By JENNIE BLEVINS | [email protected] |
July 4, 2023 at 2:51 a.m.CHICO -- Artist continues to create groovy work Chico artist Carolyn Ferris has made a career from creating memorable, unique and colorful art. Ferris will have a show in Chico at the Museum of Northern California Art July 23 through Aug. 27 called “Fantastic Scenes in the Galaxy.” Then the Haight Street Art Center in San Francisco will exhibit this same work. Her San Francisco show starts Sept. 14 and runs through Sept. 23 at the Haight Street Art Center. There will be an opening at the Haight Street Art Center in mid-September too. Ferris moved to Chico from the Bay Area in 2019, right before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. She has a studio in Chico. The inspiration for Fantastic Scenes arrived in Ferris’ mind during the COVID-19 pandemic. “For refuge, I wanted to explore alternate universes, no masks required. With space travel in the news, these worlds offer a ticket into fresh locations without stepping onto a space shuttle,” Ferris said. “Many works have a wine theme, adding plenty of company for sharing a glass.” A beach scene is pictured from Carolyn Ferris’ Fantastic Scenes in the Galaxy collection, painted between 2020 and 2023. (Carolyn Ferris/Contributed)“We’ve all been through so many life changes beginning with the strange trip through COVID-19, the extreme political split, majorly increased mass shootings and outrageous tragedies from climate changes,” she said. “This series encourages a psyched energy and invites inspiration to keep on rolling with a sense of connection, purpose and camaraderie. It’s a rare series and it’s the artists hope that it lifts all who experience it.” Haight Street Art Center Executive Director Kelly Harris is looking forward to Ferris’ upcoming show. “We are thrilled to host the work of Carolyn Ferris at The Haight Street Art Center. Carolyn’s work in the rock poster world, paired with her galactic graphics provides a distinctive perspective that stands out within the poster community,” said Kelly Harris, the Haight Street Art Center’s executive director. “The Center is a perfect venue to feature her new series as it is sure to inspire and engage the San Francisco art community.” Moonalice Band Director Chris Shaw is very impressed with Ferris’ work also. “Carolyn’s Ferris’ artwork and posters are a bold recipe of color, image, and typography. Her unique style has firm roots in 60’s psychedelia and traditional techniques, while also taking every advantage of modern digital methods of image creation. Carolyn is also one of just a handful of women consistently involved in creating rock posters in the San Francisco and Bay Area, bringing diversity to a unique legacy of art spanning over 50 years,” said Shaw. Ferris worked with the late artist Wes Wilson as his partner. Ferris received some great advice from a former teacher in college, Joyce Eakins. “If you want to draw a tree become the tree,” said Eakins. Ferris embodies this with her work. “Connecting with the characters is important,” Ferris said.Ferris’ work can be found on Facebook under www.facebook.com/carolynferrisart. |
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