Mission Federal ArtWalk!

 

Every year, San Diego’s picturesque Little Italy becomes the dynamic center for art, music, fine food and fun known as the Mission Federal ArtWalk! This year in 2013, Exclusive Collections Galleries joined in once again in a group of six booths on Fir Street, showcasing works of art by six different artists: Daniel Ryan, Paul B. Lotz, Michael Summers, Christopher M., Michael Flohr, and Henry Asencio.

Daniel Ryan, Michael Summers, Paul B. Lotz, and Christopher M. came to the event to paint and sculpt on site for onlookers to enjoy.

ArtWalk’s T-Shirt contest winner this year happened to be none other than Michael Summers! After being nominated for his beautiful painting, Right as Rain, the public voted for their favorite! Congratulations to our amazing Michael Summers!

New to Exclusive Collections Galleries, artist Paul B. Lotz brought clay sculptures to Little Italy to illustrate his amazing sculpting process and to introduce ideas for his new collection, “Checkmate”. Each of his fantastical figures acts as one character in an interconnected chess game, which will total a full 32-piece set upon completion.

It was another amazing year for the Mission Federal ArtWalk! With over 350 visual artists, ArtWalk continues to be one of San Diego’s greatest annual events. EC Galleries is proud to be a part of it!

Daniel Ryan, “Beyond the Mist”

Mist steadily floats throughout the landscape, blurring the outline of the forest against the colorfully illuminated sky. Dream-like qualities emit a mystic state, awe-inspiring as the viewer is immersed in nature’s beauty. Daniel Ryan’s newest exhibition of original works entitled “Beyond the Mist” do the unexpected by transforming natural landscapes into fantastic surreal settings that dissolve the notion of time and space.

“Beyond the Mist” debuted in San Diego at EC Historic Gaslamp Gallery on April 5-7, 2013, afterwards continuing on to EC Laguna Beach Gallery in Laguna Beach on April 13-14 and EC Forum Shops Gallery in Las Vegas on April 19-21. The response to Ryan’s new series was incredible as collectors had yet to see this expansion of the artist’s style ever before. Artist Daniel Ryan is known for creating his own genre of unique  “tree-scapes”, inspired by his surroundings. He uses a stylistic touch by placing patterned petals into his compositions, adding texture and dimension.  Ryan considers himself a “Folk Surrealist”, drawing upon his own imagination and artistic interpretation to express naturalism. His love of nature and the passing down of stories and ideals are what make his work so fascinating: trees remain both the foreground and background, the subject and the setting.

The silent giants of the north watch as the sky and earth meet together to engage in a harmonious dance of light.

Trees take time to grow, and once they do they last for generations. It is in this association that they become a symbol for ideal characteristics such as wisdom, strength, nurture and growth. Daniel Ryan’s magnificent tree-scapes allow the forests to come alive and tell their own story, as they are constantly being reshaped, reformed, and reinvented.

Trees nurture life beyond their own in this gentle monochromatic composition.

Time stands still as day meets night in this peaceful woodland.

If you missed this fantastic event, be sure to keep an eye out for Daniel Ryan originals that are still available. Contact your fine art consultant today to reserve yours!

The Best of the Best: Collaboration of the Senses

An art gallery requires much support in order to keep its doors open. The artists, the framing, the art consultants, and the patrons themselves must constantly work together to create works of art that will last for generations to come.

On April 11, 2013, “The Best of the Best” at The Marine Room in La Jolla, CA was a wonderful evening held in special recognition for our EC Gallery collectors. Each element was created to tantalize the senses in the form of exquisite original artwork, a customized menu and wine pairings, and live music by three distinct performers throughout the evening.

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Artists Henry Asencio, Michael Flohr, Christopher M., and Michael Summers painted original works of art specifically for “The Best of the Best” to introduce to attendees. All of the artists dined at The Marine Room with their collectors. For some, it was the first time ever meeting these fabulous artists in person! At the culmination of the dinner, gallery owner James Thorn introduced the addition of a new artist to Exclusive Collections Gallery: Paul B. Lotz. Lotz, a sculptor, presented a newly created work of art in bronze, as well two sculptures in progress.

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The Marine Room’s celebrated chefs took everyone’s breath away with five savory courses. Executive Chef Bernard Guillas and Chef de Cuisine Ron Oliver invented new dishes that reflected the personality and style of each artist, course by course. The Marine Room’s sommelier, Lisa Redwine, expertly selected perfect vintages to complement each creation.

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Musician Reiko Obata opened the cocktail reception with a soothing arrangement played upon the koto. A native Californian, Reiko Obata has master’s degrees in koto from both the U.S. and Japan. She has been featured on film and radio and has produced several CDs of her own compositions and arrangements. Sitar followed the performance, played by Rama. Rama is a multi-instrumentalist/music producer based in San Diego whose main instrument is the sitar. He also plays several other exotic instruments such as the koto, pipa, erhu and esraj. His compositions range from classical-style solo sitar to techno and dubstep with an ethnic flavor. The evening’s musical finale was performed by Luxintauro (Luis Soraire), an international musician, multi-instrumentalist, singer and photographer based in San Diego. Currently he is exploring metal with his band, Cosmogony, and electronica with Poor Digital Man.

Exclusive Collections Gallery hosts their annual “Best of the Best” event to thank its patrons for their continued support and shared passion for arts and culture. Without the collectors’ appreciation and love, fabulous artists such as Henry Asencio, Michael Flohr, and Christopher M. would be unable to continue a career that is their true calling. Artists such as Michael Summers would never grow in popularity and be able to share his positive message of humor, joy, and living life to the fullest. There would be no opportunity to introduce new artists, such as sculptor Paul B. Lotz, with the faith and confidence that he will be received with open arms to the ECG family. We hope that you thoroughly enjoyed the event, and look forward to seeing you again next year!

7th Annual Miniature Show

On March 22-24, Exclusive Collections Forum Shops Gallery kicked off the traveling exhibition of the 7th Annual Miniature Show. EC Galleries’ 7th Annual Miniature Show featured paintings from the following internationally-acclaimed artists: Asencio, Steve Barton, Gloria Lee, Christopher M., Daniel Merriam, Hisashi Otsuka, Daniel Ryan, Michael Summers, and Dale TerBush. The participating artists were asked to create original paintings no larger than 8 inches by 10 inches for the exhibition. These miniature paintings distinguish the artists’ talent, as rendering such elaborate and detailed masterpieces on such a small scale proves challenging. As expected, the accumulation of such a vast variety of these famed artists’ work drew in a large and diverse crowd.

Las Vegas attendees happily admired over 60 miniature paintings while enjoying complimentary wine and hors d’oeuvres. The 7th Annual Miniature Show provided the perfect opportunity for collectors to seek out works from many different artists, while also being able to collect pieces by their favorite artist, all at an affordable price! In addition, guests were able to meet some of these exceptional artists in person!

Artist Michael Flohr made a special appearance to paint his miniature masterpieces live on the artist’s stage. Paintings flew off the easel as collectors clamored to acquire one of Flohr’s originals!

Artist Steve Barton also made a special appearance and was happy to inform collectors about the stages of his process. With a warm and welcoming demeanor mimicking his tropical compositions, Barton welcomed new and seasoned collectors alike to both his work and the gallery.

Artist Michael Summers also made a guest appearance. Collectors enthusiastically welcomed his new collection of miniature paintings in the gallery. Throughout the show, Michael Summers was found conversing with his collectors and other art connoisseurs.

If you weren’t able to make the 7th Annual Miniature Painting Show in Las Vegas, do not worry! The traveling exhibition will be coming to both Laguna Beach and San Diego! Contact your fine art consultant or an EC Gallery near you for more details!

Steven Quartly, “Colors of Romance”

On March 15, Steven Quartly arrived in San Diego with his family to visit Exclusive Collections Gallery for another amazing show!

His show, called “Colors of Romance”, was a three-day exhibition in San Diego’s Seaport Village, next to the beautiful waters of San Diego Bay.

Steven Quartly presented an exquisite collection of original oil paintings that capture the romantic elegance of the most beautiful scenes from California to Florence. Included is Quartly’s latest Fine Art Limited Edition painting, Venice Nights, which augments the timeless qualities of a sunset over the canals of Italy’s famed city of Venice.

EC Gallery’s collectors had the rare opportunity to view Steven Quartly paint live at the Artist’s Stage, sketching the beginnings of a new oil masterpiece. He shared his techniques and explained his artistic process. He shared with his collectors his history as an artist, beginning as a child taking private lessons in an adult art class. As one of the only children admitted to the class, Quartly felt very blessed to be able to develop his skill set from such an early age.

Every work of art that Quartly has created sets a tone of peace and relaxation. It evokes memories of travel and relationships, and invites us to indulge in these pleasant emotions. New collectors of Steven Quartly decided to commission original paintings from the artist to create a one-of-a-kind collection.

One of Quartly’s collectors decided to take home Stag Leap View, a beautiful original landscape painting. The artist also presented a new original painting titled Sera a Sienna, which is planned to go to print in the upcoming months.

Michael Summers, “Rather Curious”

“I paint because it makes me happy and I want others to experience this joy. When I see someone smile while viewing my art, and I know we are sharing a common experience, there are no words to describe this feeling. It is a communication that words are not able to convey. I can create art for myself, but it is simply incomplete until I can make someone else happy in the process.”

Pop Surrealist artist Michael Summers toured from San Diego’s Historic Gaslamp Quarter, to The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace, and then on to Exclusive Collections Gallery in Laguna Beach for his show, “Rather Curious”. He has created more original acrylic paintings than ever before to keep up with the growing demand for his work.

At the show, Crown Thorn Publishers James and Ruth-Ann Thorn were excited to announce the first painting to reach sold-out status for Michael Summers. Right as Rain, a colorful limited edition featuring three penguins under an umbrella. Right as Rain is composed in a contemporary style, with a minimalist monochromatic background giving way to a colorful foreground that concentrates the viewer’s attention to, as Summers describes it, “the general adorable-ness of penguins.” It emphasizes the value of humor as an ingredient for appreciating everyday life.

In the spirit of Right as Rain, Michael Summers unveiled a new limited edition painting titled Catnap – a colorful composition of three tigers underneath a technicolor downpour of paint. This new work is released in an edition size of 95, with 10 artist proofs and 10 printers proofs. Each work of art is hand-stretched and hand-embellished. Please contact your art consultant to reserve your edition of Catnap!

Although Right as Rain is sold-out, the public has voted for the image to be used on the 2013 Mission Federal ArtWalk T-Shirt! Collectors are invited to attend San Diego’s ArtWalk and support the local art community and ArtReach.

In San Diego, collectors entered through the gallery door past colorful sheer billowing curtains to emerge in the magic of the show beyond. Summers’ original masterpieces enthralled collectors with his incredible detail and precise vibrant color, while his unusual subject matter won over newcomers’ attention to both the artist and the gallery.

In Las Vegas at the Forum Shops, Another Leap of Faith and Singing in the Rain (two Michael Summers originals) went home with collectors. Another Leap of Faith depicts a blissful flying pig against a cloud-filled cyan blue sky breaking the preconceived notions that pigs can’t fly. Singing in the Rain focuses on a grand elephant in a cool colored pour of paint simply singing to have a good time while the coolness of the rain washes away all things negative. Both pieces inspire the viewer to expect the unexpected and to do anything that makes them happy, whether it is breaking presumptions or merely just enjoying the moment.

In Laguna Beach, Michael Summers had the opportunity to meet his youngest collector. A Mother’s Love, a Fine Art Open Edition, went home with a lucky little girl who purchased the beautiful artwork all on her own. Her brother and sister wanted to collect Summers work as well after watching the artist paint on the artist stage. They graciously received signed tear sheets of Right as Rain.

Christopher M., “Feast for the Eyes”

Christopher M., as an artist of chefs and winemakers, brings together both sides of the story. Like a perfect pairing of the main entree and an exceptional vintage, Christopher M. blends the culinary and viticulture arts with his own passion and talent in fine art. His paintings balance the personality, the theatrical, the romantic, the thrilling, dynamic element of fine dining. Whether his subjects are composed at an intimate candlelit dinner, or behind the scenes in a busy kitchen, Christopher M.’s work displays excitement and energy for the dine out experience. The artist’s relationship with this experience extends beyond the front and back of the house picture of restaurants and cafes to the gardens and vineyards that produce the raw ingredients. He admires the precision and hard work that goes into crafting a fine wine and presenting a culinary masterpiece, as he follows the same philosophy in his own masterpieces. It is his desire and inspiration to capture talented sommeliers and chefs on canvas while in the process of creating the “fruits of their labor”.

In his latest exhibition, “Feast for the Eyes”, Christopher M. showcased a new body of work with culinary and wine scenes frozen in time, focusing on a particular sensation or experience. His unique style, loose brushstrokes combined with areas of incredible detail, give his work both Realist and Impressionist characteristics. This approach draws a fantasy from a known occurrence. Rather than just painting directly what he sees, Christopher M. challenges the viewer to enjoy a routine event, such as eating or drinking, through all of the five senses.

Christopher M.’s “Feast for the Eyes”, a traveling exhibition, kicked off in San Diego, California at the EC Seaport Village Gallery. Collectors enjoyed a food demonstration by Chef Mandy Braidic, as well as found refuge from the cold weather outside in the warm, cheery atmosphere of the Seaport Village Gallery.

The exhibition continued on to Las Vegas at the Forum Shops Gallery in Caesars where Christopher M.’s original painting 98 Points found a home, a beautiful crimson composition highlighting that moment of introduction to a winning vintage.

The final destination was EC Laguna Beach Gallery where food and wine lovers are a plenty. With Chardonnay, depicting a lone chef intensely working over a hot burner using a bottle of Chardonnay to flavor the dish being prepared, became part of a happy collector’s tirage.

During “Feast for the Eyes”, Christopher M. unveiled his newest Fine Art Limited Edition, Evening Indulgence which exemplifies all of the aspects of fine dining that the artist uses in his work. Evening Indulgence depicts a chef rewarding himself with a glass of red wine which is complemented by the tonal reds of the background. The striking white of the chef’s uniform boldly sets him apart as the focal point. His expression is that of indulgence; that he deserves to lean back, sip, and relax after a meal perfected.