Mieke Blees, Drawing and Print

Joel Michael Smith, Drawing and Painting

Linda Welch, Drawing and Sculpture

Emily Wilson, Print and Drawing

June 7 - 30, 2007

Reception: June 9, 6-9 pm

On the Wing is a group exhibition featuring imagery of our fine feathered friends through two- and three-dimensional art. All creative expressions are represented through paintings, drawings, books, collage, ceramic sculpture, and bronze sculpture.

Participating artists include: Melanie Bown, Paul Brigham, Lisa Neimeth, Gale Hart, Renee Hartig, Debra van Hulsteyn, Clay Vajgrt, Tony Natsoulas, Michelle Waters, Mary Maxwell, Janice Nakashima, Michelle Gallagher, Lesley Anne Spowart, Kathleen Stock, Marcia Cary, Wendy Shaul, Steve Eichenberger, Jackie Swanson, Maija Peeples-Bright, Garr Ugalde, Rebecca Casey, Linda Kastner, ReBecca Gozion, Chris Botta, Daphne Gillen and Joel Michael Smith.

The following images are but a glimpse into the show. There are additional wonderful pieces in the exhibition.

Terry Miura,  Backroads,      Oil Paintings

Crystal Haueter, Still Lifes,  Oil Paintings

Daniel Buttler,  Benches

5 - April - 28, 2007

Opening Reception:  April 14, 2007,   6-9 p.m.

Terry Miura is exhibiting a series of exquisite Northern California landscapes which explore the relationship between memory, emotions, and identity. 

Miura states:  "Although they're still very much representational, they're not about specific locations.  Well, actually they are, but the locations are found in my and the viewer's memories.  Not out there in the physical world."

Emerging artist Crystal Haueter captures an old world feeling through her self-portraits and still life paintings.  Color and shading create a reflective mood while expressive brushstrokes channel the energy of the artist's efforts directly to the viewer.

Exquisitely crafted benches by Sacramento artist Daniel Buttler gracefully present resting places to view the current exhibition. Four very different approaches each with a unique color and texture. 

Craig Smith,  Paintings

Numan Huseinbegovic, Ceramic Sculpture

March 8 through March 31, 2007

Opening Reception:  March 10, 2007,      6-9 p.m.

Craig Smith will exhibit vibrant still life and landscape paintings in this spirited exhibition.

Smith is known for his use of color or absence of it to create mood and atmosphere. His expressive brushstrokes bring the surface of his paintings alive with energy. The surfaces in turn exude a captivating force drawing in the viewer.

Smith's paintings retain a representational element and at the same time are eloquently abstracted.

Numan Huseinbegovic presents his series of cows atop a wide variety of structures. Elegantly sculpted, he masterfully marries the rural and the urban, the structured and the organic landscape.

Huseinbegovic is an internationally known sculptor and painter with public art commissions in Europe and Northern California. He has exhibited extensively in Germany, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina and now lives and works in Northern California.

Three Painters, Three Potters

Ingrid Ellison, Gwyn Stramler, Audrey Welch

Christa Assad, Rae Dunn, Mary Mar Keenan

February 1 through March 3, 2007

Opening Reception:  February 10, 2007,      6-9 p.m.

Ingrid Ellison paints her warm concepts of hearth and home, despite the reality of the outside world.

Gwyn Stramler has an improvisational approach to painting and composition.

Through her use of pattern, repetition, and color, Audrey Welch creates exciting dynamic patterns and rich visual textures in her work.

Christa Assad focuses on creating simple, elegant and useful designs. Clarity as well as harmony is essential in the making of every piece.

Rae Dunn's inspiration comes from the earth and she finds beauty in simple and found objects.  Her work captures the simplicity and playfulness which are cornerstones in her own life.

Mary Mar Keenan's pottery evokes a childlike joy by giving equal attention to form and spontaneity, contrast and color.

rick carpenter, found steel sculpture

andy steele, mixed media assemblage

dylan tellesen, paintings and drawings

January 4 through January 27, 2007

Opening Reception:  January 13, 2007 6-9 p.m.

rick carpenter

Carpenter reuses, recycles and transforms steel and copper refuse into beautiful works of art that can be displayed indoors or outdoors.

andy steele

Steele gathers and collects graphic imagery which he utilizes to create contemporary smaller compositions.  These smaller pieces are then assembled together cohesively to generate an even stronger visual art experience.  

dylan tellesen

Tellesen's paintings come in two sizes - big and small.  Paintings of huge old abandoned pick up trucks dominate the landscape or portraits present themselves larger than life.  On a more intimate scale, old fabric book covers are drawn, painted on, and subsequently encased in a surface of thick acrylic resin. 

 BOX IT UP

December 7 through December 30, 2006

Opening Reception:  December  9, 2006, 6-9 p.m.

A group exhibition featuring different concepts and applications to the box, such as:  it is a box, it was a box, it can be a box, it can fit into a box, it will be boxed, or any other creative approach to the box.  If not creating a box, the work will fit into a box that measures 12" x 12" x 12".

Participating artists include: Stuart Asprey, Christopher Bales, Mieke Blees, Joanna Bloom, Jan Cheney, Kina Crow, Steve Eichenberger, Nina Else, Philippe Gandiol, ReBecca Gozion, Jean Hearst, Miles Hermann, John Lennertz/Patrick Marasso,  Kristen Kieffer, Lorna Meaden, Miriam Morris, Laura Morton, Patti Neal, Lisa Neimeth, Joe Pintz, David Piper, Elizabeth Robinson, Mary Street, Roy Tatman, Debra van Hulsteyn and Linda Welch.

 Deborah Barr - Paintings

John Yoyogi Fortes - Paintings

Robert Jean Ray - Collage

November  2 through December  2, 2006

Opening Reception:  November 11, 2006, 6-9 p.m.

Deborah Barr writes in her artist statement: "Art is another means of helping people see and better understand the dynamics of our world and how human consciousness impacts it at every level. My intention in my creative process is to catch attention by creating a visual dialog that the viewer can intimately identify with, and the challenge for me as an artist is to go beyond the internal barriers that separate us from each other."

John Yoyogi Fortes states: "My paintings tend to be driven by the content. I select images based on how they might interact with other images on the canvas. I'm also interested in the individual meaning of each image and how their juxtaposition creates new meaning addressing the content of the painting. Although I'm aware of the paintings intended content, I allow myself to be open to any ideas that might take me in a new direction. Ultimately, I'm always surprised when I look at completed works."

Robert Jean Ray creates powerfully intimate studies of human heads through drawing and collage. The intensity of his line(s) and the minute collage components utilized combine to draw the viewer in for a much closer look.

Architectural Forms

 Cameron Crawford - Ceramic Sculpture,     Mike Murphy - Ceramic Sculpture

Katherine Venturelli - Printmaking,      Deanna Wood - Encaustic Paintings

October 5 through October 28, 2006

Opening Reception:  October 14, 2006, 6-9 p.m.

Cameron Crawford breaks down architectural forms and symbols and rebuilds them to recapture and revitalize the beauty of these fragments in different formats.

Michael Murphy's ceramic houses sit on ceramic blocks that are reminiscent of a hometown block with the neighborhood laid out in a row.

Katherine Venturelli's beautifully handmade printed books evoke a home's literary and intellectual occupants.

Deanna Wood paints houses that represent shelter, home and safety.

Five Year Anniversary

Salon Style!

Group Invitational Exhibition

August 31 through September 30, 2006

Opening Reception:  September 9, 2006, 6-9 p.m.

Exploding Head Gallery celebrates its five year anniversary with a giant thank you to all who have passed through our doors:  artists, art appreciators, clients, and collectors.

The walls of the gallery will be stacked salon style with artwork from featured artists who have headlined exhibitions at the gallery for the past five years, as well as some new faces on the scene. 

We invite all to help us celebrate a gallery milestone.

Views of the Landscape, A Three-Person Exhibition

August 3 through August 26, 2006

Opening Reception:  August 12, 2006, 6-9 p.m. 
Click on images for enlargements

Jocelyn Audette
Oil Paintings

Diana Boyd approaches her painting with a heart turned to essence, and a mind's eye to slight abstraction of her subject matter. This approach entices the viewer to explore her artwork, not to just merely look."

Celeste Welch shares the following about her ceramic sculpture: "Simplifying and contrasting visual elements is a common denominator in my work.  Continually stretching and exploring new ideas is my passion."

Also,

Special Event

Holes in the Head

Patrick Marasso, Greg Marasso and John Lennertz

Video, Sound, Performance and Installation

Opening Reception:  August 12, 2006, 6-9 p.m.

     Holes in the Head is a collaborative effort of video, performance, sound and installation art.  The work can be viewed through three, equally spaced, 10" holes across the gallery floor.

     Creative organizers of these works are Patrick Marasso, Greg Marasso, and John Lennertz.

To view Holes in the Head, Robot Video click here.