I'd like to get an idea of all the nooks and crannies where art is viewable in this valley, from coffee shops to wineries to downtown venues.  I've had several people stop by the gallery, new to the area, looking for art.  I've told them the venues I know of, but can only direct them to the ones I'm aware of.

This is such a wonderful show we asked the artists if we could extend it out a few weeks, and most were able to do so. Some artists have their work promised elsewhere, but most were able to keep it on our walls until the 13th.

This has been a fantastic show. Thank you to the artists.

Please make sure to note that we've pushed the dates out for the What Lies show to give everyone a little more time to prepare. The show will now begin on May 14th, and entry deadlines for artists are due April 16th. Check out the prospectus link on the home page at lindaryanfineart.com.

Do make sure to send on info about this to artists you know, especially artists that like to work around a concept. It's also good for those who don't work around concepts to try it! It can kickstart a bunch of good art ideas that can take years to fully come to fruition.

I know this - our first show about transparency/opacity sent me off into years of gel play.

The next Art & Wine Crawl in downtown Livermore will be March 26th, with art, receptions, exhibits along with some winetasting. Ryan Fine Art will be hosting the reception for Courtney Jacobs and Sola Sawyerr, two recent graduates from the Art Academy in San Francisco that do absolutely wonderful work. I could stare at their art for years and not get visually bored. Fluidity with their medium is also really prevalent; watch out for these two as they get their art careers going.

Be there, at Ryan Fine Art at 171 So. J Street in Livermore, 5:30-7:30.

We've finished jurying and have some really interesting works coming in. Looking forward to the reception during the Art & Wine Crawl on the 29th.

Currently in our grand opening exhibit, we are showing the works of many fine local contemporary artists, including Trish Fenton's haunting mixed media collage/paintings, Ayesha Samdani's lyrical abstractions based on organic forms; Katie Caulk's linocut prints and handmade cards; Patrizia Ellis' intricately worked mosaics; and Patricia Benson's vertical slices of deftly worked landscapes.

We're also proud to be exhibiting RFA's own intern, Jen Lock, whose experimental process with acrylic gels is creating some real beauties (I love these and hope she doesn't stop); the wonderful, small canvases evidencing Peggy Schimmelman's obsessive need to paint bottles; and we continue to show the lovely raku and natural woven basketry of Gail Ruvacalba, Diana Carey's hand carved jewelry works; and Jessica Francis' fun works based on music.

Stop by and say hi!

We had a wonderful Grand Opening, even with the rain.

Thank you again to It's All About Dancing for the generous sponsorship of the gallery space!