Peninsula artists Pfaff and Toldi share show in San Mateo

Oakland Tribune, Jun 2, 2005 by Bonny Zanardi, CONTRIBUTOR

'ALONG the Way," an exhibit opening Tuesday at ARTshare 25 in San Mateo, features works by two Peninsula artists: Jennifer Easton Pfaff and Leigh Toldi. Although the two share a similar approach to creating art, beginning without a preconceived idea of where they are going in their works, their imagery is vastly different.

Pfaff has been fascinated by the encaustic process, using hot wax, which she appreciates for its opaque quality. In a continuation of the collage work she has done, Pfaff started adding ripped paper, aluminum foil, screening and wax, concentrating on the effect the wax would have on these elements.

With encaustic, Pfaff could melt and remelt the wax endlessly, covering more surface or scraping more away. Slowly the works become more colorful, developing surfaces rich with history. Her subjects tend to be abstract.

After earning a degree in fine arts from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1981, Pfaff spent three years studying graphics and fashion illustration in Munich, Germany. Her work is included in numerous private collections in the Bay Area as well as in Germany, Switzerland and France.

Toldi is showing oil and acrylic paintings in the exhibit, although she also is an accomplished printmaker. She grew up in Big Sur, where her interest in art surfaced early. Since age 4, she has been drawing people and animals.

Beginning with random thin layers of paint or circular marks in charcoal, Toldi over time becomes "aware of what the painting wants to be." Her latest theme involves changes in women and how they experience them.

While pursuing her bachelor's of arts degree at the University of California, Davis, Toldi studied under such acclaimed artists as Wayne Thiebaud and Roy DeForest. She also holds a graduate printmaking certificate from California State University, Stanislaus, where she studied with James Piskoti.

The two artists met and became friends when their children were in the same school in Hillsborough. Toldi had developed an art program for the elementary school, and Easton ending up helping.

A reception for "Along the Way" will be from 3 to 5 p.m. June 10. The exhibit continues through July 28. ARTshare 25 is on the second floor at 32 W. 25th Ave., San Mateo. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays. For more information, call curator Barbara Mortkowitz at (650) 591-2101.

Orchids of glass

Orchids have long been admired for the delicacy and beauty of their various forms and colors. That beauty has been created artistically in glass by Douglass C. Brown and Colquhoun Glass Works. The Eriksen Gallery in Half Moon Bay is featuring the exotic glass blooms in an exhibit that opens Saturday. A reception with the artist will be from 4 to 7 p.m. that day.

More than 30 orchids are in the show. Brown has used different treatments to recreate these natural objects as works of art. Sometimes he creates forms not seen in nature, such as blue orchids. The glass blooms are usually mounted on copper stems, although some are on sterling silver.

Brown, an artistic glass blower for five years, formerly was an industrial glass blower in Silicon Valley. His Colquhoun (pronounced coal-hoon) Glass Works is in Redwood City. He has become well known for his glass pumpkins, and he has also created glass sunflowers and daffodils.

The Glass Orchid Show will runs through June 25. The Eriksen Gallery is at 524 Main St. Hours are noon to 5 p.m. daily. Call (650) 726-1598.

Allied Arts Guild reopens

In celebration of the reopening of the historic Allied Arts Guild in Menlo Park, an exhibit of 10 oil paintings of the center's courtyards and fountains by Bay Area artist Anthony Montanino is on view in the Spanish Colonial restaurant in the arts complex.

Montanino works in his studio at the Allied Arts Guild, where he creates urbanscapes as well as figurative works of jazz and blues musicians. The exhibit can be viewed between noon and 2 p.m. during the restaurant's lunch service. A portion of the painting sales will benefit the Lucille Packard Children's Hospital.

The Allied Arts Guild is at 75 Arbor Road. It was closed for nearly three years while renovation work was done. Now, once again, the public can enjoy its Spanish-style buildings, studios and boutiques and beautiful gardens.

Call the restaurant at (650) 324-2588 or Anthony Montanino at (916) 616-0301.

K-8 summer show

Art in Action's "Celebrate Imagination" showcases more than 1,000 works of art by Peninsula students in grades K-8. Student work from 37 local schools is on display through June 30 at the Foster City, Redwood City, San Carlos, San Mateo and Millbrae libraries.

The young artists have worked in a variety of media, including chalk, watercolor, oil pastel and collage. An art history lesson inspired each project, with the students learning to identify the style and techniques of such masters as Pablo Picasso and Vincent Van Gogh.

Judy Sleeth, founder and director of Art in Action, notes how children experience "pride of personal expression and a profound sense of accomplishment" when they see their work included in the outstanding student artwork displayed.