Geraldine Arata www.GeraldineArata.com

- The skills and knowledge she has acquired are the tools she uses to express herself in a visual form. The desire for excellence has brought her to seek out a Master's Degree at the Academy Art University. She chose this institution of learning because of its reputation for excellence in the academics and passing on the traditions of the Great Masters of Art. However, the desire to express herself is not only intellectual, but is also an emotional response to all that she is. Life experiences and more importantly, the people in her life, greatly affect her work, which is why the human form holds such great interest to her.

Her current body of work explores the concepts of Carnival which can be engaging, entertaining, colorful, and often, unexpected. She finds masks intriguing. Who are these people? What part of their lives are they letting us into? What facets do they keep hidden from us?

 The great French author and moralist Francois de La Rochefoucauld wisely wrote, "We are so accustomed to disguise ourselves to others that in the end we become disguised to ourselves."  We are drawn into the world of Carnival, if only for a moment, and in so doing, escape from ours. Through her work, she hopes to engage viewers in a life removed from their own -if only for a few moments.

Laura Albiento-www.AlbientoStudios.com

Carla Almanza de Quant http://www.gioiacompany.com/

Carla is a well known sculptor and mask maker who studied under Professor Agostino Dessi in Florence, Italy. Carla understands that masks are a part of every culture since the ancient times. Her authentic 16th and 17th centuries style of mask making from classic characteristics a la ‘Commedia dell’arte” and her original art work, are all one of a kind collectible pieces. Carla has a special talent for the gold filigree design and she finishes each piece to include her signature. Carla is a part of Gioa “ Joy” Company who represents

 Barbara Fracchia  http://www.barbarafracchia.com

The excitement of enjoying what I paint and the subject matter becomes a challenge for me. Nature and it’s landscapes have always been a favorite subject for me. I have found this happening in my exploration of people’s faces and figures. There seems to be a wealth of ideas for painting the working person.

This is how I approached my latest collection Fast Foods and it’s Consumption. The subject has become a household word throughout the world.  I am not trying to portray food addition or judging those who frequent the  fast food chains. The various people who enjoy eating in them and in fact eating fast food anywhere holds such a variety of material for me.

My paintings have a bit of humor hidden in them and that is what I am trying to show. The activities of people enjoying what they do best eating anything and everything in their everyday lives.

Karen Luke   http://www.karenluke.com/

 My painting process is inspired by people's histories, memories and experiences. Events are obliterated from our memory, or only glimpses are remembered. We are continually recording layers of history and occasionally we can "bump" into these past memories or ghosts/spirits. My work at times surreal, are referenced from my travels, experiences and dreams.

I'm intrigued with the concept of spirituality and our place in the universe. Is there karma? is there another dimension (s) or other world? The "what if...?"  These are some of the profound, interesting questions, the billions of possibilities life poses, which inspires me to capture.

Carmen Rusca

Artist and writer, born in Portugal, but raised in the San Francisco Bay Area since she was three. This talented lady has a gift for making vintage found art into wonderful ornaments, keepsakes and jewelry. The quintessential recycler.  

Barbara Stanton http://www.barbarastanton.com/  

Artist ~ Illustrator ~ IGMA Instructor
Specializing in Miniature Oil Paintings & Portraits
Barbara Stanton is a native Californian and has lived in the San Francisco Bay Area all her life. Specializing in miniature oil paintings and portraits (miniature and full size) her charming landscapes, still lifes and portraits are done in a very traditional, realist style. Her superb use of color and light make each piece glow. The precisely detailed compositions, some no larger than a postage stamp, call out to the viewer to step nearer and explore them more closely, to feel the moment.
Barbara's work has found it's way into collections around the world. Miniature collectors are her biggest fans because she paints in the popular dollhouse scale 1/12 (one inch equals a foot) and they fit just right in their fine miniature collections.
Painting for more than thirty years now, Barbara has mastered her technique and continues to seek new challenges. She is an IGMA Fellow (International Guild of Miniature Artisans).

Thalia Stratton  http://www.thaliastratton.com/ 

Born in the United States and living in Greece, as well as traveling throughout Europe, for a number of years throughout her life, Thalia Stratton has experienced that rare cultural mix of Europe and California.

In fact, Ms. Stratton credits the European sense of elegance, style and cultural history with having a profound effect on her work.  It was no coincidence that she established a second studio in Greece shortly after graduation.

Back home, Ms. Stratton also established Fashionable Images Studio, now located in San Francisco, upon her 1989 graduation with an Honors Cooperative Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration from the University of San Francisco/Academy of Art College.  Ms. Stratton has owned and operated Fashionable Images Studio since 1989 and has developed a diverse clientele.   Both a commercial and fine artist, some of Ms. Stratton's clients include: Givenchy, Paris, Playboy Magazine, Neiman Marcus, the former I Magnin & Co., Holiday Inn, Nature Company, San Francisco Ballet, Gentry Magazine, San Jose Mercury News, BR Cohn Winery, Glen Ellen, California and Ledson Winery & Vineyards, Sonoma Valley, California.

Judy Stuber- Photographer