The Long Thread, Pam Douglas
New work by Pam Douglas explores the cycle of birth and death in “The Long Thread.” This show transcends her previous paintings by adding string, twine and rope -- rough textures that contrast with silk and rice paper, expanding these large-scale works into 3-dimensions. As with her previous series, Douglas reveals her admiration for Asian art using rice paper and silk, and suspending the fabric from dowels that recall Japanese and Chinese scroll paintings. In “Four Phases,” rice paper panels progress from white to black, and red strings in groups of four continue the careful balance, creating an understated elegance. Douglas’ tactile use of gold strands creates a visual narrative that is both contemplative and hopeful in “The Golden Thread,” where a gold cord binds the upper and lower sections in a reference to the soul’s journey through life and beyond.


Works on Paper, Ernie Marjoram
For his current exhibition, “Works on Paper,” artist Ernie Marjoram presents drawings of a range of subjects; landscapes, still life compositions and figure studies in a variety of media; watercolor, pen and ink, pencil and charcoal, etchings and digital prints. Marjoram’s latest body of work is a transition from previous oil studies in vibrant candies and comfort foods. “For me, there is no single definition of beauty and no single approach to art,” says Marjoram. Some images are highly rendered, while others are black and white. “I have always experimented with different graphic techniques and have become comfortable combining traditional and digital techniques,” says Marjoram. “In the end it is all about the image, not the technique.” While studying a range of subjects in his current series, Marjoram’s strong gestural brushstrokes and technical skill create animated characters and environments.


L.A. Boogie Woogie, Camey McGilvray
In artist Camey McGilvray's latest sculpture series, abstracted forms in wood, wire and rebar are a continued concentration in her work. Using the grid as a compositional tool, McGilvray recalls mid-century Los Angeles architectural influences - referencing the landmark "Hollywood Hills House", among other urban locations, including downtown Los Angeles itself. The piece, "L.A.Boogie-Woogie," is based on a map of L.A's downtown area and the title pays homage to Piet Mondrian's own version of Manhattan and is also the show title. McGilvray maintains a strong focus on line in her work, using rebar in free- standing works and superimposing wire on vibrant painted mixed media wall sculptures. The pulse of the city is echoed in her animated and anthropomorphic forms as wires pulsate with an energy of their own.