Karrie Ross Gets us all “EnergiZed” October 13-14, 2010

If we don’t create …how can we affect change in the world?

—Karrie Ross

It is with this purpose that I create ART.

“Energized!” by Karrie Ross

Topanga Canyon Gallery announces the opening of its new show, “EnergiZed”, an exploration of personal energy generation and the fun we can have with it. Featuring new works by Karrie Ross, Los Angeles Artist.

The inspiration for the show, which opens on Wednesday October 13th, came to Karrie in the middle of preparing the artwork for the show… how “EnergiZed” she was feeling and seeing this energy translate into her art presentation. Part of the show will be an installation piece of movable discs, spinning energy out into the gallery and inviting you to participate in the fun.


"EnergiZed!" 2010 solo exhibition featuring Karrie Ross, Spiral Series

“EnergiZed!” What’s YOUR energy telling the world?
runs from Wednesday October 13th through Sunday October 24th – two weeks only.

Gallery Hours are Wednesday – Saturday 10am to 6pm, and Sunday 11am to 5pm.

See the show and meet Karrie at the Artist Reception on Saturday October 23rd from 5 – 7:30pm.

Here are some photos of the exhibition and the “Planting Seeds” 3D installation piece.

This is a Panoramic view of the whole show! gotta love that setting on your camera. Mine is new, a SONY Cyber Shot, 14 mp.

"EnergiZed!" 2010 solo exhibition featuring Karrie Ross, Spiral Series

This is the “Planting Seeds” 3D installation piece. There are 14 discs, all spin and three, the little ones, spin by motors. This was a spur-of-the-moment piece and was so much fun to create. I love the details and process of figuring out the construction. I’m working on getting more discs to spin, something to do with a pulley system… still researching but this is soooo great! Each disc is hand painted and drawn with pencil.

"Planting Seeds" 3D install moving pieces; approx 14 ft wide

To view the complete exhibition proceed here.

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Benefit Four: Responsibiltiy and Committment to the Co-Op Gallery Experience by Karrie Ross

Karrie Ross, Los Angeles Fine Artist

“The more you give the more comes your way.”

A series by Artist Karrie Ross from her point of view. Reprinted with her permission.

Responsibility and Commitment: without these two qualities, where are you? Not to far along in following your dreams I would suspect. Remember, You make it happen. When you are a part of a co-op gallery or group you accept the responsibility to participate, to help it grow and expand. From the moment your name is posted, you supply a bio, images of your art, your email, you start getting notices and you respond … this action grows over time and as you respond more there becomes more to respond to… but without your commitment and feeling of being responsible to respond… nothing happens… you are just a blob. Being a member, a part of a greater community… brings into your life the quality of having and giving from another perspective.

Here are thoughts for being responsible and committed:

  • Stepping up to the challenge: Think positive thoughts. Start slowly if you have to, get a feeling for the general membership and group and figure out where you fit, where the skills you have will make the biggest difference.
  • Supporting the cause: if there is a need, speak up, take the challenge and do it… whether its changing a sitting date or volunteering for some part of a project… start getting your energy moving in the right direction… and by participating with a group your energy is no longer alone… it has support and gets recharged.
  • We’re in this together: the more you join in the more you are joined… the value from what you’ll learn and gain by doing your part will be returned in volume in different ways. Sometimes giving is just a matter of speaking your expertise about how to do something or making a referral.

For me, “it”, life,  doesn’t work without commitment… being responsible for your own success and goodwill.

Have you thought about joining a community in your area or starting one? Be sure to check out your local opportunities… you’ll be glad you did… the benefit will be amazing!

Come visit us at the gallery or keep up with what we’re doing. Sign up for our mailing list on the right.
Karrie Ross, Los Angeles Fine Artist

Karrie Ross is a Los Angeles Fine Artist who writes about the fine art business and process. She is available for educational panel discussions on her fine art and process. Her artwork is available for solo or group show opportunities. Please contact her at contact for more information.

Benefit Three: Gallery Artists need to know how to be Business People too! by Karrie Ross

Karrie Ross, Los Angeles Fine Artist

“It’s not just the art that keeps the gallery going.”

A series by Artist Karrie Ross from her point of view. Reprinted with her permission.

Learning how to Run A Business: Being a part of a Co-op Gallery we all get to learn about the back-end of running the business.  This involves organizing the member participation, making sure the gallery is occupied during business hours, scheduling the solo, group, juried and special monthly shows; general business and bookkeeping and artist payments; organizing call-for-entries submissions; advertising, publicity, promotion… and a lot more. After awhile, everyone just seems to find their place and step-up into what needs to be done. Being part of a community, helping it move along, helps create a positive energy that supports its efforts.

Here are some parts that help make it run smoothly:

  • The Galley Book: There is a three-ring binder presented to each new member and includes the members contact list, how to write up a sale, what to do when sitting the gallery, how to secure a solo show, where to send PR notices for each event or solo show …and more.
  • Member Participation: each member is given an orientation of how and what to do to be a part of the gallery. And each member just learns to step-up when needed, this helps form the bond of a community that is successful.
  • Member Roles: we have a president, treasure and secretary as well as committees that help run the gallery events, such as: monthly shows, show hanging, studio tour, public relations, ad placement, website maintenance and any others that are needed.
  • Yahoo! Groups or Google Groups: this is a must have for any group that needs to keep in touch and encourage member participation. This way the group is always on the same page for each event or for sending out call-for-entry notices.

Have you thought about joining a community in your area or starting one? The next benefit I’ll talk about is the Responsibility / Commitment aspect of the co-op gallery.

Come visit us at the gallery or keep up with what we’re doing. Sign up for our mailing list on the right.
Karrie Ross, Los Angeles Fine Artist

Karrie Ross is a Los Angeles Fine Artist who writes about the fine art business and process. She is available for educational panel discussions on her fine art and process. Her artwork is available for solo or group show opportunities. Please contact her at contact for more information.

Artist Members at the Annenberg Beach House, Santa Monica California

“Mountains to the Sea” at the Annenberg Beach House

The Topanga Canyon Gallery has a passion for sharing and showing art, the latest exhibition is a member group show to be at the Annenberg Beach House. Organized by Barbara Kolo and Rebecca Catterall, this will be an event you won’t want to miss. The show will be at the Beach House for three months.

August 26 – November 28, 2010
Opening Reception:
Thursday, August 26, 2010 6:00-8:00PM

Artist / Pianist, Yolanda Klappert will play music that inspires her digital art at 7:15PM.

After reviewing over 30 proposals from different groups of artists, Santa Monica’s Cultural Affairs Division accepted  “Mountains to the Sea” featuring artwork by Topanga Canyon Gallery members Robin Becker, Linda Bolhuis, John Brunnick, Rebecca Catterall, Debbi Green, Fae Horowitz, Carol Hernandez, Yolanda Klappert, Barbara Kolo, Karrie Ross, Sharon Tanner

“Mountains to the Sea” art reflects the land we walk on and the vistas that embrace us – illustrating the diversity of this experience through different artistic lenses and different mediums.

The Annenberg Beach House is a multi-use facility that offers the public a chance to learn more from attending events and exhibitions that take place. In addition to the exhibit, several of the artists will also conduct workshops at the beach site.

Click to read more and see the opening photos.

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Exhibition: Way of Clay

Topanga Canyon Gallery has several shows throughout the year that offers non-members the opportunity to submit their art. “Way of Clay” is one of those opportunities.

Organized by member Rebecca Catteral and curated by Melody Cooper, this is a show full of creative 3D visuals.

From an art sculpture of a woman in a twig boat by Hadiya Finley to chainlink fence panels filled with free form tile squares by Susan Nissman or multiple useful vessels of cups, tea pot and vases. The show is a hit.

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Participating artists are: Frank Massarella, Farideh Azad, Rebecca Catteral, Robyn Feeley, Dina Finzi, Joan Gambert, Bob Harris, Lynette Mathis, Susan Nissman, Megan Rice, Charles Singer, Jacqueline Stanford, Jim Sullivan and Kimberlina Whettam.

To Read and See more of the work….click read more! Read More »

Benefit Two: The Community by Karrie Ross

Karrie Ross, Los Angeles Fine Artist

“Having someone in the same boat helps get you there faster.”

A series by Artist Karrie Ross. Reprinted with her permission.

Community: a group of people joining together and having the same interests, work etc. in common.  Artists with similar goals and commitment for making something happen and sharing with the group. Where all members put their time and expertise into benefiting the groups success. A co-op has committees assigned for the variety of tasks necessary to run a successful gallery. From member selection, monthly shows, annual tours to organizing all the events for the year… this cannot be done without community participation.

  • Artist Members: benefiting from their knowledge, expertise and experience that you might not have and it’s always great inspiration to talk with other artists about what they are doing, how they do it – their process, where they go – other galleries or groups, who they talk to – reps or journalists. Read More »

Benefit One: The Gallery Space by Karrie Ross

Karrie Ross, Los Angeles Fine artist

“If art is not seen, how will the artist get known?”

A series by Artist Karrie Ross from her point of view. Reprinted with her permission.

The Gallery Space: the public space where an artist can have artwork shown each month and have the opportunity for solo and group shows each year.

This is the most obvious reason for an artist to want to join a co-op artist community gallery. So I’ll talk about it first, but it might not be the most important reason.

  • Exposure on a continuous basis for both the artist and their work.
  • Solo Show: the opportunity to have a solo show as the gallery calendar allows. This adds to the artists exhibitions listing and gives credit to their artwork.
  • Theme shows: Group Shows: usually taking up the whole gallery several times a year offering greater exposure. This adds to the artists exhibitions listing and gives credit to their artwork. Read More »

Benefits of being a part of a Co-Op Community Gallery by Karrie Ross

Karrie Ross, Artist

“If art is not created, how can art change OUR world?”

A series by Artist Karrie Ross. Reprinted with her permission.

Benefits of the Co-Op Gallery: One might not need to look too hard for a co-op gallery… it seems you can find them everywhere there are artists who are excited about the work they do and about sharing it with their community and the world. Sometimes it might not be a gallery but a bi-yearly art show like the LA Brewery ArtWalk or a non-profit event like the yearly Venice ArtWalk and Auction, but the goal of getting art out into the public’s eyes, getting noticed and making a difference, is the same.

Here are the benefits I’ll be discussing in the next posts:

  • Gallery Space: this is the public space where the art is put on display.
  • Community: this is made up of the members of the gallery, the artists.
  • Running a Business: this involves organizing the member participation, the solo, group, juried and special monthly shows, general business, advertising, publicity, promotion.
  • Responsibility/Commitment: of being a member and being a part of a greater community.

How can this change how you look at your art and how you are getting it out in the world? Let us know your thoughts below in the comments section.

In the next benefit I’ll talk about the Gallery Space aspect of the co-op gallery.

Come visit us at the gallery or keep up with what we’re doing. Sign up for our mailing list on the right.
Karrie Ross
Los Angeles Fine Artist

Karrie Ross is a Los Angeles Fine Artist who writes about the fine art business and process. She is available for educational panel discussions on fine art and process. Her artwork is available for solo or group show opportunities. Please contact her at Karrie Ross for more information.

Sitting the Gallery on a Sunday by Karrie Ross

As a member of the gallery each artist spends  8 hours a month sitting the space and welcoming guests. This is a part that I love as I get to have some very interesting conversations. Since I don’t live in the canyon I also like the drive up the coast. I usually get to see something interesting. This day I saw a VW Club on an outing. Such fun!

This past Sunday there were about 17 visitors to the Gallery. The current front space show is “Cars and Guitars” by John Adams (Cars) and Carol Hernandez (Guitars, Fender).  Two men came in for the Guitars, they said they have a friend coming in late June from England, they took a card for reference. There also was a couple who are remodeling their home and came in for a look at the artwork and jotted down some artists names for their designer to research.

The back space was looking good with new art monthly from participating artist members. Each month we have the opportunity to place a new piece for visitors to see. There are many that come in to see this as they collect some of our artists work. This also is a great space for buying those birthday or anniversary presents for family and friends.

We have our annual Studio Tour coming up June 12 & 13 with the reception and silent auction on Saturday night June 15 from 5-8. This s when you can purchase a 8×8 painting by one of the artists in the Tour. Here is what the wall looks like so far. This weekend is well attended. There are about 50 artists on the tour this year… come join the fun! Check out the gallery for more information http://www.topangacanyongallery.com I hope to see you there, I’ll be at space #11.

Come visit us or keep up with what we’re doing. Sign up for the mailing list on the right.
Karrie Ross  Los Angeles Fine Artist

Karrie Ross is a Los Angeles Fine Artist who writes about the fine art business and process. She is available for educational panel discussions on fine art and process. Her artwork is available for solo or group show opportunities. Please contact her for more information.