Art View By JimChristiansen
June is here, and so are Graffiti Summer events. Images of cars, hotrods, and local landmarks come out onto the streets, in the car shows and on Tee Shirts. I’ve thought about a reissue of my “Cruisin’ Ain’t No Crime” bumper stickers I did with Ron Streeter in the 1980s, and some of the old Minnie’s tee shirts from that period.
In 2012, you can get a 57 Chevy from artist Mark Navarro’s new tee shirt design, or check out the June 8 Car Parade downtown with the Concerts on the Plaza and 1010 Tenth Street Farmer’s Market each Friday. Art will also show at the street fair up J Street on June 16th to the tunes of Big Earl & the Cryin’ Shame, MoFo Party Band and Café R ‘n’ B, as a lead-in to the June 21 Third Thursday Art Walk. You can also see plenty of this theme in the “Home of American Graffiti” kid’s art poster contest showings.
As for me, I may add some more to the Inked on mural at Tresetti’s Bar, probably my most public new art project, now known as the mystery sketch. A bit intimidating to be invited to use the Industrial Sharpie on the freshly painted walls, and I’m glad so many of you want to know why you aren’t in the picture. This is more interactive than finished, so look for additions from time to time.
June 2 and 3, we’re at the art and music venue for the annual U-Pick organic cherry and blueberry event, the “Pick and Gather” at Riverdance Farms in Livingston, with such friends as Senor Tim Lechuga on sitar and guitar, Big Earl and some friends, and Rachel Renae. Merced River Fair takes place same site on Saturday. Ranch is a great place for plein air painters.
One of our longtime noted artists, Mary O. Bucknam has passed on at age 98, but not before her Stanislaus Artist Open Studio Purchase Prize award won by Karen Higgins in Oakdale. Dick Monteith picked the drawing winners in his office, and other drawing winners were drawn for art by Don Hall, Claudia Silva-Doo, Linda Knoll and Chella.
Dan Peterson won “Best of Show” at the 59th annual Central California Art Association’s Spring Show at Mistlin Gallery, his 13th such honor. The show runs through June 14 where it will be replaced by the “Summer Splash” members show, and special Tattoo Art companion show until July 14. Stop in, or contact the gallery at (209) 529-3369 to check this out, or schedule in an adult or children’s art class. Art Camps abound in June, with various media offerings at Charteuse Muse, Modesto Junior College’s Community Arts schedule, at Carnegie Arts Center in Turlock, and even at home with artists Linda Knoll at Kathi Pethoud at Linda’s home studio.
For new hot spot on the Art Walk, check out Paper Planes Tattoo and Art Gallery next toState Theatre, and Gallery 909 student gallery on Tenth. Keep up with details online with the Modesto View calendar, or check the Artists of Modesto facebook page and catch the benefit for the Patterson Homeless Shelter project, where there is an art auction piece to benefit the program.
