Sonya Palencia‘s oil paintings seem to epitomize Life itself; inspired by the wilderness of the Los Padres National Forest, she connects with a rush of energy found in every living being. In her debut solo show at Copro Gallery, Sonya shares her selection of works deeply rooted in her home town California’s very own orbit. The Unquiet Waltz: Tales of Majesty and Demise in the Chaparrel brings together a fascinating display of the playful and the mournful. Walk along the gallery walls and you’ll soon be graced with delicately painted creatures posing in the very best of courtly attire; In a curious display of grandiose portraiture, it’s hard not to feel that these characters, fictional (or not?) own the awareness of being immortalized forever within paint.
Continue on, however, and soon you find yourself enveloped within more unvarnished scenes from nature. Sonya elegantly depicts an array of beautifully haunting moments right before the hunter and the hunted truly collide. Life is beautiful. Life is precious. Life is the Unquiet Waltz.
Sonya Palencia The Unquiet Waltz: Tales of Majesty and Demise in the Chaparral / A Small Group Exhibit
Opening Reception:
February 17, 2018 | 8 – 11:30pm
Exhibition Dates:
February 17 – March 10, 2018
Copro Gallery
Bergamot Station Arts Complex, 2525 Michigan Ave , Unit T5, Santa Monica , CA 90404
Simultaneously at Copro Gallery, Director Gary Pressman has created ‘a small group exhibit’ spotlighting artists Hanna Jauen (Brooklyn), Stephanie Inagaki (S. California), Lizz Lopez (California), Jean Bastarache (Michigan), Ver Mar (California) and AbbyBelle (California). Though small in size and name, the pieces exhibiting are not to be overlooked! Including acrylics, charcoal, watercolours, oils and paper mache, the show celebrates a sundry mix of mediums from this array of proficient artists.
More about Sonya Palencia [from her artist website]:
“Sonya Palencia, is a painter, illustrator, sculptor and woodcarver, whose work celebrates nature and the mystical with the romantic aesthetics of the old world.
As a child, Sonya began creating art and studying the nearby wilderness, historical landmarks, and the extraordinary past of her native California. She later traveled abroad to research the classical arts and traditional folklore of numerous countries. Sonya graduated from the Art Center College of Design (Pasadena, CA) with distinction in Film & Fine Art, and served 10 years in the film industry as a designer and sculptor. She and her husband (fellow artist Jeff Nentrup) have since left the city to pursue their fine art on a ranch nestled within the inspiring Californian Los Padres National Wilderness.”
For more details on both of these shows, contact Gary Pressman, Gallery Director:
E: coprogallery@live.com | Tel: 310/829-2156.
The shows will exhibit until Saturday March 10, 2018.
Sonya Palencia The Unquiet Waltz: Tales of Majesty and Demise in the Chaparral:
The Legend of Chuchupate
Intermezzo
Valse Fatale
Volante Magistrate (close-up crop)
Sir Bob
A Small Group Exhibit
Hanna Jaeun – Teased to Death
Stephanie Inagaki – In a Warm Cold Place
Lizz Lopez – Murderess
Jean Bastarache – Bear Necessities
AbbyBelle – Bunnyfly
