My friend and wonderful artist, Jacqueline Cooper, is showing her work at the Inferno Gallery in Oakland until mid November.  (The gallery is in sort of a scary neighborhood and a bit hard to find at night, but well worth the visit.)

Jacqueline and I first met in her Autobody Art Gallery in Alameda about 5 years ago.  It was Open Studios weekend.  Jacqueline was hosting the gallery, greeting guests.  She was warm and engaging; hilariously funny with her British accent putting me instantly at ease.  I asked her about Autobody letting me host my own show at the gallery the following year.  We talked about the details while I walked around the gallery.  I had no idea the large installation of pornographic paintings in the next room was Jacqueline’s.  She talked about her job working in a tax accountant office!   She “suddenly” pushed up her sleeves showing her full-arm tattoos. Then on closer look, I saw her wonderful tattoo art all over her legs, too.

Anyway, back to her work … Her pieces are done in oil on large, scrolled watercolor paper of body piercing images.  You don’t notice the subject matter at first because you’re focusing on the quality of Jacqueline’s realistic drawings.  But then, there it is, you notice.  The images made me laugh at first out of surprise and then you just love them.  Her soft style gives you a nicer experience with the light-touch of the brush and color.  

Here is a photo of Jacqueline in front of one of her currenbt pieces.  (Why can I NOT take good photographs. Her eyes are closed!  She’s beautiful and her eyes are closed!)

Scene from the Opening yesterday.

Another featured artist was Amy Pullman.  Here are her whimsical Twinkie sculptures 😉 

“Art makes life bearable.  It isn’t a luxury – like our capacity for understanding and our experience of love.  It is a vitally important part of life.”  ~ Gillian Pederson Krag

I’ve been working as a full-time artist now for 21 days.  21 days working my artist business plan.  21 days working every day, every hour on my plan.  I’m amped.  I’m excited about finally doing this.  Doing something I’ve thought about doing for decades.  I took the leap.  I’m working every day as hard at it that I worked everyday in technology.  Really harder than I worked in technology.  But, like technology, I’m behind the plan.  I’m working on a commissioned piece I’ve targeted to complete in 2 weeks.  I mean, my gosh, that’s a potentional 178 possible work hours only taking time to sleep and eat and occasionally shop for goods.  Some days I don’t even always shower or get out of my pajamas.  Need to take some time out to adjust the plan.

Ok, this is fundamentally great. This man is a blessing to his children and also to us.