The VillaBerta Gallery is pleased to announce a group show of eight Los Angeles painters in a beautiful residential space, curated by Charity Burnett. Featured artists are Alex COUWENBERG, Clara BERTA, Summer JANELLE, Sharon WEINER, Sharon SUHOVY, Charity BURNETT, Chris TRUEMAN, and Grant VETTER. Works will be on view Friday, May 18^th to Sunday, July 15^th 2012. 

Friday May 18, 2012
7 – 10 p.m.
wine and cheese reception

Between sensual indulgence and tranquility, these process painters explore associative play and the limits of desire. They express thirst-quenching colors, fantasized gratification, soothing ambient moods, and healing or therapeutic transcendence. Works on view in “The Pleasure Principle” have aesthetics of tactility that simulate a physical quality. As westernized culture puts increasing importance on leisure and recreation, over-stimulation, even addiction – it arouses the primitive brain’s pleasure circuitry meant for survival. Freudian psychology say’s, “The Pleasure Principle is the instinctive drive to seek pleasure and avoid pain, expressed by the id as a basic motivating force that reduces psychic tension.”

The resurgence of an intuitive process in painting is a result of artists reacting to their data driven and analytic culture, becoming a phenomenon coinciding with the Digital Age. These artists have come to abstract painting as innovative collaborators to the mid century moderns. Painting has never been more vital in the last fifty years. Conceptualism is increasing reliant on the “shock of the new” and distrustful of the subconscious, that part of our minds that drives desire and motivation -the very things that make us human. The LA art world is ready for a hedonic shift. Art history is an evolutionary cycle of “thesis, antithesis, synthesis.” Contemporary process painters, like the ones in this show, are in the synthesis stage. Several of these painters create a hybrid of cultural aesthetics from polarized genres while also being true to their times.

-Curatorial statement by Charity Burnett

Show: “The Pleasure Principle” exhibition runs Friday, May 18th to Sunday, July 15th 2012.

Opening Party: Friday, May 18, 2012 | 7:00pm to 10:00pm | Closing Party: Sunday, July 15, 2012 | 1:00pm to 4:00pm

Hours are by appointment only and during opening/closing receptions.

Your RSVP is requested to attend  clara@bertaart.com

Press contact: Charity Burnett 818.398.2992 sangriafinearts@gmail.com

ALEX COUWENBERG combines matte finishes and high gloss in ‘Zen’ like execution. Mark making with intuitive rhythms, speed, and precision have been created with tape that is traditionally used in coating exteriors of hot rods. His paintings have pulsating colors reminiscent of hot rod colors, metallic pearls, firemist oranges, daytona yellow, marine blues, and swift reds. Built up and torn down – layers of paint and abstract shapes become a multiple play field of pinball, surf riding, skate boarding emerges. Gestural maneuvering bends the orbit of metaphorical surf-like almond-shaped tubes, gaming gadgetry like flippers, kickers, bumpers, targets, hexagonal saucers. In a recent video by EMS, Couwenberg refers painting to a “therapeutic experience.” He attended Art Center College of Design and has an MFA from Claremont Graduate University. Alex Couwenberg is showing “courtesy of William Turner Gallery” at Bergamot Station.

CLARA BERTA paints with mixed media, creating atmospheric sweeps of dense textural colors. The award winning abstract expressionist imbues the process with the belief that art is healing. The Hungarian artist born in Romania explores themes like “the ebb and flow of memory, the significance of personal heritage, renewal, the passing of physical time, desire, passion, and love.” Presently, Clara Berta produces commissioned work, shows at Artspace Warehouse, and teaches mixed media and collage. Berta has a BA in Psychology from Antioch University. She is also the gallerist at VillaBerta Gallery.

SUMMER JANELLE irrigates or sprays delicate acrylic paint on digital prints of wind blown ornamental grass or sparkling fresh water. Colors and lacy textures induce the viewer into a pensive relaxed state. The Claremont Grad says, “My work derives from the inner sensations we encounter with human interaction on a daily basis. I am fascinated with the invisible everyday occurrences and I bring them to life. I am making the invisible, visible.” The artist will be showing at Sangria Fine Arts in the fall. Summer Janelle studied Healing & Creativity at Chapman University, earned a BA from UC Riverside, and has a MFA from Claremont Graduate University.

SHARON SUHOVY sculpts sumptuous edible roses with cake-frosting utensils. The sculpted paintings are metaphoric for the female body. The artist says, “Seduction manifests in to lure to guide someone into the depths of their desires. The painting becomes the stage for this mid-summer nights dream as the excreted line work meanders across the surface. The s-curved calligraphy of the acrylic gel frosting, juxtaposed with the pastel Rococo palette, conjures the sweet scent of arousal. Suhovy will be showing concurrently at The Loft at Liz’s. She attended California State University, San Bernardino and has an MFA from Claremont Graduate University. Suhovy is a college art professor at Norco College and Victor Valley College.

CHARITY BURNETT makes whimsical foodstuffs with oil paint and sweet fragrant beeswax. She slow-pours molten paint into oddities that are stacked high with tottery equilibrium. Burnett pipes soft paste, which resembles frosting with a cake decorator device. Amorphous forms are a result of adaptation, and are into ice cream mounds, domes, and bells. Burnett say’s “I mix color to arouse the senses. Full-bodied consistencies simulate euphoric/addictive flavors from caramel, raspberry, blueberry, to exotic blends. Flavor as realism gives immediacy and believability to ferry us into the realm of fantasy. My work expresses unfulfilled plans of celebration in a dystopian times.” Burnett is the Curator for “The Pleasure Principle” at Villa Berta Gallery, and also for Sangria Fine Arts, a blogger for ARTZILLA and ArtMinute Press. Artforum.com chose the painter’s solo show as the “pick of the week.” Burnett is a graduate of Art Center College of Design, and has shown at Bergamot Station, in San Francisco, New York, and Washington D.C.

SHARON WEINER’s luxuriant mark making and soothing acrylic pours explore the conscious and unconscious. The LA painter builds and sands layers into smooth surfaces. Glossy sheens coat organic spills and reflect the room, making them ambient. Seductive colors against oceanic or cosmic blacks entice the viewer into meditation and imaginative play. Sharon Weiner earned an MFA at Claremont Graduate University, having shown at several museums, nationally and internationally in New York, South Korea, and France. She has been reviewed by art critic Peter Frank, and will be showing at Sangria Fine Arts in the fall. Sharon Weiner shows “courtesy of Ruth Bachofner Gallery” at Bergamot Station.

CHRIS TRUEMAN’s shimmery paintings of graphite-like tonalities are merged with atmospheric geo-abstractions. They resemble reflective micro-prismatic sheeting or the icy flat surfaces. Like patterns of a healing crystal, the surfaces become a dazzling energy field yet somehow seem apocalyptic. The artist say’s ”These paintings are constructed from various styles and strategies sourced from the language of modernist abstract painting. Rapid shifts in the type of space, illusionistic or through screen-like layers meet flattened abstract planes and the materiality of raw canvas. Moiré and optical patterns keep parts of the underlying gestural painting from being fully grasped, while flesh-like yet unrecognizable swaths lay clearly in plain view.” Trueman attended the San Francisco Art Institute, and earned an MFA from Claremont Graduate University. He teaches painting at Fullerton College. Trueman had works curated by art critic David Pagel for an exhibit at LACE this spring. He has shown at Torrance Art Museum, Bergamot Station, in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Laguna Beach, San Diego, and Milan.

GRANT VETTER’s process of making extrusion paintings is a metaphor of the body. The artist’s work challenges traditional genre distinctions of painting and sculpture. Paint is pulverized or milled through the back of woven substrates. Effects resemble tapestry. Vetter’s paint becomes a bold play of textural ornamentation and topography, with the contrasting binaries conveying tension. The extravagant and elaborate mass build up of texture is both grotesque and beautiful. The paint assumes the wall, like a tapestry to a throne, becoming nothing more than a spectacle of decadence. In other bodies of work Vetter compares process painting to the processes of science and war, in a time when the sciences and militarism have let our society down. Yet moments of serendipity occur, even beauty. Vetter is a PhD Candidate, Doctor of Philosophy. The artist has earned an MFA from the University of California, Irvine, a Masters of Art in Communication, B.F.A. Art Center College of Design, Fine Art Media. Vetter is at present a Board member of F.A.R. (Foundation for Art Resources,) Founder and Director of Autonomie - a non-profit arts organization.

Artist Clara Berta with "City Full of Rain"

March 3rd opening 5-8pm
Part of the “Miracle Mile Art Walk”
Show runs March 3 through April 19 at

Artspace Warehouse
7354 Beverly Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90036
323.936.7020

Silhouettes

A new series of artworks by Los Angeles artist Clara Berta, Los Angeles artist Daniel Maltzman, German artist Edith Konrad, US artist Mark Acetelli, German artist Ekaterina More, Los Angeles artist Judy Zimbert, and many others.

Transition by Clara Berta

The Women’s City Club of Pasadena at the historic Blinn House is pleased to announce “RED” – a unique exhibition celebrating the color red. The exhibition, which runs from February 1 through March 30, 2012, features sixty works by twenty-seven California-based artists and photographers. It will be the fourth art exhibition produced by Margaret Danielak, the Women’s City Club of Pasadena’s Curator of Exhibitions. A reception is scheduled for Thursday, February 9, 2012  from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

“We accepted only 60 pieces out of hundreds of submissions, selecting only the most captivating red-themed contemporary paintings, photographs and mixed media pieces for display. Good thing I love the color red because I sure saw a lot of it during the judging process!” says Danielak.

The “RED” exhibition will feature the work of Shula Singer Arbel, Judith Asher, Clara Berta, Tim Bulone, Jessie Castillo, Merrilyn Duzy, Bryan Fair, Marian Fortunati, Dick Heimbold, Julie Hill, Lucie Hinden, Ben Humphrey, Anna T. Kelly, Natalie Lundeen, Athena Mantle, Lisa Mozzini-McDill, Marie Mustard, Robin Neudorfer, Terry Romero Paul, Christina Ramos, Joy J. Rotblatt, Julie Snyder, Teri Starkweather, Carol Steinberg, Diana Stewart, Beth Summers and Felice Willat.

The Blinn House, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was built in 1905 for lumber baron Edmund Blinn and his family. The Blinns hired popular Chicagoarchitect, George Washington Maher to design their Californiahome in the Midwestern Prairie School Style. The building has been home to the Women’s City Club since 1945 and continues to serve the Pasadenacommunity as a meeting place for civic, cultural, and educational activities.

“RED” will be on view from February 1 through March 30, 2012. The reception is Thursday, February 9, 2012 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The reception is free and open to the public. The Women’s City Club of Pasadena is located at 160 N. Oakland Avenue in Pasadena, CA  91101.  Free parking is accessible behind the building from Madison Avenue.  www.womenscityclub.com

The Women’s City Club of Pasadena is open for art viewing Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.  During the run of the exhibition, Curator Margaret Danielak will be on hand for art tours of the Blinn House by appointment. In addition, a popular course in art collecting will be offered. Curator Margaret Danielak may be reached through her website at www.danielakart.com via email at Margaret.danielak@gmail.com or via phone at 626-683-9922.

It’s a type of therapy that is commonly used among the psychologically ill, physically ill, and abuse victims. Art therapists work by combining concepts that are generally employed in psychology as well as art to be able to help patients cope with the traumatic events which they manage, as well as the triggers which they face in everyday life. There are a variety of different advantages of art therapy.

Art therapy has proven to help you develop your social skills using art work. It involves letting you express yourself with different kinds of  art materials like, clay and paints. Art care has proved to help you create visual representations of your emotions. Numerous benefits can be produced from art therapy. It could increase your self-awareness and help you develop your social skills. Art treatment could assist you to acquire problem solving strategies and creative thinking.

There are many folks with severe physical disorders who reap the benefits of art therapy. People who find themselves paralyzed, for example, may make use of art therapy. Cancer patients are also known to make use of art therapy to relieve stress and, ultimately, feel much better regarding themselves. Prior experience or skills in art-creating aren’t required to take part in art therapy, which is about self-exploration and recovery through finding out how to find the metaphorical, visual as well as verbal interactions contained in your artwork.

A lot of people are under the impression that you will need to see an art therapist in order to benefit from this kind of therapy. Art therapy is something you can do on your personal time. Any time that you’re feeling very stressed and want to release some of your body’s stress or frustration out, why not take out a sheet of paper and some colored pencils? All that you need to do is draw the first thing that one thinks of. It is likely that you might learn a bit about yourself by doing this. You will also probably feel a lot of peace and a sense of accomplishment.

Mixed Media Artists can show you how to heal yourself. The benefits of art therapy activities have shown to help folks learn how to express their feelings. Art therapy can allow you to come to terms with your feelings by determining and working through rage, bitterness along with other feelings. This is particularly helpful during or after a traumatic incident or illness. In this way it could restore or refresh your spirit. It is possible to use art-making as a means of self-discovery. You can de-stress and re-engage with life experiences in a creative and revitalizing way. It isn’t about making good art. Using imaginative expression and an array of art materials, observing and experiencing the art, it’s possible to be guided through its creation and reviewing in a secure and non-judgmental atmosphere.

Stop by and say hello – Clara and her art work will be at the LA WineFest on Saturday June 11

Sip, nosh, and mingle at Hollywood’s Historic Raleigh Studios, Saturday June 11 (2-6PM) and Sunday June 12 (12PM-6PM) at this year’s 6th Annual LA WineFest. 550-plus wines, spirits, beers and Lifestyle Exhibitors will come together to for your enjoyment. This year the Fest will be benefitting Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater Los Angeles.

Dubbed “LA’s largest educational wine festival,” LAWineFest 2011 will feature the Robert Mondavi Discover Wine Tour, an interactive experience educating guests about wine and entertaining.

Clara is proud to support the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Greater Los Angeles by donating one of her works to the LA WineFest Charity Auction

My piece, “LA through House of Blues”, carries delightful memories with a scoop of joy. For me, this piece embodies the spirit of LA – a sunny afternoon on the Sunset Strip and laughing with friends. The movements in the brush strokes are filled with energy and a zest for life. If you look closely, you can see a secret love note I wrote on a napkin at the House of Blues and then tucked away forever inside the painting. I hope you enjoy the zest for life bursting from the canvas – may it bring you a fresh outlook each time you view this work.

My friends are entitled to $15.00 off on a Saturday or Sunday single adult admission

Please mention my name: Clara

Please join me and 25 artists brought together on Facebook and Twitter to support Matt Le Blanc and the Art for Life Campaign.

We are all artists and we are all for finding a cure for cancer!

I’m excited to support this wonderful cause through our artistic work. Matt shares below how he created this heartfelt campaign.

“As most of you already know, I don’t shy away from supporting my community — especially when it comes to the fight against cancer. I created the Matt LeBlanc Art for Life Campaign last year to raise awareness and much-needed funds for the Tree of Hope Campaign, an annual event by the Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont Hospital Foundation in Moncton.  The campaign was a huge success — I raised a grand total of $38,000 for the foundation.  You can read about last year’s campaign below.

As a way to kick off my awareness effort this year, I went to my fellow artists for some help. I’ve spent the last two months putting together an online video with 24 other artists from North America and as far away as Australia. The idea is simple — each artist answers one question: Why do you paint?  The video is a collection of answers from these artists. The video ends with a powerful message:

Clara Berta in Art for Life Campaign

Painting is life.

We love to paint and we love life.

We are all artists and we are all for finding a cure for cancer.

For more information, please visit Matt’s website: www.MattLeBlancArt.com

…the four seasons balancing on the walls like clouds shifting forms the longer I looked… Though not her aim, I found what I needed – a bit of myself in all of them. (Abstraction Review at Barnsdall Gallery Theatre)

Robe Roberson is not the first to draw such profound inspiration from the abstract creations of Clara Berta. Admirers of the L.A.-based Hungarian artist are constantly offering their testimonies of how Berta’s work speaks not only to aesthetic, but also to emotion.

“From wood panels to collages, her abstract work can be contrasting, thought-provoking and uplifting… Berta’s color harmonies can lend an emotional dimension to many spaces that is magical,” the Examiner’s Liz Kelly wrote.

Celebrated for “capturing the vulnerability in all of us,” the complex, emotional connection admirers declare they encounter in Berta’s creations is precisely what the mixed media artist says she is trying to achieve with her art. Berta believes art can offer therapeutic relief from the challenges and stress people face in their daily lives – a belief she came to adopt through personal experience:

“The loss of my husband was very painful for me’… I had to figure out: ‘what was I was going to do alone?’” Berta confessed. “I had to find ways to let go, cry and be with my feelings. I focused most of my attention and energy on spending more time in my studio and allowing my feelings to be a part of my paintings.  I could see that my art touched people and I realized that it’s the love and healing I put into my work that they felt.”

More than a dozen exhibitions around the country have featured Berta’s work. Disney even selected her art for use in its film You Again. When Berta isn’t exhibiting, she is introducing art as therapy to others. The artist hosts weekly lessons at her home studio in L.A., encouraging her students to use artistic expression as a means for overcoming personal challenges.

“I like to watch my students unleash parts of them they never knew existed… when they tap into their creative side, it opens up doors in their relationships,” Berta divulged when named Amy Applebaum’s Entrepreneur of the Month. “They connect with their bodies in ways they hadn’t thought of, and it opens up the mind, allowing for new thoughts, ideas and beliefs.”

Berta also hosts Ladies Night In once a month. The gatherings, centered on wine, cheese and art, are yet another way Berta applies her own creativity toward helping others find a positive outlet for the inner emotions. The Hungarian instructor also reaches out to local organizations and has donated several works to Dreams on Canvas, Midnight Mission – a homeless advocacy organization in LA, the Lymphoma and Leukemia Society and Fostering Imagination.

Ultimately, Berta is hoping to share one basic message through both her art and her instruction:

“Life is what we make it.  Beauty can be found in most everything.  Example: my car broke down and I found a torn tire next to a freeway. Now, it’s a piece of art. You can create from nothing and then make something out of it. That’s what makes it beautiful.”

Berta’s most recent exhibition opened at Barnsdall Art Park in Hollywood in December 2010. The artist also hosted a Holiday Art Show featuring the work of her students at her home gallery. She will be hosting her second student show this coming spring.

There are finally some studies that are starting to prove what I have been saying all along. Art classes in schools help students improve across the curriculum. In The New York Times, a study was reported in the article a Guggenheim Study Suggests Arts Education Benefits Literacy Skill by Randy Kennedy. It just seems that such reports only come out every once in awhile. The news that is reported more regularly points toward cutting art classes from schools because they believe that schools need to concentrate more on reading, writing and arithmetic.

The problem is that these decisions are normally made by people who have no idea about the education process. All they understand are money and regulations. When we place our problems in the hands of legislatures, that’s what we can expect. Politicians take a look at the schools and see an art budget. They ask what impact art has on our students. But, not enough studies back the fact that art impacts learning across the curriculum. Art therapy, sometimes called expressive art or art psychology, encourages self-discovery and emotional growth. It is a two-part process, involving both the creation of art and the discovery of its meaning.

LA Painting Lessons are truly beneficial. Rooted in Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung’s theories of the subconscious and unconscious, art therapy is based on the premise that visual symbols and images are the most accessible and natural form of communication to the human experience. Patients are encouraged to visualize, and then create, the thoughts and emotions that they can’t express verbally. The resulting artwork is then reviewed, and its meaning interpreted by the patient. The analysis of the artwork typically enables a patient to gain some level of insight into their feelings and allows them to work through these issues in a constructive manner. Art therapy is typically practiced in conjunction with individual, group, or family psychotherapy.