John Casado’s sparse and enigmatic black and white photographic nudes, printed as unique lith silver gelatin prints in the 1990’s and early 2000’s — using lithographic chemicals and papers that are no longer being produced — are created with the most basic of ingredients that push figuration into the realm of abstraction. The soulful and introspective images of masked nudes feature the strong and flexible bodies dancers and body builders. Although the images are beautiful, they transcend beauty that is normally associated with youth and sexuality, allowing each viewer’s own private experience and interpretation.

Lynette Cook’s contemporary photo-realistic acrylic paintings glimpse places in San Francisco and its neighboring Northern California towns, to convey stories of their inhabitants. Exterior facades of urban dwellings that are both architecturally complex, and mundane, are the focus of Cook’s Shadows and Silhouette’s series. The paintings feature shadows cast from clean laundry hanging out to dry, and the rhythmic dark-light dance of light traveling through wrought iron balconies and inner city fire escape’s, to symbolize that which is universal and connects all people in an elemental desire to create a sense of home.

Stillness, introspection, and quiet are consistent themes in Sophia Dixon Dillo’s provocative minimalistic light-centric multi-media works of art; Be it incised drawing on paper, bending light through woven transparent filament & metallic threads, or when embedded within mysterious mirrored boxes. Whatever the medium, natural light is at the forefront, affecting each viewer’s unique experience of the work. In this exhibition we are proud to present a new series of black mirrored boxes, where simple “every day” objects that are common to all, are obscured by frosted glass, within three dimensional wall mounted black boxes. The “objects” are simultaneously known and not known, and appear to shimmer and move in a ghostly manner as the work interacts with natural light and in interpreted by a viewer.

Mimi Jensen’s meticulously painted still life oils depict theatrically lit objects that tell stories through bold colors, shapes and textures; and incite speculation into possible metaphors. The images — which can be humorous, exciting, melancholy or somber — are often inspired by ideas and observations springing forth during the artist’s travels, or while reflecting on the places and people she has visited. Jensen’s work has been featured in numerous publications – American Art Collector, California Home+Design, Fine Art Today, Professional Artist, Southwest Art, and The Artist’s Magazine. Her paintings have exhibited widely in the U.S., and are collected worldwide.

Kenyan born African American artist Stephen Namara, who is known for creating skillful drawings and paintings of people, still life objects, and contemporary landscapes, has been exhibiting in the US since 1980, evolving a unique style all his own. His masterful drawing abilities, together with involved research into his subjects, has enabled Namara to produce a highly acclaimed body of work that is held in major corporate, State and university collections; And he has been the recipient of numerous important drawing prizes. Namara’s images are often autobiographical “snap shots” of moments in his life, speaking directly to viewers without the need for words. And his work offers space within which we can experience our own mental and emotional reactions to the images, forms, and movements, without the need of academic explanation. The non-narrative imagery he employs, allows the attention to dwell on the formal and material aspects of the art, encouraging a reflective approach to our perceptions.