Join us at Que Seraw Seraw this Friday

“Green Smoothie” ©2015 Rebecca Lambing

Color Abounds

recent works by Rebecca Lambing

Artist Reception and Open House

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November 13, 2015

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5 pm – 7 pm

1160 Capuchino Ave, Burlingame, CA

Kerry Bitner and her team at Que Seraw Seraw create food that not only tastes good, it makes you feel healthy and nourished. I believe she’s working on creating at least one new dish to be unveiled at this event. It’ll be evening of colorful artwork, delicious and healthful food and lively conversation!

Silicon Valley Open Studios May 2-3, 2015

For months I’ve been quietly preparing for Silicon Valley Open Studios that takes place in just ten days. I would love to see you on Saturday or Sunday, May 2nd and 3rd between 11am – 5pm. Click on this link for more information and a map to Rebecca Lambing Art Studio. Feel welcome to have a drink, relax and enjoy the time to appreciate my creative space, ask questions and view my latest works. I’ll be showing everything from lemons (galore!) to other fruits, figurative and abstracts, small (5" x 5") to really large (44" x 66").

X2 Art Opening this Sunday from 1–4pm in Belmont

“Lemon #8” 11"x14", ©2015 Rebecca Lambing 

“Lemon #9” 11"x14", ©2015 Rebecca Lambing 

The X2 (Times Two) show has been hung at the Twin Pines Gallery in Belmont, California. Thirty six pieces of art by eighteen members of the Peninsula Chapter of the Women’s Caucus for Art are on view. Each member had the opportunity to create two works that complement each other when hung together.

I’ve been going a bit lemon-crazy lately, so that’s what I submitted. They won’t come down in time to be present for my open studio May 2–3, so this is your chance to see them in person.

I hope you can join us for the opening on Sunday, April 11th from 1:00 to 4:00 pm! It’s a chance to view the art, meet the artists, and nosh to your heart’s content.

Twin Pines Art Center
10 Twin Pines Lane
Belmont, CA

Opening: Sunday, April 11, 1–4pm

The gallery is open Wednesdays through Sundays from 12–4pm. The exhibit will be up through May 6, 2015.

Color Blooms at “Breaking Ground” Exhibit

“Color Blooms” ©2015 Rebecca Lambing

“Breaking Ground” is on view through May 4th at San Mateo City Hall’s art gallery. Featured are nearly 30 works created by 19 members of the Peninsula Women’s Caucus for Art. I was privileged to help curate the hanging of this show and think it all came together beautifully! My piece, “Color Blooms” is a bit of a departure from my normal subject matter as I attempted to capture the feeling of lushness, vivid color and excitement as spring emerges after a long winter. There was a wide interpretation of this theme and all make it worth a side-trip to stop in and see the creativity. Look for the poster (shown below) as you enter the building to direct you to the gallery.

Artists showing are:
Beate Amler, Lorraine Capparell, Grace Cohen, Kris Idarius, Patricia Keefe, Annamaria Kusber, Rebecca Lambing, Ellen Lee, Tanya Lin, Marie LaPrade, Nancee McDonnell, Alysanne McGaffey, Yvonne Newhouse, Irene Schlesinger, Bonnie J. Smith, Deanna Taubman, Leigh Toldi, Susan Varjavand and Marian Yap.

March 11 – May 4th, 2015

San Mateo City Hall Gallery
330 W 20th Ave in San Mateo, CA.

Open Monday thru Friday 8am to 5pm.

“A Meditative Moment” Painting Accepted for Lymelight Foundation’s Dart for Art

“A Meditative Moment” ©2015 Rebecca Lambing

It is with great pleasure that I announce that one of my paintings has been selected for this year’s Dart for Art fundraiser for Lymelight Foundation. This is a fun and energetic event that benefits youth and young adults with Lyme Disease. For the price of your ticket, you get to enjoy a lively cocktail party followed by a well-organized frenzy (in small groups) to claim a piece of art as yours to take home!

“A Meditative Moment” will be available for attendees to choose, among many other juried pieces. This year’s event is on March 6th in Burlingame, California. It’s for a great cause and promises to be an enjoyable evening, as well. For more information and to sign up follow this link to Dart for Art.

Many of the donating artists will be in attendance and available to discuss their artistic process or motivation. Yes, I’ll be there and hope to see you.

“Seasons of Life” Exhibit at the Peninsula Art Institute

“A Time for Herself”, 24"x24", © 2014 Rebecca Lambing

It’s been a great summer full of travel and good memories! We thoroughly enjoyed my daughter’s last months at home before leaving for her freshman year of college at UCLA. We know all too well how much will change after Hannah gains her independence in the next few months with so many new experiences and responsibilities. She’s settling in, doing well, and loving it. Isaac has also returned to school for his final year of studies. It sure is quiet around here.

So for me the “Seasons of Life” theme for the upcoming Peninsula WCAs group show at the Peninsula Art Institute’s gallery has hit home. As official “empty nesters” it’s the season of change at our house. This is our time to focus on building relationships at home while continuing to support our kids from a distance. It’s a time to go inward and learn more about ourselves, as well. “A Time for Herself” explores just that... things have slowed down and demands have lightened. There is now time to think about all the great things that this life is about and how to make the rest of it just get better and better. The quiet probably won’t last for long, but she’s going to enjoy it for now!

I hope you can make it to view the artwork that will be up from November 20th through January 4th at the PAI gallery in Burlingame, California. There will be 16 local peninsula artists displaying unique pieces that show what “Seasons of Life” means to them. Click on the “Current Shows” tab above to see more details of the exhibit.

“Our Natural World” Art Exhibit

Detail: “Orchard Shade”, 8"x10", © 2013 Rebecca Lambing

I am participating in a group exhibition at the Twin Pines Art Center in Belmont, California that takes place February 5th thru February 27th. The petite painting shown above is hanging, as well as another coordinating painting of a single tree. The Art Center is in the historic Manor House and is a beautiful venue in which to hang out and take in the art. Besides the welcoming gallery, the trees and open space in Twin Pines Park help make it a place you will likely want to visit again once you have gone there.

You are invited to the opening reception on Sunday, February 9th from 2pm to 4pm. You can see more details by clicking HERE or on the “Current/Past Shows” tab above. I may miss the beginning of the reception so I can attend my daughter’s last performance in her school’s winter play but do plan to attend. Let me know if you’re counting on me being there so I’ll be sure to make it asap!

“New Beginnings” in Daly City

Detail: “Woman with White Coffee Cup”, 48"x36", © 2014 Rebecca Lambing

This large painting is currently being shown in the City Hall Atrium Gallery in Daly City, California. The opening was a wonderfully successful evening with hundreds of people in attendance. It coincided with a celebration of David Canepa’s inaugural term as mayor. He has been instrumental in bringing art back to City Hall and this show, which showcases 22 artists from the peninsula chapter of Women’s Caucus for Art, is the first display in many years at the gallery. The diverse pieces have been well received and add a welcome element of color and creativity to the space.

My work is steadily becoming more confident and I was told this piece spoke to a number of people at the opening. There was one woman in particular who many thought must have a special connection as she looked strikingly like the blonde in the painting. Many, seeing the resemblance, simply said “Wow! She should buy it.” :-)

To view when and where to visit the show click HERE or on the “Current/Past Shows” tab above. The exhibit runs through March. I hope you get a chance to see this show as it is a special one.

Figurative: “Girl in Blue”

“Girl in Blue”, 8"x10", © 2013 Rebecca Lambing

Here's a recent figurative painting that I've been able to digitize to share. There are more that will hopefully soon be photographed so I can upload. I've found that it's not always the best idea to stop the momentum of painting, so I will continue... :-)

Cellist in Brugge

“Street Cellist”, 5"x5", © 2013 Rebecca Lambing

Yet another small 5"x5" painting. This is of a man playing the cello on a bench in Brugge, Belgium. I'm still inspired by our travels from over a year ago. There are no great trips planned in our near future beyond more college visits. Hmm.... I wonder if Northfield, Minnesota will inspire any artworks?

“Paint Burlingame” 2013

Study on paper for “Man in Cafe”, 6.5"x5.5" © 2013 Rebecca Lambing

Paint Burlingame is an annual event that brings out artists from along the peninsula to paint scenes around the city of Burlingame “en plein air” (a french expression for “in the open air”). It takes place on a single day, so artists create their pieces from start to finish within a matter of hours. In the late afternoon there is a public reception where the artists mingle and the artworks are hung for a silent auction, already framed and beautifully displayed. Proceeds benefit the Burlingame Historical Society.

I've never painted in this fashion but woke up with a wild urge to participate the day before the event this year. What would inspire me to put myself out there in a situation where I've never painted in public, never painted a large scene from life, and never on such a limited time frame... and yet also commit to hanging the result for all to see? Who knows, but it was fun just the same. 

I got set up along Broadway to paint the scene in front of Earthbeam, a health food store that's been a part of Burlingame since the early 1970s. With the help of Pandora streaming on my phone I was quickly oblivious to all that was going on around me and my time was over before I knew it. It was great fun to pause occasionally to talk with some kind and friendly people. And the end result? The piece received many compliments and I was satisfied with what I had created given my inexperience and the constraints. Rather than posting it I've posted a quick study I had previously done for a larger painting. This is the effect I was going for. 

So will I participate again next year? If I do, I know to spend time preparing in advance, getting used to the portable easel, dealing with the acrylics drying when the wind picks up, doing a study or two of what I choose to paint ahead of time, etc. Despite the beautiful weather I didn't immediately fall in love with painting en plein air. For now I plan to get back on track and continue focusing on the figurative work I've been doing most recently. But know that if you see me painting outdoors that my favorite part is getting to quickly chat with passersby so do stop and say hello!

Richard Diebenkorn as Inspiration

Richard Diebenkorn: Girl on the Beach 1957 ...inspired...  Rebecca Lambing: Girl on the Beach 2013

I received a Richard Diebenkorn coffee table book for a Christmas gift last year. I do love his artwork. My colors and use of design and light can be similar. Edward Hopper was one of his influences, who I have also studied. My intent in showing these two paintings together is not to compare and judge, but rather to share how artists can be influenced. Diebenkorn's painting is more than four feet tall. Mine is 5" square. Sometimes a lot can be learned by mimicking another's successful painting, even in a small scale. My version would be considered a "study". It was created directly to learn from. Already I am close to sharing with you a new 36"x48" painting also influenced by Diebenkorn. As you'll soon see, though, it was more of a jumping-off point and the painting took on a life of its own.

Reclining in Provence

“Reclining in Provence”, 8"x10", © 2013 Rebecca Lambing

This small painting is one of my current favorites. My reference photo was taken of my daughter on our dream vacation last summer in Provence. The farmhouse we rented had, among many other wonderful things, a french daybed outdoors to lie down and relax in. For me this painting captures the feeling of the time we spent in Provence. It was wonderfully relaxing, sunny, beautiful, and, well, French! If you're looking for a great place to rent near Avignon, I can highly recommend this place. Guy and Lindsay followed their passion and moved to Provence to rent out their farmhouse, tend the gardens, etc. Their hospitality and english speaking were so welcome! But they can tell it so much better than I can. http://www.maisondetreholidays.com/ I'll admit that sometimes I go to their website just to see the grounds and living space once again.

New Beginnings

“Bench Under Sycamore Tree”, 11"x14", © 2013 Rebecca Lambing

“Bench Under Sycamore Tree” is now with a wonderful and newly single woman who plans to surround herself with “beautiful things in [her] beautiful new life”. You go, girl! :-)

New Paintings Delivered

“Boy Reading”, 10"x8", © 2013 Rebecca Lambing

“Girl with Clouds”, 10"x8", © 2013 Rebecca Lambing

Green Apples

“Apples 2”, 5x5", © 2013 Rebecca Lambing

I’ve been trying to get more practice drawing from live models. Apples will hold still for longer than  my daughter or dog will.

When Life Gives You Lemons…

“Lemon with Aqua and Blue”, 5"x5", © 2013 Rebecca Lambing

SATs, SAT subject tests, APs, and finals are over. Summer has officially arrived at our house!

Juicy Tomato Makes for an Appetizing Painting

“Tomato1”, 5x5", © 2013 Rebecca Lambing

Having fun with this small format. Yes, this was a real tomato. Sitting on my real kitchen counter. And yes, it was tasty. :-)

Artwork Available at Peninsula Museum of Art

I am happy to announce that the gift shop at the new Peninsula Museum of Art in Burlingame, California now has several of my paintings available for sale! They range from the large 48"x36" “Following the Birds” to several smaller pieces including some brand new 5"x5" pieces perfect for a gift (to a friend or to yourself!). Below I’ve posted a couple of my most recent pieces.

“Flowers with Yellow and Green”, 5x5", © 2013 Rebecca Lambing

“Flowers with Yellow and Green” was inspired by the colors in Cézanne’s still-lifes.

“Morning Cup”, 5"x5", © 2013 Rebecca Lambing

Along with my new daily painting habit, I’ve developed a routine of seeping black tea every morning and am not sure I would function quite as well without it. If it cools too much before I drink it all, it is put on ice and enjoyed cold! “My Morning Cup” is a tribute to this reassuring ritual.

Don’t know about the Peninsula Museum of Art? You’re missing out! They’ve very recently relocated from Belmont to 18,000 square feet of beautiful new space in Burlingame. In addition to the store, there are five gallery spaces, a library, and a classroom. The attached Peninsula Art Institute also houses 29 working artist studios. There is a great current exhibit of Joe Price’s serigraphs that are just amazing. There is a new exhibit coming up on the Art of Science Fiction. I don’t know what to expect of it, but am looking forward to seeing what it’s about. Click here to go to the museum’s website for more information.