Coming Exhibition: Lorraine Bubar, Pam Douglas, Anne Ramis

September 1 - 26, 2015

Opening Reception: Saturday, Sept 12, 5-8 pm

Artist Talk: Saturday, Sept 19, 3 pm

Lorraine Bubar, Not Home

Lorraine Bubar, Going Out, Papercut, 31x19", 2015

Lorraine Bubar uses her masterful craftsmanship to address our relationship and connection to "home" in her new body of work, Not Home. Bubar's painterly papercuts push towards a graphic direction as she explores urban settings and an ever evolving political and social landscape.

Bubar's imagery gets increasingly dense and more complex as she reflects on the congestion of urban life impinging on our choices, as well as the affliction of the loss of home that affect the human populous and other species globally.  

Bubar's multi-layers of textured, colored paper and intricate shapes create tactile surfaces that draw viewers into the imagery, to look more deeply.  She continues to make references to her painterly influences-- her love of Japanese woodblock prints and her connection to the heritage of traditional paper cutting.  These new colorful compositions are both bold and delicate in their execution and their content.

Pam Douglas, Galaxies

Pam Douglas, Juggling Galaxies, Acrylic on paper with Hubble photos, 54 x 30"

Painter Pam Douglas explores human interactions with the universe in eleven new works on watercolor and rice paper. Galaxies features graceful figures and even a playful Buddha creating tangible connections with the stars. Departing from her larger mixed media abstractions of the past few years that used earthy textures and probed earthly elements, this exhibition combines mixed media with photos taken by NASA’s Hubble Telescope, currently celebrating its 25^th anniversary.

 

Galaxies is not meant to be a meditation solely on celestial life — people can relate to what these figures are doing: women serve pastries made of spiraling stars; a girl dips her fingers in a galaxy pond; and a grinning Buddha juggles galaxy balls. The images can be interpreted as fun, but they are also intended as provocative, as subtle comments on humanity’s desire to make our connection to the universe more immediate and understandable. 

Anne Ramis, Contexting

Anne Ramis, Dance Moves, Mixed media, 23 x 29"

Anne Ramis’ new body of work, Contexting, is a landscape of abstract collages that find the viewer darting in and out of drawn dream-like connections, juxtaposing images that can show the viewer something unexpected. Ramis’ textured landscapes, reminiscent of Dadaist collage; combine the everyday found object with Ramis’ own unique colorscapes and forms.

This exhibition aims to transfer powerful and personal imagery onto paper that jumble and warp into a new reality--a surreal terrain that acts as a form of personal topography for Ramis.

Coming Exhibition: Lorraine Bubar, Anne Ramis, Katherine Rohrbacher

Tues. November 25 - Sat. December 20, 2014

Opening Reception: Saturday, November 29, 5-8 p.m.

Artist Talk: Saturday, December 13, 3pm

Mountain Lore, Lorraine Bubar

Lorraine Bubar, Denali, Papercut, 39 x 35.5 in

Lorraine Bubar's current exhibition was inspired by her Artist-in-Residency spent in Denali National Park in Alaska where she immersed herself in the diversity of life thriving in that vast wilderness. “Artists have had a long relationship with national parks, interpreting them in meaningful ways that inspire and enrich the experience for future visitors,” says Bubar. Her painterly, intricate papercuts illustrate the simultaneous strength and fragility of this mountain environment, while echoing the same strength and fragility of the paper medium. Mountains, with their inherent magnitude and mystery, have inspired travelers, climbers, writers, artists, and dreamers alike. Papercutting is an art form created in countries around the world, and in these cultures many tales occur in mountain environments - places that hold beauty, drama, and intrigue. Bubar’s addition of the narrative woven within her newest work addresses the tales that evolved from the mystique and power of the wilderness and evolved from the impact of illustrating a children’s book. The book, “Lullaby,” written by Debbie Friedman and illustrated by Bubar, was released by Jewish Lights Publishing this fall.

Landscapes: Fact and Fiction, Anne Ramis

Anne Ramis, What Next, Mixed Media, 16.5 x 26 in

Creating in the spirit of Robert Rauschenberg’s combination techniques, Anne Ramis applies her own combinative artistry to her latest body of work. Working within several different types of media, incorporating drawing, painting and collage elements, Ramis’ ethereal landscapes present a dual sense of foreboding and wonder. “This show combines earlier with recent landscapes,” says Ramis. “[These are] places that I’ve lived in and places that I’ve passed -- places that do and do not exist.” Lavender skies and jagged rocks form a winding path in works like “What Next” while verdant mossy abstractions and deep blues form surreal pools of water in “Giglio, Now.” In certain works, cut-out photographs of Ramis’ own dogs are dispersed among the rocks, as Ramis illustrates surreal terrains that act as a form of personal topography. The effect is that of a vivid dream, at once familiar and foreign.

Metamorphosis, Katherine Rohrbacher

Katherine Rohrbacher, Blossom, Oil on Canvas, 40 x 30 in

Poet Ovid pronounces in Book One of his mythological epic, Metemorphesis, “I intend to speak of forms changed into new entities.” Katherine Rohrbacher provides a modern meditation on transformation, posing the question of what it means to change -- whether artificially or naturally. In an era where physical perfection is held paramount, the lengths to which individuals may go to edit both bodily imperfections and age, is a 21st century crusade. Rohrbacher’s large format paintings offer a confrontational view of surface beauty. Charcoal and oil self-portraits offer a glimpse of the psychological impact of surgery in a series titled “Nose Job,” as Rohrbacher presents her own likeness as the face of change. Motifs of decaying roses and ceramic butterflies encircle other works, addressing metamorphosis directly, while illustrating the fragile, brief circle of life. A gallery installation featuring live flowers in jars that trace the actual dimensions of a casket will accompany Rohrbacher’s paintings and ceramic works for the duration of the exhibition, mirroring the same delicate stages of life and death that she confronts in her work. She will also show in New York at the Edward Hopper House in their 21st annual Small Matters of Great Importance Exhibition, on view October 25 through December 27, 2014.

Coming Exhibition: Christo Brock, Alison Lowe Platt, and Anne Ramis

Opening Reception:
Saturday, July 20, 2013, 5-8 p.m.

Artist Talk:
Saturday, August 3, 2013, 3-4 p.m.

Christo Brock:Color and Line

Christo Brock, Shadow, Gloss Aluminum, 40 x 26 in., 2013

Using his camera as a means of communication, artist Christo Brock’s compositions emerge from detailed observations of often ordinary objects. “I embrace color as a gateway to feeling and intuitive perception,” says Brock. After capturing the images, Brock digitally processes his photographs before printing them on metallic surfaces - further enhancing the intense color and luminosity within his work to physically reflect light. “Often through the processing of these images - images freed from their original, earthbound origins - new pictures are born,” says Brock. Numerous compositions focus on the intersection of man and nature, and how the two environments both collide and interact with the other. Whether through a building’s reflection or the rough texture of a painted tree root, Brock’s images consistently remind the viewer of this insightful interplay between these two worlds.

Alison Lowe Platt: Pushing Color

Alison Lowe Platt, Bright Woods, Oil on Canvas, 24 x 48 in., 2013

In her current exhibition, artist Alison Lowe Platt focuses on the psychology of color and its emotive properties. Working in the spirit of the post-impressionists, Platt’s high contrast palette brings forth vivid abstractions of natural forms. “When I’m working directly from life, I not only paint what I see, but hope to describe the essence and feeling of that life force,” says Platt. Stepping away from conventional Plein-Air painting techniques, Platt’s organic brushwork brings forth boldly illuminated forests and seascapes that balance high chroma intensity with muted tones to create atmospheric landscapes. Dramatic exaggerations of jagged rocks and shadowed forest floors are further enhanced by Platt’s evocative use of highlights to communicate her own adoration of the natural environment.

Anne Ramis: Rhinos

Anne Ramis, Adam and Eve in Exile, Acrylic on Mixed Media, 30 x 40 in., 2013

Diverging from her previous body of work exploring digital painting techniques, artist Anne Ramis’ current exhibition experiments with a broad spectrum of media. Painting, sculpture, mixed media and assemblage comprise her current show, which pays homage to the on-going rhino poaching crisis in Africa. Even while working with a specific subject, Ramis takes a spontaneous approach to her artwork. “I actually don’t have an end image in mind. I trust that I can get to a point where I’m satisfied,” says Ramis. In the spirit of her current work, Ramis will dedicate eighty percent of her show proceeds to supporting Save the Rhino International.

New Exhibit at TAG Gallery: Joe Pinkelman and Anne Ramis

Opening Reception: Saturday, October 6, 2012, 5-8 p.m.
Conversation with the Artists: Saturday, October 20, 2012, 3-4 p.m.

Joe Pinkleman New Work

In his latest exhibition, Joe Pinkelman continues a series of work he first developed in Jingdezhen, China. The city has had a significant impact on his work, particularly through his experiences at the Jingdezhen ceramic residency, Pottery Workshop. Using decals, high-fired porcelain, thrown and press molded forms, Pinkleman’s ceramic creations fuse modern, often fragmented shapes, with ancient Chinese pottery techniques to express colorful narratives.

Anne Ramis The Dancers

Continuing her playful approach to exploring new mediums, artist Anne Ramis’s latest exhibition explores photo manipulation and digital media. Inspired by her love of dance, Ramis works to capture movement without losing the emotional energy tied to physical gesture. Collecting vintage photographs from books and looking to such dancing legends as Isadora Duncan and Tamara Karsavina, Ramis’s mixed media works communicate liveliness over the static pose.

Summer Diversity at TAG: Anne Ramis, Group Exhibition July 19 - August 13, 2011

E Pluribus Artist!

Summer Diversity at TAG
July 19 - August 13, 2011
Reception Saturday, July 23, 5-8 pm
Artist Panel Saturday, July 30, 2-3 pm

TAG Group Show
All 40 Tag Artists

It’s summertime at TAG, Los Angeles’ oldest Artists’ co-operative at Bergamot Station. Featuring the work of all 40 artists, TAG’s summer group show celebrates the diverse local flavor of Los Angeles’ art community. The exhibit will feature creations encompassing every genre and medium, bringing to Los Angeles a globe-spanning and perspective-shifting oeuvre that captures the eclectic spirit of the city, with an opening to be held on Saturday, July 23 from 5 to 8 pm.

Healing Images
Anne Ramis

Adding to this vibrant display of work, the exhibit will also showcase new mixed media pieces by Anne Ramis in Healing Images, her rejuvenating exploration into the nourishing world of creating. Anne embraces a trance-like state during which disparate elements, like computer-generated imagery and painterly touches, effortlessly come together in surprising and beautiful ways. Her genre-defying works act as a metaphor for the entire show, allowing us to bridge the gaps between style and medium, culture and language, in a testament to the collective creativity of TAG.


BEST OF TAG Group Exhibition Opens

TAG Gallery was filled with the sound of tape measures snapping and nails being hammered as artists were hard at work installing the BEST OF TAG annual group exhibition which opened on December 28.

First, gallery walls and sculpture pedestals are patched and repainted by TAG Gallery members on the Wall Prep crew led by Gary Polonsky. Polonsky, along with Pat Klowden and Anne Ramis, come in the gallery at the end of every show to make sure that the walls are pristine for the next group of artists to install their work. Even spouses pitch in to help, as was the case in preparing for this exhibition, when new TAG Gallery member Katie Crown brought her husband Guy Webster to help.



“People do not realize that there is a lot of work that goes into getting ready for a show,” says former TAG Gallery president Ellen Starr. “Hanging a big show such as this often takes a lot of people and a couple of days. Sometimes the trickiest part is evaluating where each of the art pieces should be displayed. When we layout the show, we have to consider not only size, but also medium, subject matter, color, and framing. Then, the artwork and walls are measured to be equally spaced and centered on a point close to 60 inches from the floor. A poorly hung show can reflect poorly on the art and exhibition space.”



In addition to the Wall Prep crew, Starr was joined by co-presidents Carol Kleinman and Cheryl Medow, and members Della Rolle, Katherine Kean, Diane Rudnick Mann, Suki Kuss, Joan Vaupen, and Grace Swanson, in setting up the show.






The BEST OF TAG exhibition continues through January 22, 2011 and features a diverse mix of painting, photography, mixed media, printmaking, pastel, sculpture, and fiber art.

A reception to meet the artists will be held Saturday, January 8, from 3 to 6 pm and is open to the public.

Brigitte Schobert, David Twamley, and Anne Ramis

Brigitte Schobert, David Twamley, and Anne Ramis

July 20- August 14
Artists' Reception: Saturday, July 24th, 5-8 PM


Brigitte Schobert, "Dreams and Reality"

In her latest series, printmaker Brigitte Schobert exhibits subtly surreal prints from etching and relief plates that explore the edge between dreams and reality. Using printing techniques that have not changed much since Duerer’s or Rembrandt’s time, Schobert strives to engage the viewer with images that can be puzzling and freed from reality in order to leave room for the beholder’s own fantasy. “The ideas for my images are derived from many different sources: happenings in daily life; movies I watch; books I read; or my numerous travels to foreign countries. I see my work as a journey and invite the viewer to be an active participant in the unfolding of that journey,” say Schobert.

As an artist, Brigitte Schobert is a late starter and she spent most of her professional life as a scientist at UC Irvine. After being involved in the art scene for several years, she realizes that there are a lot of similarities between art and science, and sees her transition as a moderate shift in methods and goals rather than a radical change. She has received training in Graphic Design, Drawing and Printmaking at UCI and Saddleback College. Her work was shown in numerous competitions throughout the US. It is in the homes of private collectors and at the Center for Political Graphics, Los Angeles. She is a member of the LA Printmaking Society and TAG Gallery.

David Twamley, "Miniature Collages"

David Twamley’s latest works entitled “Miniature Collages” use collage and mixed-media to celebrate the complexity of Western society which he describes as “a collage of experience in and of itself.” These works are a continuation of Twamley’s ‘LA’ series, which is inspired by the colors, shapes, and patterns we see around Los Angeles. David’s fascination with smaller pieces of artwork, such as Persian miniatures, also influences this body of work. He explains, “I find that creating smaller pieces forces the viewer to look very closely and become more involved with the piece.”

Twamley views his collage technique as a way of ordering sensory input rather than being overwhelmed by it. He states, “It’s an ideal medium to explore diversity,” and one finds this to be true in his creative use of color and light in his miniature works. Creating art for over 30 years, David has displayed work in numerous galleries throughout the US, and in several private collections. He has received training at the University of Minnesota, the University of Southern California, and the Otis Art Institute. David Twamley is a member of the TAG Gallery in Santa Monica, California.

Anne Ramis, "Most Recent Work"

Creating art since high school, Anne Ramis’ new show at TAG Gallery explores the three themes of “color play in abstraction,” “famous kisses,” and classical “horror” characters through the endlessly experimental medium of digital prints. Her varied show highlights familiar characters like Dracula and Frankenstein and famous kisses like that of Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn. In her abstract images, Anne pulls the unconscious connections of shape, color, size, and patterns to the surface through a series of spontaneous decisions made during her creations process.

“Each year, I explore a different medium to uncover the spontaneity of the art process,” say Ramis. “Using a variety of methods encourages me to keep evolving in my work.” With this latest series, Ramis cleverly captures a playful take on pop culture horror and kisses. “The digital prints really lent themselves to exploring the finer details of these themes and was a particularly exciting new arena for my art work,” says Ramis. Trained at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and the Brentwood Art Center, Anne uses her work to feed and reflect all aspects of her life.

The reception for Anne Ramis, David Twamley, and Brigitte Schobert will be held on Saturday, July 24th 5-8 pm, and the exhibition runs from July 20 through August 14th at TAG Gallery in Bergamot Station, 2525 Michigan Avenue, #D3 in Santa Monica. For more information, please see www.taggallery.net or call 310-829-9556.

Anne Ramis Interview

The Infamous
Anne Ramis

Exploring new mediums with a playful approach, Anne Ramis allows her process to take unexpected turns and deliver happy surprises.

How long have you been an artist?

I have been ready to call myself an artist since 1983.

Why do you make art?

Because it feels good. It shows me parts of myself that I don't know or expect. It's fun. It's problem-solving. I go into a kind of trance state and get to use everything I've accumulated up to that point.

Can you name a few of the most important artists to you?

Massacio, the Master of the Portinari Altarpiece, Caravaggio---so many of those I studied in Art History. My studies didn't get up to contemporary art, so I'm kind on my own after WWII.

Did you go to art school?

Yes. High School, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and Brentwood Art Center.

Do you work in more than one medium?

Yes. Every year I work in a different medium, often combining them. I'm really motivated by having a show every year. It's freeing and it keeps me off the streets, or in the streets--a little of both.

What is your thought process while working?

I actually don’t have an end image in mind. I trust that I can get to a point where I'm satisfied. There's always the problem of going on past that. The process takes over and surprising myself is integral to that.

Is there a separation between your "normal" life and your art making?

No. All aspects of my life feed and reflect each other.

Do you find that the solitude is good for your art?

Yes and no. Sometimes solitude doesn't feel healthy. Often the ideas are generated from interactions with others and then built up when I start to play with them on my own.

Anne Ramis's exhibition opens July 20, 2010.