Inspiration in Layers – Art Show of Robyn Hodess and Gabriella Gordon
October 5-14 – Art Show of Robyn Hodess and Gabriella Gordon. Collection of abstract and mixed media paintings. Artist Reception Saturday, October 6, 4:00-7:00 pm. Gallery Hours: Friday, Oct 5, Saturday, Oct. 6, Sunday, Oct. 7, Friday, Oct. 12, Saturday, Oct. 13 and Sunday, Oct. 14, 12-3 pm.
Hodess Bio
After years of working in graphic design, Robyn Hodess shifted her interests to botanical illustration when she was invited to join a class taught by Catherine Watters. In 2001, just one year later, she was chosen to participate in the 3rd Annual Botanical Art Exhibit at Filoli Gardens, a juried exhibition. Robyn was again chosen to show in the 4th and 5th Annual Botanical Art Exhibit. Additional shows 2002, Art of Saving the Oaks, Sausalito, California 2003, Exotica: Plant Portraits from Around the World, Hearst Art Galley, Saint Mary’s College of California. In 2003-2005 she participated in the Monterey Museum of Art, Monterey, California in the annual artist charity show.
As Robyn’s life changed so did her art. After taking a medium class at CCA with Jamie Brunson, she switched over to creating aerial landscapes. Though the process changed, her love of nature did not. Using acrylic paints, she mixes in papers, sands, fibers and other natural materials to get the texture that you see. Thought the landscapes are not always portrayed as realistic representations they are an interpretation that comes from the art while working with the materials.
Robyn got her degree as a graphic designer for the San Francisco Academy of Art College in 1985. Then she went to work in a variety of mediums including printed advertising, product packaging, marketing design and corporate identity.
Ms. Hodess was raised in Memphis, Tennessee. She now resides with her husband and three daughters in Piedmont, California.
Gordon Bio
Gabriella Gordon came to California eight years ago from Stockholm, Sweden. She is very excited to show her work since it is the first time she will be exhibiting in the East Bay.
Gabriella started her education in 1990 at the Ecole des Beauxs Arts de Versailles, Versailles, France and in 1993 she continued getting her bachelor and master degrees at Konstfack, University College of Arts Crafts and Design in Stockholm, Sweden.
Between 1992-2005, Gabriella has was invited to participate in numerous juried art shows: 1992 Exposition des Jeunes Peintres, Grand Palais, Paris, France; 2000 Bachelor Degree Exhibition, Konstfack, Stockholm; 2002 Masters Degree Exhibition, Konstfack, Stockholm, Sweden; 2003 Väsbykonsthall, Upplandsväsby, Sweden; 2005 EdsviksKonsthall, Sollentuna, Sweden. She also particpated in Gallery showings: 2001 Kårgalleriet at Konstfack, Stockholm, Sweden; 2001 Gallery Blås och Knåda, Stockholm, Sweden; 2001 Väsbykonsthall, Upplandsväsby, Sweden; 2002 Gallery Vilunda, Upplandsväsby; 2003 Gallery Infra city, Infra city, Upplandsväsby; 2004 Gallery Tierp, Tierp, Sweden; 2004 Väsbykonsthall, Upplandsväsby, Sweden.
Her background is as a sculptor and over the years she has worked with video art, asphalt, silicone, glass, nylon stockings and various other materials. For this exhibit she has chosen to do patchwork paintings. She has found her art has taken her on many different paths than she had first thought, however, that is what she finds most fascinating.
Her current work is entitled; Buried in the Unspoken.
Gabriella remembers her grandmother, sitting next to her on the couch watching her sewing patchwork Quilts. Her grandmother would sit quietly, not revealing anything about her work. In the silence she never learned her grandmother’s secrets. Hidden in Gabriella’s art is her idea of her grandmother’s untold story woven together with her own experiences.
By ripping old used fabric into long shreds and using old strings, she begins weaving them all together along with paint to create random patterns on cut canvas. She allows the moment in the studio to decide the results, trying not to over think the process, trusting her hands creativity.
Gabriella current resides in Piedmont, California with her husband and three children.