Sketches: Nasty Liberty, Hernandez, YBCA - 5/2026

The Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (YBCA) is hosting "Conjuring Power: Roots & Future of Queer & Trans Movements," just in time for SF Pride month in June. The exhibit explores the resilience and beauty of the Bay Area Queer and Trans communities. The artwork "Nasty Liberty" by Esther Hernandez at the entrance of the gallery captures the spirit of the show.

Nasty Liberty, Esther Hernandez, YBCA - 5/2026

RESIST

CoWABunGA

Sketches: A Modern Scandal, Thomas, SFMOMA - 5/2026

To illustrate the influence of "Femme au chapeau's" painting on the modern art world, SFMOMA included a whole gallery of other artists who painted their interpretation of Matisse's work. I found this painting by Mickalene Thomas to be stunning.

"Qusuquzah, une tres belle Negress 1" Mickalene Thomas, SFMOMA - 5/2026

I could not do the colors justice in a sketch, so go see for yourself.

CoWaBunGA 

Sketches: A Modern Scandal, Matisse, SFMOMA - 5/2026

SFMOMA's new exhibit delves into the 1905 debut of Matisse's scandalous work "Femme au Chapeau" in the Paris Exposition. The radical use of color set apart a group of painters that changed the modern course of art. The artists were described as "les fauves" (wild beasts) for their use of non naturalistic colors to depict their surroundings.

Andre Derain, Matisse, SFMOMA - 5/2026

As a sketched Matisse's portrait of Andre Derain, I could see why art critics might have called Matisse and friends les fauves; there are some craaazee colors there in that face and beard.

CoWaBunGA!  

Summer Stroll: Thank You

A big thank you to all who came out last night to check out local vendors and artists at the Old Oakland Summer Stroll. This will be a monthly event for the summer, so we hope to see you again.

Bill Jeng Studio at Old Oakland Summer Stroll

Greeting cards for you?

 

Thanks for visiting

CoWaBunGA

Fog City Java, last weekend on 5/30/2026

The last weekend for the "Postcards from Tahiti Show 2026" at the Fog City Java will be next week, 5/30/2026. If you are interested in purchasing these beautiful artworks, they will be available this Memorial Day weekend and next Saturday, 5/30/2026.

Postcards from Tahiti 2026 artworks available for sale

My daughter is also presenting her "Chinese Take-out" and "Donuts" works for sale. These are beautiful oil paintings on canvas:

"Chinese Take-out", "Donuts" - oil on canvas

CoWaBunGA   

Sketches: Wall, Chiharu Shiota, AAMSF - 5/2026

The Asian Art Museum San Francisco is hosting the Bay Area debut of Japanese-German artist Chiharu Shiota, "Two Home Countries". Shiota is known for her immersive thread-art installations; we've seen her work before at LA's Hammer Museum. Although the walk-through thread installation was impressive, I was equally intrigued with her previous performance work using herself as part of the art. In "Wall," Shiota, appearing unconscious, is laying on a tangle of clear plastic tubing as it is slowly filled with a red liquid, looking like blood.

Wall, Chiharu Shiota, Asian Art Museum SF, 5/2026

The audience is left wondering if this is a medical treatment or a science experiment gone wrong. It is very effective.

CoWaBunGA  

Sketches: San Francisco Ferry Building, 5/2026

While working on a ferry project for the GGBHTD, I was located in downtown San Francisco at the Ferry Building. This was when the Ferry Building had just been renovated with new shops and restaurants; it was fantastic. I enjoyed walking through the Building during lunch and trying to find a delicious meal for a reasonable price (although I really wanted to try everything). 

SF Ferry Building, 5/2026

It hasn't changed much over the years, and it is still fantastic.

CoWaBunGA!