Silicon Valley Open Studios, 2012
May 2nd, 2012 - San Jose, ca
Press Release
The 2012 Silicon Valley Open Studios will take place on May 12 and 13 in the San Jose area. This annual opening of artists’ studios to the public affords art lovers the opportunity to peek into the lives of local artists, to see their recent works and in some cases to watch them create art.
A long-time Willow Glen resident, Gary Coleman, also a veteran SVOS participant will an open studio at his home studio. Some years ago he “retired” into full-time painting, and since then has won numerous show prizes, had several one-man exhibits, and has established a list of collectors from Silicon Valley to Florida. "Gary Coleman/Landscapes" at the Pacific Grove Art Center in December of 2008 afforded him exposure in the Monterey/Carmel area. Currently his landscapes adorn the walls of the Mountain View Center for Performing Arts, a much sought after venue for artists.
Gary minored in art, but majored in English, having set his sights on being a suffering writer. He did not make it as a writer, but found a field that could supply the suffering. After a dismal first year of teaching, he applied for and got a position with the Department of State Diplomatic Courier Service, delivering top secret materials to virtually every capital city in Europe (East and West), the Middle East and Africa. Travel opened opportunities to visit great museums and see the finest art of the world first hand, as well as to be exposed to a variety of cultures.
After 2 ˝ years of living the Cold War and witnessing Africa’s bloody emergence from colonialism, Mr. Coleman headed off to Paris where he was accepted into the prestigious Beaux Arts to study drawing and painting. This period in Paris would become especially important to his life, as he would meet Karoline, from the German Alps. They have been married for a little over 40 years.
Gary retired from teaching in at Leland High School in San Jose (and for two years at The International School of Brussels in Belgium) in 1998. He had planned, long before, that painting would be a major part of his post teaching years. At first he was preoccupied with the idea of producing a body of work that could be recognized as his own, but as he painted more, he found, to his relief, that he was just becoming Gary Coleman naturally. His rolling California hills and other landscapes that thrive on inspired use of color over a superstructure of well thought out composition are now recognized by many art lovers. There is little chance of mistaking a Gary Coleman landscape.
A third generation Northern Californian, he has a close and enduring relationship with the area, It speaks powerfully to him and through him. .For many years he was an avid cyclist, and he knows the thrill of having “California Rollers” beneath his wheels. The bike now hangs in the garage, but he and Karoline do a seven mile or so hike into the hills each week.
The home studio is at 1577 Wawona Drive, San Jose, 95125. Gary’s art can be seen on his web site: www.garycolemanartist.com, or on www.gary-coleman.artistwebsites.com. He is currently represented by The Los Gatos Museums Art Gallery, and by Valley Art in Walnut Creek.
To learn more about Silicon Valley Open Studios and to get a map of sites to visit, go to www.svos.org.