Nature's Palette at Mulberry Row in Sherman Oaks. Two of her oil paintings were juried into the show and she received a first place win for her 12” x12”, Rippled Reflections. The address is 13327 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks.  The gallery hours are from 10:00 to 4:00 Monday through Saturday.  The show will be up until March 14.

1. Rippled Reflections, 12"x12" Oil Painting - First Place
2. Palette Of Napa Valley, 16"x20" Oil Painting
3. Mustard Bloom, 10"x10" Oil Painting

She also has two paintings juried into the California Art League's show Imaginations.  Dance With The Yellow Roses 12"x12" oil and Mustard Bloom10'x10" oil. The exhibit will be at The Artist’s Gallery, 5458 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles. The opening reception is Saturday March 1 from 5:00 to 8:00 pm. The show will run February 28 to March 22. 

Rachel Berkowitz

Los Angeles-based painter, Rachel Berkowitz has recently opened up her own gallery/studio space called "æsthetíque studio". Her paintings are featured in this gorgeous 3000sq ft space in DTLA alongside curated furniture, sculptures, photography and high-end fashion items. The space hosts weekly free events for the Los Angeles community, and our recent event was a free art therapy session for all those affected by the Los Angeles Fires.

You can find out about upcoming gallery events on instagram:  www.instagram.com/aesthetique.studio

Karen Sutherland

Karen’s work was accepted to Spring Awakening at The Los Angeles Makery, 260 S. Los Angeles, Los Angeles 90012.

Christian Aguilar

Christian work was accepted to CAL's Imaginations show at The Artists Gallery. The gallery is located at 5458 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, California 90036. The opening reception will take place on Saturday, March 1, 2025 from 5:00 to 8:00 pm.

Randy Sprout

Randy is currently teaching watercolor onboard Crystal Symphony cruise line.

Volcano Sukarajima at Sunset: 5X7 watercolor on #140 Arches hot pressed, done as a demo for Crystal Symphony as part of Odyssey Art At Sea.

Richard Magram

Richard’s painting Dusk with Moon, oil on canvas, was accepted into CAL’s Imaginations show at TAG.

Elizabeth Gorcey

Elizabeth is currently showing four pieces at the Sam Francis Gallery as part of the exhibit titled Fragmented Memories: Manifestations of an Obscured Nostalgia. The gallery is located at  1714 21st street, Santa Monica, CA. The exhibit runs through March 2025. Her four pieces are Prayer, oil on canvas,
 Lighthouse, oil on canvas, White House, oil on canvas and Passing, oil & charcoal on canvas.

1. Passing, oil and charcoal on canvas
2. White House, oil on canvas
3. Lighthouse, oil on canvas

Michele Benzamin-Miki 
Michelle’s piece titled White Tara - Don’t close your eyes to the butterfly was selected as part of the Awards Opening Reception for CAL’s Imaginationsshow at TAG Gallery. The opening reception will take place on March 1st from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm with juror Shana Nys Dambrot. TAG is located at 5458 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles.

Ken Kochakji

Ken’s work Dutch Windmills won recognition from Gallery 4 Percent’s contest for Scenes and Places category.

Barbara Tabachnik

Barbara will have 3 encaustic paintings in the LELA exhibit Spring Awakening at the Makery Gallery in downtown LA.  Opening reception is Sunday, March 2, from 2:00 to 4:00 pm. The gallery is located at 260 S. Los Angeles St. The exhibit runs through the month of March with a closing reception March 30, 2-4 pm.

1. Changing Seasons
2. March Winds
3. Spring Snow Melt

Patti Arbino

Patti's works Center Stage and Garden Party will be on display March 22 through June 1, 2025 at the Millicent Rogers Museum in Taos, New Mexico during the Pastel Society of New Mexico's 33rd Annual Enchanted Colors Open Exhibition. The museum's address is 1504 Millicent Rogers Road, Taos, New Mexico 87571. www.millicentrogersmuseum.org

Oasis will be on display at The Artists Gallery, February 26 through March 22, 2025 in Los Angeles, California during the California Art League's Imaginationsshow. The gallery's address is 5458 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, California 90036. www.taggallery.net. Oasis also won an Honorable Mention award in the 26th Annual Pastel 100 Art Competition and will be shown in the upcoming Spring issue of the Pastel Journal magazine.

1. Center Stage, 16"x8" soft pastel on pastel board
2. Garden Party, 6"x18" soft pastel on pastel board
3. Oasis, 14"x9" soft pastel on pastel board

Val Scott

Val's work Ocean Park is on permanent display is at Westlake Yoga Co. in Westlake Village, CA. The painting was selected as part of members' exhibit at Thousands Oaks Gallery during the month of January.

Kumiko Ruch

Kumiko will be having a Solo Show at Gallery 825 starting March 1st, with a reception from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. The exhibition is titled Seeing Reality and Beyond. The show runs from March 1st to March 28.
Gallery 825/LA Art Association is located at 825 N. La Cienega Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90069

Suzanne Edmonson

Suzanne will be having a Solo Show at Gallery 825 starting March 1st, with a reception from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. The exhibition entitled Faerie Tales:The Secret Life of Animals explores the fantasy world of animals, revealing their individual quarks & personalities. The show runs from March 1st to March 28.
Gallery 825/LA Art Association is located at 825 N. La Cienega Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90069

Linda Kelson

Linda will be showing her work at the Covet Art Gallery in Oceanside as part of the No Theme,Themed juried show. The show will run from February 15th to March 8th and will also be shown on the Artsy website.