The sun is out and it smells differently today. Little brown birds are moving incognito and feverishly over my hillside garden. The shadows feel late today as if they too were languishing in the sun. On days like this I’m a lizard following the sun with Lila in tow. All to-do’s take a passenger seat and enjoy the ride as I orient my body toward the light. My last to do is sending all images and information to Superfine Art Fair being held at the end of this month. Here is a logo they made for me: The painting is Sunny Side Up and it's a big one. Maybe you see why I called it that. Makes it easy for me to remember names when the painting triggers an image in my mind. It could also be called Red Corn. If you haven't received my link to get complimentary tickets to the show, here it is once more. Click on the link HERE . It will take you to an Eventbrite webpage where you can get your ticket. If you have trouble follow these instructions. Head to Eventbrite Select 'Tickets' Click 'Enter promo code' on the upper-left Apply discount code SAVERIVIP The complimentary tickets provide access to the Champagne Vernissage, VIP Early-Access Morning Edition, and admission during the fair's General Admission hours. I'm looking forward to this one. It's my little ray of sunshine for the next few weeks. XOXO, Francesca

I'm still reminiscing about my recent trip to La Jolla. The artwork of Niki de Saint Phalle is racing in my head. Her shapes, color and emotional intensity have encouraged me to pause and ask: "How can I play larger and riskier in my art?" I didn't mention that I also visited T he Madison Gallery in Solano Beach. I've known of the artist Hunt Slonem for a number of years now and was happily surprised to find out that the gallery was exhibiting his work. Bunnies, parrots, butterflies and Lincoln! Once you see his video you'll understand. Hunt is a master at color, repetition and quirkiness. This video of Hunt in his studio, or maybe it was his home made me lighten up and remember to live large. Watch it for solutions for what to do with your gestural warm up paintings, why artists collect and why we arrange and re-arrange furniture. You can view it HERE . So I'm on the "hunt" for my animals. Will turn my rapid fire warm up paintings into a salon wall with antique finding frames. I'll put out my whole collection of ceramic Orixas and Sao Jorges on my credenza and show them off to all my visitors. Heck with updating to "modern" furniture; I'm keeping my Eastlake bedroom set and old and worn but beautiful sounding Chickering piano. Between Hunt and Niki, I've assembled the start of my personal board of directors. Rabbits, birds, nanas and totems. What a rich, colorful and magical year 2020 is turning out to be! XOXO, Francesca

I've been in La Jolla for the last few days; a mix of business and pleasure. Gallery visits, beach walks and museums have filled my warm days. All lovely and an enjoyable contrast to the cold and rain I left behind in the Bay Area. Before heading South, a friend of mine suggested I visit the Niki de Saint Phalle exhibits in the area. With the help of Google I saw that one of her installations, Queen Califia's Magical Circle, was located in Escondido, not far from where I was staying. I knew a bit about her work but was not prepared for what I experienced in Escondido! Fanciful creatures and totems filled her magical environment. To enter her world you pass through a maze of black, white and mirrored walls. The light constantly reflects a changing scene; as if the walls were alive and shifting in front of you. The main creature is a griffin of sorts. A griffin has the body of a lion and a head and wings of an eagle. Niki's griffin is patterned with quilted colors of contrasting mosaics. Queen Califia is seated high up on its neck and her posture and strength remind me of the sculpture of Yemanja in Salvador, Brazil. My photos can't begin to show the brilliance of her work. There are many better photos taken by others. You may get an idea of the work by watching this short video of Niki's Queen Califia's Magical Circle HERE. I sat in her circle for more than an hour absorbing her world of great imagination, scale, color and materials. She held nothing back. It was a fortunate stroke of Serendipity. Sometimes you don't know you've been in need of a push until you bump into it. As the saying goes, "if it were a snake it would bite you in the face" In Queen Califia's magical circle I found a force to pull me forward on my journey and guide me home. XOXO, Francesca

So I thought I'd end the year with a big wordy send off into the new decade. But if you're like me, you've probably read and heard enough about looking back to forge ahead, reviews, spread sheets, tarot cards and the future "me". I'm keeping it simple. What thrilled me? Do more of this. What drained me? Do less, or not at all, of that. Be a spy. Who was there during those times? 2020 has energy. 20/20. I like that. 9 paintings to wrap up the year. Have a terrific New Year! XOXO, Francesca

Brightlife Archives -

Gallery
Sunny Side Up

Brightlife, Exhibitions

Sunny Side Up

By Francesca Saveri|2020-02-08T15:53:07-08:00February 8th, 2020|Brightlife, Exhibitions|

The sun is out and it smells differently today. Little brown birds are moving incognito and feverishly over my hillside garden. The shadows feel late today as if they too were languishing in the sun. On days like this I’m [...]

0

Gallery
Let’s play larger

Brightlife, Studio Wildcat

Let’s play larger

By Francesca Saveri|2020-01-30T15:45:56-08:00January 31st, 2020|Brightlife, Studio Wildcat|

I'm still reminiscing about my recent trip to La Jolla. The artwork of Niki de Saint Phalle is racing in my head. Her shapes, color and emotional intensity have encouraged me to pause and ask: "How can I play larger [...]

1

Gallery
A Guiding Force

Brightlife, Studio Wildcat

A Guiding Force

By Francesca Saveri|2020-01-24T23:00:49-08:00January 24th, 2020|Brightlife, Studio Wildcat|

I've been in La Jolla for the last few days; a mix of business and pleasure. Gallery visits, beach walks and museums have filled my warm days. All lovely and an enjoyable contrast to the cold and rain I left [...]

0

Gallery
Last post of 2019

Brightlife, Studio Wildcat

Last post of 2019

By Francesca Saveri|2019-12-28T21:51:34-08:00December 28th, 2019|Brightlife, Studio Wildcat|

So I thought I'd end the year with a big wordy send off into the new decade. But if you're like me, you've probably read and heard enough about looking back to forge ahead, reviews, spread sheets, tarot cards and [...]

0

Gallery
Fireplaces, windows and critters

Brightlife

Fireplaces, windows and critters

By Francesca Saveri|2019-12-14T21:03:31-08:00December 14th, 2019|Brightlife|

I've been staring this week, blame it on my Decade in Review exercise. Out the windows, into the fire, or the eyes of my critters. They're my portals to purity, truth and quiet. Right now I'm staring into the fireplace [...]

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