Art Show Opening / Artist Reception "A Trip Worthwhile"

Artist Bio: Patrick Deignan aka “Star27”

Born February 17, 1980. At a very young age he felt different, separate from others and quickly found solace in drawing, painting, and music making. In 1998 he left Connecticut to follow his dream on a scholarship to Manhattan’s School of Visual Arts.  By the end of that year his inner demons had caught up with him, and addiction became his life. There were attempts to return to school, with a short stay at San Francisco Art Institute, and an even shorter stay at Ringling School of Art and Design. Addiction demanded all of him and left no time for the process of creation. There was no need to, no drive to and no love of the process anymore. Having little to show for what would be a nine year period; he had put away the brush and thought he would never paint again.  After a near fatal night in 2007 he would soon adopt his moniker, Star27, a tongue-in-cheek nod at his past. After much encouragement he rekindled his dream, with a love and drive like never before.Patrick “Star27” Deignan’s work focuses on the vices, weaknesses, and shortcomings of the human race. Every piece becomes deeply personal, something he has seen, felt, or experienced. He sees not only his paintings, but Patrick himself as a work in progress. With each piece, something new is learned, something is discarded, and better, clearer ideas of where he is going and where he has been become apparent.

Gene Guynn was born and raised in Fort Worth, Texas, and from a very young age was immersed in the world of art. With a painter for a mother and a musician for a father, his world was always one of creativity and expression. He began painting in college courses during high school, and in the fall of 2004, began his BFA at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, California.  Gene takes inspiration from the thriving urban, outsider, and lowbrow art culture of SF, LA, and NYC, and combines it with a fine art sophistication, especially taking influence from contemporary masters such as Jenny Saville and Lucian Freud. After graduating with a BFA in painting in 2008, Gene moved from San Francisco to the Los Angeles area, where he continues to paint and further evolve his personal style and exhibit in galleries all over the world.

Raised on a farm in northern California and despite many years of urban living remains a treehugger at heart. Her paintings have been exhibited in galleries in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland and New York City, as well as in Citizen LA Magazine, Redefine Magazine, A Distinctive Style Magazine and across the blogosphere.  She currently lives and works alongside her husband, artist Aaron Castro, and their foundling kitty on the wild California coast a two dollar gas ride from San Francisco.

This event is free.

Beer, Wine, and hors d oeurves will be served, as well as coffee and other snacks available for purchase.