22 Mendocino Arts Magazine

Summer 2012 23

By Dot Brovarney

TH

E

ARTISTIC LIFE OF LAURA FOG

G

Ukiah art ist Laura Fogg cre-ates exquisite mosaics of color and texture, whether she’s design-ing quilts or her own backyard gar-den. Known for her boldly hued and richly textured quilts, Fogg has a passion for the earth, which in its myriad forms, is a common theme in her art.

It’s no wonder that the land behind her westside Ukiah home is filled with colors, patterns, and textures, in plantings, paintings, stone and tile work. Fogg’s backyard became her canvas as soon as escrow closed on the extra deep city lot in 1997.

“My whole life is an art project,” she says. “My house and garden express who I am and how I want my world to look.”

Indeed. A statement at the artist’s garden entry reads, “Possunt quia posse videntur,” a quote from Virgil’s Aeneid that means “they can because they think they can.” Inside the entry, Fogg painted a pair of murals recalling a visit to Italy’s Ligurian coast. One, with the lapis blue Mediterranean in the background, depicts Giorgio, Luigi, and Gianpaolo, “those ubiquitous Italian men who show up wherever you go.” This trio, along with Virgil, sets the tone for her garden’s old Italian feel. The space opens to a grape arbor with Roman columns and an art studio where

Fogg has tiled a shower with her version of Botticelli’s

“Birth of Venus.” Choosing red

brick to contrast with blue and yel-low blooms (iris and daffodils), she constructed a winding path lead-

ing the visitor on a journey, wandering

and wondering where it might lead.

Fogg says, “It’s a trip; you can’t see the whole

thing. It’s a metaphor for the artistic life. You never know what’s

around the next bend.” The artist’s humor is on display here, too: the mean-

dering walk and two patios it connects are speckled with a variety of insects that we consider garden pests – a fat green hornworm, a mosquito, and a parade of ants march-ing toward a crumbling cupcake, each a carefully crafted mosaic piece.

Fogg’s garden has evolved gradually, largely without a plan. The mosaics were inspired by her experience at artist Elizabeth Raybee’s Grout Camp in the mid-2000s. This led to dumpster diving, Venus, and incorporating her mosaic creations into existing pathways and patios.

Shortly after beginning her garden project, Laura Fogg took a quilting class that led her down a new cre-ative path – working with fabric. Integrating this with Above: Hornworm with Tomato, mosaic, 2006.

24 Mendocino Arts Magazine

previous community college coursework in painting and drawing, Fogg embraced the art quilt form, specializing in large fabric collage landscapes. She began showing her textile work in 2000, garnering awards from the American Quilter’s Society and the International Quilt Association, among others.

Her subjects vary, but Fogg frequently depicts Mendocino County rural scenes. A hiker, mountain biker, kayaker, and gardener, she captures what she encounters in her environment: native plants, including trillium in the woods, mustard fields, and brodiaea on the hillsides; garden ornamentals such as tulips and fuschias; redwood barns and fences; the sea; and, almost always, plenty of North Coast sky.

Fogg’s success as an art quilter goes beyond her keen sense of design and color, her representational skills, and her feel for fabric. Her boundless energy and love of movement reveal themselves in her pieces. Although each quilt has a painterly appearance and is fabric framed with bands of colors and patterns, Fogg often pushes her foreground subject beyond the fabric frame and surface, too. Three-dimensional objects, such as beads, buttons and even (once), chopsticks, allow her art to pop from the

surface. Fabrics with varying textures, such as voile, che-nille yarn, ribbons, and even her own lingerie, contribute to this sense of movement. She achieves heightened energy by layering, folding, and bunching fabrics and using raw edge appliqué.

“I can free-hand cut pieces of cloth with a great amount of detail, and then add even more s m a l l d e t a i l s without having to turn under edges which, in my mind, gives a ‘cookie cutter’ look. I like the way the machine appliqué over the raw edges com-bines with the fraying fabric edges to add a feeling of motion to the finished piece,” explains Fogg.

Say it with Flowers, quilt, 2007.

New Tattoo, quilt, 2012.

Summer 2012 25

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The artist is rounding a new bend on her path: she’s exploring “Inktense,” a new medium for printing on fabric.

Excited and upbeat about this latest turn, Laura Fogg says, “I have very high hopes.”

Laura Fogg’s work is exhibited at Ukiah’s Corner Gallery and, through July 29, she has a piece in the Grace Hudson Museum show “Out of the Comfort Zone.” See her quilts at www.fogwomancreations.com.

Left: Venus in Shades, tile-work shower enclosure, 2010. Right: Seascape with Bindweed, quilt, 2008.

26 Mendocino Arts Magazine

By Debbie L. Holmer

“I want to be the first to say it:

Julian is a genius.” – Albert ‘Tootie’ Heath, jazz legend

Born into a musical family, Julian Waterfall Pollack started playing the piano at age five. He asked his mother for lessons because his friends were taking lessons from her, however, after the first lesson he lost interest. “But, of course, my mother, Susan Waterfall, did not let me stop. She made me practice and learn. I resisted, but now I’m so grateful.”

When Julian was at the ripe old age of seven, his folks played him the Beatles’ record “Help.” “That’s when I became hooked! I loved Ringo, the sound of the drums. That’s when it all start-ed for me. I later became more interested in contemporary pop music, jazz and classical music.”

Julian’s path to becoming a professional began while attending Berkeley High School. He started doing con-certs with his own group in the trio context: piano, bass and drums. “I started gigging around the Bay Area, play-ing at local venues like the Jazzschool, Pearl’s and the Cheeseboard. It was a great experience, along with par-ticipating in the notorious jazz ensemble at Berkeley High. They sent us to Europe several times, playing at some of the major jazz festivals there.” As a dedicated player in the Berkeley High Jazz Ensemble and Combos from 2002 to

2006, Julian was awarded a full-scholarship to Berklee College of Music in Boston. Deciding instead to move to New York City, he attended New York University, earning a degree in piano performance and composition.

I asked Julian about his music-writing process. “It’s different every time and also depends on what I’m writing. If I’m writing a simple tune for my trio or a singer, I may sit at the piano and work out an idea over a few hours. If I’m working on writing something larger, like a piece for orchestra, I like to use a sequencer and samples – I use Apple’s Logic Pro and the Vienna

Symphony Library. With larger compositions I like to record material into a sequencer and then change and edit it once I digitally have it ‘jotted down.’”

What makes a piece difficult? “It’s always different. Playing Be-Bop or Mozart is challenging because the inherent simplicity of the style requires extreme control. Other music can be difficult simply because there are a lot of notes to learn!”

Where does he get his inspiration? “Inspiration comes from two places: 1) My influences (composers, perform-ers, other artists) and 2) some part of my personal life that has nothing to do with music.”

Summer 2012 27

Formal training has allowed Julian to gain his chops, both physically on the piano and intellectually with composition. “Most importantly, formal training has been a means to an end for expressing myself.”

What does Julian recommend for the young musician starting out? “I rec-ommend studying and practicing hard! It sounds obvious, and it is. There is no secret. You have to work, and you have to work hard. Even when you don’t want to. Also, it’s important to support and check out what other musicians are doing – especially one’s colleagues and contemporaries.”

One of Julian’s most memorable concerts was last September. “I was asked to compose and play music at France’s official 9/11 commemoration. I had a 50-piece orchestra at my disposal, so I arranged the great American classic, Shenandoah. I played the piece with the orchestra on the Place du Trocadero in front of the Eiffel Tower in front of thousands of people … it was a very moving experience.”

This summer Julian is looking forward to performing a piano concerto that he wrote in 2011. “I will be performing the piece at the Mendocino Music Festival on closing night. My father, Allan Pollack, will conduct the orchestra while I play the piano part. We premiered the piece last February with the wonderful Camellia Symphony Orchestra in

Sacramento. In the fall I will also be performing the concerto with Maestro S t e p h e n Osmond and the Jackson Sy mphony O rc h e s t r a in Michigan. “On a per-sonal level, the concerto is about my experience

of living on both coasts, in New York City and in the Bay Area and Mendocino coast of California.”

He will also be doing some touring with his trio

(Noah Garabedian and Evan Hughes) and will be releasing another album, hopefully in the fall (a follow-up to their 2010 debut record, “Infinite Playground”).

How does Julian’s interest in other areas inform his music? “Literature can sometimes inform my music, though not in any sort of direct context. I sometimes get a “vibe” from a book or story and then try to recreate that vibe with music. Lately I’ve been reading a lot of American literature, like Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald and Raymond Carver.”

What does he want the listener to hear when he/she listens to his music? “Emotion! Music, if it speaks to you, can single-handedly be the most consoling thing for a person’s soul.”

If he could have dinner with any composer, living or dead, who would he invite? “Perhaps either Chopin or Ravel. If I could live in any historical time period, I’d like to spend some time around the turn of the 20th century in Europe. There was so much great music and art being created at that time.” Among the great composers and musicians, his heroes are Bach, Beethoven, Stravinsky, Miles Davis, Coltrane, John Adams, and Brad Mehldau.

Where on the Mendocino coast is Julian most likely to be spotted? “Hanging out in Albion either composing or practicing. Or, taking a break and sitting in the sun. I also like to barbecue with my folks, so we do that a lot when I’m home. When the festival is not going on, I tend to be a hermit on the coast!”

For more information, visit Julian’s website at www.julianpollackmusic.com.

Photos: Sarah Kiesling

28 Mendocino Arts Magazine

Mendocino Art CenterON EXHIBIT – July through September

Open Daily 10:00am–5:00pm

July

MAIN GALLERY

The Stussy Retrospective Exhibition: “Significant Content”Jan Stussy & Maxine Stussy Frankel

GALLERY TEN

Suzi Marquess Long“A Big Splash”

August

MAIN GALLERY

“Seeing the Light”Plein Air Painters of Mendocinowith Special Guest Wendell Rickon

GALLERY TEN

Linda Shearin

Suzi Marquess Long

Jim Stallings

Second Saturday Artists’ Receptions

each month at 5:00pm

Mendocino Art Center45200 Little Lake Street at Kasten Street, Mendocino707 937-5818 • 800 653-3328www.MendocinoArtCenter.org

Julie Higgins

September

MAIN GALLERY

Mendocino Art Center Annual Art Auction and Mendocino Rotary AuctionAuction: Saturday, September 29, 3:00pm

FRONT GALLERY & GALLERY TEN

Artists Open Studio Tour Exhibit

Maxine Kim Stussy; Jan Stussy

Summer 2012 29

Over 50 Juried ArtistsPaintings • Photography • Glass Works

Ceramics • Jewelry • Sculpture • Wood Textiles • Garden Art

4Live Music Both Days • Festive Food & Drink

FREE ADMISSION

53rd Annual

Summer Arts & Crafts FairSaturday & Sunday, July 14 & 15

10am–5pm

MENDOCINO ART CENTER45200 Little Lake Street at Kasten Street, Mendocino707 937-5818 • 800 653-3328 • MendocinoArtCenter.org

30 Mendocino Arts Magazine

WESTPORTGALLERy THIS! @ The WESTPORT HOTEL38921 N. Highway 1707 964-3688

FORT BRAGG ART EXPLORERS305 E. Redwood Avenue707 961-6156

BRAGGADOON435 N. Main Street707 964-5050

DAN HEMANN SCULPTURE AND THE GREEN DOOR STUDIO121 E. Laurel Street707 964-6532

EDGEWATER GALLERY356 N. Main Street 707 964-4668

ERIN DERTNER STUDIO137 E. Laurel Street707 964-7781

FAMILY HANDS200 Redwood Avenue707 961-0236

fRAME MILL ARTWORKS116 Laurel Street 707 964-6464

GALLERIE DEPOT-VENTE300 Depot Mall707 961-6273

THE GALLERy MUSEUM225 E. Redwood Avenue707 961-0360

GARDEN ART & GIfTS 1230 N. Main Street707 964-7897

GLASS fIRE ART GLASS GALLERy18320 N. Highway 1 707 962-9420

HEADLANDS COffEEHOUSE120 E. Laurel Street707 964-1987

LOST COAST CULTURE MACHINE190 E. Elm Street707 961-1600

MENDO BISTROCompany Store at N. Main707 964-4974

MENDOCINO COAST DISTRICT HOSPITAL700 River Street707 961-4610 MENDOCINO COAST PHOTOGRAPHER GUILD & GALLERY 344 N. Main Street707 964-4706

NORTH COAST ARTISTS362 N. Main Street707 964-8266

PARTNERS GALLERY335 N. Franklin Street 707 962-0233

PIACI PUB & PIZZERIA120 W. Redwood Street707 961-1133

RACINES OFFICE SUPPLY344 N. Franklin Street707 964-2416

RUBAIYAT BEADS222 E. Redwood Avenue707 961-0222

TIME TO BE622 N. Main Street

TOTO ZAIDA142 E. Laurel Street707 964-8686

V’ CANTO 124 E. Laurel Street707 964-6844

MENDOCINOAMERICAN PIE45050 Main Street707 937-3235

ARTISTS CO-OP Of MENDOCINO45270 Main Street707 937-2217

THE ATTIC Of MENDOCINO10481 Lansing Street707 937-2360

CELTIC CREATIONSAbove Gallery Books707 937-1223

DAZZLING LITES ON THE COAST 42580 Little Lake Road707 937-0837 707 226-2815

GALLERy Of THE SENSES45104 Main Street707 937-2021

GARTH HAGERMANNature Photography Gallery45021-C Little Lake Street707 937-1987

HIGHLIGHT GALLERY45052 Main Street707 937-3132

ICONS 10483 Lansing Street707 937-1784

MENDO BURGERS10483 Lansing Street707 937-1111

MENDOCINO ART CENTER45200 Little Lake Street707 937-5818

MENDOCINO CAfÉ10451 Lansing Street707 937-6141

FIRST FRIDAYS IN FORT BRAGGMost galleries and businesses holding first friday art openings are open from 5:30–7:30 p.m.

SECOND SATURDAYS IN MENDOCINOMost galleries and businesses holding Second Saturday art openings are open from 5:00–7:30 p.m.

FIRST FRIDAYS IN UKIAH Opening art receptions the first friday of every month from 5:00–8:00 p.m.

LAST SATURDAYS IN WESTPORTGalleries and businesses holding Last Saturday art openings are open from 5:30–7:00 p.m., february through December.

MENdOCINO COUNTY GALLERY GUIdE

John Fisher sculpture The Three Ages of Woman

New gallery exhibits each month featuring emerging and established artists. Open daily

10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

MendocinoArtCenter.org

MENDOCINO ART CENTER45200 Little Lake Street,

Mendocino707 937-5818

MENDOCINO COAST PHOTOGRAPHER GUILD

& GALLERY 344 N. Main Street,

Fort Bragg 707 964-4706

The Bald Eagle by Ron LeValley

Devoted to inspiring photographic excellence on

California’s North Coast.

OLD GOLD6 Albion Street,

Mendocino707 937-5005

Where you will find beautifully detailed jewelry fabricated in the original art

form of die striking and hand chasing.

Summer 2012 31

To be listed in this Guide contact:

COAST Steven P. Worthen 707 964-2480, 707 813-7669

INLAND Jill Schmuckley 707 391-8057

MENDOCINO GEMS10483 Lansing Street707 937-0299

MENDOCINO JEWELRy STUDIO45104 Main Street707 937-0181

MENDOCINO SANDPIPER 45280 Main Street707 937-3102

MOODYS ORGANIC COFFEE BAR & GALLERY10450 Lansing Street707 937-4843

OLD GOLD6 Albion Street 707 937-5005

PANACHE ON MAIN45120 Main Street707 937-0947

PRENTICE GALLERy45110 Main Street707 937-5205

REFLECTIONS KALEIDOSCOPES 10400 Kasten Street 707 937-0173

RUBAIYAT BEAD & RUG GALLERYCorner of Lansing & Little Lake Street707 937-BEAD

STANFORD INN BY THE SEAHighway 1 & Comptche-Ukiah Road707 937-5615

THE MOOSSE CAFÉ390 Kasten at Albion Street707 937-4323

WISDOM HOUSE GALLERy45280 Main Street707 937-3360

THE WORLD Of SUZI LONG611 Albion Street – Watertower 707 937-5664

ZACHA’S BAy WINDOW GALLERy45110 Main Street707 937-5205

LITTLE RIVER & ALBION GLENDEVEN INN8205 N. Highway 1, Little River707 937-0083

LEDfORD HOUSE3000 N. Highway 1, Albion707 937-0282

LITTLE RIVER INNHighway 1, Little River707 937-5942

STEVENSWOOD fINE ARTS8211 N. Highway 1,Little River 707 937-2810

ELKARTISTS’ COLLECTIVE Of ELK6031 S. Highway 1707 877-1128

GUALALAALINDER STUDIO GALLERy39140 S. Highway 1707 884-4884

BLUE CANOEAnchor Bay707 884-1800

THE DOLPHIN GALLERY An associate of Gualala Arts Center39225 Highway 1707 884-3896

GUALALA ARTS CENTER46501 Old State Highway, off Highway 1 707 884-1138

HENLEy’S ART & INTERIORSCypress Village707 884-1531

STUDIO 39139102 Ocean Drive707 884-9065

HIGHWAY 128JOHN HANES fINE ART GALLERy14051 Highway 128, Boonville707 489-0981

MAPLE CREEK WINERy20799 Highway 128, yorkville707 895-3001

ROOKIE-TO GALLERy14300 Highway 128, Boonville707 895-2204

UKIAHART CENTER UKIAH201 S. State Street707 462-1400Classes: Adult & ChildrenRotating Exhibits

ARTS COUNCIL Of MENDOCINO COUNTy309 E. Perkins707 463-2727

THE BEAT ART GALLERy109 W. Perkins Street707 462-4180

BELLA VIDA COLLECTIVE405 W. Mill Street707 462-3446

CORNER GALLERY201 S. State Street707 462-1400A cooperative gallery featuring24 local artists. Visual arts, photography, ceramics, metal work, textiles, and more.

CRAfTSMAN ESTATEfINE ART & ANTIQUES396 N. State Street 707 463-3900

GRACE HUDSON MUSEUM431 S. Main Street 707 467-2836

GRACES ON MAIN/HOYMAN-BROWE STUDIO323 N. Main Street707 462-5911 707 468-8835

NOMAD’S WORLD GALLERy290 S. School Street707 463-2949

N. PAISLEy STUDIO312 N. School Street 707 468-7936

UKIAH VALLEY ARTISTCOOPERATIVE GALLERY518 E. Perkins (Pear Tree Center)

WESTSIDE RENAISSANCE GALLERy 1003 W. Clay707 462-0083

WILLITSBLUE SKy GALLERy21 S. Main707 456-9025

WILLITS CENTERfOR THE ARTS71 E. Commercial Street707 459-1726

LAKE COUNTYDIEGO’S GALLERy9495 Main Street, Suite 3Upper Lake707 350-4209 THE GOURD GALLERy6197 E. Highway 20Lucerne707 274-2346

GRACIOUS LADIES9460 Main StreetUpper Lake707 275-2307

LAKE COUNTy ARTS COUNCIL &MAIN STREET GALLERy325 N. Main StreetLakeport707 263-6658

LAKESIDE ART6195 E. Highway 20Lucerne707 739-7010

LIGHTNING ROD GALLERy 9475A Main StreetUpper Lake 707 275-8018

POMO fINE ART GALLERy6199 E. Highway 20Lucerne 707 348-6045

SERENDIPITy ART & BOUTIQUE6193 E. Highway 20Lucerne 707 245-7512