In September I got a lovely email from Tony Natsoulas at the Blue Line Arts facility in Roseville, California. 

"Do you know Jeffery Beckerleg? He is a good friend of mine. He told me about you."

It just so happened that Jeffery told Tony about my work and Tony was planning a show for June called "Extra Parts: Recycled and Found Object Art". I'm thrilled to be one of 10 artists showcasing 3-5 pieces in this showcase artists who not only make beautiful objects, but are helping keep the environment nice.

I emailed Jeffery Beckerleg to find out how he found my work and most importantly, to thank him for referring my work to Tony. I can't wait for this show!

Extra Parts: Recycled and Found Object Art
Blue Line Arts
405 Vernon Street, Suite 100 Roseville, CA 95678
June 5 - July 11
Please come to the reception!
Saturday, June 20, 2015,  7:00-9:00pm

I'm so Oakland that I'm having an Oakland giraffe painted on my house by the most amazing and talented muralist, Dan Fontes. You've probably seen his 'Giraphics' work under the overpass at Harrison Street or "Grand Performance" under 580 overpass near the Grand Lake Theater where Dan worked along side Dan Galvez, Keith Sklar and others.

Dan and I met in a neon class at The Crucible more than a decade ago.  When one of my pieces won "Best of Show" in the Carnegie Arts Center of Turlock 'California Arts Showcase', I decided to pay it forward and hire Dan to create a Dan Fontes original on my house.  Read more about Dan and how he helps beautify Oakland  here.

I'll be adding pictures to the slideshow below as Dan works.

Life is short.

Two years ago (almost to the day), I embarked on the journey of re-entering the art community. I had taken a bit of a hiatus from exhibiting my work so that I could focus my attention on my home and my career. For almost 20 years,  I have been compensated quite well to lead large technical implementations for companies and now it was time for me to lead a very different sort of project...

Project Anne Pinkowski

Art makes my heart go pitter patter. I knew from a very young age that communication through form (and communication in general) was a gift given to me. Making art made me happy and the creative process was one that fed my soul and just felt right. I pursued my education in Fine Art and then was tasked with the challenge of building my life as an independent. How will I support myself? Where will I live?

I focused on my career in technology while still continuing to make art and contribute creatively in life - taking classes at The Crucible in Oakland, collaborating with other artists, making mosaic murals on my house or just working on my house (I bought a fixer as it was the only way I could afford my neighborhood). 

In January of 2013, I came to the realization that my career and my home were stable and I had now earned the privilege of being able to focus my time on art and project Anne Pinkowski.  I built this website. I photographed my work, gave thoughtful consideration to my purpose and contributions and put pen to paper (or fingers to keys in this day and age) and so it began. My site launched in April of 2013 and in that same month I began submitting my work for exhibition.

It's been 2 years since I started on the journey and I am happy... and dare I say...  PROUD. I'm doing great work and receiving recognition by way of exhibition acceptances and awards. I submit to all the shows that I could possibly qualify for (and logistically deliver my work to). I get rejected... but I also get accepted and that is very validating. If only I had more time to pitter and patter. I do what I can and I dream of the day when I can pitter and patter all day - unencumbered by demands of modern day life.

One day.... :)

Dr. Jean Gallagher, Professor of Art at CSU Chico was the juror who selected one of my sculptures to participate in the "9th Annual Contemporary Women 2015" which will run May 1 - May 22 at the Chico Arts Center. So to my friends in Davis and Chico - take note I'll be invading your region (at least twice) in the coming months!

9th Annual Contemporary Women 2015
Chico Arts Center
2450 Orange Street, Chico CA  95928
May 1 - May 22
Please come to the reception!
Friday, May 1, 2015,  1:00-5:00pm

A reception for the California Arts Showcase took place on April 2, from 5-9 p.m. concurrently at both galleries.  Awards were presented at the Mistlin Gallery in Modesto at 6 p.m. and at the Carnegie Arts Center in Turlock at 7:30 p.m. In Modesto, Mayor Marsh was in attendance and presented awards and in Turlock, Mayor John Lazar was in attendance and presented awards. 

I was thrilled to be the recipient of the Best of Show for my work "Strapped". I was very impressed by the body of work that this show attracted and was happy to see other sculptures in the show - I recall one by an artist named Justin Danner that challenged the viewer to crank a handle and when you did, tears streamed from the eyes of the figure.