PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

THREE NEW EXHIBITIONS OPENING AT STUDIO 391

Gualala, CA -- Studio 391 is pleased to announce the opening of three new exhibitions this weekend. Kanchi, features the underwater photographs of Ryuijie and Camille Lenore. Perspectives explore the abstract qualities of nature in watercolor and mixed media by guest artist Kristin Otwell. Nests are delicate, organic, free form glasswork by new gallery artist Heather Palmer. The public is invited to join in celebrating the opening of the new exhibitions with a wine and cheese reception on Saturday, March 13 from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM.

Kanchi, which translates from Japanese as “quiet place” is a fitting title for Ryuijie’s latest body of work. The photographs in this new series are a collaboration between Ryuijie and his photographic assistant Camille Lenore. Like Ryuijie, Camille is a scuba and free diver as well as photographer. Together they came up with the intriguing idea of making platinum prints from underwater photographs.

"For years I have been interested in working with grain evident enough to create an impressionistic look. This seemed appropriate to underwater photography, in which light and perspective take on altered dimension,” says Ryuijie.

Ryuijie has steadfastly pursued his own photographic vision for thirty years and has acquired a reputation for his exquisite platinum/palladium prints, in addition to his traditional black and white work. An exceptionally prolific artist known for his landscape photography, his career has been highlighted by a multitude of exhibitions.

His works have appeared in View Camera, Photovision, Camera and Darkroom, Black & White and Lenswork magazines. He has published three books: Photographs - Time and Place, Fragments of Time, and Ten Photographs. His works can be found in private and public collections worldwide including the Getty in Los Angeles. Ryuijie resides in Monterey, California.

Perspectives offer a glimpse of the non-representational imagery and close-up explorations of subjects from the natural world by guest artist Kristin Otwell. Primarily working in watercolor for over 25 years Otwell now incorporates mixed media into her paintings.

Otwell is inspired by wood, plants, bones, rocks and other objects found in nature. Her background as a scientific and botanical illustrator is evident in her works. Layers of delicate wash, meticulous attention to detail, and colors that ranges from light and subtle to bold and saturated combine to make Otwell's work a distinct expression of her individual witness to life.

"I am interested in the duality of working in a highly realistic style while focusing on the abstract qualities of design and form inherent in Nature" says Otwell.

She has exhibited in group and solo exhibitions in Northern California. She is a founding member and current partner of Partners Gallery in Fort Bragg, California. Otwell is also co-director of Mendocino County based Art Explorers Inc, a visual arts program for artists with developmental and other disabilities. She resides in Mendocino, California.

Nests are skillfully detailed kiln formed glassworks created by Heather Palmer that have an organic, free form feel. In creating these delicate pieces, it is as if the artist captures the moment when liquid glass becomes solid. In green, the open latticework is like a bowl created with pieces of ocean kelp. In black or bronze, it is as if the bare branches of a tree can be held in your hand in miniature form. In red, the appearance of coral comes to mind.

Says Palmer of her work, "It is important to me to create objects with care and integrity. Then I can feel good about putting them in the world.”

Through the conversations with other artists, and experimentation, Palmer always looks for better ways of working, new techniques, and new ways of seeing. The artist resides in San Francisco.

Kanchi, Perspectives and Nests will remain on view through April 18, 2010.

Studio 391 is a fine art gallery specializing in photography, paintings and sculpture by emerging and established artists. The gallery is located at 39102 Ocean Drive across from Placewares and adjacent to Spindrift Gallery in Cypress Village in Gualala. Gallery hours are Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm. For more information call 707.884.9065, visit the gallery website at www.studio391.net or gallery blog at www.studio391blog.blogspot.com.