Galleries

Chaos Coordinate System by Shuai Xu
November 17, 2023 – March 25, 2024
Newhall Community Center, 22421 Market St, Newhall, CA 91321

The City of Santa Clarita is excited to announce a solo exhibition by Shuai Xu, “Chaos Coordinate System,” which will be on view from November 17, 2023 through March 25, 2024 at the Newhall Community Center.

“Chaos Coordinate System” showcases paintings named after unexplored celestial bodies, highlighting the unseen realms, with a particular focus on the interplay between human perception and the cosmos. Similar to Xu’s land art and installation pieces, these paintings tug at the fabric of reality and self, and their transformative processes. This exploration is manifested in his paintings through bright and vibrant colors which drift, twist, and undulate with his brushstrokes across the canvas, navigating different chromatic spaces. The public is encouraged to experience this unique exhibition and immerse themselves in Xu Shuai’s transformative art.

To schedule a visit, please contact the Newhall Community Center at 661-286-4006.

How to Purchase Artwork:
For inquiries and to purchase artwork, please contact the artist directly.
Delivery will be arranged by the artist after the show ends on March 25, 2024.
Shuai Xu | xushuai0124@gmail.com | @xushuai_studio

To learn more about “Chaos Coordinate System” and upcoming art opportunities with the City of Santa Clarita, please contact Stephanie Jacinto at sjacinto@santa-clarita.com.

Q&A with Shuai Xu

What themes do you pursue in your art?
In my art, I explore themes related to the intricate relationship between human perception and the unseen world. I delve into the interplay between existence and nothingness, seeking to understand the profound connections that exist between humans, nature, and the cosmos. These themes serve as the foundation for my creative endeavors, guiding my exploration of the hidden and the profound.

What is your favorite medium to work with?
I don’t confine my creativity to a particular medium, but I find that oil painting is the most effective means for me to bring my ideas and concepts to life. Once I finish an oil painting, I frequently explore ways to translate its content into installations or land art pieces, enabling a more holistic expression of my artistic vision. Throughout this creative journey, the initial stage of oil painting takes on particular significance as it serves as the foundation for my broader artistic explorations.

Where do you find inspiration?
A significant portion of my artistic inspiration is derived from dreams. Dreams, as a manifestation of the unseen world, serve as the genesis for many of my artistic concepts. Within these dreams, I frequently encounter floating spheres, which, as enigmatic elements of the unseen realm, continue to intrigue me. The inherent uncertainty and the serendipitous nature of the unknown serve as constant catalysts for propelling my creativity forward.

How long have you been creating?
My journey in art began at an incredibly young age, around one and a half years old, when I first picked up a pencil and attempted to capture the world around me. One vivid memory I cherish is from when I was about three or four years old, creating my very first artwork—a depiction of a spaceship straight from my imagination. Remarkably, this piece is still preserved in my home. Today, my artistic creations continue to revolve around the exploration of the unknown and the unseen world. I believe that’s the enduring allure of art—it allows us to delve into realms beyond the ordinary and venture into the realms of imagination and discovery.

Describe your dream project.
My dream project is to send my artwork into outer space, effectively displaying it in the vast expanse of the unseen universe. I envision my creations becoming an integral part of that invisible realm, transcending the boundaries of Earth and taking on a cosmic significance.

October 30 – November 28, 2023
Reception: November 16, 2023

The MAIN
24266 Main Street
Santa Clarita, CA 91321

The City of Santa Clarita is proud to present “Touchstones – Transitions – Tranquility” by local artist Frank Rock at The Main in Downtown Newhall. This captivating exhibition will run from October 30 through November 28, 2023 with a reception on Thursday, November 16 from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Frank Rock’s artistic journey began at an early age, evolving from sketches and drawings to his current passion for creating wide-open skies and light on water. With a calling to bring joy through his art, Rock’s work reflects his lifelong commitment to the craft. Drawing inspiration from photographs and his own visions, Rock’s unique approach transforms each piece into a distinct and soulful creation. His art often incorporates natural movement, capturing the essence of wide-open skies and the play of reflective light.

Over the years, Frank Rock has left an indelible mark on the local art scene, adorning the community with his murals, including those in Downtown Newhall, the hospital tower, and life-size grizzly bear embellished with historical figures and cyclists. “Touchstones – Transitions – Tranquility” is an opportunity for the public to experience the artistry of Frank Rock, whose work has brought vibrancy and color to our community. This exhibition promises to be a testament to his dedication and artistic evolution. Join us in celebrating the art of Frank Rock at The Main in Newhall during the exhibit reception on Thursday, November 16 from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Witness the fusion of inspiration, creativity, and a lifelong love for art.

To schedule a private viewing of the artwork, please contact Jeff Barber JBARBER@santa-clarita.com. 

How to Purchase Artwork:
For inquiries and to purchase artwork, please contact the artist directly.
Delivery will be arranged after the show ends on November 28th.
Frank Rock | muralmanrock@yahoo.com | Facebook: FrankRockArtist

To learn more about “Touchstones –  Transitions – Tranquility” and upcoming art opportunities with the City of Santa Clarita, please contact Stephanie Jacinto at sjacinto@santa-clarita.com.

Q&A with Frank Rock

Who are my biggest artistic influences? 
Thomas Kincaid and Norman Rockwell.

What is your favorite material to work with?
My favorite medium is acrylic. It’s flexible, easy to rework, correct mistakes or add on images.

What is the purpose or goal of your work?
To feel the movement of the waves, the chill or warmth of the wind. To give the patron a portal to immerse themselves, to smell, hear, see, and experience my captured moment in time.

What memorable responses have you had to your work?
When a bird nearly flew into the blue sky of a large outdoor mural I was painting. When visitors to a hospital stopped to pray or asked to touch the images of the angels and saints in a mural I was creating.  When I see children playing on the History Bear at the library and observe their parents using it as a teachable moment about our heritage.

What is your background? How did you get into art? 
I am self-taught, took a few classes but for the most part, I simply paint what I see in my head or what inspires me from photographs friends have sent me. I was born with the talent; my childhood books and scraps of paper were covered with doodles. I have painted everything from miniatures to stage backdrops to three-story murals.  I’ve always loved big skies as the central part of a painting and am something of a cloud watcher. The constant movement of the ocean fascinates me. I especially love the sun reflecting off the water or shore. Art has been a lifelong journey for me and I see no end to my creative exploration.

August 29 – September 25, 2023

The MAIN,
24266 Main Street,
Newhall, CA 91321

Santa Clarita Valley artist, Janine Cooper Ayres “J-9” has been creating art for nearly forty years. Her ‘CHRONOLOGY’ exhibition at The MAIN will take the viewer on a journey through a timeline and progression of her artistic expressions. From her abstract phase, to her sci-fi character creations, and most recently her animal and pettable pet portrait series. This solo exhibition will also feature many never-before-seen embellished prints of which the original paintings were sold long ago. On the evening of her reception, she will also debut her new line of wearable art – clothing and accessories which will be available for purchase only during the duration of the evening’s reception. The special reception will be held on Thursday, September 21 from 7:00pm to 10:00pm at The MAIN. To schedule a viewing, please contact Jeff Barber at JBARBER@santa-clarita.com

Artist Statement:
Janine Cooper Ayres (J-9) is a Santa Clarita artist who has been creating art since she graduated high school in San Jose, California. Primarily self-taught, she is an intuitive painter. Her inspiration comes from visions and flashes of inner realizations, giving her artistic expressions a unique and individualistic style. She paints from the inside out, from the right side of the brain, as a way of getting in touch with buried emotions in her subconscious. She has often stated that art is therapy for her. “If only others could take time to create art (or music) this world would be a more balanced and peaceful place to live.”  Her Sci-fi series of artwork is the bulk of her collection. It has been featured on TV shows, in movies and on album covers. She enjoys painting alien families with their pets, with landscapes behind them from other worlds. In her opinion, the question of ‘who do we share this universe with?’ is one of the greatest mysteries of all time. Through the ages it is something that almost everyone on Earth has pondered upon as they’ve gazed up at the night sky.  She hopes that her paintings will inspire her viewers to imagine for themselves what life might look like on other planets. “Perhaps it will help us step outside of ourselves a bit and give us a better perspective.” Janine has sold over 300 original paintings over the years. Most recently she has begun to create canvas prints of some of the paintings that were sold long ago and thought to be lost forever.  She has also started creating a clothing and accessory line.  Janine is also a singer-songwriter, actress (member of SAG/AFTRA), film-maker/producer and an author. Her first novel ‘The Wreck of Elizabeth’ is set in Santa Clarita and was inspired by her own adventures while living in a cabin with her husband in the Angeles National Forest at the top of Bouquet Canyon Road.  She currently lives in Newhall, California with her cat, Mr. Kitt.

The exhibition is on view during The Main’s operating hours. To schedule a special time to view the artwork, please contact Jeff Barber JBARBER@santa-clarita.com. 

To learn more about “CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER” and upcoming art opportunities with the City of Santa Clarita, please contact Stephanie Jacinto at sjacinto@santa-clarita.com.

Q & A with Janine Cooper Ayres “J-9”

Where do you find inspiration for your artwork?
The inspiration for my art comes from my imagination and my subconscious. I’m working things out on the canvas as I’m painting. I’m thinking about what I want to say to the world. Usually, my art’s messages are about peace, love and understanding. When I paint, I go into a ‘zone’. I’m not hungry, I’m not worried, I’m not anxious or depressed.  My inspiration and my motivation are linked.  When I need to calm down or take a moment out of a difficult day, I’ll pick up my paint brush.  If I want to live in a balanced way, if I want to alleviate stress or worry or sadness, I know what I need to do. It’s like my medicine but instead of taking a pill, I take some time and fill a canvas with paint. I am inspired to paint because I know that it is my link to wellness and joy and to my sense of purpose here on the planet too.

What memorable responses do you have of to artwork?
The first memorable response to my art that comes to mind was my very first solo art exhibit. I was living in Santa Monica at the time. The year was 1991 and I was 28-year-old. I used to enjoy seeing foreign films at the Laemmle Theater on 3rd Street. One day as I was leaving and walking through the lobby, I looked up at the tall bare orange fabric covered wall and I thought to myself, there should be art on that wall!  I naively requested to speak to the manager and told him I was a local artist and asked if he might consider displaying my paintings.  He told me to bring in some photos of my art and he’d give it some thought.  A few days later I returned with photos and a few actual small paintings.  After looking at them he said yes!  I couldn’t believe it. I think I was shocked!  But I went home and began framing my pieces and a week or so later I returned with about twenty paintings. My art remained on the wall in the lobby of the Laemmle for about six months and I sold around sixteen paintings in all! I’ll never forget walking into the lobby and seeing an empty space on the wall for the first time. I asked an employee there where it was and they said that someone purchased it. This happened again and again and each time I would race home and put up another painting in its place.  It was the most amazing start for my art career and gave me the confidence that I needed to feel like a real artist.  There is no better feeling (at least for me) then selling a painting. It is fuel for my creative tank and signals me to keep going.

My second memorable response was an encounter with Chris Carter. He was the creator and executive producer of the X-Files. Being a huge fan of the show, I had an idea, this was back around 2002.   I was working for the City of Santa Clarita and became involved in the mentoring program. The 13-year-old girl that I was mentoring was a big fan of the show as well. So, I (naively) wrote to Chris Carter and asked if he would trade one of my alien paintings for an afternoon on the set for me and my mentee. His assistant called me a few days later and then a few weeks after that we were invited onto the FOX studio lot. Chris welcomed us and I gave him his new painting (A grey alien with a blue background). He accepted it with a big smile on his face then he walked with us over to the set and introduced us to David Duchovny. That is a memory that will always be special to me.

How do you know when an artwork is finished?
I tend to paint portraits a lot. So, I know the painting is done when I feel as though the being that I am painting is actually looking back at me. It’s almost a spooky sort of feeling that this person (or alien) is alive and its heart is beating.  When I feel that a spark of life has been inserted into the painting, I know I can call it ‘done’. Sometimes I’ll even have an imaginary conversation with them at that point… “Well, hello there! Welcome to the world.”

What is the best piece of advice you’ve received as an artist?
I think the best advice I’ve ever received came from an artist who went to Cal Arts. I can’t even remember their name now. It was a chance encounter.  He told me that if he had it to do over again, he would’ve majored in marketing instead of fine art. He said that the art came naturally to him but in this new social media world we are living in, marketing and self-promotion were the most important factors in becoming a successful artist and he was not prepared for that upon graduating.  After he told me that I began taking more YouTube courses on marketing my art and reading more books and articles about too. (I still have much to learn.

Do you plan each piece before you start or do you let the pice ‘take shape’ as you go?
Rarely do I plan or map out a painting before I start. Usually, the painting comes about in a very spontaneous way. So, I never quite know what’s going to come through until I stare at the blank white canvas and come up with an idea or concept right there on the spot.  It’s almost as though I’m channeling or I am the ‘go between’, and some unseen force or disembodied artist is using me and my hands to paint through me.  For a while there I used to think I was not really an artist at all, but a medium of sorts.  This is probably not a very good belief to have because for a while there I felt as if I was not in control.  More recently I have taken a more ‘down to earth’ approach to painting, taking more responsibility, accountability and ownership for what it is I’m creating and for the message that my art is trying to convey to the world (which usually is: “We are not alone”).

July 31 – August 29, 2023

The MAIN
24266 Main St, Santa Clarita, CA 91321

Q&A with Sherif Hakeem

What motivates you to create?
What motivates me to create is twofold. Firstly, it is innate in wanting to hone and sharpen my skills to create better artwork. Secondly, it is because of the aforementioned reason that I employ to create some of the most hyper-realistic drawings to give life to the animals I strive to save.