Fall Art and Film News

Back from my second residency at Gullkistan Center for Creativity in Laugarvatn, Iceland.   This island nation continues to inspire with its gorgeous panoramic vistas, bubbling “hot spots”, rocks, lakes, horses, sheep, cliffs, sunsets and so much more.   With their current push for tourists (1 million this year for 330,000 citizens), the popular sites are now more crowded with bus tours each day.  Reservations are required where none were 4 years ago.   It is still vast and idillic in many parts but if you are thinking of going - soon will be better than later.

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The West Fjords inspire - still pristine as it’s a bit out of the way for tourists. 

 

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PENNY screens in Iceland - and as always Penny Cooper garners new fans.

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Rituals of Remembrance - the art of mourning made with Maggie Simpson Adams over the last 8 years is on the home stretch!   Work-in-progress screening in Iceland was followed by a vibrant discussion of death and mourning practices and ideas - just like we hope it always will.  Watch of upcoming screenings this fall - check Rituals of Remembrance Movie on Facebook for details.

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Sher’s short films Too Young and Wash It and will tour this fall in a program of short films curated by Tess Takahashi - Stand By for More Info!

Codex V and Transitions

Codex V at Craneway Pavillion A Bed of Verbs, 2014.  Artist Book with Clamshell: digital prints on Moab Entrada 190 and metal coated papers.  5.25 x 9.75 x 1 inches (closed clamshell box)

A Bed of Verbs, 2014.  A collaboration with artist, Brooke Holve. To be shown for its first time at Codex V at the Craneway Pavillion in Richmond, February 8th – 12th.

A Bed of Verbs, 2014.  Artist Book with Clamshell: digital prints on Moab Entrada 190 and metal coated papers.  5.25 x 9.75 x 1 inches (closed clamshell box)Bed of Verbs

‘Bed’ is a charged word; its root, bhedh, means to dig.

I travelled to Iceland with artist, Brooke Holve for an artist residency during the summer of 2012. We were awed by what we saw; the geologic wonders and phantasmal forms gave us a glimpse of what the earth might have been like in its beginnings. Iceland was a “land of the verb” with underground rumblings randomly spewing out steam, lava and rocks through pockets in the earth.

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A land of forces not seen with verbs to describe it: bhedh, burns, chills, churns, coils, cracks, crusts,  cuts, erupts, oozes, pads, posts, roots, scalds, scrape, spews, sprays, steams

A land of forces not seen with verbs to describe it: bhedh, burns, chills, churns, coils, cracks, crusts,  cuts, erupts, oozes, pads, posts, roots, scalds, scrape, spews, sprays, steams

A land of forces not seen with verbs to describe it: bhedh, burns, chills, churns, coils, cracks, crusts,  cuts, erupts, oozes, pads, posts, roots, scalds, scrape, spews, sprays, steams

Codex V at Craneway Pavillion, 1414 Harbour Way South, Richmond, CA 94804

Transitions at Marin Community Foundation Offices

Transitions postcard

Artists typically make several transitions throughout their careers, for example changes in medium, studio space, subject matter, etc. Transitions focuses recent works from "mature" artists representing transitions in their (our) lives both metaphorically and literally.

Crossing the Digital Divide #2, 2014, Acrylic ink and paint on canvas, 17.5" x 20"

In my work, I have worked to integrate feelings about nature and the environment with my interest and fascination in the possibilities of digital technologies available to artists. In an effort to integrate my film work with my 2D work, I have also begun to include more specific narrative content, sometimes by a written "story" on the label and sometimes written on the back of the canvas.

Marin Community Foundation Offices, 5 Hamilton Landing, Suite, Novato, CA

Icelandia (a fairy tale from the time of the sagas), 2013, Acrylic ink and paint on canvas, 51" x 80"

Falling Behind (35 Words for Wind), 2013, Acrylic ink and paint on canvas, 57.5" x 38"

January Art Exhibitions

Inside Out Mixed media with audio by Elizabeth Sher Passages

January 10 - February 1, 2015

Reception: Saturday, January 10 from 6 to 8pm

If you find yourself in Portland, or know folks there, I will be there for the opening.

Verum Ultimum Art Gallery, 3014 NE Ainsworth St, Portland, Oregon 97211

 

 

 

Transitions postcard

 

Transitions

January 21 - May 15, 2015

Reception: Wednesday, January 21 from 4:30 - 6:30

Honored to have 3 pieces in the show - hope to see you at the opening!

Marin Community Foundation, 5 Hamilton Landing, Ste 200, Novato, CA

 

 

Arbres Flat with poem 8x10

Honored to have a my artwork, “ Arbres arrencats d'ametles,” selected for inclusion in the West Marin Review's Vol. 6, planned for publication in late 2015.

Selections were based on each piece’s particular attributes: its excellent technique, the imagery it evokes, its originality or perspective, and its ability to affect each one of us in some meaningful way.

 

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Watch for updates for Spring PENNY screenings at Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) and several Bay Area Law Schools

November Art Shows

Hope you can see some of these shows which I am proud to be a part of... Portrait of the Artist as a Sucker

Missed the Auction?

You Can Still - COLLECT! Online Shop opens Oct. 29 - reduced prices on all remaining available auction pieces including mine (see image at left).

Collect Store

Berkeley Art Center1275 Walnut St, Berkeley, CA 94709

Digital Divide 2 (Sonoma Coast) acrylic ink and paint on canvas

HERE! 2014 Artists Annual 

Opening Reception Saturday Nov. 15, 5-8 PM  Exhibition Dates - Nov. 15-December 14 (Part 1)

Berkeley Art Center 1275 Walnut St., Berkeley, CA 94709

Inside Out by E. Sher

Inside Out (canvas with audio) showing in PASSAGES, December 2014-January 2015 Verum Ultimum Art Gallery, Portland, OR

Reception: Stand by for date and time in December

 

 

 

 

 

 

April News

Art of the Digital April 14 - May 14 - Array at the City College Art Gallery

Opening Reception: Thursday, April 24th, 5 to 7pm

Curator’s statement: The Bay Area reflects a diversity of ideas and a richness in technology. We foster a culture of innovation and our artistic community celebrates hybrid media and digital exploration. This exhibition features the work of diverse artists whose work celebrates experimentation and invention.

City College Art Gallery, Visual Arts Building V109, City College of San Francisco, 50 Phelan Ave., SF

Bau Institue in Ortranto, Italy

 

Ortranto in June!

I have been accepted to the Bau Institue in Ortranto, Italy, for an artist residency this coming June.   I look forward to being inspired by the architecture and seaside facing the Adriatic.   Already have a project – stand by!

 

Penny and Viola Frey

 

News for Penny 

My documentary on Penny Cooper – trailblazer, celebrated criminal defense trial attorney, art collector, philanthropist and all around “fabulous” (her favorite word) trailbrazing woman.

Starting soon, The Kicktstarter Campaign to fund 1. a DVD with all the stories and cases that had to be left on the cutting room floor, more on her world class collection of art by women and  2. our cross country tour to partner with community organizations, schools, women’s groups, small theaters and more to inspire young women (and men too) to break new ground.   Because hen we have people to look up to in life, we are always more confident the ascent is possible.

Please visit our Facebook page, Penny the Documentary – like us and tell your friends! Don't do Facebook, visit the website, www.pennythedocumentary.com - you can tell us your Penny story there too.

Upcoming December Events

Array Exhibition Dec 5 - Jan 5 - Array at the Berkeley Art Center

Opening Reception: Thursday, Dec. 5 5-8pm

Berkeley Art Center 1275 Walnut St. Berkeley, CA 94709. 510.644.6893

 

 

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Dec. 4 - 21, on Wed, Fri & Sat from 4-8pm - I'm participating in Canyon Cinema Pop-Up, which will occupy the Kadist storefront starting this Wednesday. Browse and loan up to three titles from a selection of 150 DVDs by over 50 artists that surveys Canyon Cinema's legendary collection of experimental film.

Kadist. 3285 20th St, San Francisco, CA 94110

 

Falling Behind (Tee-ed Off), 2013

 

 

You can still see BIG IS BEAUTIFUL at the Bay Model in Sausalito through December 31st.

Bay Model in Sausalito, 2100 Bridgeway, Sausalito, CA 94965, with ART Contemporary Marin.

Stills from Penny and Rituals of Remembrance

 

 

And YES! the first drafts are finished of my documentaries, Penny (left image) and Rituals of Remembrance (right image) (made with Maggie Simpson Adams)

Upcoming Events (Note revised Dates)

Two Events Coming Up On Saturday Image

Sat. Nov. 2nd at 1 PM - REVISED DATE - My documentary BELLA BELLA is screening as part of Bella Feldman's 50 year retrospective at the Richmond Art Center.  Q&A to follow.   DVDs available at special discount price.

Falling Behind (Tee-ed Off), 2013

 

 

 

 

November 1 through December 31  

BIG IS BEAUTIFUL at the Bay Model in Sausalito.

Sat. Nov. 2nd from 12:30 - 2:30 - Opening Reception

Bay Model in Sausalito, 2100 Bridgeway, Sausalito, CA 94965, with ART Contemporary Marin. info@artcontemporarymarin.org

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Had a great panel last Saturday, but you still have a chance to see the show. New Media Combinations  at Berkeley Art Center, through November 16th.

Summer Highlights

Photos from my 2012 residency in Iceland with Brooke Holve are included in Bread & Wine show in Austria through November 3, 2013. Photos taken by Elizabeth Sher and Brooke Holve


Richard Whitaker has posted the conversation, Bella Feldman and Elizabeth Sher at the Berkeley Art Center: Bella Bella, between Bella Feldman and myself at the premiere of my documentary BELLA BELLA at the Berkeley Art Center in 2007. Check it out – still a good read.

Still from my film, Bella Bella.

BELLA BELLA is screening and Q&A on Saturday, October 19 from 1-3pm, at the Richmond Art Center during Bella Feldman’s retrospective there.  The retrospective will be up from Sept. 14 through Nov. 15. I will also have DVD's of the film for sale.


UPCOMING SHOW - New Media Combinations at the Berkeley Art Center Berkeley Art Center on Friday, September 6th from 5-8. This exciting exhibition features 9 artists combining handwork with digital imaging in varied and interesting ways. I am showing all new work!

Falling Behind 2: The Next Big Thing


ANOTHER CHANCE - Evolutionary Processes at the Sebastopol Center for the Arts is over but you can see the work (or buy a catalog) at Blurb.

The cover for the catalog for the Evolutionary Processes show

Gallery talk with Brooke Holve

conversation Brooke Holve and I had an enthusiastic group for our conversation on April 27th at the Sebastopol Center for the Arts during my exhibiton, Evolutionary Processes.    We talked about my Icelandic residency as the basis for the works as well as our shared and separate experiences there.  (Brooke was at Gullkistan at the same time I was in summer 2012).   The discussion then expanded to the power of residencies for artists.

Check out Brooke Holve's website.

A catalog of the exhibition is available here.

Upcoming Gallery Talk

whole showLast summer I spent a month at the Gullkistan artist residency in Iceland. I am currently showing work from that experience in my exhibit, Evolutionary Processes, at the Sebastopol Center For the Arts from April 4th through May 10th. I shared the experience with Sonoma County artist, Brooke Holve. On April 27th, 4:30 – 6, we will talk about our shared experiences, the power of residencies and my work and the stories that inspired it.  Come hear more!  It’s free and there will be refreshments!

Sebastopol Center for the Arts 282 S. High Street Sebastopol, CA Hours: Tu – Fri 10 – 4, Sat 1 -4

Installing the drawings made at Gullkistan, Iceland.  Summer 2012

Evolutionary Processes Opening Reception April 4th, 2013

The Residents...and a few of the artists we met along the way.... - Gatewood Gallery, Greensboro, NC

Residents Show Announcement If you happen to be in or near Greensboro, NC, please stop by the Gatewood Gallery at UNC, Greensboro, and see my work in The Residency Show there.   I am showing both 2D and video that grew out of my residency at Gullkistan in Iceland last summer.   There the panoramic views, ancient farmhouses, multi-colored lava rocks, winding rivers, steamy streams and slow ice flows presented a myriad of textures and shapes to explore. My plan to starting “fresh” with no plan was well suited to this primordial place which feels like the beginning of the earth.   Daily sketching using both traditional drawing and painting tools and video has inspired paths to new ideas and work – still very much in progress. Thanks Gullkistan!

Residents Show Installation

January 14 - February 1 Residents... ...and a few of the artists we met along the way....

Panel Discussion with the Residents The Inside Scoop on Residencies How, Where, When, Why... Wednesday, January 23, 4-5:30 Cone 103

The Gatewood Gallery at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro 527 Highland Avenue, 138 Gatewood Studio Arts Building, Greensboro, NC 27412

Current & Upcoming Shows

Video Still from Wind & Water November 6 - December 13 Convergence//Divergence

A world-wide roundtable symposium this Saturday, on 8 December 2012 10 am – 1 pm, PST - time converter to attend online, please click here http://water-wheel.net/taps/view/311 

http://blog.water-wheel.net/2012/11/convergence-divergence-exhibition-6-nov.html     Los Medanos College, 2700 E. Leland Blvd, Pittsburg, CA 94565

November 26 - December 21 Alternative at The LightRoom

Opening reception on Saturday, December 1 from 2-5 pm.

The LightRoom, 2263 Fifth Street, Berkeley, CA

December 6 - December 9 Aqua 12 at Miami Basel with Toomey-Tourell

Aqua 12, Aqua Hotel, 1530 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139

December 6, 2012 - January 27, 2013 Wonder at Berkeley Art Center

Opening reception on Thursday, December 6, 5-7 pm.

Berkeley Art Center, 2263 Fifth Street, Berkeley, CA

WEAD SPONSORED EXHIBITION: “CONVERGENCE / DIVERGENCE”

Women Environmental Artists Directory (WEAD), is pleased to announce a significant contemporary eco-art exhibition at the Los Medanos College Art Gallery in Pittsburg CA.

The exhibition will run from Tuesday November 6th – December 13th, 2012 Opening Reception on Thursday November 15th from 4 pm – 7 pm.   Gallery hours are daily from 12:30 – 2:30 pm and 4 – 6 pm Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

CONVERGENCE / DIVERGENCE features a broad perspective from environmental artists on the theme of water and its global and local roles.    The choice of Los Medanos College as a site for the exhibit is not accidental; the college is the only institute of higher education  in the delta area where the San Joachin and Sacramento rivers merge before entering San Pablo and San Francisco Bays.   The challenges and sensitivity of the eco-systems in the region is one reason for Los Medanos’ Environmental Studies curriculum.  In addition to its Art Gallery, the campus features a native plant preserve and a centralized water re-use pond.

The exhibition, a collaboration between Los Medanos College Art Gallery and WEAD, is  curated by noted intermedia artist Suzon Fuks, co-founder of WATERWHEEL, “a collaborative online venue for artists, scientist, activist, and all water lovers,”   brings together contributions of more than 30 artists from around the world, working in a variety of media–installation, video, and performance arts dealing with the theme.    A world-wide roundtable symposium via WATERWHEEL http://water-wheel.net will feature many of the participants on December 8th,  10 am – 1 pm, PST.

http://www.losmedanos.edu/art/gal.aspx

Los Medanos College 2700 E. Leland Blvd Pittsburg, CA 94565

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Art worth seeing “Convergence/Divergence” exhibition by @weadartists curated by Suzon Fuks w/ @The_Waterheel at @losmedanos in #Pittsburgh, CA http://weadartists.org/

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Do not miss exhibition! Check out artists from Women Environmental Artists Directory (WEAD) artists “CONVERGENCE / DIVERGENCE”  eco-art exhibition at the Los Medanos College Art Gallery in Pittsburg CA. November 8th through December 13th http://weadartists.org/

Kalassal Half-Off Art Sale

Mark your calendar. This year I will be participating in the Kalassal Half-Off Art Sale that benefits the Kala Art Institute.  It will be held at the Kala Gallery at 2990 San Pablo Avenue Berkeley, CA  onNovember 8 – 11 with an opening wingding with beer, wine, food trucks, live music & more on Thursday, November 8, 6 – 9pm.  Please come to support this wonderful arts organization.

Upcoming Events In June

June 9th and June 10th, 2012

IN | PRINT - Juried Art Show with 14 Artists                                                                             Gallery Hours during East Bay Open Studios                                                                                June 9th from 11am-6pm   June 10th from 11am-10pm

The Warehouse Gallery | 1234 International Blvd. (Btwn 12th & 13th Ave.), Oakland, CA

June 15 - Sept. 28, 2012

Beyond Landscape                                                                                                                       Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm                                                                                                   Opening Reception: June 28, 4:30 -6:30

The Marin Community Foundation | 5 Hamilton Landing, Suite 200, Novato, CA                            In connection with WEAD (Women Environmental Activist Registry)

June 29 - Sept. 9, 2012

Digital Mixed Media: Bay Area Artists Take Digital Photography to a New Level                            Opening reception: July 7th from 4-6pm

Petaluma Arts Center | 230 Lakeville Street, Petaluma, CA 94952

ArtPadSF

Portrait of the Artist as a Sucker, 2010 (3 of 9 panels

May 17 - 20, 2012

Toomey Tourell will be exhibiting my work in ArtPadSF at the Phoenix Hotel

Thurs. May 17th 6-8 - Opening Night Benefit Preview 8-10 - Opening Benefit Party Friday though Sunday, May 18-20 12-8 - General Admission

ArtPadSF Phoenix Hotel 601 Eddy Street, San Francisco, CA 94109 Toomey Tourell 49 Geary Street, San Francisco, CA 94108

Collect! at BAC

COLLECT! June 16- July 14, 2012

Opening reception and bidding: Saturday, June 16, 2012 - 5-8 pm Closing Reception and final bids: Saturday, July 14, 2012

Berkeley Art Center’s bi-annual silent/live auction and exhibition fundraiser, this year in celebration of Berkeley Art Center’s 45th anniversary! Featured artists include those from our acclaimed Artist Lecture Series and exhibitions over the past three years. Not to be missed!

Berkeley Art Center 1275 Walnut Street in Berkeley, California, 94709


Square Cylinder Review

E Sher pages from The Art of the Book Catalog, 2012

I was included in a wonderful review of The Art of the Book show at the Seager Gray Gallery. It was written by David Roth and published on SquareCylinder.com.

Here is an excerpt from the article, The Art of the Book @ Seager Gray, which was published on 29 April 2012.

"What is it about books that make them so irresistible for artists? Is it because they introduce us to worlds we couldn’t otherwise know? Or is it the opposite: that certain proscriptive books activate a hard-wired instinct to subvert and rebel? Whatever it is, book art, in recent decades, has blossomed, and its practitioners, both in number and diversity, have multiplied like rhizomes. The form has attracted painters, sculptors and conceptual artists; poets, photographers, novelists and scientists; and, dedicated fine art printers who facilitate cross-disciplinary collaboration.
The so-called death of print?  If anything, it’s emboldened artists by bringing to the fore all of the qualities that have always made books compelling, namely, pictures, words, tactility, design and, yes, stories.  And stories, as we know, have long history of artistic embellishment, as illuminated manuscripts and their predecessors demonstrate.  Donna Seager and Suzanne Gray, in whose eponymously named gallery this annual museum-quality show takes place, have been keen observers of this activity, and in this exhibit they’ve brought together a wide range of book artists from the U.S. and abroad. There are 33 in all.
They include Brian Dettmer, a Georgia artist who makes fantastical sculptures out of surgically exposed antiquarian books; Richard Shaw, the legendary Bay Area maker of trompe l’oeil ceramic sculpture; multi-media artist Kota Ezawa; and East Bay filmmaker Elizabeth Sher whose “blog” — of sorts — consists of Torah-like scrolls filled with automatic writing in an alphabet she devised. You’ll also find the stunning Oliver Sacks-Abelardo Morell collaboration, The Island of Rota, about which I’ll say more, as well as works from Lisa Kokin. Her thread-based sculptures, which hang in mid-air, dispense almost entirely with the stuff of which books are made, save the words themselves."

The Art of the Book

The Art of the Book - April 17 - May 31, 2012

Opening Reception on Saturday, April 28, 6-8pm

Elizabeth Sher often combines humorous looks at today’s society with formal aesthetic concepts.

BLOG © 2012 offers an ironic hand crafted comment on today’s obsession with incessantly sharing the minute details of our existence.    This daily diary of Sher’s month at Can Serrat residency in Barcelona, Spain, is written with bamboo quill pen and French ink in a subconscious personal language.    The scroll handles reference the Hebrew torah; the case refers to the plain wooden box used for traditional Jewish burials.

Seager Gray Gallery 23 Sunnyside Ave., Mill Valley, CA