At the Cypress Gallery this month, “Cats Rule!” This is the place where cat aficionados will discover a room full of fantastic beasts to tickle their fancy. Artists of all levels have transformed the blank shape of a cat into creatures that lie somewhere between myth and magic, magnificence and mayhem. This show is the third iteration of a community art project sponsored by the Lompoc Valley Art Association, in which the public had the opportunity to paint, create and otherwise decorate an animal shape cut out of wood. This year the chosen animal was the cat.
Over seventy art projects meow on the walls, purr on pedestals and yowl from the ceiling. What do these cats rule? It is obvious that they rule the world of local creativity. Materials as disparate as silk flowers, ceramic pieces, metal and carpet are used to embellish the cats, making for a fun, lively, and sometime frightening feline display. “Bastet” by Angelina LaPointe is a black and gold, carved, Egyptian goddess. “Caterita” by Linda Gooch stands tipsy-toed in red dancing shoes. Wearing a festive Mexican skirt and blouse, she holds a very accurately depicted Margarita.“Cats Rule!” is surely a show for both young and old to explore the world of creative ideas.
In the main gallery, Vicki Andersen’s gorgeous “Chinatown” holds court. It won People’s Choice last month, and so is on display again for your viewing pleasure. It is a marvelous interaction of paint and subject matter, which is at the heart of Andersen’s technique. Across the way are three large and lovely watercolors by Dolores Gonzales. Her floral and aquatic works exploit the intricacies of watercolor media, with delicate veining and transparent layering. “Serenity” explores the world of water.
Several Cypress Gallery artists tell their creative stories in three-dimensions. Beverly Messenger-Harte, the “Bamboo Messenger Woman,” has created a traditional Japanese hand-tied bamboo fence, using the ibo musubi knotting technique. Entitled “Is the Grass Always Greener…” the fence stands in front of graceful hand-cut verdigris copper bamboo branches. Kristine Kelly paints on hand wrought, fused glass. Tammy Evans carves wood. Joellen Chrones felts wool hats and bags. Karen Franscioni creates glass and ceramic mosaic pieces. We have several hand-made jewelry artists, whose work are little sculptural delights in themselves.
And for a last look at cats...do not miss Chris Jeszecks “Pounce,” a darling, diminutive kitty, all eyes and fluff. There are several other paintings of cats throughout the gallery which complement the creative cut-outs. Say meow, and take one home!
CAPTIONS (All photos by Bill Morson)
“Cats Rule” Cypress Gallery installation
“Cats Rule” wall, including Angelina LaPointe’s “Bastet”
Sharon Brundy “Frilly Cat”
Chris Jeszeck “Pounce”
Vicki Andersen “Chinatown”
Dolores Gonzales “Serenity”
Beverly Messenger-Harte “Is the Grass Always Greener…”