In the Studio... Art on the Farm & Ralph Borge

Saturday, January 24, 2008
(click image below to enlarge)
I recently read of the passing of Ralph Borge, a West Marin artist who painted for MALT's Ranches and Rolling Hills Show for many years, along with his wife, Martha Borge. To read more about Ralph's life, please visit here. You may also read about his 38 year teaching career at California College of the Arts, here.I never had the pleasure of meeting this artistic couple, but I have visited their shows for the last several years, and admired their work immensely. Ralph's painting "Gathering Storm over Point Reyes" was the Marinscapes Poster for 1991. I have always been one of the silent admirers of these great artists, who have paved the way for myself and others who now seek to paint the land for it to be remembered and saved as we move into times of uncertain future for our earth's health and climate. In honor of Ralph and the others that have taught us to paint with the spirit of giving back, I would like to share an upcoming show of several Marin artists who also seek to paint the land and farms of Marin and Sonoma County, in order to honor the local farms and give back to the local growers with a percentage of sales from the paintings. I hope you will have an opportunity to visit the latest show of "Art on the Farm" at the Veteran's Memorial Auditorium Foyer. To visit Martha at her studio, you will find her Gallery at 221 B Street in Point Reyes Station.
Condolences may be sent to:
Mrs. Martha Borge
PO Box 118
Point Reyes Station CA 94956
Contributions in Ralph’s memory may be sent to:
The CCA Ralph Borge Scholarship Fund
CCA Advancement Office
5212 Broadway
Oakland CA 94618

In the Studio Today... Bowling Pin Art

(Mosaics; Tammy Lee-Sullivan, Cat; Katie Ruiz,"Estrella Hermana" or Star Sister;
Big Sister holding little sister; Barbara Lawrence, Wood and Glasswork; Leland Dennick.)

This is a plug for a GREAT local art event that is coming up on January 21st. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Marin kicks off the new year with "Pins of Marin", a event that advertises and leads up to their biggest fundraiser of the year in March, "Bowl for Kids' Sake".

"Pins of Marin" is much like Hearts of San Francisco, but instead of painting or decorating hearts, the artists are asked to decorate bowling pins. Over 200 "Art Pins" will be displayed at a kick-off dinner and art reception next Wednesday night, 6-9pm, January 21, 2009, at Piatti Ristorante and Bar in Mill Valley. After the event, the pins are displayed in businesses throughout Marin to help advertise the upcoming "Bowl for Kids' Sake". The pins are also available to purchase via online auction from January through March. For more information, please email Tina Faulkner, or visit Big Brothers Big Sisters of the North Bay.

In the Studio Today...Show ends January 27th

Extended to January 27, 2009
Up to 40% off Paintings
Local Flora Flowers, Plants & Art Gallery
Adjacent to United Market
100 Red Hill Ave.
San Anselmo, CA
Download the pricelist as a pdf file
View photos of the show

My show at Local Flora, in San Anselmo, has been extended an additional 2 weeks until Tuesday, January 27th. After this date, watercolor paintings by fellow artist, Kate Peper, will be exhibited in the gallery. I hope you have enjoyed the show, and if you haven't seen it yet, that you will drop by in the next 2 weeks to enjoy my art surrounded by flowers and rustic gifts. It is Marin's version of SF's "Bouquet's to Art", in a way! It has been a pleasure to work with owner, Silke Vom Bauer, and I recommend this venue for other local Marin artists looking for a lovely setting to show their work.

To enter the Local Flora website, click the image, below.

In the Studio Today... Grafitti & Dog Photography

Wonder Dog II, originally uploaded by cproppe.

I spent a warm, January Friday today in Bolinas, CA photographing an old friend and her beautiful dogs. It was a great day, and the dogs had so much fun. Bolinas has very unique and special beaches to visit with your dogs, and kids. Agate Beach boasts the most abundant tidepools, while the surfing beach is full of cool rock formations, mossy rocks, walls with fantastic and colorful grafitti, and surfers you can watch, gently coasting in on the long, low waves. I always stop at Gospel Flat Farmstand on the way out of town. They have amazing produce. Their fresh celery is the tastiest celery I have ever eaten. You can view my set of Bolinas beach photos from today here.