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 😉