I absolutely love my hometown! Too often Vacaville is under-appreciated by the people that grow up there. When I was younger, I admit I was one such student who thought Vacaville was SOOOOO boring, and I thought I'd die if I saw another cow or picket fence. Thankfully, I now realize it "ain't that bad." Besides great food (which I'm sure I'll discuss in another post), I personally love the little galleries that Vacaville has to offer, such as the nonprofit Vacaville Art Gallery.
What first inspired me to check out the place were the outside sculptures. I'm not ashamed to admit I just had to copy one of their poses. Because I often think of metals as more masculine materials, this quite feminine sculpture provided a sharp contrast that I really enjoyed. Although her exposed features might be taken as conveying vulnerability, both the material and her pose made it evident that she is a strong and proud woman!
When I first walked in, I walked as fast as I could without running (it is a gallery you know) to this little donkey by student Katherine Marino, who showed that youth and artistic talent are certainly not exclusive. I felt that this "donkey bust" was perfectly aligned in the illustration. When a figure is places to one side of the painting rather than smack dab in the middle, it always makes for a more dynamic piece. But why I really loved this donkey was her usage of texture. I could practically feel the shaggy hair on this donkey!
I am normally never drawn to watercolors. However, I found this painting titled "Madonna and Child" by Nancy Lorenzo to be both wonderfully colorful and stylistically intriguing. I especially love the way the artist selected bold prints for both the blanket the baby is wrapped in and the skirt the mother is wearing . It made for a great contrast with the silky water below.
I also hardly ever like boat paintings, but this gallery was certainly full of "firsts" for me! In my experience, boat paintings are usually just too small. However, I truly found this acrylic painting by Rodger Kientz to be very pleasing because he cleverly included a lot of water and sky. By sandwiching the boat in a delicious blue, the artist has truly created a feast for the eyes!
In what seems such a small gallery on the outside, once you step inside it quickly becomes clear that they showcase many excellent exhibitions with a diverse set of themes and mediums. Admission is always free, so if you ever happen to be driving by Vacaville and have some time to spare, come support local artists and have a blast doing it!
Vacaville Art Gallery
718 East Monte Vista Avenue Vacaville, CA 95688
