More Stencil Monoprints by Xander Weaver-Scull

Here are a few shots from the Xander Weaver-Scull art reception at the Maurice Del Mue Galleries, San Geronimo Valley Community Center.

Xander Weaver-Scull with prints

(A great print: click on this to see it larger)

Black Footed Ferret

A nice variation on his LakeErie Watersnake print

All artwork copyright by Xander Weaver-Scull

Endangered California and the Keystone XL Pipeline: The Stencil Art of Xander Weaver-Scull

Green Sea Turtle

This month's featured exhibit in the Maurice Del Mue Galleries at the San Geronimo Valley Community Center is Endangered California and the Keystone XL Pipeline: The Stencil Art of Xander Weaver-Scull.

Xander Weaver-Scull describes himself as a social/environmental/climate justice awareness artist. 

He produces monoprints made from freehand drawn and cut acetate stencils.

Short Tailed Albatross

Here's one of his stencils

The majority of Xander's recent work depicts a range of endangered and threatened California species including endangered animals that would be directly impacted by the Keystone XL Pipeline. 

Much of his most recent work is done in collaboration with the center for Biodiversity.

Here are a few of the prints from the show:

Whooping Crane

Arctic Peregrine Falcon
(note that this one's a cut out)

Xander graduated from Hampshire College in 2012.  His thesis was entitled “How to Use Art for Environmental and Social Justice Messaging”.  

Lake Erie Watersnake

Coho Salmon

Mojave Desert Tortoise
(this is one of my favorites)

Another cool cut out: The Red Kangaroo

Xander Weaver-Scull exhibited in the 4^th Annual Pressing Matters IV: Printmakers Group Show at The Maurice Del Mue Galleries. He also has shown his work at The Fairfix Cafe and the Arches Student Print Exhibition, juried by The Boston Printmakers at Danforth Museum . Xander was a co-winner of Eco-Logical ART’s “Gimme Shelter Art” juried competition in San Francisco.

California Condor

The art reception is at the San Geronimo Valley Community Center this Sunday, February 9th, from 4 to 7 pm.   The exhibit runs until February 28th.

Artwork copyright by Xander Weaver-Scull

Morrie Turner 1923-2014

Morrie Turner, cartoonist and creator of the syndicated comic strip, Wee Pals, died Saturday, January 25 at the age of 90.

Turner is usually credited as the first African-American cartoonist to draw a syndicated comic strip.

Back in the 1960’s, as a teenager (and hopeful cartoonist) living in the SF bay area, I got wind of the fact that Morrie Turner lived in Berkeley. I somehow found away to contact him and he invited me over for a visit to his studio.

At the time I lived south of Oakland and had to take a long succession of buses (no rapid transit then) to get to his place. I arrived late which he ignored. Morrie Turner was very gracious man. He showed me his set up, what kind of pens and materials he used, told me of his many years of struggle to make it as a cartoonist and ultimately invited me stay for dinner with his family. When I left he gave me an original Wee Pals.

I‘m still not precisely certain how it all came together but sometime later Morrie Turner became the focal point of my high school humanities project.

For my project I chose to do a presentation on comic art (big surprise).  I had a display on the history of cartooning and an exhibit of original art (I had some comic book originals at the time and work by Milton Caniff, Charlie Schulz, Al Vermmer and a few others including, of course, Morrie).

Somehow it came to pass that Morrie was scheduled to appear at my high school to speak to the journalism class. I ran into him there and told him about my humanities project and he offered to be my guest speaker (!).

That certainly made my day (and probably helped my grade).

You will note that every obit and testimonial you read about Morrie Turner will talk about his openness, his enthusiasm, his supportiveness and kindness.

I just wanted to second the motion.

Gary Arlington Part II

Here are a few more clippings and photos of the late Gary Arlington.

From Gary's art shows in San Francisco

Bruce Simon, Paul Mavrides and I paid a visit on Gary at his last apartment which was filled with his drawings. He drew everyday.

Paul in Gary's apartment

Bruce and Gary

Another newspaper clipping from the early 70's about Gary.

This one is from California Living.

A few good articles and remembrances can be found at these links

Rio Yanez remembers Gary:

http://rioyanez.com/

The Comics Journal article "No Longer of This Planet" by Patrick Rosenkranz

http://www.tcj.com/no-longer-of-this-planet-gary-arlington-1938-2014/

San Francisco Chronicle

http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Gary-Arlington-dies-founded-nation-s-1st-5163962.php

The Comics Beat remembrance by Bob Calhoun

http://comicsbeat.com/gary-edson-arlington-1938-2014-creator-of-the-comic-book-store/

For more Gary related posts on this  artblog check the archives or type in Arlington in the search at the top.

Molly's Turn! Larry has been encouraging me to post photos of the on-going art class I hold in my studio.

When I start with new students I always ask them to become familiar with both the canvas, different size paint brushes and paint, before we attempt a full on painting.  Here are three students and the beginning to almost done process for them! We had such fun!!

 Kate:

Here is Kate Parun's first time playing with paint and canvas.

Blocking-in painting

Getting the paint on -lights and darks

Learning to blend

Refining

Kate at work on portrait of her Aunt

WOW!! Almost done!  BEAUTIFUL

Kate with her painting

Kate as her painting!

Liz:

Here is Liz Campana's blocking-in of her portrait of her daughter

Getting the paint on

Defining

And refining

Here  Liz is working on the hands

WOW!! Almost done. BEAUTIFUL!!

Liz with her painting of her daughter Sophia

Scott:

This is Scott Barrett's blocking-in of a photo which inspired him.

Getting the paint on

Defining

Refining

WOW!! Almost done. BEAUTIFUL!!

Scott working on blending and shading

Scott with his almost done painting

Three wonderful students!!!
I have so much fun working with these guys!

And look who decided to join our class!
Larry's and my grandson, Kaden.

Kaden taking good care of his brush.

Class is "on" in my studio

Scott Barrett, Molly Rea, Kate Parun, Liz Campana

I feel so lucky to be able to teach Beginning Acrylic Painting here in my studio. On February 27th, I will also be teaching a class from 10:30 to 12:30 on Thursday mornings at Rileystreet Art Supply on 4th street in San Rafael. They have a great space to teach in a warm environment with a much larger space than my studio. I will continue to teach here at my studio but its nice to have a second venue.  Please pass the word to anyone you might know that would like to join us.

Check out: http://www.rileystreet.com/classes.html