Dazzle Painting

“A Hundred years ago, high tech was a paint job,” the New York Times wrote about how artist Tauba Auerbach used a British artist's technique-“dazzle painting" to paint this 87-year-old New York fireboat. Can you imagine that the best technology in WWI to avoid German U-boats was a dazzling paint job? Norman Wilkinson was the British artist who devised this clever strategy. Kudos for such a wonderful article combining art, history, and the fantastic ability of artists to make a difference.

Come on over to FOG and check out Carol Blakley's paint jobs–she dazzles too. You want even more dazzle? Check out Anne’s work, another artist painting way out of the box...    -Peter

Hiroko Masuike/The New York Times

Time for Carol Blakley's Opening

photo: Peter Munks

From 1 to 5, we had the most wonderful time.

There was a wonderful talk by our wonderful artist,

...and some wonderful tunes by the Fog Family Players

Drop-Ins

This incredible group of high school students dropped in as we were hanging Carol Blakley's show. 

the students, who are in a summer program at Lehigh University, and our Anne

What Went Down at Carmen's 12th Birthday Party

This is fun, but will we ever get to open presents?

OK. Which one should I open first? This one ...

...or this one?

We played with my new toys.

The party snacks were great!

Can we play a game now? Please?

How about Pin the Tail on Anne?

I will never forget my party.

When Does the Party Start?

Saturday, July 28, at 4:00

Carmen's Birthday Party

12 years and going strong! We are so happy to host this celebration of Carmen’s 12 years around the sun. Anne and I rescued Carmen from extremely dire circumstances when she was 1 1/2 years old. After a difficult period of learning to trust humans, she has settled into a remarkably happy and beautiful life. We all go to the beach every day, and Carmen loves her daily adventure. Since she was diagnosed with congestive heart disease, we have cut back from 6 to 2 miles a day, but that is plenty of time for her to frolic, swim, run, and shine. One of her favorite beach activities is to run with long strands of kelp in her mouth - which puts a smile on many a surprised face. She surely has put many a smile on our faces, and continues to do so. So come on by, have some cake, and give her a special hello on her special day.  -Peter

Where are our goody bags?

Stop On By

Stop on by to see Paige Laverty's All things Ocean.

Jolly Rancher by Paige Laverty

Also, next Saturday the 28th we're going to be celebrating Carmen’s 12th birthday - she’ll be here to greet you from 4 o’clock til closing.   -Peter

Come to my party!

Dancing With FOG

It was timely reading today’s Chronicle article by Tom Stienstra: 'Tis the season for "Dancing with Fog." Indeed our namesake fog has once again enveloped us in its deep fold. Gone the crisp clarity of last week and in its place our summer layering of soothing gray. Our nightly walks with Carmen are once again enshrouded in the moist haze of our marine curtain. Enjoy our misty Ocean Beach, or come to FOG and catch Paige Laverty’s stunning take on all things ocean.    -Peter

Paige Laverty's Opening

Paige Laverty, better known as @thesaltylenz, in front of Summer Days.

Lots of surfer girls in attendance ...

Does this person look excited about her work? We are too!

Paige gives a WILD talk about how she shoots her images way out in the ocean without a surfboard.

Surf's up! Hanging Paige Laverty's Show

We were so excited to see Paige today, along with a truckload of her Everything Ocean photos!

Please join us this Saturday from 1-5 pm for her opening. She'll give an artist's talk at 2 pm.

FOG’s 3rd Annual Summer Solstice Celebration

Anne Marguerite Herbst   Remembering Saint Remy   oil on canvas   9" x 12"

Come join the FOG family as we welcome in the longest day of the year with anthemic airs, salutations, libations, and tasty snacks. Anna Galactica (our artful and fearless leader) might even join the festivities with her interpretive dance. But even if she can’t make it, we can all gaze at her atavistic, shamanistic and primordial paintings to enhance our solstice vibes. Druids and pagans are especially welcome. See you from 4:30 to 6 on Thursday.    -Peter

A Delicious Book-Signing

Shanta Nimbark Sacharoff has a new book out called Cooking Together: A Vegetarian Co-op Cookbook. This afternoon she read to us, and then gave a demonstration using herbs and spices, and explained their role in various cuisines. She taught us how to make chutney, and served Chai and crackers! We ate it up.

A Visit From Joe

Two more weeks left to come in and see Joe’s exquisite show.

Joseph Zirker came in today with his daughter Lisa and her companion Danny from Thailand. Anne joined us and showed off a new painting. Joe will be back in the gallery this Saturday after Shanta’s book reading and cooking demonstration at 2. Joe is working on a new abstract acrylic project and asked Anne if he could have a show in two years (he’ll be 95).  –Peter

Just a reminder: Stop in to meet Shanta Nimbark Sacharoff this Saturday from 2-3 pm! She'll be giving a book reading and cooking demonstration followed by a book signing.

Joseph Zirker's Opening

Walk into the gallery, and the walls practically vibrate with joy. A poem that Zirker wrote a few weeks ago explains why:

THIS SKIN I'M IN THAT HOLDS AN

ANCIENT ARTIST'S HEART AND SOUL

THINS AND STRETCHES COLD WITH

EACH SUNSET'S DARK. YET, ONCE

AWAKE, A HORIZONTAL DREAMER

DREAMS UPRIGHT,  BRIGHT LIGHT

SHINING COLOR, LINE AND FORM,

WIELDING BRUSH WITH CANVAS

TIGHT, SLOWLY MOVING, SHAPES

RELEASING FROM MY HAND AN

INNER JOY.

–Joseph Zirker   May 12, 2018

Countdown

Getting really excited about Joseph Zirker's opening tomorrow!

In Memory of Mamade Kadreebux

Last Saturday Anne and I went to Berkeley to attend Mamade Kadreebux’s memorial. Mamade had a joint show at FOG with Anne in November of 2016, and during that month he introduced us to his world.  

Mamade Kadreebux

Born in Mauritius in 1946, Mamade spent a nomadic, spiritual life exploring and illuminating the globe. A philosopher, holy man, photographer, painter, and poet – he led an enchanted life, in turn enchanting all he met on his journeys. A truly mystical and magical presence, his was a true spirit of healing, love, and peacefulness. Mamade spread his love of life and art to all, and everyone at the gathering expressed their deepfelt admiration and thanks. He made life better for all he touched, and we at FOG were fortunate to be in his thrall.    -Peter

Kasper Returns

Kasper Rodenborn is back!

You must remember this (Kasper working on the back wall of our outdoor space last year).

Yari Ostovany's Opening

Yari Ostovany with his painting Oracle II

...Pretty is a very dangerous thing versus beauty because sometimes you arrive at something pretty that you could be quite happy with, and some collectors would be quite happy with as well, but something inside is gnawing at you that it is not beautiful, it’s pretty. And then that destroying and rebuilding, that’s also kind of a tricky thing because if you think of it as destroying, that takes you in a different direction but when you step back and look at the longer arc of it, that’s just another step in the evolution of the work. And I always say you can never ruin a painting if you dare to ruin it. If you don't have faith and you get to some place that feels somewhat comfortable, you just stay there, and that I find dangerous. And that’s what Richter is talking about. I actually learned that through Francis Bacon many years ago, if I’m not mistaken, he said that when you get stuck in a painting, it’s usually what you like most in it that’s keeping you, so you have to paint that out. That’s a very difficult thing to do at first because you’re very attached to it. But then you realize it’s not about having a beautiful area in a painting, it’s about having a painting that works as a whole.  (From an interview with Yari called Pretty is a Dangerous Thing.)

Peregrine 25

Our gallery will be bursting with Yari's luminous paintings through May 27.

Art Market SF

photo by Jeannie O'Connor

photo by Jeannie O'Connor

Don't miss our treasure chest in the back corner! Six drawers of tiny treasures.

Fort Mason, where Art Market is being held, is one of the most beautiful spots in San Francisco. There's a place you can buy a drink and flop down when you're too tired to walk anymore (above) – and look what you see out the window:

photo by Kevin Fong

P.S. (Sunday) We had a BLAST, especially this one in the middle. Many thanks to our old friends – and all the new ones we made – for stopping by booth 523!

We'll be here for 2 more days! Today, Saturday, from 11-7 pm, and Sunday from 12-6 pm. Booth #523.

Art Market San Francisco

April 26-29 at Fort Mason

Visit us in booth #523.

Complimentary Passes here!

VIP Preview
Thursday, April 26, 2018 — 6:00pm to 10:00pm

Public Hours
Friday, April 27, 2018 — 11:00am to 7:00pm
Saturday, April 28, 2018 — 11:00am to 7:00pm
Sunday, April 29, 2018 — 12:00pm to 6:00pm

Andrew Ramer's Reading

Andrew Ramer is one marvelous storyteller. He read from two of his books this afternoon: Deathless, and Torah Told Different. His version of the Torah is deep, original, and lots of fun! Both book covers are graced with paintings by our Anne.