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Monterey Bay Marquetry Mural in my Studio this weekend

I’ve been working on a very special project for almost 2 years now and it is finally finished. The photo below is just a small teaser from a large 4′ by 8′ marquetry mural depicting a Monterey Bay scene. Its the largest and most involved marquetry project I have done to date. I have a little time before it needs to go to its owners, so I’d like to show it to you in my studio before it gets delivered.

Open Studio, this weekend, 28-29 June, Saturday and Sunday, from 4pm to 8pm. If you are in town and have the time, please stop in for a visit. And if you’d like to see it but this weekend doesn’t work, please contact me to see if we can set up an appointment.

It would be lovely to see you.

location: my studio in Scotts Valley, CA

time of the event: Saturday & Sunday, 28-29 June 2025, 4pm to 8pm both days

Artistry in Wood Exhibit at the Museum of Sonoma County

I’ll be showing my new wall cabinet “Little Glory” at the 2024 Artistry in Wood Exhibit, opening Friday 6 December 2024, and continuing until 2 February 2025.

Artistry in Wood is an annual exhibition presented by the Sonoma County Woodworkers Association (SCWA) in partnership with the Museum of Sonoma County. Staged every year since 1988, it is recognized as one of the premier fine woodworking shows in North America and has become a favorite among museum visitors.

The museum is located at 425 Seventh Street, Santa Rosa, California. For more info call the museum at 707.579.1500.

LOOK! Holiday Gift Show

I’ll be showing giftable items at the LOOK show on Sunday, December 15th. Wearable art such as pendants and earrings, along with toaster tweezers (which were the hot item during Open Studios this year!)

There will also be handknitted hats and fingerless gloves by Donna Thomas, clothing by Christina MacColl, paper arts by Felicia Gilman, paintings by Dave Gardener,  photography by Janet Fine, wood cut prints by Bridget Henry, ceramic tiles, light switch plates & clocks by Beth Sherman, handmade soap by Kachina Schoos, and more.

Plus, food and drink, a cozy fire pit to warm up by, and live music. I hope you can make it, it would be lovely to see you.

LOOK show, Sunday 15 December 2024, from 11am to 5pm, at 5221 Coast Road in Santa Cruz, 5 miles past Western Drive.

Artistry in Wood Exhibit at the Museum of Sonoma County

My EXTINCTION AVIARY series is included in the Artistry in Wood Exhibit at the Museum of Sonoma County. The exhibit will be up through 7 January 2024.

My Passenger Pigeon piece was awarded Best of Art. The judging panel included the Sierra chairmaker Robert Erickson, and Gary Smith, Chair of the Board of Trustees for the American Craft Council.

Passenger Pigeon

The museum is located at 425 Seventh Street, Santa Rosa, California. For more info call the museum at 707.579.1500.

LOOK! Holiday Gift Show

I’ll be showing giftable items at the LOOK show this Sunday, December 10th. Wearable art such as pendants and earrings, along with cell phone holders, and toaster tweezers (which were the hot item during Open Studios this year!)

There will also be handknitted hats and fingerless gloves by Donna Thomas, clothing by Christina MacColl, paper arts by Felicia Gilman, paintings by Dave Gardener, jewelry metalsmithing by Albion Smith, photography by Janet Fine, wood cut prints by Bridget Henry, ceramic tiles, light switch plates & clocks by Beth Sherman, and handmade soap by Kachina Schoos.

Plus, food and drink, a cozy fire pit to warm up by, and live music. I hope you can make it, it would be lovely to see you.

LOOK show, Sunday 10 December 2023, from 11am to 5pm, at 5221 Coast Road in Santa Cruz, 5 miles past Western Drive.

Open Studios Art Tour

I will be participating in the Open Studios Art Tour on two weekends, October 14, 15, and 21, 22. Hours are from 11am to 5pm. I’ll have new work, including music stands, wall art, and wearable art such as pendants and earrings, and I will be doing marquetry demos throughout the day.

wall panel
Warblers with Cat

I will also be hosting two guest artists out in the garden: Sally Fuess (paintings) and Pete Koronakos (found-object sculptures).

Open Studios is a program of the Arts Council of Santa Cruz County. Hours are 11am to 5pm, October 14, 15, 21, and 22. Artist numbers 180, 181, and 182. Sally will be here both weekends, and Pete will be here the first weekend only.

Thanks for looking. Hope to see you this weekend or next!

Matt

Featured

Do you want to learn Marquetry?

The marquetry class in June went so well that I am offering another one in September. It will be held over the last two Saturdays, 23 and 30 September 2023, from 9am to 5pm in my shop near Scotts Valley, CA. We will learn double bevel marquetry using handheld scroll saws, and explore advanced techniques and design options. I have two powered scroll saws in the shop that students can also try using (a Hegner and an Excalibur). The cost is $395 for tuition, plus a $55 materials fee. Each participant will take home all the tools and supplies they need to continue to practice the art and craft of marquetry.

There is a pdf file with more information here, or send me an email if you are interested and I will provide more details.

R. Blitzer Gallery – Confluence

Confluence: a flowing together; the act of meeting or gathering together; a place of meeting, as of rivers.

I, along with eleven other far-more talented artists, will be hosting a First Friday Reception at our Confluence Exhibit. Its at the Blitzer Gallery on the Westside of Santa Cruz.

Here is a sneak-preview of my first-ever mobile, an object too large to fit into one email, so you’ll have to come take a look yourself.

This eclectic exhibit includes paintings, jewelry, mixed media, sculpture, woodwork, and glass, from Alanni Lanni, Dana Weigand, Sally Fuess, William Winkler, Rachel Smith, Yeshe Jackson, Keith Millar, Cheryl Moreno, Biagio Scarpello, Russell Brutsche, Matthew Werner, & Chris Johnson.

First Friday Reception, December 2, from 5 to 8pm.

Quick heads up too that there will be a Holiday Art Show at the gallery on Saturday, December 10, from 11 am to 3 pm. I am putting the finishing touches on some new Wearable Art (pendants, possibly earrings) that I will be offering at that time.

Show runs until December 29. Special Holiday Art Show December 10, 11 am to 3 pm. R. Blitzer Gallery hours: Thursday through Sunday 1 to 4 pm.

R. Blitzer Gallery, 2801 Mission Street, Santa Cruz , 95060