I don't paint things. I only paint the difference between things. ~Henri Matisse

Work

How true that statement is. As a painter, as an artist, I see the lines between the lines, I paint the colors between the colors. That is what I find fun and rewarding, the endless possibilities of color.

San Francisco Open Studios in the Mission is almost here (weekend 1)! Hope that you will visit me at Studio 202 @ The Art Explosion Studios, 744 Alabama Street (@19^th). So many wonderful artists and designers will also have their studios open. When? Saturday October 1 and Sunday October 2: 11:00 am to 6:00 pm. There are so many studios to visit in the area, a great way to spend the weekend. www.artspan.org/artist/christielarussell

Also in October I am apart of a group show at Roll Up Gallery / Public Works; “Wayfarer, there is no path, paths are made by walking”. Very cool gallery and should be a good show! I do not have the names of all the other artists who are apart of this show as of this posting, so can not give credit, hopefully will be posted on the web page soon. Opening reception is on October 7ths from 6 to 9 pm @ 161 Erie Street. Below is the painting in the show.

"Still Dancing"

Last weekend Valerie Aigron made a special stop in San Francisco while traveling on business in North America. The occasion? Well two fold. Spend some time with us (such an honor to call her friend) and to pick-up her painting; “The Martini”. As I said on my Facebook Fan Page, I am very excited to have my painting go to France. As a painter I find this to be very romantic. Valerie is the Export Manager for Cave de Rasteau, located near Vaison-la-Romaine in the beautiful region of Provence. And BTW, the wines are quite nice and at an unbelievable price point… they are available in many fine wine stores and at Whole Food Markets, give them a try.

My partner Anne made us an amazing (Bond, James Bond) Martini to toast the transfer of the painting... a toast... viva la France! Viva la California! Life is so great. Viva your close friends from around the globe!

The total eat/ drink local (Slow Food) can be done for one fantastic Martini! Where there is a will there is a way. Vya extra dry Vermouth. Produced in Madera California. Meyer’s local lemons Vodka of your choice (in the case of the painting Grey Goose of course)… want to stay total local food shed? No problem, Hangar 1 Vodka (made in Alameda, California). I have never been one for distilled bevereges, so it has been an aquired taste. But that said I have always wanted to understand Bond, James Bond. Vodka = lemon. Gin = olive.

In Studio 202. I finally finished the 2^nd painting of Golden Gate Park, Golden Gate Park #2 (oil, 20x20”)

and Summer Swim (oil, 48x36”).

I have three new paintings started, always have new paintings and drawing in the works, will have to wait to get back to them until after Open Studios.

Cars

Some very cool car sightings recently… this posting is the international tour! German, English, Italian and USA.

Check out this beautiful 1962 VW Bug that was parked in Hayes Valley.

Also spotted was this really nice Triumph TR4 (known as the TR4). This model was produced between 1961 and 1964, and a blast to drive!

Loved this Fiat 500 (I think it’s a 500, some of the models were very similar). How cute it this car! More like a pet.

And speaking of cars that seem to be more like cute little pets. This one is our new MINI Cooper S Clubman Ice Blue. We waited for 10 weeks for her to be made and delivered from England. Fun? Wow talk about the fun factor! So love having an English sports car again! Our new girl is a very fun shooting break!

And for the another cool car sighting in this posting check out this 1940 Chevrolet Special Deluxe model I spotted in Moro Bay, CA. This car is restored in original condition, meaning, there are some flaws, but that’s the beauty of it (well for us car buff’s).

As a wrap up to this postings car sightings, here is a little something you can pick-up for a mere $145k. Audi R8 V10 spotted in Avila Beach.

Street

And now to some of the cool new street sightings I’ve come across in the last couple of months.

This is a Colla stencil, lasted less than 2 days on Valencia Street (@18th). Probably the most beautiful stencil I have seen in a long time and I have my guesses as to why it was painted over so quickly, but, this is not a political blog, so I won't go there.

Here is a sidewalk stencil I came across in the Mission.

This Zoltron, also on Valencia Street, had additional graffiti on it within days. Also like the Fox News tanks, not sure who the artists is as of this posting.

Another street stencil that I really like spotted on Filmore Street in the Lower Haight.

This is very funny! If you live in San Francisco you are aware of the Koi Fish stencils by Novy. I love these fish, they bring color and whimsy to the street. Recently someone (still trying to get the name of the artist) has been following up with a cat eating the Koi. This photo was taken on Church Street in Noe Valley. Humor like this makes it so fun to live in such a vibrant city.

Hipster

To wind up this post I have a new category… Hipster watch. Well, kind of Hipster first dates and mostly on rooftops. Are they not just the cutest (if not like everyone on a date, a bit awkward). These cute little (at times, annoying) Hipsters have no idea that I can hear every word they say from my balcony, even when across the street. They seem to want to climb anything and everything... the Hipster 1st date watch is on!

This couple was so shy. My favorite. They were very cute.

This couple was trying to get it together... a lot of small talk.

These two guys cracked me up (I have a photo of them from a previous Friday night)... I call them the Hipsters with no date. They came back a couple of nights later and were taking photos of each other. My guess is that there is some new date site called Hipster.date.com. What do you think?

I did like this couple... they were actually talking. What a concept.

Life

To wrap up this posting. I know I get behind, but I do enjoy my random walks around San Francisco and the friends and casual friends that I come across everyday. What a wonderful city we live in. And, yes, how lucky am I to be able to be apart of this vibrant art community.

I hope you will take the time to visit myself and all the other hardworking and wonderful artists for the San Francisco Open Studios.