Best Cottage Concord Near Me

4worldlovers:
An art show so nice we’re partying twice! Please join us to celebrate this beautiful show with refreshments, good cheer, and live music provided by popular local musician Roy Gonzales. This is a great chance to revisit some of your favorite paintings and discover some fresh new work that has been added as well. The Tiny House Gift Shop is open, too, full of creative, arty goodies.

Plein air is the art of painting outdoors, working quickly to capture fleeting effects of light and color, motion and space. Immersed in a world of sights, sounds and smells, plein air artists are energized to express the spirit of the place and the day, each with their own unique voice.

Contra Costa Plein Air is a friendly group of artists who get together to paint at scenic locations all around the Bay Area and beyond. Our exhibit at the aRt Cottage is a nice sampler of plein air work created by our members, showcasing a wide range of media, styles and experience levels. We’re all connected by our love of nature and the camaraderie of painting with like-minded humans. New artists are always welcome! Learn more at www.contracostapleinair.blogspot.com or find us on Facebook @contracostapleinair.

I started producing art as a kid in grade school - drawing, painting, pottery, beading. I enjoyed them all, but beading was my favorite back then. The art class provided looms, but out of class, I built my own for use at home. The main goal is to draw out a design and then create with use of different colored sea beads. The loom was not very big, but I could end up with a piece the size of a bracelet. I was always pretty good at drawing freeform or from photos. After graduating high school and some college, I moved to California in the mid 1990’s and started painting in 1995. Since I could not think of anything else but being a famous artist, I decided to turn my art into a business. It’s been a wonderful journey and I’m proud of what my art represents and how it affects others.


Tell us about the materials you like to use in your work.


I started with oil paints but did not have the patience for the extensive drying time. I like to work fast and found that acrylic paints suited my style. They allow me to layer color on top of color in a much shorter period of time. I am a very colorful artist and abstract designing is a great fit for me. I’m proud to say I have developed my own style where I can showcase some of my Native American heritage. My paintings are exciting, but the bead designs that I incorporate in the pieces are my favorite aspect. They represent my personal designs of symbols and symbolism in my Native American background. I’m so glad that I was able to marry beading and painting into my own unique style.


Artists are inspired by making sales, but individuals requesting commissioned work is the ultimate inspiration for me. I have had the privilege to produce at least 5 special requests - they definitely energize me and just make me feel like I can do anything. My first juried piece of art (Enchanted Sun) won two prizes – Best Design and Best Color. This type of acknowledgement is another way I am inspired.

The postcard for my current show features Three Spirits in the Sky - the three spirits are the bead designs that represent prayers for continued balance between heaven and earth.

The first expression from people who view my art comes from their own love of color. This pulls them in and then they are amazed by the bead designs. “Your art makes me feel happy” is one of the most common responses I have received. This is just another way I am inspired. I love when people are drawn to my art and want to know more about it.

I will be working on a bead design during my artist-in-residence day on Saturday, February 18th at aRt Cottage. Come by any time that day between 11am and 5pm for a visit!