Roy Jenuine; Modern Folk Art Exhibition on Cedros in Solana Beach

by Patricia Frischer 

Camper Stress Test, detail 

Most artists that I know work in isolation. Yes, there are some collaborations, but on the whole they are solitary in their creation. But Roy Jenuine has seemingly tucked himself away in his Leucadia garage workshop for a quite a while. I reported on his work in 2012 when his art was chosen for the Invitation exhibition at the Cannon Gallery by Karen McGuire.  Back then I said, “… (he) has stories to tell and allows our imaginations to fill in the blanks although we are directed by the visuals. Jenuine’s small figures holding on to picnic tables in gale force winds generated by drawn desk fans are charming….  we feel we are let into the world of an acute observer of life.” 

His education at San Diego State University precludes him from being considered a folk artist, but I think this artist’s humility makes him relate to those untrained, but highly skills community of storytellers. His choice of materials is very intentional and even when upcycled it is finely finished.    

These are sculptures even when they perform as a chest of drawers or a table. Jenuine has a point of view based on his personal experiences. One work records a childhood memory of a plane crash in his neighborhood. Another was when he was depressed and posing on a picnic table for a series of photographs reflecting his moods. Many record days with his dog with added drawing notations which give a authenticity to the work. Those often tiny hand drawn sketches are in contrast to the pristine surfaces. 

Wave variations are evident in number of works, both on and off the wall. Observing the ocean, noticing temperature differences, patterns, wildlife interactions...these are all evident in the art. For all the elegant treatments of shapes and forms, it might be noticing that is Roy Jenuine's real superpower. 

Camper Stress Test 

Camper Stress Test, detail 

Camper Stress Test 

Dog Dream, 2010

Dog Dream, 2010

Camping with Dogs Near a Blue Sky, 2010

Merry Go Round, 2010

Half a Dozen Dogs, 2010

 

Wave in a Table, 1994

 

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Building Seas, 2021

Step Chair, 2022

The most recently completed work in this exhibition, the sandpiper bird trapped
or taking refuge in this contraption over the sea. 

Roy Jenuine;  Modern Folk Art Exhibition 
312 S. Cedros, Solana Beach, 92075
Showing until July 6. Thursday through Sunday, 11am to 6pm
More info: info@royjenuinestudio.com 858.337.0522

Material World at Techne Art Center

By Patricia Frischer 

Ye Hongxing detail

Every gallery needs a personal identity. Artists may come and go but the gallery itself has a style and a viewpoint. This is what attracts collectors as well as art consultants. The personality at Techne Art Center is created by Chuck Thomas, the owner/director and it is unusual for San Diego as it is based on Thomas’s connections to the New York Art scene. At Techne Art Center you see not only local talent, but a spread of those from the big apple.

This gallery is a little off the beaten track in north east Oceanside. But the journey, if you are south or north is worth the trouble. The art is always high quality, but each of the artists is showcased like multiple mini one person shows. This takes a large space and Techne has that in spades. 

This is how the current exhibition Material World curated by Thomas and Jason Clay Lewis  can present such a large diversity of mediums in such large quantities. I saw, water, asphalt, acrylic resin, salt, sand, glass, rice paper, cotton fibers, fabric, thread as well as metal, paint, photography, and all sorts of plastic.

By the way, Thai and Sushi on college is a good stop for a meal near by, or go that extra mile for Italian at Ciao. You can feed the body and the soul.

Trevor Amery, Annie Claflin, Ben Godward, Becky Guttin, Ye Hongxing, Adriene Hughes, Monica Loss, Michelle Montjoy, Jason Rohlf, Kline Swonger, and Christana Updegraf and Matthew Bacher.

Downstairs Galleries

Ye Hongxing - Our number one choice for talent to watch in San Diego with incredible details and astonishing scale.

Ye Hongxing

Ye Hongxing

Ye Hongxing

Kline Swonger - Amazing how this very large metal sculpture can look so intimate and intriguing in a smaller space with beautiful lighting

Kline Swonger

Ben Godward - Huge molds were made onsite by this first artist in short residence at Techne. He resides in New York, and his made-on site poured acrylic candy colored flower shapes are a contrast to his angular metal and plastic pieces which were trucked in from LA.

Ben Godward

Jason Rohlf - Work rags are the substrate for colorful patterns in the other New York artist in this show.

Christana Updegraf  - This generations Eva Hesse, these rope pieces seem to be all about flesh

Christana Updegraf 

Trevor Amery -Don’t overlook these subtle slightly strange creations.We recently saw this work at the faculty show at Mesa College. Each one can become your own story.

Trevor Amery

 Matthew Bacher - Hard to be surprised with figurative painting, but this group of swirling distorted bodies kept our attention

Michelle Montjoy - A new direction for this artist, so enjoy the experimentation of these tiny  sculptures. Love the pink floor!

Michelle Montjoy

Michelle Montjoy

Upstairs Galleries

Becky Guttin - Really a mini retrospective with lots of new work in glass and stitched paper.

Becky Guttin

Becky Guttin,

Monica Loss - Another chance to see this artist at Techne, this time with more crocheted hangings

Monica Loss

Adriene Hughes - Luscious colors photographs and felted balls feed  off each other, bringing these images into the third dimension

Adriene Hughes

Annie Claflin - We loved the distorted landscapes in so many different mediums..

Annie Claflin

Annie Claflin

 

Material World  May 3 to July 26, 2025
Trevor Amery, Annie Claflin, Ben Godward, Becky Guttin, Ye Hongxing, Adriene Hughes, Monica Loss, Michelle Montjoy, Jason Rohlf, Kline Swonger, and Christana Updegraf and Matthew Bacher.

Techne Art Center
1609 Ord Way
Oceanside. CA 92056
Chuck Thomas 917.9721.752
Opening Days: Thursday-Saturday 1-6pm

9th Annual Sculpture Exhibition at Fallbrook Art Center

 by Patricia Frischer

One small section of the Post for United States of Women.
This post features Michael Obama and Kamila Harris.
The author was lucky to be the lead artist. 

The Fallbrook Art Center's 9th Annual Sculpture Exhibition displays contemporary pieces that challenge traditional forms to classical sculptures that pay homage to timeless techniques.  With interactive installations and thought-provoking displays, one of the highlights of the show is 14 Post for Peace created under the direction of Kira Corser. Each work was designed together with community input, but a lead artist always insured the work was visually stunning. These works are the perfect combination of the result of social prescribing. They allow for connections to be made about issues of importance. But they are also a moment of absolute wonder that bring joy to the soul.

The following was inspired by Alessandra Colfi, another arts for healing teacher. “You are not a machine. You are a soul who needs art, connections, sunsets, laughter and small pockets of joy. Prioritize them like your life depends on it because it does. Life is not meant to be a cycle of stress and survival. We have been conditioned to think that constant productivity equal worth, but humans were not design for constant output. We need moments of wonder, connection and rest, not as reward for hard work, but as essential ingredients for a meaningful life.”  

Art can give you all of this. Think of social or art prescribing as a way to take in joy, the same way as you might swallow a daily pill to lower your blood pressure and reduce your cholesterol.

Please note: these post are tall and have images and words on all four sides. Walk through the forest of post and be amazed!

9th Annual Sculpture Exhibition
June 10 – July 12, 2025
Fallbrook Art Center, 103 S Main Ave, Fallbrook, CA 92028, USA