Artist Sargam Griffin Helping Transform Stairways Empowered Living Facility in Chico, California

Artist Sargam Griffin Helping Transform Stairways Empowered Living Facility

Founder, Executive Director Mike Little announces makeover of his site by California painter and design
 

This summer, with temperatures hovering at 100 degrees in Chico, California, well-known artist Sargam Griffin was looking at paint samples and getting her hands dirty. This time, however, instead of preparing to create one of the lyrical abstract paintings she is so famous for, she was readying to commence her newest endeavor: a design vision for Stairways Empowered Living, owned and operated by Founder, Executive Director Mike Little. 

Griffin had agreed to become a consultant to Little’s company a few months earlier and would focus on a new ‘look’ for the site working in tandem with Little and the residents. “We couldn't believe our good fortune that Sargam Griffin agreed to help us. The residents here were overjoyed to find out that the place they called 'home' was going to undergo a makeover," stated Mike Little.

Little had been introduced to the art and design of Sonoma County-based artist Sargam Griffin when Sargam suggested to Little that she would like to make few design improvements to his cooperative living facility in Chico, working as a consultant. Little approved and soon Sargam Griffin started with lots of help-and input-from the residents.” I wanted my site to be pleasing to the residents, staff, and visitors. It needed some cosmetic treatment that we had not been able to do," Mike Little added.

Griffin is a well-known, internationally collected artist. She also has a very strong design and architecture background and could immediately see how to implement a few changes at Little's facility that would improve it immensely. She picked out colors for the exterior and interior of the buildings and made recommendations for materials to use for awnings, gutters. She also helped the residents with the redesign and the creation of a 40" by 60" painting.

The residents were very involved in the transformation of their facility and even created a sign in German saying "Willkommen" for the artist. Sargam, originally from Germany, was being given a big "Welcome" written in her native language. This sign touched her immensely. "This is exactly why I do work in the community. I get so much love and feelings of welcome. Art is what I can share and I was thrilled to be involved in this special project. I am very glad Mike Little found my work and agreed to have me make some improvements to his site." 

After nearly four weeks, this initial phase of the remodel was complete. Everyone-from staff to residents-were amazed how Sargam had made their facility more attractive. Mike Little agreed, "Sargam was a miracle and she accomplished a miracle. Her generosity of spirit and artistic talents really made our facility a better place. We are having her return to do more projects." Griffin also informed Little that she would like to initiate an art project with the residents in the near future. An art exhibit by Griffin is being installed in October. 

 

Little stated: "Griffin's vision meshes perfectly with that of our company-plus the residents love her. The site changes we plan on doing will take a year or so to complete, this is a real work-in-progress. We all are pleased Sargam is now part of our team.”

About Mike Little: Before launching Stairways in April 2000, Mike Little worked in Silicon Valley as an organizational consultant for Fortune 500 companies with an emphasis on marketing and process re-engineering. Little’s partner and mentor, Bud Seith, had been the CEO of Xerox before retiring. Mike worked with him for 19 years and the most impactful lesson he learned from him was that everyone has a "Natural Genius", something they do exceptionally well without much thought. Mike Little has found that focusing on identifying, articulating, and leading residents at his facility to discover and express their "Natural Genius" by providing an environment that allows them to do so, has been the reason his residents tend to do so well.

For more information, please contact Mr. Mike Little at 530-893-4083. He is available for site tours by appointment, photo opportunities, and interviews. 

www.stairwaysempoweredliving.com

For complete bio, CV, and resume for artist Sargam Griffin, please visit her website: http://www.sargamgriffin.com/

Sargam Griffin Open Studio Starts Oct 12 in Healdsburg CA

 

Commission Announced: Public Art at New Sutter Health Hospital
by Local Artist Sargam Griffin and Public Invited to Artist's Studio During
ARTrails 2013
 

The beauty of Sonoma County attracts many visitors from around the world.  

A recent survey conducted by The Arts Council
of Sonoma County found the area also attracts artists - some 27,000 of them.
The arts community consists of musicians, poets and painters to name a few
ways they find to express themselves.

Individuals who embrace arts and culture make Sonoma County an interesting
place to visit and live. Not surprisingly, investing in public art is a priority for
many organizations and businesses in the area.  Sutter Health is one of them.
This year, the path of Sutter Health converged with that of a well-known Sonoma
county resident and artist, Sargam Griffin.  Griffin was given a commission to
create two large works for Sutter’s new medical facility in Santa Rosa.

After years of planning, design and public hearings, construction has begun
on Sutter Medical Center's $284 million dollar state-of-the-art hospital. The new
hospital opens in 2014, next to the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts. During a recent conversation about her upcoming Open Studio and her commission for
the new Sutter Medical Center, Sargam stated, "I am grateful to 

have been awarded the commission to create two

large abstract paintings that will welcome patients, doctors, nurses and 

the community at large as they enter this healing space. Both paintings
will be large scale.  One painting is my personal interpretation of quality
care as it will evolve into the future. Those of you who know me, know that
my vision will encompass spiritual and emotional well-being, in addition
to physical. The second artwork engages Sutter Health employees who
spend most of their lives not only healing others, but creating bonds,
supporting their families, working within a complex and changing health care
system. They also navigate emotions on a daily basis that most of us may face only
a few times in our lives.  It is fitting then that they should influence this piece.
The experience is both touching and memorable, and one that will be reflected
in the artwork. This Sutter Hospital commission is a privilege for me as a local

artist and I am looking forward to its installation in 2014".


The Arts Council of Sonoma County is inviting the public to Sargam
Griffin’s Dry Creek Studio as part of its ARTrails Open Studios 2013.
The event will take place two weekends in October, the 12th/13th and
19th/20th from 10:00am-4:00pm daily.

All of the artist’s work will be on display at Sargam Griffin's Dry Creek Studio
including the Sutter paintings, about 30 additional paintings and 5 large
ArtDoors.

Whether you prefer a private showing or would like to stop by during
ARTrails, Sargam would look forward to your visit. Refreshments will be available.

More about ARTrails Open Studios 2013
http://sonomaarts.com/artrails/

Location-
Sargam Griffin’s Dry Creek Studio
15586 Pozzan Road,
Healdsburg, CA 9544
http://www.sargamgriffin.com/

Event Details-
ARTRAILS OPEN STUDIOS
October 12/13, 19/20, 2013
10am–5pm
Meet artist Sargam Griffin
Refreshments available
Dry Creek Studio
15586 Pozzan Rd
Healdsburg, CA 95448
Abstract Paintings, ArtDoors,New Figurative Works and The Boat
Sutter Hospital: see the commissioned paintings in progress

About the artist-
Sargam Griffin, artist, was born in Bückeburg, Germany.
Traveling extensively with her family greatly influenced Sargam’s early
impressions of the world. Those memorable trips included visits to the
North Sea, Mount Kilimanjaro and the Great Pyramids of Giza. In 1977,
she traveled alone to Africa, then spent time living in Italy, Switzerland
and India. These experiences formed indelible images that are an integral
part of her work, from the variations in color, to the depth of the layers and
patina used on the surfaces.

In 1982 Griffin moved to San Francisco where she studied at the Day Studio.
This led to twenty-five years of designing and painting custom finishes for
large commercial projects and private estates in California and Hawaii.
A visit to Rome in 2006 shifted everything after which Sargam began creating large
abstract paintings on canvas and museum quality panels that possess a
quality of dynamic illumination. Her work has garnered national attention and has
been added to international private collections.

Current representations include galleries in New York,
San Francisco Bay Area and Berlin.

Sargam paints from her studio set among vineyards in Northern California.
In addition to working toward the completion of the commission for Sutter
Medical Center, Griffin is preparing to exhibit new figurative works in

San Francisco as well as readying for a stay in South Africa where she

will be creating a commissioned piece for a privately owned villa.

For more information and the complete artist bio, statement and CV,
visit the artist's website. Interview and photo opportunities available.
www.SargamGriffin.com
Integration of Art & Architecture
707-799-6743

Is It Real Or Fake? Trickery in the Art World

    

    

Is It Real Or Fake? Trickery in the Art World
By Nancy Vicknair
Summer 2013, Turlock CA
Nancy Vicknair is a researcher, art historian, curator who is currently enjoying life in the California Valley. You may contact her at her blog http://fourws.blogspot.com/ or by email-nancydesk@yahoo.com
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Does it matter if a piece of art that you see in a museum is not an original, but the label says it is by a famous artist? I say indeed. It does matter! A lot.

                      Forger painting a Van Gogh

For years I studied the Merode Altarpiece at New York's Cloisters which was attributed to one artist, but now the current thinking is that it is by someone else.This Altarpiece is a whole different story from the exaggerated art attributions and actual forgeries that are rampant today in the art world though. At least it is real!

Watch the movie Who The _____ is Jackson Pollack?

This fascinating documentary is about a "Pollack" bought at a thrift shop. My good friend and art expert, Tod Volpe, helped determine whether the work was by Pollack or not. Volpe is so naturally adept at sniffing out a forgery, that it is almost scary. Needless to say, he has also walked the darker side of the art underworld so he knows well its beautiful and the ugly sides, but that is another story.

                                     Tod Volpe, Art Expert

I do not know if the work in question was painted by Pollack. Dating by scientific methods is the best way to proceed here.

However, I care when a museum shows works that have questionable provenances. 

Here in little Turlock, CA, there is an 'exhibit' now put on by a traveling art show company in the local museum that features works the museum says were created by Picasso. The works are ceramics which are factory made and illustrated after originals by Picasso. But they are NOT Picasso's. The pottery was 'inspired' by Picasso and his one of kind original pottery--the same today as when Justin Bieber or Martha Stewart endorses a kitchen or fashion item.

                                                   

The citizens of Turlock are being pandered to with this art show. They are not learning about original artwork. The museum director should say in the show literature that these works were done after Picasso died.  

Museum directors must abide by a code of ethics agreeing to show only authenticated artworks. The Turlock museum director has a responsibility to do this too. Scruples must be the rule in this arena.

Thank goodness most museums are using major investigative tools to discover the hidden truth about a work of art. It does matter if people see original works. My daughter remarked when looking at the pictures of the Picasso ceramic dishes and pitchers on display at the Carnegie Arts Center, that they looked new. That is because they are new!

http://www.carnegieartsturlock.org/

I hate forgery. I firmly dislike "Editions" even more. If I buy a print, I know it is not the original. If I buy a painting, I want a detailed provenance before the seller gets my money unless the work is less than $300.00 or is by a local living artist! If I am at an art show, I expect the artworks to be genuine. This world is filled with enough fakery as it is, why perpetuate it?

Spirituality Meets Fetish -- Art by Pauletta M Chanco & Dan Weber

Pauletta M Chanco & Dan Weber
Art Show opens on October 4th, First Friday, for Art Murmur at Manna Gallery

Manna Gallery
473 25th St.
Oakland, CA 94612  Meet Pauletta Chanco from 6-8pm or Saturday the 5th from 1-3 pm

PAULETTA M CHANCO

Chanco's current work is about cultivating the relationship between both paths of painting and spiritual practice. There are a number of similarities in the cultivation process of both realms. Both need an environment of solitude. It is difficult to paint or create in the studio if others are present. Likewise, setting out on a path of spiritual practice is a solitary endeavor in which it is the individual's responsibility to do the actual inner work of transformation.

Second, is to resolve any baggage from our past or current relations with those in our lives. This liberates the mind so we can proceed without fetters to hinder our progress in painting or spiritual practice. 

To convey these ideas abstractly, Chanco uses visual metaphors. In order to cultivate a path,she stated recently, it is necessary to cleanse it first - a metaphor for resolving baggage. "In the Buddhist teachings which shape my spiritual practice, there is a beautiful metaphor of clearing the path by sweeping the leaves off it. Hence, the abstracted leaf forms in the work. Layered veils of colors and forms continue to allude to moving between the sacred and profane in both areas of practice. Areas of darkness with softly modulated forms that are sometimes barely discernible speak to making our way through challenging interior landscapes in order to arrive at moments of insight. Insight is represented by the areas of light coming through".

DAN WEBER

Years ago I shifted from play writing to sculpture, yet my work is still informed by my association with the set designers, those wonderful artists (and sculptors). 

Both set designer and sculptor have to consider the three dimensional world, the 360 degree perspective, and how to imbue each piece with that subtle and difficult to explain bit of 'magic' that resides within every good set and every good piece of sculpture.

Just 'Cause ThIs Art Is Painted On A Tooth Does It Make It Better?

Whenever I find myself saying to myself; "Now I have seen it all., I should know better. Obviously I have not seen everything. But, I have seen a lot of weirdness, though, especially in art.

Recently I stumbled upon the creations of Turkish-born artist Hasan Kale. His art is teensy, tiny, minuscule. Kale paints on all kinds of unusual canvases, from butterfly wings to coffee beans and even tiny pepper seeds. No surface is to small for 53-year-old Hasan Kale. Ever since the 1980s, he has been painting his eye-straining miniatures on things as small as cactus thorns and rice grains.Yes, there is a lot of craft involved and it seems as if he has tons of fans who love his work. But not me.

When his images are enlarged, they quickly become trite, in style and subject matter. Having spent decades poring over medieval manuscripts with my magnifying glass in hand, I fell in love with the art of the miniature inside countless manuscripts. The subject matter is fresh and right for the time. But those books were created during the 11th through the 15th centuries. Hasan is painting now.

Mr Kale should have used his manipulative skills to paint images of today.The artist has the rich tradition of Turkish miniature art behind him and he could have called upon that heritage to create ever-lasting pieces reflective of our 21st century..

However, Kale shows us countless scenes of Turkey that quickly become kitschy. Istanbul is depicted set against cobalt skies with puffy clouds and swooping gulls. Boats are beset by harmless billows.Tourist art comes to mind.

Moreover, when a viewer starts to admire a frame around a work of art, instead of the work itself, there is a problem. I did find myself scrutinizing beans, cashew nuts, thorns and more, because in closeups, they were gorgeous. Much prettier than the art!

Looking at the countless butterflies and insects used as canvasses by Hasan, I also began to sympathize with those critters. They were beautiful in their own right and the artist has almost bastardized them, not enhancing their innate loveliness.

Enough said. I am returning to the glorious, golden age of the miniature in beautiful Books of Hours. In those tiny treasures, indeed, I have not seen everything!

Get Famous As An Artist-Paint Putin In Lingerie And Your Art Will Be Confiscated

EEEEW. Yuck. The works of Russian artist Konstantin Altunin have been seized recently due to their subject matter. I have always been against censorship in the arts. I had to go to bat for many feminist artists in the 1970s when their work was censored. Judith Bernstein's 60 foot phallic screws with hairy growths were especially problematic--due to censorship issues and the huge size of her works. However, at least the works I was trying to protect were good.. Maybe it is my taste and lack of understanding of Russian artistic styles, but I think these censored works are not very good. Why didn't he paint the Russian leaders using pinks and purples?

Police in Russia have seized a painting depicting the country's president Vladimir Putin in women's underwear from an art gallery in St Petersburg.The portrait features President Putin combing the hair of Russian Prime Minister, Dmitry Medvedev.Its artist, Konstantin Altunin, has since left the country to seek asylum in France, according to the director of St Petersburg's Museum of Power.Police said four paintings that were seized broke unspecified legislation.

Two of the other pictures removed from the gallery poked fun at conservative Russian politicians who led a campaign to introduce controversial anti-gay laws.Gallery owner Aleksander Donskoi claimed he had been given no formal warrant or explanation for the removal of the paintings, which were included in Altunin's exhibition entitled Rulers.The gallery's director, Tatiana Titova, said Altunin had fled the country following the confiscation of the paintings.

One of the pictures seized features Mr Putin in a nightgown, standing behind Mr Medvedev and stroking his hair, while the prime minister is depicted with a woman's body and wearing lingerie.Another shows St Petersburg legislative assembly member Vitaly Milonov - one of the architects of Russia's anti-gay laws - against the background of a rainbow, the symbol of gay pride.A fourth painting depicting the head of the Russian Orthodox Church adorned with tattoos was also confiscated from the Museum of the Authorities.
St Petersburg, which hosts the G20 summit next week, was one of the first Russian cities to introduce a law against what it terms 'gay propaganda'.

Is It Real Art or Artifice--and Why You Should Care.Learn Before You Buy a Forgery!

"The real Picasso"

“If the counterfeit were a good one, I should be delighted. I’d sit down straight away and sign it.” Picasso

Picasso had a light-heated view toward forgeries. However, given the billions of dollars invested in the art market today, we cannot afford to be so cavalier. As more art works flood the markets and demand for art at a level high, there is an accompanying increase in forgeries. To make art buyers feel more comfortable, however, they should be reminded that there have been art forgeries as long as there has been art. Ancient art collectors and new collectors both have been victimized. But a potential buyer should--and can--be prepared.

This blog is not the place for a scholarly thesis on the complete history of forgeries, but if the reader is so inclined, he or she can research the subject using many useful books available and information on the web. A good starting point is below for those who want to learn more about the history of art forgery: http://www.mystudios.com/gallery/forgery/history/index.html.much

"The Fake Picasso"

To be honest (to make a bad pun), everyone who is serious about starting a collection of art even if they are starting with only one piece, should study this subject as the art world today is like the wild west, a 24 hour carnival or even a gigantic used car showroom. The Latin phrase "caveat emptor", or buyer beware, has never seemed more apropos than now.

Especially vulnerable--and tempting-- to unscrupulous sellers are works by Miro, Chagall, Degas and Picasso. Salesmen count on the fact that these artists created pieces that are easy to understand and instantly recognizable I cannot tell you how many thousands of signed Miro prints I have seen at art sales, auctions and exhibits since commencing my studies in Art History in New York. However, any artist whose works have monetary value can and will be forged. Even Vermeer is unscathed after some false attributions and even forgeries were discovered.

 

                         Laughing Girl once attributed to Vermeer is now thought to be by a notorious forger

As you stroll through an auction preview or a gallery, be prepared and do your homework and research beforehand. To have a work of art authenticated by an art expert after you have already bought it is very expensive. The best thing to do is to study those artists whose works you would like to buy--before you buy them. If you plan on spending more than $100.00, be extra diligent with your purchase.

Go to museums, look through art books, talk to dealers who have been in the business a long time and learn enough to trust your instincts. If a Picasso 'edition' ceramic plate looks very new and has stamps on the bottom without a signature by the artist, I would leave this item on the shelf and not bring it home. A Degas print made after the death of Degas is a dead giveaway that the print is a forgery. Beware also of falsified certifications, documents, or provenances. Unfortunately, those who sell art created by the most popular artists are more likely to be dealing in fakes. Know your artist by studying their work and know your dealer.

Better yet, find a local art walk in your town or a neighborhood art gallery showing modern, local work and explore those.  Meet artists in your community and have them invite you to their studio.The more you learn about art, the more you will leave your comfort zone. Those artists whose works are mass produced will lose their appeal to you. Eventually you will avoid the art "Art R Us" places and will happily buy work by a talented newcomer who had a recent photography show in your library. Art is a lot like wine: the more you experience it,  the more you learn.

There has been a huge surge in forgeries recently, even at prestigious auction houses and famous museums An educated curator or art historian is not perfect and can be fooled too. Traveling art shows 'curated' by various art galleries and companies can be especially noxious. Often claiming to show works by such and such artists, they may exhibit either forgeries or multiple editions, or both. These shows mislead the public and continue the cycle of forged artworks.

Smaller museums and art venues should be especially cautious when utilizing the services of one of these traveling art companies. It would be better to use very well known names such as the Smithsonian or Library of Congress if a location is unable to put an art show together on its own The Smithsonian, for example, has many very interesting traveling shows that would appeal to lots of museum goers--and they are very affordable. Other trusted sources are universities who have prepared exhibits ready to show featuring various genres appealing to different audiences. Also, a museum director could look to her own community and put put a call for art and for exhibit proposals in the local paper and some willing citizens could turn up and create a simple, one-of-a kind show that would be quite successful.

Forger in China at work creating a fake Van Gogh

For all those who love art, just keep up the romance, but don't be fooled. There are too many gigolos out there who want to make a fast profit and are ethically dishonest. Don't be left at the altar holding your Degas sculpture having just learned the ballerina was a mirage and that she already cashed your check!

Real Art with Artist Toby Krein explaining her painting to a viewer

For the next installment of this blog on the subject of forgeries, 
I will explore some actual case studies of art forgers who were put into jail, including a close friend of mine.

Nancy Vicknair is an Art Historian with degrees from NYU and Columbia with the highest honors. She is a member of Phi Beta Kappa and loves to do research. Vicknair has been a self-employed publicist for Bay Area artists and galleries for ten years and has worked on more than 1,000 art events in Northern California. She is also a consultant specializing in event planning, art gallery design,medieval art, Carolingian coinage and art by her ancestors:H.A.White and Edwin White. Currently, she has commenced a fictional novel based on the adolescent years of her cousins Aaron and Matthias Ogden and their best friend Aaron Burr during their early days in New Jersey leading up to the Revolutionary War.

Contact Nancy for more information at nancydesk{{at}}yahoo.com.

Sketch by my ancestor, Edwin White,
for his painting "Mayflower Compact"