 |
|
|
|
|
|
This month’s artist is Fumi Arakaki. Fumi’s art education includes UCLA, the Chicago Art Institute, Santa Monica College, and other institutions. She worked commercially as a fashion illustrator and layout artist. She is a member of the Watercolor Society and was awarded a signature life membership at Watercolor West. She has exhibited widely in California, showing in an exhibit of Cuban paintings in Fountain Valley and holding a solo show at the Tin Roof Gallery.
Born and raised in Iran, Shaee has lived in California since 1960 and attends our church. She holds an AA degree in apparel design, a BA in psychology, and an MA in social work from UCLA. She has worked seriously as an artist since 1990, using textiles to design threedimensional installations. She has exhibited at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art Sales and Rental Gallery and at the Pacific Design Center.
Artist’s statement: The subject of these canvases, the winter wilderness, is based on my mountaineering experience. They are rugged landscapes with evocative light and brushwork. It’s also a bit of Yin and Yang: the eternity of the mountains interplaying with ephemeral snow.
The Gallery Wall for this month consists of art donated by our members. Because the church will receive 100% of the proceeds, we can afford to keep prices low.
Our Gallery Wall for December displays the creative output of the artists in our congregation. At this time we have an unusually large number of artists. Most of these paintings are for sale. Take a close look at the exhibit, and remember that a few words of encouragement and appreciation are always welcome.
— Shirlee Frank, Chair Gallery Wall Committee
Artists who are members of our congregation are invited to show their paintings (oil, watercolor, acrylic, mixed media) on the Gallery Wall during the month of December. (Sorry, no room for photographs.) Bring your painting(s) ready to hang with screw-eyes and wire on back, to Forbes Hall on Saturday morning, December 3, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Need more information? Call Shirlee Frank.
Artist's statement: "As a 1960s art-schooltaught painter, I learned about the taking of creative actions to see where they would lead me as opposed to mastering techniques that would help me reach a predetermined goal.
"My work still reflects a preference for process and exploration as opposed to production and product. I paint, draw, printmake, do video, and paint with performing musicians.
Joan Vaupen received a BA in art in Wisconsin and an MA from Cal State LA. Her media include painting, sculpture, and printmaking. She studied at the Institute Allende in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, and the Hanga Institute in Tokyo, Japan. She has shown widely in the LA area in group and solo exhibits. Artist’s statement: "My interests as an artist reflect multiple influences, including social history, art history, human endeavors, satire, and the effects of light and color on unique and translucent materials."
Raised in Baltimore, Dr. Jeffrey Hirsch has lived in L.A. since 1966 and has been a clinical psychologist in private practice since 1980. He has taught art expression to disadvantaged children and currently uses art therapy with some of his patients. Hirsch studied art at UCLA and Santa Monica College.
An eclectic artist, Hirsch has made a number of welded metal sculptures that have been rented for use on television and movie sets. His exhibit on our gallery wall includes mixed media, paintings, collage, and pen and ink drawings.
Susan (Suki) Kuss has been involved in the arts for most of her life, since both of her parents were artists. She started painting in the late 1980s after an early retirement from a sales and marketing career. She has studied with many well-known artists and developed a unique style of her own.
