Victoria Ryan

"Wine Country Afternoon"

Opening on April 7 at Robert Allen Fine Art in Sausalito, California,  is “Northern California Landscapes” consisting of paintings from yours truly and a handful of other regional greats.   Robert Allen has created a beautiful setting in which to showcase his artists and it is definitely worth the visit.

Continuing at Studio 7 Fine Arts in Pleasanton, a series of recent landscapes can be found.   If you are in the Tri Valley Area, this gallery is a must see having one of the largest exhibition spaces in the Bay Area.

Be sure to check the Upcoming Events Section for where to find me in the months to come.

For many years I have been going back and forth between my representational work and a more line centered, free flowing series of drawings.    Returning to this work for me is like returning to my roots in drawing.    These are about process, discovery and redefining nature as perceived on the page.    I’ve had my head, heart and hands in these for the past month or two and wanted to finally start sharing them more universally.    The full series can be found under the Title of “Abstractions” on the right side panel.

I will be exhibiting in a group show titled “Seasonal Landscapes” at Robert Allen Fine Art, from December 2 – January 20.   Among other pieces I will be showing “November Rain.”   It seems this time of year I am especially drawn to the  brilliant colors of autumn and the vineyards of northern California are a spectacular vision to be inspired by.   I spent the weekend in the wine country, from Napa Valley to Alexander Valley on a glorious cloudy yet shimmering light filled day following a strong thunderstorm and I took pictures to work from that I cannot wait to execute.   It was a bit like heaven driving through these scarlet and ochre laden hillsides and fields.   The light was at times brilliant and then suddenly cool and dark.   Days like that are so few and far between.   For an artist it was the holy grail!   Can’t wait to get back to the studio now.

"Awakening" 21x27" Giclee Print - 2010 Eugene Symphony B&B Christmas Tour Raffle Prize

December 4 and 5 I am participating in a fundraising event benefitting the Eugene Symphony in Oregon.    The occasion is the Eugene Symphony Guild’s annual Christmas B&B tour.   Marilyn Agusta at Augusta House B&B is hosting me and my work will be displayed throughout her inn for the duration of the tour.   Additionally I am donating a large framed print to the fundraiser and visitors will have an opportunity to purchase a chance to win this prize valued at over $800.   If you are in the area and would like to attend the tour and have an opportunity to see my work in this beautiful setting, information can be found on the Eugene Symphony Guild website.  All works will available for purchase.

Continue reading ‘Fundraiser in Eugene Oregon’

I’ve been very busy lately.   I just returned from the Bay Area where I have now established representation with a great gallery in Pleasanton.   Studio 7 Fine Arts has been in existence for over 2 decades and has recently been purchased by  local businessman and art lover Dirk Christiansen.  Art Director Jan Mahood is a top notch skilled curator and gallery director with many years of experience to bring to the gallery.   I am so pleased to have been asked to show my work there and hope my Bay Area collectors and friends get a chance to visit the space soon.   In addition to 2 dimensional art they carry a broad range of jewerly, sculpture and mixed media as well as providing a full selection of designer framing services.  I have a selection of pastels in their inventory now including this large vineyard painting “Autumn Blaze.”

"Autumn Blaze" Pastel 27"x40"

Studio 7 Fine Arts

"Following Bliss" Pastel

A few weeks ago I participated in the second annual LaJolla Art and Wine Festival – a new venue supporting underfunded programs in the LaJolla public schools.  This year the organizers brought in Joseph Lillis, who headed up the Sausalito Art Festival for years and turned it into a blockbuster event.   A few dozen artists from that show went to La Jolla because of his involvement.   Though there are still kinks to work out it ended up being a great weekend.  I got to hang with my artist friends Beverly Wilson and Karen McLean McGaw, two wonderful California painters.  It turned out to be a somewhat mellow show but we did place work with some fabulous new collectors, including this new painting titled “Following Bliss” which I didn’t even have time to get on the website before the show.   On Sunday afternoon I was given a Best in Class Award topping off the weekend.   We plan on returning next year.   Thank you LaJolla!

"Dream With A View" Pastel 26.5x40"

This time of year is my busiest with school starting up for my daughter and the summer show season winding down.   Though there’s technically still several weeks of summer left there is a definite shift that happens with the advent of these two events each year.    I’ve been so busy painting in my studio, still working on commissions and creating new pieces to show at Sausalito.   I just finished this pastel this morning in time to get it to the framer.    Titled “Dream with a View” this is a rendition of my own version of a “dream” home.     Pulling from my inspiration of a heightened reality this painting reminds me of  walking into a lucid dream – a theme that has shown up repeatedly in my work.

If you’re in the Bay Area for Labor Day Weekend the Sausalito Art Festival is a great event with wonderful art, entertainment, food and libations.   I’ll be in Booth Space 600 right near the entrance.   This is my 11th year in a row exhibiting at the festival and it is my favorite event of the year.   Simultaneously,  I am exhibiting as part of a group show of landscape artists at Robert Allen Gallery, also in Sausalito.

Thank you to my Pacific Northwest collectors, friends and community.   I had a very successful show at the Bellevue Museum Fair this year and am so appreciative for everyone’s support and patronage.   Some of my favorite paintings sold at the show including the newly completed  ”Applegate Valley  Vines” which sold on the first morning.   Fortunately the collector let me hold onto that piece until Sunday so others could see it.   I had finished it and had it framed just a few days before we left for the show so it was nice to be able to look at it for a few more days before having to part with it.

The Bellevue show is long hours (12 hour days) but when you are in the company of funny, friendly artists it is a lot of fun.    On the way up and down we broke up our trip and stayed at a wonderful b&b in Eugene, Oregon called  The Augusta House.  If you are looking for a luxury inn in that area, I cannot recommend this place enough.     It is truly a cut above and as frequent travellers we tend to be picky.

I’m back in the studio working on commissions from the show as well as preparing for the Sausalito Art Festival coming up over Labor Day weekend.   I have some paintings that were nearly finished prior to Bellevue and will be posting those soon.

Its back to the studio for me.   Until next time…..

Bellevue Booth Display

We’re in the process of loading up the Suburban to make the two day trek to Bellevue Washington for the Bellevue Museum Art Fair.   We’ve been participating in this show since 2000, the first year I ever showed my work at an art fair.    The Museum fair is a very cool event with a lot of very extraordinary fine art and contemporary craft to choose from.   Getting ready is always a monumental task for some reason even though we’ve been doing this for years.   Unlike many artists who do fairs, we have never fully succumbed to buying a state of the art van or groovy organizing system.   We continue to load the paintings carefully into the Suburban separated by sheets of cardboard and held up with cables and the rest of our supplies and luggage…a perfectly imperfect system.    We’ve chosen to participate in only a small selection of shows for the meantime, while there are kids still at home and the thought of travelling longer distances seeming too daunting but one day maybe we will and perhaps with a big van!    For now, its all puzzled into the Suburban with the extended Yakima rack on top.   My husband Bruce and I have it down to a system.

The Loaded Suburban

I’ll be bringing new work to the show that has not been seen in the Pacific Northwest.   Included is a large scale Vineyard painting from the Applegate Valley in Oregon.   The landscape is beautiful there.   I’m looking forward to seeing my treasured Northwest collectors at the show and hopefully meeting some new ones.    I’ve posted new paintings in the galleries so be sure to take a look.    See you at the fair, this Friday, Saturday and Sunday, July 23-25!

"Applegate Valley Vines" 25x39" Pastel

"Collingwood Potting Shed" 12x12 Pastel

We spent this afternoon at a traditional summer garden party.  Lots of fresh, organic food and plenty of margaritas to enjoy.    It was relatively warm for the Humboldt County coast – holding steady in the 70′s with the sun shining.   Our friends, the Collingwoods have a magnificent property that I have been expoloring and recently did this piece from their garden.   I plan on continuing the series along with others I have in the works…..so many paintings, so little time.   A lovely day in paradise on the north coast of California.