{Lena Verderano Reynoso} {Curator of Oddities}

I’m a Doctor!

lena — Sat, 05 May 2012 19:46:17 +0000

I’m very excited to announce I have received my PhD from the University of California, Berkeley. I’m walking on May 18th, and now that I have more free time, I’m ready to make some art. In fact, my latest project is now online at famousoaklandpeople.com . Check it out!

Angela Davis

lena — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 02:56:50 +0000

Another letterpress print for my Famous Oakland People series DONE! I’m still writing….the madness is almost over!

First Four Presidents

lena — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 05:54:52 +0000

I just finished my first four presidents. Original drawings inspired by my paintings. Soon, these little musty white men will be turned into letterpress plates. I hope to start printing next week. P.S. The writing is a bit overwhelming…perhaps severely.

Presidential maladies

lena — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 07:08:34 +0000

It’s official. My new project will be a series of 44 letterpress prints, each with a drawing of a President and coupled with one of the President’s maladies. I have the list completed and I’m excited to start the printing. I am having a 2″ magnesium plate made of each one of my drawings..it’s going to be a long project. I just ordered the first four. Once the set is complete, I’m also going to put them together and make a giant 17″x24″ print of the entire group of old white men on our Vandercook hand proof press. Meanwhile, I’m still working away on the ol’ dissertation.

Letterpress Prints

lena — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 22:47:09 +0000

I just finished Bruce Lee, part of my famous people of Oakland series. I also just started a new project of letterpressed 19th century sayings. The first one, “Scarce as Hen’s Teeth.” I’m about to start another project of 44 words, each numbered and describing every president of the USA. Stay tuned for updates on that. Of course, I’m still writing away…trying to finish my dissertation in a few months. I’ll keep you updated on that too….

Some paintings at the Berkeley Art Center

lena — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 03:00:14 +0000

I put a little more work into the mini Twain paintings and Matt made these amazing custom wood frames. Both paintings will be in the show Shine at the Berkeley Art Center. Show runs December 17th, 2011- January 29th, 2012. Opening Reception is Saturday, December 17th, 5-7pm. Hope to see you there!

Some new Mark Twain paintings

lena — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 03:51:36 +0000

I’m still writing away….inspired and fascinated my Mr. Samuel Clemens (aka Mark Twain). My new series of paintings is going to be focused on friendship. I’ve been through some rough times recently and I couldn’t do it without caring friends (including my amazing husband). There are truly wonderful friendships out there, and I’m going to paint them….one portrait at a time. It’s a beautiful thing. I just finished some tiny 11″x14″ portraits of Mark Twain and a larger one of Twain and his friend John Lewis. Next up….Twain and Nikola Tesla!
(click on the photo to enlarge)

New small paintings for Art in a Box

lena — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 06:08:18 +0000

I’ve been busy writing….I’m planning on filing my dissertation in May 2012. I haven’t spent much time in the studio, but I managed to finish a couple small 6″x6″ paintings for Art in a Box subscribers.

Jack London letterpress print

lena — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 03:36:29 +0000

I just finished this mini poster of Jack London (The first in my “Famous Oakland People” print series). Made in Oakland on my 1925 Chandler and Price letterpress. 4″x6″ on 6″x9″ paper.

Hiatus

lena — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 00:07:38 +0000

So, it’s been a while since I’ve posted…mainly do to life distractions like finishing my PhD. But, I’ve decided to focus most of my energy and will be graduating as the Dr. Lena in May 2012! The excitement is overwhelming and it makes my lack of paintings well worth it. Of course, I’m not abandoning my art practice, I’m simply re-directing my energy for a while. I’ll still continue to post work and update as much as possible.

New Painting!

lena — Sat, 14 May 2011 01:50:51 +0000

Waiting For Something Magnificent. 36″x48″ Click the image for detail.

Franklin and Chester

lena — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 01:07:17 +0000

Finished. 48″x48″ oil on panel. click the image to see detail.

Random News

lena — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 19:51:48 +0000

My dog The Baroness Sidonia has a website! Check out LittleSnags.com

Also, our house was featured on Apartment Therapy!
Check out our write up HERE.

Review in the East Bay Express

lena — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 01:36:00 +0000

The show I am in at the Berkeley Art Center was just reviewed by the East Bay Express and was also a “Don’t Miss” in the San Francisco Chronicle. Check out the review HERE.

New work for Art in a Box

lena — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 10:37:54 +0000

I finished these small paintings that will be going out to August Art in a Box subscribers. As always, these paintings are inspired from my research.

Berkeley Art Center

lena — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 00:17:03 +0000

I’m pleased to announce that a couple of my President paintings have been chosen for a show at the Berkeley Art Center. I’m very excited to be a part of this. I’m also excited about my new membership to the Berkeley Art Center. I’ll be visiting as much as possible…

JURIED@BAC: All Media | California
Selections by Lauren Davies & Carrie Lederer

August 21 – September 26, 2010
Opening Reception: Saturday, August 21, 5:30 - 7:30pm

Jurors Lauren Davies, Kala Art Institute, and Carrie Lederer, Bedford Gallery, chose 34 artists from a pool of 306 entries for Berkeley Art Center’s annual juried exhibition. The result is a lively mix of quirky and unconventional work from an eclectic assortment of artists working in a variety of media.

Artists: Julie Alvarado, Sung Jae Bang, Edythe Bresnahan, Jason Byers, Haelee Choi, Gary Comoglio, Dee Conway, Teresa Cunniff, Ashley Eberlein, Lisa Espenmiller. Mark Faigenbaum, Barbara Foster, Michael Fram, Mik Gaspay, Nancy Genn, Narangker Glover, Randall Heath, Lee Hunter, Edith Hillinger, John Hundt, Eric Larson, Nancy Mintz, Gary Nakamoto, Camilla Newhagen, Hilary Pecis, Lena Reynoso, Samuelle Richardson, Clare Rickman, Michael Ross, Deborah Service, Kimberly Sikora, Donna Wan, Allison Watkins, Susan Wolf.

7×7 Article!

lena — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 21:38:08 +0000

San Francisco’s 7×7 has written an article about us! We are honored to be called a “Power Couple.” Read the article HERE.

New work

lena — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 10:30:39 +0000

Three new paintings in oil. That’s right, I made the switch back to oils (but acrylics are not going to be completely out of the picture). Below: “Arthur’s Anticipation” is the short title for “President Garfield walks unknowingly into his grave while Mr. Chester A. Arthur thinks deeply about his future presidency in a world that is haunted by ghosts of the past and strange lusus naturae, like the Tartarian Lamb”. “The Observer” and “Note Taker on the Hill” are small satellite paintings. Just started a new piece…will post as soon as it is completed.

New Piece for July Art in a Box

lena — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 10:18:44 +0000

Just finished a new piece for the July Art in a Box show at The Compound Gallery. A lovely couple bought my piece… (see photo)

New work for Art in a Box

lena — Fri, 28 May 2010 21:01:55 +0000

A couple pieces I just finished for June Art in a Box subscribers. Mr. Roosevelt and First Flight