NEXT
MONTH AT LA LUZ de JESUS GALLERY
July 5 - July 27, 2008
Mark Gleason
Caia Koopman
ARTISTS' RECEPTION
Saturday, July 5, 2008 ~ 8:00-11:00 pm
Mark Gleason
Mark Gleason’s figurative oil on canvas pieces all share a common theme: the protagonists have relationships with an animal ‘familiar.’ “I have a resonance with solitary places, particular animals and to the human figure. My painting is shaped by film and music, as well as by psychology, philosophy and literature. I enjoy the private act of painting as well as the public process of teaching art,” states Gleason who grew up in Connecticut, received a BFA in Studio Arts from Syracuse University in 1984, and later earned a Masters Degree in Art Education in 1989. He has shown in numerous galleries across the country and has continuously been in group shows at La Luz de Jesus since 2005. Gleason currently teaches art and resides in the San Francisco Bay Area with his wife, Erika, and their bull terrier, Laika. www.markgleason.net
Caia Koopman
Eternal Verities
Taking her inspirations from nature, dreams, and politics, Caia Koopman wishes nature was more empowered to fight human's concrete landscape in real life, and portrays that in her art using acrylic on canvas and wood as her media. “My philosophy behind this body of work is that there is a strained relationship between nature, humanity and femininity. Nature and femininity have a huge presence in my art. Not only is nature beautiful and strong, but simultaneously fragile as are my female characters. I want to provide a message through my paintings that humanity needs to support and nurture nature and educate and give equal rights to women throughout the world. Both are vitally important to the environment, which sustains us and our very existence, and to the future of humanity on this planet.” states Koopman. Her paintings have been used commercially by major companies such as Rossignol, K2, Morrow and Hyperlite for many years, appearing as graphics for snowboards, skateboards, and wakeboards. Her artwork has also been featured in mainstream print such as Surfing Girl, Mademoiselle, Details, Girl's Life, Snowboarder Magazine, Teen, Teen Style, Teen People, J-14, Fine, and others. Koopman designed T-shirt graphics and promotional illustrations for many companies, such as: Roxy, Hurley, Volcom, Op, AT&T, and Casio. Koopman has also been featured "MTV Sports" as an athlete/artist for her snowboarding and painting and has shown her paintings in a number of galleries around the world. She is currently working as a freelance illustrator and painter in Oceanside, CA. Artist www.caiakoopman.com
