When I arrived at Luna's Cafe in the final hour of the opening reception for Ann Tracy's "Never can say goodbye" exhibit, she was on stage asking "who's feeling lucky tonight?" as she called the numbers off a raffle ticket. "Wooooo!" An excited patron yelled and made her way up to select a free print.
Ann is a digital artist who has lived in the Sacramento area for many years, but is relocating across the country, a move that prompted the title selection for this collection of work, on display and available for sale at Luna's Cafe until May 31st. I think the move may also have inspired a little sentimentality and generosity on Ann's part- I sure as heck don't give prints away like candy.
I spied long-time friend of Ann and fellow artist Cherie Hacker enjoying a plate of mexican food in the corner, who says of Ann, "she is both a mentor in artistic business and explosive with her digital work". This is apparent in surveying the pieces on the walls of the cafe. Works like "Sacramento's Silver Screens" and "The Green Graces" pop with bold color and strong contrast which she tempers with layering, diffused edges and soft curves to create harmonious, compelling compositions.
In Ann's artist statement, she explains "most of my work starts with photographs I've taken...most of the time my subsconscious begs me to begin the process of adding other images. it's almost like alchemy to take an image with one "meaning" and to enrich it with other imagery to create new meanings". In addition to digital work, Ann is showing several paintings and image transfer pieces, a time-consuming process that merges the digital with the handmade.
I commented on the variety of Ann's pieces as well as the many career roles she has taken in her life, including playwright, poet, journalist and dancer, and she replied,
"a local artist once told me 'don't let them box you in', so I haven't". When asked which of her many incarnations she enjoyed most, she thought for a moment and said "dance- it's a way to transcend physicality by using physicality."
Indeed, Ann appears to be fascinated by the idea of seeking balance in seeming contradictions through her work, whether that's the balance between live and digital media, classic and modern themes, or merging old experiences with the new. Swing by Luna's before May 31st to be dazzled by this mix of intriguing images and pick up original art at affordable prices.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Check out Ann's blog, Facebook Fan Page or Fine Art Website to see more of her work or purchase prints.
ABOUT THE VENUE
According to their website, Luna's Cafe & Juice bar is "one of the area's first cafe galleries", regularly featuring visual art, musical performances, poetry and comedy. Located at 1414 16th St. (between N & O), free parking is available on the street. Closed Sundays and open for breakfast at 9am (6:30am Saturdays), Luna's offers a variety of espresso drinks, juices, breakfast dishes and beer & wine. The atmosphere is casual and community-focused.
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