San Francisco Art Scene: Art Explosion Takes You on a Creative Journey

It's no secret that I love art as much as I love discovering what local artists in differnet pockets up the world are working on and what inspires them.

Every year shortly before San Francisco's Open Studios, I attend an opening hosted by Art Explosion, a studio space which profiles over 100 artists from the greater Bay Area.

Work ranged from pottery, photography and jewelry to abstract oils on canvas, watercolors on paper and mixed media.

I loved a mishmash of creations and paid more attention to photographers this year since I've been shooting more myself.

I liked the warm abstract mood of Dan Pask's photos and abstract art of Eve Shen.

Georgianne Fastaia's work continues to impress me and this year, I learned that her work has gone up 10-fold in price since I first walked into her SOMA gallery a few years ago. There's a piece I so want to hang for the world to see, but sadly out of my price range. Love her work.

Emily Citraro is known for figure drawings - my favorite of hers is here. Steven Brock's documentary style photography is amazing and he had a large enough gallery to woo you in for hours not minutes.

Jude Fauconnier has an interesting style, where new Picasso meets abstract, colorful sketching.

Victoria Veedell had quite a large number of finished paintings to hang out with, all perfectly lit so that the warm glows of the purples, greens and blues drew you in for more in that soothing sort of "sit with me and relax for awhile" way.

Although she's most certainly young, McKenzie Coonce caught my eye. My favorite painting of hers was not for sale (below) and her style was varied - color and style. If you opt for one style because you connect with a consistent artist's voice, there's "many" voices Coonce takes you to, but if variety and change is your thing, then she'll take you on that "tour."

And then there were jewelry designers. I felt (and said this to the artist) that this would draw a larger crowd in Los Angeles, Miami and Las Vegas. Below is an amazing piece of work - note that this "ring" that lays over your entire hand is one piece.

Hats off to the artists for a great showing as always!!