With the start of a new year, we all dare to dream. We dream of world peace, and love; we make resolutions to better our community, our world, and ourselves. We strive to make the New Year our best year yet. 2012 is definitely a year for dreaming, and Topanga Canyon Gallery artists are no exception. Creating their own dreams, two Gallery artists present their show, Dreaming, running February 8th to March 4th, 2012. The opening closing reception is Saturday March 3rd 4-7pm.
Farideh Azad, a ceramicist and glass blower, is a six-year veteran of the Gallery. Formally trained in interior design at the University of Minnesota, Azad’s family settled permanently in the US from Iran just before the Iranian revolution. She has been working with glass since the 80’s, and with ceramics for the past ten years. Azad creates both functional and decorative objects, in vibrant colors, which are inspired by her rich Iranian heritage, her family, and nature. Azad currently resides with her husband in Woodland Hills, while her children and grandchildren are close by. She enjoys “associating with such a fantastic group of artists” at the Topanga Canyon Gallery. 10% of all her sales from this show will be donated to UNICEF.
New to the gallery, artist Joel Harris is living his dream. A former Venice boardwalk vender, and full-time artist and father, Harris presents an array of artwork: acrylic paintings, pen and ink drawings, and collage. Harris’s paintings span three different bodies of work. The first is stylized landscape, with a unique color palette and a Tuscany flavor that he’s been perfecting since 2004. Another is whimsical child-like landscape, with “crooked little houses” inspired by a six-year old’s imagination. His newest body of work is visionary: paintings that come from deep within his intuition. Large and vibrant, this body also includes a collaged piece that incorporates some of his own photography. Harris’s drawings also come from the same inspired intuitive space as his visionary paintings. His hope is that his work “will remind others to dream.”
Both artists invite you to join them at the opening and closing receptions for drinks, refreshments, and conversation.
Joel Harris: www.joelharrisstudio.com
Farideh Azad: www.faridehazad.com
