Alexandra Bookless is trying something different for “Substrate.”
Eighteen works from the Juneau artist will be featured at the Juneau-Douglas City Museum starting during First Friday events on Jan. 4, and while they’ll share some similarities with the artist’s past works seen at Juneau Arts and Culture Center and other venues around Juneau, Bookless purposefully tried something new.
“Part of what I’m doing with this show is doing things differently than I historically have,” Bookless said. “I’m trying not to sit and paw at things. I want more of the artist’s process to be visible in the painting.”
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Bookless said that can be hard for her because she can be fussy. That’s one of the reasons she makes frames and panels for her artwork.
“I don’t trust anyone to do a better job than I would,” Bookless said.
She is also particular about how her art is seen and declined to be photographed for this article, or share multiple photos of her work ahead of time.
“I would like the art to be separate from me,” Bookless said. “I like things to be a surprise.”
However, the artist originally from the Yukon who has been a Juneau resident for more than a decade, explained the inspiration for the works included in “Substrate.”
“I wanted it to be representative of the people and the places of the North,” Bookless said.
While that includes some Yukon influence, Bookless said most of the works depict people and places in Juneau.
The various pieces incorporate elements of water color, oil painting and found objects, such as nails, grates and a brake drum.
Bookless’ work will be one of three art exhibits up during a less-busy-than-usual First Friday.
At Juneau Artists Gallery, Dianne Anderson and Mark Vinsel will have work displayed as a farewell showcase as the husband and wife prepare to retire and move from Juneau.
[Their work here is almost done]
Vinsel primarily works in watercolors, while Anderson has worked in many media, including etchings and oil paintings.
At the Juneau Arts & Culture Center, “Juxtaposition,” an exhibit of paintings by Carol Carlson will offer something totally different.
Carlson is a retired business owner who has found time for painting in recent years and will have 40 colorful and abstract paintings showcased at the JACC.
“I’ve just been painting like crazy,” Carlson said. “I don’t now what to paint until I get a canvas in front of me.”
The work features bold, bright colors and lines. The canvases range from 12-by-12-inch squares to 3-foot-by-3-foot behemoths.
“It’s all abstract,” Carlson said. “There’s nothing true to life. There’s no two alike.”
Carlson said she simply painted what she enjoys seeing rather than taking inspiration from any particular source.
“That’s just what attracts me — colors,” Carlson said.
Those three exhibits aren’t the only First Friday events.
Here’s a schedule of what’s expected.
[Rolodex exhibit invites participation]
JAHC: “Juxtapositions,” Paintings by Carol Carlson, 4:30-7 p.m., 350 Whittier St. Carol Carlson is a multimedia artist who has experimented with sculpting, beading, drawing and painting. Recently Carlson has been attracted to color, shapes, contrast and lines; Juxtapositions. The process of figuring out where to decide to place colors and lines is at time confusing, but mostly a creative endeavor she embraces.
Exhibit up through the month.
The Davis Gallery: The Rolodex Project//On Leadership, by Sarah Campen, 4:30-7 p.m. 101 Egan Drive.
“The Rolodex Project//On Leadership” by artist Sarah Campen is an installation exhibit that features interactive film and sculpture elements and encourages viewers to participate.
Exhibit up through February.
Juneau-Douglas City Museum: Opening Reception, Substrate: Recent Works by Alexandra Bookless, 4:30-7 p.m., Fourth and Main streets. Alexandra Bookless is a Juneau resident originally from the Yukon. First taking on art through the tutelage of her architect mother, as well as her own self-teaching, she ended up completing a bachelors of arts in art at the University of Alaska Southeast. During the course of her art education she developed a high regard for technical skill, execution and thorough design. The intent behind these recent works is to break some of the irons of stilted composition and incorporate different materials that complement the lean design notions of which the artist is fond. This body of work hopes to shed a somewhat less common light on our surroundings here in Juneau, Alaska and the picturesque North. It is hoped that the viewer will pay attention to the meanings and importance that we attribute to the different materials and sights that we are faced with on a daily basis, the components of these compositions.
Opening is First Friday only, but the work will be up throughout the month
Amalga Distillery: Teri Gardner Robus, 4-8 p.m., 134 N. Franklin Street. There will be a calendar composed of Teri Gardner Robus’ daily paintings in January 2016, as painted from her living room looking out the window at mainland Juneau. Robus’ contemporary impressionist paintings focus on landscape (studio and en plein air), still life, portrait, and abstract; using oil paint but also working with pastel and charcoal. Robus looks for unique designs, meaningful images, interesting colors and shapes when deciding on motif.
First Friday only.
Harbor Tea & Spice: It’s a Detox Teaparty & Jamie’s Detox Program, 4-8:30 p.m., 175 S. Franklin St. Suite 105. Harbor Tea & Spice will offer samples of detox teas as they celebrate ways to kick 2019 off clean. Adding to the fun, they will feature Jaime’s detox program from Grumpy’s Deli & My Wife’s Juice Bar.
Juneau Artists Gallery: Dianne Anderson and Mark Vinsel, 4:30-7 p.m. — Farewell Show, 175 S. Franklin St. Mark Vinsel and Dianne Anderson are the featured artists at the Juneau Artists Gallery for the month of January. This represents their farewell exhibit as they will be leaving the gallery. They will feature new and old art in a variety of media: painting, prints and collages.
Through the Month
Rainforest Yoga: Rhonda Jenkins Gardinier, Slow Flow Yoga Class: 5:15-6:15 p.m., 174 S. Franklin St., Suite 202. Join a Gentle Flow practice to ease into the new year.
First Friday only.
Aunt Claudia’s Dolls Museum: Anacoma Slwooko, 4-7 p.m., 114 S. Franklin St. Two new doll acquisitions of Saint Lawrence Island artist Anacoma Slwooko’s later work inspire this month’s focus.
Through the Month
Annie Kaill’s: Annie’s Attic Sale, 4:30-7 p.m., 244 Front St., Annie Kaill’s will be holding their annual “Annie’s Attic Sale.” There will be deals on almost all merchandise remaining after the holiday season. Sale opens First Friday and continues Saturday and Sunday.
Alaska Robotics Gallery and Comics Store: Inari Kylänen, 5-7 p.m., 220 Front Street. The exhibit ”…and found” is a first installment of drawings based on photos and notes found inside used books.
Through the month.
• Contact arts and culture reporter Ben Hohenstatt at (907)523-2243 or bhohenstatt@juneauempire.com.
Dianne Anderson paints a picture of a cat. The Juneau artist, who sometimes creates commissioned pieces of pets, has lived, taught and painted in Juneau since the mid-1980s, however, she is planning to retire from the professional arts community and move to Washington by 2020. (Courtesy Photo | Mark Vinsel)
Mark Vinsel, treasurer for Juneau Artists Gallery, is planning to retire from the group in 2019, and a move to Washington state with his wife, Dianne Anderson, looms. (Courtesy Photo | Mark Vinsel)
“Mendenhall Night Magic” by Dianne Anderson illustrates the glacier textures and Alaskan wildlife that have become part of her artwork. Anderson said she is looking forward to painting other sorts of scenes once she retires as a professional artist in Juneau. (Courtesy Photo | Dianne Anderson)
Forty of Carol Carlson’s colorful and abstract works will be shown at the Juneau Arts & Culture Center Friday, Jan. 4, 2019. (Courtesy Photo | Carol Carlson)
