Font ResizeKaren White's oil paintings are noted for simplified design created in vivid color and a range of textures. Her exhibit "Full Color" opens Tuesday at Viewpoints Gallery in Los Altos. A reception will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday.
A unique scene in nature can make White feel exhilarated. She notes that she finds some landscapes "full of energy and drama."
Quieter scenes, such as those that might be found in the California foothills on a misty morning, call for "softer-edged brushwork and gentler color shifts to tell a story of serenity and calm," she notes on her website.
The Bay Area has been her home since the 1960s, when the area was more agricultural. She has studied for many years at the Pacific Art League, California Academy of Painters and Palo Alto Art Center. She counts Brigitte Curt, Jim Smyth, Brian Blood and Randall Sexton among the most inspirational artists with whom she has worked.
In October she won the Artists' Choice Award at the "Paint Allied Arts" plein-air competition. She has shown her work in Northern California, including shows at the Sanchez Art Center in Pacifica, Filoli Center in Woodside and Studio Gallery in San Francisco.
"Full Color" will be on view through Dec. 1. Viewpoints is at 315 State St., Los Altos. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays. Call 650-941-5789 or visit www.viewpointsgallery.com.
Landscape paintings in watercolor by Barbara von Haunalter are featured in "Nature's Paintbox" at the Portola Art Gallery. A reception for the show will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday.
Von Haunalter's plein-air work was created in the Bay Area. The artist, who lives in Los Altos Hills, enjoys painting with the Peninsula Outdoor Painters and the Half Moon Bay Painters.
The primarily self-taught artist grew up on a farm in rural Connecticut. She studied plant science at Vassar College and printmaking at the Philadelphia Museum School of Art. After moving to California she studied at the Pacific Art League and Foothill College.
"Nature's Paintbox" will be on view through Nov. 30. The Portola Art Gallery is at the Allied Art Guild, 75 Arbor Road, Menlo Park. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. Call 650-321-0220 or visit www.portolaartgallery.com.
Obscuras fronteras
Sonic and visual installations by artists/composers Guillermo Galindo of Oakland and Félix Lazo of Santiago, Chile, are featured in "Obscuras fronteras," on view through Nov. 30 at the Skyline College Art Gallery.
The exhibit explores boundaries between electroacoustic music, digital technologies and visual art.
Galindo uses discarded objects left by immigrants crossing the United States-Mexico border. "Each personal object has its own voice, sound and imaginary story," he notes.
Lazo focuses on work relating to perception and cognition. He uses a variety of software programs, including a number he writes himself, to run in installations.
Skyline College is at 3300 College Drive, San Bruno. The gallery is on the ground floor of Building 1. Admission is free. For information on hours and directions, call 650-738-4294 or visit www.smccd.edu/accounts/skygallery.
Thomas Bayne paintings
Paintings by Thomas A. Bayne are featured at the Pacifica Community Center during November. An artist's reception will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday.
Bayne's work includes acrylics, watercolors and oils. His subjects range from landscapes of the Western states to still lifes, fantasy illustrations and portraiture of friends and family.
He has studied art since his teen years. Early in his career he received an award at the Haggen Museum in Stockton, and while a student at Stockton College he took the top prize at the San Joaquin County Fair.
At San Francisco State College (now University) he studied with German expressionist John Gutmann and modernist Alexander Nepote.
Now retired from the business world, Bayne has studied with Mary Szasz at South San Francisco Adult Education classes and with Sean Yore at Brisbane Recreation. He has shown his work at various San Mateo County libraries and at Brisbane City Hall as well as at Yesterday's Blossoms Gallery in Medford, Ore., and Jiga Gallery in Ashland, Ore. His work has taken many awards at the San Mateo County Fair.
Pacifica Community Center is at 540 Crespi Drive. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Fridays. Call Sara Dumont at 650-589-3041.
Information on visual and literary arts can be sent to Bonny Zanardi at Bzanardi@aol.com.
