A Year at Marin Arts 2010-2011

September 3, 2011

Almost exactly one year ago, on a Thursday in September, I put my work clothes on and went to volunteer for the Marin Arts Council, at their fairly new digs(they'd been there a year) at 906 Fourth Street in Downtown, San Rafael, California.  I was put to work immediately as the "gallery sitter", meeting and greeting folks off the street.  It was exciting for me, having been a frustrated and over-worked parent volunteer for too many years, I really wanted to get back to a job in the Arts that use my tech skills.  The gallery at Marin Arts was a huge space, right next to Crepevine, and it had a city vibe that was new to me after working from my quiet home in the suburbs.  I stood at the counter with my new iPad and jotted down all the colorful, busy things that went by on 4th Street one day while I was in the gallery:

YELLOW fire engine • PURPLE GREEN Fed ex truck • baby stroller • Man smoking • "So great to see you!"=two woman meeting for lunch • Baby with bright RED cast on leg • Two motorcycles • Two bikes • Music from cars • Indian Lunch buffet $8.95 • Girl with ice-cream... I was excited by the new input, to say the least.

At this time, the exhibit was art from "Teamworks".  Many people came in to see the show, and most of the work sold, as it was a fundraiser and 10 year retrospective of this group.  I wrote a blog post on this back in September 2010.

Within a month, I was creating the Marin Arts Council's weekly E-news in Constant Contact.  I totally embraced this volunteer job, and really loved filling the weekly news with information about local artists, events, links and graphics.  It was fun, and informative, and I could connect with artists and help them in a way similar to the work I'd already been doing for the "Art on the Farm" blog.  The hope was that this might eventually lead to a job in the Arts, and maybe even right there, at the Marin Arts Council.

In November, to my surprise, the Executive Director laid off the Director of Exhibits and Events, an amazing woman who had been with Marin Arts for twelve years.  It was a sad moment for me, as I'd believed I would get to learn from her and work by her side.  However, within a month, I was offered a job as the Director of Membership at Marin Arts.  I was thrilled to have the opportunity, but saddened by the loss of someone so respected and loved in the Marin Arts community.

I volunteered four full weeks in December, enjoying the works in the "Small Wonders" Holiday Show, two separate theatrical performance events, and a book talk by artist, Susan Hall.  I was finally announced as the Director of Membership in January of 2011.

During my year at Marin Arts, I assisted with graphics and advertising to promote the shows and events at Marin Arts.  I suggested and managed the installation of "Art on the Farm"( a group of artists currently managed by Larry Bryson) at the Marin County Civic Center, where a record of eight paintings were sold.  I advertised and promoted:

•   "Go Figure"  through Feb 26

 The "Go Figure" show, coinciding with February and Valentine's Day, was a fantastic representation of all forms of figurative art.  I enjoyed meeting multi-dimensional artists, such as Arin Wiscomb, and Laura Lengyel.  I had the pleasure of time in the gallery with Georgia Anwell and Lisa Robecheck.


•  "Nature's Palette" March and April 2011, with a Kid's Art Scavenger Hunt

 One of the great highlights of my job was conceptualizing and designing an "Art Scavenger Hunt" for kids to go alongside our "Nature's Palette" show. 

The scavenger hunt, with an ice cream "reward" at Double Rainbow, was a huge success, and brought in hundreds of kids and families to the Marin Arts Gallery in the Spring.  Read an article written in Larkspur Patch about a day at Marin Arts with the kids, by Marilyn LoRusso. 

I enjoyed meeting and working with all the artists in this exhibit that honored nature.  There was a book talk by Becky Foust and Lorna Stevens, and Judith Selby Lang and Richard Lang spoke about their art and travels in Africa.  I assisted Trish Carney, a photographer for National Geographic, who works closely with Wild Care in San Rafael.  I enjoyed speaking with her about her work as we installed her photographs during this show.

We also hosted "Poetry Out Loud", for which I designed an event program and assisted with the event.

•  "Marin Open Studios Group Show"

•  "2011 Annual Member Show" at the Civic Center

I designed and managed:

•  Marin Arts Summer Series of Artist Workshops
I contacted all the artists and planned a curriculum for the first series of Summer classes, by artist members.  It was a great effort, but in the end, we did not have the funds to advertise and promote this.  One of the instructors, Zach Gilmour, a printmaking teacher in Lagunitas, did very well and filled several classes.  There was great feedback on his classes from the students.

I taught a very broad and customizable computer class for artists:

"Computer for Artists"

I enjoyed working with a few artists who just needed some tips on working with their art on the computer.  It was enjoyable, and I would love to continue teaching this class from Art Works Downtown if we ever get to a point where this is possible.


I brainstormed and planned:

•  "Masters and Students Show" at the Civic Center (I grouped together the four teachers who would be featured in this show, and arranged for them to occupy the two galleries at MCC:

• Dorallen Davis
• Barbara Lawrence
• Carol Smith Myer
• Susan Hontalas

Unfortunately, I had to leave Marin Arts before it was finally installed in August 2011.  I look forward to getting over to see this show soon, as I have no idea how it turned out!  If you've been, let me know. : )


In general, this job was overwhelming due to the short staff and lack of funding.  I worked about 40 hours a week and was only paid for 24.  I was there late so many nights; my kids would play on the computers in the back, while I would be installing or re-hanging art for an opening.  The kids loved it, and got used to meals at Crepevine and video games while Mommy worked.  We even used the office to create my son's "Marin Report" on the Marin County Civic Center, one weekend in April.  Throughout the job, I responded to Membership calls from my cell phone daily, entered payments into Filemaker Pro and updated the database for shows.  I redesigned the Wendy Gruber Grant Application to fit on a double-sided page, a grant which I was awarded in 2007.  It felt like I'd come full circle from the time in which I myself had applied for that grant.  I printed countless labels, shopped for wire and supplies, schlepped ladders and tools to the Civic Center, moved display pedestals in my car, went to storage facility to get extra pedestals, vacuumed and took out the trash and recycling.  Cleaned up after receptions.  It was a huge effort, and I loved the work, despite the long hours and low pay.

In June of this year, Marin Arts was faced with a financial situation that forced me to look for a new position.  I was fortunate to find work as the Communications Coordinator for another San Rafael Art Center, Art Works Downtown.  Learn more about Art Works Downtown and 2nd Fridays Art Walk in my next post!

Important update on Marin Arts:
On October 5, 2011 at 7pm, the Marin Arts Council Members have called a "Special Member Meeting" to which all members of Marin Arts Council are requested to attend.  They plan to vote for a new Board of Directors, many of whom are artists themselves, and there will be a fiscal assessment update.  I hope this helps Marin Arts become financially viable again.  I would love to see some of the former staff reinstated to this organization that has the power to change lives with its assistance to artists.  I believe Ellen Campbell was a huge part of what made Marin Arts a success for so many years.  There were other greats at Marin Arts, such as Lance Walker, a grant writer, grants adviser and pun writer extraordinaire.  There have been many changes, and there will probably be more to come.  Best wishes to Marin Arts for the future.

In the Studio Today... 3 Tiny Cow Paintings; Day 2

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

"Solitude",  California Cow #4  6"x 6" o/c

 Finished 3 more of the "tiny cow painting" that was so loved at the Marin Arts Council, Small Wonders exhibit.  Two of these are promised to people.... one will be left over and available.  Notice how they are all different, even though I painted them from the same reference.  See- no two paintings are ever completely alike!

Tiny Cow Paintings, #4-#2.   All 6" x 6", o/c.

"Solitude",  California Cow #3  6"x 6" o/c

In the Studio Today... 3 More Tiny Cow Paintings

November 28, 2010

My tiniest cow painting ever, sold on "Black Friday" at the Marin Arts Gallery, "Small Wonders" show on 4th Street, in downtown San Rafael.  This show is ongoing, now through January 8th.  Meanwhile, another person had been telling me he was going to buy this painting, and a third person called yesterday, wanting to buy the same painting as well.  Now in progress... 3 more paintings, commissioned from the first.

Wow, 3 people wanting the same painting in one week!  Is this my lucky break?  Well, that's far from the truth.  These little paintings were priced to sell, at $125.  Hardly a fortune for me, and 30% goes back to the Marin Arts Council.  When you add in the cost of framing and materials, well... let's just say I probably come out with about have of the cost in my pocket.  It's not going to make you rich folks, but to have that pleasure from all these viewers, coming back to you; this is the real reward.

The call yesterday went something like this, "Hello, my partner and I went through the gallery twice, and decided that your tiny cow painting was our favorite, and we had to have it: It evoked the solitude of West Marin, and we just loved it".  Meanwhile, another buyer had expressed that it reminded the of their sister's wedding in Switzerland

A week before this, a woman from San Francisco called who had seen one of my cycling paintings and she instantly knew it had to be a gift for her sister, who loves to ride her bike on Lucas Valley Road.  She emailed later, after purchasing to tell me she loved it, and was getting lots of compliments.

You never know how your painting may touch another viewer, but you always hope to hear these comments, as it helps an artist to continue to move forward on new works.  Thank you to my supporters out there, who are giving me lots of love this holiday season.

In the Studio Today... Arts Meetings, Writing & Volunteering

Friday, October 15, 2010

Wow, what a busy and productive week!

It started with my being picked up in a bright red, Mini-Cooper convertible in balmy summer air... We are having the most beautiful "Indian Summer" weather here in Northern California, and I hope it doesn't end for a few more weeks.  The Mini is owned by a neighbor and friend, who drove me with my one crutch and immobilizer knee brace, to the San Anselmo Arts Commission.  Riding in the Mini is a highlight of a week when you are in a knee brace, let me tell you.  So, we drove off into the summer evening, towards the San Anselmo Town Hall... where I was headed to the Arts Commission's, monthly meeting.  I had been given an assignment to interview the Commission for an article in the SanAnselmo/Fairfax Patch news.  I really enjoyed meeting the members, and learned so much about my town.  Here is the link to the article, where you can learn more about the San Anselmo Arts Commission, and each of the volunteers: click here to read the article.

I also worked for the Marin Arts Council, in San Rafael this week.  They are always very busy, especially with a decreased staff due to California budget cuts.  They can always use extra help, so if you want to volunteer, give them a call.

I'm working on a couple of other, Arts related article's for Patch, and investigating arts programs and galleries I never knew about.  It's amazing that one can live in a town for 15 years and still not know about some of these programs.  There really is a lot to offer in Marin County.  I am grateful for all my friends, who have been driving me around this week, and driving my sons around!  It absolutely takes a village when you have kids... You need to have friends and parents to help you, especially if you don't have grandparents in town.  I called several cab companies in Marin, only to find that none of them had time to pick up my kids from school.  Finally, I stumbled upon "Kid Courier", a service in Ross, that shuttles kids to and from after school activities.  Kim, the owner of Kid Courier, drove out herself.  She was wonderful.  I think this is a great service, and I was so glad for her help last week.  Check her out online here.  A shout out to Kim, and all my friends this week who drove Miss Daisy and the Twinadoes.  Thank you!!!

In the Studio Today... Marin Arts Council Gallery: Teamworks Exhibit

Sept. 24, 2010

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of Gallery Sitting at the new, Marin Arts Council Gallery and business location on 4th Street in Downtown San Rafael.  It is right next to Crepevine, and close to so many great local businesses.  Due to this move, they now get many more visitors to the gallery space, and the sales of the latest show have been very good.

The Teamworks exhibit is a 10 year retrospective of the work of Katya McCulloch and Patrick Maloney, who have been working with teenagers in the Juvenille Hall and alternate high schools for at risk teens.  This year, four artists were involved as teachers. The results are incredible.  This is something you have to see, and it is only up for 5 more days, ending on September 28th.  If you'd like to make a purchase to help the Teamworks program, all of the money goes back into the program itself.  There are still some wonderful pieces available, and some for as little as $10.- They have a collection of "Clothespin People" that would make adorable puppets for kids playing with a puppet theater.  I think my sons would love these.

 

 

In the Studio Today... This Sunday-April 19th; "Art on the Farm" Reception at VMA, San Rafael

(click image below to enlarge)
Please come for a reception this Sunday, April 19th, hosted by the Friends of Marin Veterans' Auditorium and Marin Arts Council, 2-5pm. I have 2 paintings on display, among the 40+ artists that will be exhibited. Paintings are from plein air outings to Marin Organic Farms in 2008. Please RSVP to Friendsmc@co.marin.ca.us or phone 415.499.6014. For more info, please visit: Art on the Farm Blog

Directions to Marin Center:

FROM 101 NORTH (From San Francisco):
Take the North San Pedro exit, and go east.
Turn left at the first light, Civic Center Drive.
The Center is 1/2 mile down on the right, just past the lagoon.

FROM 101 SOUTH (From Santa Rosa):
Take the North San Pedro exit
At end of off ramp turn left onto Merrydale
At traffic light turn left onto North San Pedro Road, and go east under the freeway.
At the first light, turn left onto Civic Center Dr.
Follow Civic Center Drive approximately 1/2 mile.
The Center is on the right, just past the lagoon

In the Studio Today... "Visual Impact" Show at MCF

Here is the announcement/postcard for a show I am in at the Marin Community Foundation, now through October. If you have a chance to get over there, it is a great opportunity to see how they have developed the old airplane hangers at Hamilton Airforce Base into sleek, accessible, grand office spaces. The art is diverse and wonderful too!August 4 - October 10, 2008
Visual Impact: Work by Recent Marin Arts Council Grantees
Marin Community Foundation
5 Hamilton Landing, Suite 200, Novato, CA
Reception: Thursday, September 25 from 4:30-6:30 pm

In the Studio Today...Ad for Marin IJ Newspaper

Wednesday, May 21, 2008
I am working on a print ad to run in the IJ Weekend section, the first or second week in June. Along with 24 diverse and talented Marin County artists, I recently completed an 8 week course entitled "The Business of Art", which was granted to us by the Marin Arts Council, the Marin Community Foundation and the CCI (Center for Cultural Innovation).

In the Studio Today... San Anselmo Inn show is on!

Thursday, January 17, 2008
My show is officially up and running at the San Anselmo Inn. I want to thank Karlyn Good for her assistance in hanging my show, and Julie and Peter McNair for hosting the show at their lovely establishment in the Tea Room. Julie has offered to serve a cup of tea and a pastry to those who drop in to see the paintings. Please call ahead at 455-5366, if you are dropping in for tea. You may also make a reservation for their Sunday Afternoon Tea, which includes sandwiches, scones, and live music. Finally, we are planning an evening reception, the second weekend in February; Friday, February 8th, 6-8pm. Please save the date if you would like to join me for the artist's reception at the Inn for wine and hors d'oeuvres.
This show was made possible in part by a grant from the Marin Arts Council and the Wendy Gruber Fund for Artists.

Artist Bio

UPDATES:

2025:

The best thing I have done since the pandemic was a 30 day, solo cycling trip and fundraising ride for The Ocean Cleanup. I biked solo, from Hobe Sound Florida to NYC and back to my childhood home in Connecticut, all while spreading the mission of The Ocean Cleanup. I had a sign and a scan code on my bike, as well as a Martin Backpacker guitar. I wrote a couple songs on the way and met so many people who were interested in the fundraising I was doing for the Oceans. I took the most coastal route possible, to be alongside the ocean and I used several ferries. I saw parts of the US I had never seen before by car, and it changed me. There were so many unforgettable places and businesses I met along the way. I have been both car-free, and mostly fossil fuel free, only using my bike and the train since Earth Day of 2024. I am continuing with cycling and fundraising work and you may donate to my fundraiser, here. All proceeds go directly to TheOceanCleanup.com for removing and recycling ocean plastics.

I directed a beach plastic fundraising art project in the Marin County schools with my sons and 3rd graders as a volunteer in 2011. The Ocean Cleanup was founded by Boyan Slat, two years later, in 2013. We now have real, working solutions to remove plastics from our rivers and oceans. The Ocean Cleanup brings HOPE to our children for a cleaner and better world by 2040. 

May - June of 2025: I designed 4 new collections of Τ-shirts featuring 3 of my own illustrations and the 4th collection features the work from the 3rd graders ocean plastic project. The simplicity of the kids designs looks beautiful with The Ocean Cleanup logo above. See all the collections here, or read more about them on my latest blog post.

2020:
"I am painting, song-writing and editing a 400,000 word book. I have updated my art blog and have some items for sale to support The Nature Conservancy's tree planting program. I have always been an artist that cares deeply about the landscape, organic farming and climate action. This is the year we must do all we can for the bees, monarchs, oceans and climate. If you get a chance, please stop by ArtWorksDowntown to before Feb. 27 to see the Retrospective show of Phyllis Thelen, 93, Founder of AWD. I was lucky enough to work with Phyllis at AWD over a period of 3 years. Her art ranges from printmaking to sculpture and spans four galleries. Ms. Thelen has always sought to defend, protect and celebrate nature with her art. A 2nd Reception is on Feb 14."

2019:
Colleen worked as a temporary Production Designer on fashion and retail mechanicals in San Francisco. She began a managment class at City College and worked as a Summer Camp art teacher. "Hoping to find a full-time role using my Salesforce knowledge, I attended the free days of the Salesforce events TrailheadDX, and Dreamforce 2019. What I loved most about Salesforce was the seeing how great brand design created a world for business employees to have fun learning, both at events and online via Trailhead. I continued to volunteer with the San Francisco Bike Coalition, biked with my sons in Pride 2019, and raised funds for SFBike Coalition in a Climate Ride from SF to San Luis Obispo. I never stopped writing, riding my bike or playing guitar. Unfortunately, I soon learned I needed a hip replacement and with out housing in San Francisco, I was forced to leave California and stay with extended family in order to have surgery."

2018:
After working as a Production Illustrator for Salesforce.org in October and November of 2018, Colleen started learning Salesforce with the free online training program, "Trailhead".

2017:
In between UX classes, freelance production design jobs and work with Precita Eyes Muralists, Colleen fell in love with the voice of a San Francisco-based band and followed them on tour, something she had never before done in her life. She took an online musicianship class at Berklee. After moving to San Francisco to get away from her past, she found that riding her bike daily, learning guitar and starting to write songs were the main things keeping her going. "I started to create playlists for fun and to learn about songwriting. As I did this, I learned about music history, diversity and gender in music. I remembered so much of my past life through music, and I wrote attempts at songs and funny rhymes, "aka letters" to the band, hoping to turn my tragedy into a fun novel based on my creative journey to freedom."

2016:
Colleen started writing poetry to help her get through the process of leaving an abusive man who she had raised twins with, but never married. With no custody, alimony, or savings, she left to live with a local family and try to move forward but stay close enough to her sons to still be a part of their lives. She wanted to find a way to legally help women in her situation, but first, she had to save herself.

2015:
Colleen updated her skills with Advanced Packaging Design at Academy of Art, San Francisco and has spent the last 2 years working for a variety of natural and organic food companies as a Production Artist. "Learning new tools and keeping up with graphic design is also a passion that helps inspire ideas for my painting. I am about half way done with a children's book I am illustrating about coyotes on Mt. Tam. I look forward to self-publishing soon. I have a few small paintings in the works for the Bolinas "Hardly Strictly Mini" show in November."

2014:
Colleen continued to volunteer with the "Art on the Farm" group of artists and assisted Marin Organic with their first online art auction in the winter of 2013.  She continues to accept commissions and is working on a piece for the Poncia Family of Tomales, including a commissioned painting of the Burbank Family Ranch she completed at the end of 2013.

June 2013:
Colleen became a Google Glass Explorer in June 2013.  The goal of her use of Glass was to create paintings with new angles from the hands-free technology. View one of the paintings here...

Aug 2011 - April 2013:
Colleen worked for 20 months as Communications Coordinator/Graphic Designer for "Art Works Downtown" a 40,000 sq. ft. art center in downtown San Rafael that boasts 3 award winning galleries, 35 artist studio spaces, 17 artist apartments, and 4 retail spaces, including "Café Odalisque" that caters to artists and art lovers.  Please visit their galleries, artists, take a workshop, or consider becoming an "Associate Artist Member" of AWD.  Voted "Best of Marin" from 2011-2013.

Sept 2011 - July 2011:
Colleen worked as Director of Membership for Marin Arts Council, where she enjoyed assisting in the promotion of the Arts and hundreds of artists, poets, authors and theater groups in the Bay Area.

PRESS:
2010 Interview with Marin Mommies:
***Click here*** to read my press/interview online 11/2009 by Marin Mommies.


ORIGINAL BIO:
Originally from Connecticut, Colleen began her art education in the Greenwich Public Schools with Steve Wallerstein, the founder of "Arts Alive", a program that brought 70+ artists into Eastern Junior High School for a day to take over the school and teach a variety of classes to all students. Colleen studied drawing and painting with Shirley Jankowich at GHS, and took classes in photography, ceramics, wood and stone carving, stone lithography, and printmaking. Colleen was awarded a student artist grant from the Greenwich Arts Council to pursue her higher education as an artist in 1985. She attended a Parson's School of Design summer program in France, where she learned to paint plein air the landscapes of the Dordogne Region and the architecture of Paris, primarily in gauche and charcoal. One of her fondest memories of painting was in a small village in the South of France. A French man approached her, and spoke to her in French about her painting, reminding her not to forget to paint the window, "la fenêtre".

Colleen went on to major in Art History and Painting at Colby College, in Maine. She studied oil painting under Gina Werfel who is now also in California, teaching at UC Davis. Colleen spent a year at Rhode Island School of Design, in the Illustration Dept., where she recalls learning the technique of the masters of eggshell tempura. "For one of my assignments, I was required to mix my own paint and paint in the style of Velasquez. I copied his painting, "Old Woman Cooking Eggs".

Link to more info about this painting at the National Gallery in London.

It was very large; 4 feet long by 3 1/2 feet tall. It only fit outside the house I was dorming in, so I had to sit outside on the porch with gloves on... It was winter in New England, and I was freezing! Despite the difficulty of the assignment, it was one of the most significant learning experiences in teaching me about oil painting, and lighting. I learned to layer my colors, from darkness to light."

Upon graduation from Colby College in 1990, Colleen was invited to join a friend to visit Marin County, CA. Colleen recalls falling in love with the beauty and the drama of the coastal landscapes. In 1992, Colleen was accepted at CalArts for Experimental Animation. She studied in the Master's program there for two years. In 1995, Colleen accepted her first animation job in San Francisco, and moved to Fairfax.

After a 7 year career as an animator, and computer artist in Marin County, Colleen decided to make a serious effort to develop her career as a painter. She planned a show for February 2005 at the San Anselmo Coffee Roasters. Her painting of the previous Roasters Shop on San Anselmo Ave. was purchased by town residents and businesses as a gift for the owner when he moved across the street to a new location.
San Anselmo Cyclists at the Roasters 2005 24" x 36"

Colleen exhibited her paintings of West Marin and San Anselmo as part of the first Artisan Walk of 2006. Colleen's 2007 solo show and silent auction of paintings of West Marin was well received, and raised 10% for MALT, the Marin Agricultural Land Trust. Colleen has donated her art to auctions for Taste of Marin, The San Anselmo Arts Commission, and Trips for Kids. She is the first recipient of the Wendy Gruber Award for Career Development, given as a grant in November 2007 through the Marin Arts Council.

Colleen's goal is to eventually be accepted in the various shows of Marin plein air artists that work together to give back to the community. "I want to feel I am painting to be a part of something bigger than myself. The idea of my art giving back to the land and the community from which it came brings me peace in my purpose beyond my own therapeutic needs." -C.Proppé 2007