Friday, July 16, 2010

A CAUSE FOR "CELEBRATION"










"Celebration"
© J. Licsko 2010
60"x60"
oil o canvas


As mentioned in a previous post "Painting Glass", I live in the Paso Robles wine county, where the win-win collaboration of art and wine is reaching new heights. If you haven't been to Paso Robles in the last couple of years, I encourage you to visit. We have a new annual art festival. The new Studios on the Park, showcases the studios of nearly twenty working artists. The "Studios" building also houses the Paso Robles Art Association's new "Showroom Gallery" where shows change at least every five weeks. The quality of life on the "Central Coast" has pulled many nationally recognized  artists to make their homes here.  Overall, the quality of art is very good, as is the wine. Almost all art events, and fundraisers, are accompanied by an opportunity to taste a local vintner's best wines. Artists hang shows in tasting rooms, vintners pour at art openings. Both groups are frequent donors to fundraising events.


Photo: © Elvis Kokopelli
Thank you - Thank you very much!!!

Perhaps the best loved, and most effective celebration of human generosity is the Central Coast Wine Classic Foundation based nearby in Avila Beach. This non-profit organization raises funds and has bestowed grants totaling $1,370,025 to 62 non-profits in the last six years alone. This year I attended the 26th annual auction. It was fun to watch auction patrons magnanimously bidding for paintings, trips, rare wines, a Lexus, even four places as guests of Emeril Lagasse at his popular Carnivale du Vin. Thanks to superb organization, great volunteers, a good time was had by all, and many worthy projects will get the funding they been hoping for.

"Celebration" is from my series that have been inspired by the social side of wine, the enjoyment of wine. With glass in hand, it is easy to become entranced by the reflections of light on the glass, the elegant shapes of the bottles and stemmed glasses, the rich reds, and subtle tints of the whites. Painting glass and wine together opens up an opportunity for prismatic color, and abstract compositions, seen best when they are painted large. At five feet by five feet, "Celebration" is my largest canvas to date. 

I am very pleased to have had my painting included in CCWC's 2010 auction, and to be invited back for 2011. My experience was gratifying from beginning to end. 

9 comments:

  1. Hi Joanne!.... Stumbled upon your wonderful site while visiting Linny's! Glad that I too a look into your world!


    Your exciting and well-developed site and your philosophy are inspirational... innovative and worthy of the attention and success that "You" obviously receive!

    Love the large format and colour in your work -two objectives that I enjoy striving for! I'm a Follower for sure!

    Good Painting!
    Warm regards,
    Bruce Sherman

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  2. Bruce, such kind words. Thank you and I am happy to meet you!

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  3. have always enjoyed your work; missed fact that it was larger than life until saw the image of your presentation............new found excitement!

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  4. Amazing work Joanne and even more so when you see th size! And what a wonderful organisation to be involved in: you clearly thrive in such an environment.

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  5. Wonderful, wonderful work, Joanne! You handle glass and reflected light beautifully!

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  6. Congratulation Joanne,this looks and sounds great,I wish I could mingle around an "taste"the good life!! Living in my room with the view it is getting hard to be grateful in summertime,when its hot and fresh air it too faraway.I love how you present all this,and it is grand painting you made this time! Im so glad for you being chosen and all! Have a wonderful weekend and till next time! Bye!
    Aleksandra :)

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  7. Hi Joanne,
    I saw your Paiting weeks ago but could not leave message due to the internet blocking in China. I am back home to Taiwan now and will stay for some days.
    I enjoy watching your paintings and always look forward to the new ones.
    The reflection in the wine glass is a great touch.
    June

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  8. Wonderful area around Paso Robles. I'll be in that area again at the end of Sep. A nice series that you have been working on.

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