ARTWALK with EC Galleries!

San Diego could not have asked for better weather for the 27th Annual Mission Federal Artwalk in Little Italy last weekend!

Exclusive Collections Gallery joined the many talented local artists in a celebration and support of the arts, featuring live painting demonstrations by Gloria Lee, Michael Summers, Michael Flohr, Daniel Ryan, and Christopher M.

Gallery patrons and new fans alike came out to Little Italy to see the latest and greatest in the art world.  With a great family-friendly, pet-friendly venue, everyone came out to enjoy the sunshine, delicious food, music, and beautiful art.

Gloria Lee's Pop Dogs were a huge hit with  the dog lovers!

 

"Painter of Chefs" Christopher M., paints a new original kitchen scene for all of the Little Italy foodies!

Artist Daniel Ryan personally dedicates the painting, "Northern Spirit", to his collectors.

 

Artist Michael Summers, recently named Official Poster Artist for the San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival, finds a home for his new original painting as well.

As always, EC Galleries feel lucky to be "America's Finest Galleries" here in "America's Finest City".  Hope to see you next year at Artwalk!

Today's Top Artists At Addison Restaurant

Thursday, March 31 was a night to remember!

Recently named "Today's Top Artists" by Art Business News Magazine, Asencio, Michael Flohr, and Christopher M. invited their favorite collectors at Exclusive Collections Gallery to celebrate with them in an unbelievable culinary adventure at The Grand Del Mar's Addison Restaurant.

Ingredients:

- Today's nationally ranked artists Asencio, Flohr, and Christopher M.

- Relais & Chateaux Grand Chef William Bradley

- Wine director Jesse Rodriguez, former head sommelier of French Laundry

- 10 opulent courses and hand-selected wine pairings

- 5 Stars

- 5 Diamonds

- 24 never-before-seen original oil paintings

Directions:

Combine ingredients and mix thoroughly.  Enjoy at your leisure.

Christopher M. - newly added to the short list of artists to achieve this honorable recognition of "Today's Top Artist"- unveiled several original oil paintings inspired by Bradley, Rodriguez, and Addison's culinary team.  His fine art originals such as "Chef Bradley's Creation", "Masters in Harmony", and "Five Star" were the result of a personal tour of Addison's kitchen and a behind-the-scenes view of the five-star culinary discipline.

New achievements were not reserved just for the artists.

William Bradley, Executive Chef of Addison, is proud to be named one of Relais & Chateaux's Grand Chefs, joining the ranks of Thomas Keller, Daniel Boulud, and many others throughout the world.  Of his work, Bradley says, “I’m driven not by trends, but by purity of flavor. I’m very rooted in tradition and have a huge respect for the past and Mother Nature” (Off the Easel Magazine).

Will Costello, Addison Restaurant's General Manager and gracious host for the evening stated, “It was a pleasure to showcase Addison’s cuisine and service in a masterfully designed Gallery setting. This would be an event I would love to see happen more often.”

EC Gallery heartily agrees; indeed, every beautiful evening should combine the finest in food, wine, and fine art.

ArtWalk 2010!

Exclusive Collections Galleries had the pleasure of exhibiting at the 2010 San Diego Mission Federal ArtWalk! The gallery has been an active participant and sponsor since its inception over 10 years ago. Gallery Owner James Thorn states, "I remember our first year with ArtWalk, we met some of our best collectors at that show!"

This year's ArtWalk was very exciting for Exclusive Collections Galleries because we had 5 artists in attendance, and 3 of those artists performing live paintings demonstrations! Our newest artist, Daniel Ryan, made his debut at ArtWalk this year, and received a tremendous amount of response! "Painter of Chefs" Christopher M. was featured on Fox News, and artist-in residence Michael Summers experienced a very large amount of interest.

The most endearing works of art were found at the very end of the booth by artist Gloria Lee, known mainly for her Pop Dogs art line. This year Lee introduced a new line entitled "Bella Hearts". They are created as a team by Gloria, her daughter Ruth-Ann, and 3 year-old granddaughter Isabella. The collaboration of the three generations of artists brought many oohs and aahs.

Exclusive Collections Galleries plans to be back at ArtWalk in September at the ArtWalk on the Bay!

A Successful Pairing of Art & Food

February ended on a delicious high note for EC Gallery and lovers of the culinary arts. Christopher M., "The Painter of Chefs", unveiled several brand new originals—it was a smashing success!

Having had the chance to speak with Christopher and get his personal perspective on how he feels about his most recent body of work, it’s quite clear that he is not an artist consumed with himself. In fact, Christopher explained that he does not consider any of his paintings truly complete until they are framed and in someone's home. This is all part of his plan to accomplish "synchronicity."

He draws a parallel between wine pairing with an exquisite meal and art that compliments and enriches a person's home. He explains, "Sometimes 2+2=5. This happens when the culmination of individual parts is greater than the whole. The painting should pair with a collector's life and home just the same way that a wine would pair with a meal."

Mr. Douglas Hill, Founder and Owner of Hill Family Estates Vineyards, was also in attendance. Christopher recently embarked on a 3-day tour of the Napa Valley, meeting some of the most talented and celebrated winemaking legends of our time, including Douglas. At the show, Christopher completed a special drawing just for him and presented it as a surprise.

In early April, Christopher will be jetting off to Atlanta to work with Chef Kevin Gillespie of Woodfire Grill (who also recently came in third on BRAVO TV’s acclaimed "Top Chef")! Keep your eyes open for more of Christopher's work to come!

It's difficult to view Christoper's work and not feel the flurry of emotions that is presented in each dramatic scene. When viewing Christopher's pieces, one is often reminded of the joyful feelings that are experienced when sitting down to a lovely meal with close friends and family. EC Gallery is thrilled to have wrapped up yet another exceptional presentation of beautiful, original works from this talented artist. Come see us again soon! We are located at Fashion Valley, the Historic Gaslamp Quarter on 5th and Market, and Seaport Village!

Seaport Village Grand Opening and Mini Show is a Success!

November 6, 7th, & 8th we celebrated our annual miniature show and our official grand opening event at our 3rd and newest location, Seaport Village! Collectors started coming in as the show started on Friday evening to see our new location and the highly anticipated new "mini's" by Flohr, Asencio, Christopher M. and Steve Barton, just to name a few. We exhibited the largest body of Flohr and Asencio originals anywhere in the country. Guest were treated to live music, champagne and wine and a host of their favorite artists for them to meet and have conversations with. Collectors repeatedly commented on how beautiful the gallery looked and had an amazing evening (we had several of our collectors come two night's in a row)! The art was selling, converstion was flowing, and opinions of new releases were being shared. Based on the fact that several people stayed in the gallery past closing time, I'm guessing everyone was having a great time.

If you were one of our guest that weekend, thank you for making it a memorable Grand Opening. If you were unable to attend, sorry we missed you, however we look forward to having you drop by even if just to say Hello!

–Amando Cardenas

Gallery Director, Seaport Village Gallery

Christopher M "Live" painting!

There are two activities you are better off not watching.
There is, of course, sausage being made and
(contrary to movie fantasies) an artist working. Some things
that are better left to screen writers. That is of course unless
the artist happens to be the affable and charming,
Christopher M. Convincing an artist to paint "live" in an art
gallery is inviting mental mayhem. But ask Christopher M to
set up easel and pallet on the sidewalk in front of the gallery
and you’ve just found your new Director of Public Relations.
If you were one of the fortunate ones to stroll by and
encounter this extraordinary emerging talent you departed
having just made a new best friend in the art world! Just
ask his numerous collectors.

Christopher M. at The 5th annual San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival!

Christopher M. was chosen as the Official poster artist for the 5th
annual San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival. The event was a
huge success! He met many celebrity and well known nationally
recognized chefs at the events leading up to and during event.

Exclusive Collections Art Gallery hosted the kick off poster
signing party Tuesday November 11th at Fashion Valley Shopping
Center. Patrons of the gallery along with new collectors and wine
aficionados came to enjoy fine art, fine food and fine wine poured
by Saint Helena Road Winery.

Friday Nov 14th Christopher M. was an honored guest at the
AIWF Celebrity Chef Luncheon & Big Bottle Auction. His painting
“A Perfect Pair” that was commissioned for the poster and was
sold at auction to benefit the scholarship fund administered by
the San Diego Chapter of the American Institute of Wine & Food.
The luncheon featured 15 celebrity winemakers and a world-class
menu prepared by nationally acclaimed chefs Gavin Kaysen of
Cafe Boulud in New York, Executive Chef Bernard Guillas from
La Jolla's Marine Room, Jimmy Schmidt, Owner/Executive
Chef of Rattlesnake, Detroit and Palm Desert, and Sondra
Bernstein, Owner/Executive Chef of The Girl & The Fig, in
Sonoma.

Christopher M. along with Exclusive Collections staff members,
Tiffany Mendenhall and Christopher Cummings set sail on the
Hornblower Cruises newest yacht, "Inspiration Hornblower," for
yet another fun filled night of fine art, fine food and fine wine!
Hosted by Ted Allen, star of Food Network's "Food Detectives"
and food expert on "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy," the
event featured wines from more than 150 award-winning
winemakers and 15 food stations.

The Grand Finale of the sizzling five-day festival was the
star-studded Grand Tasting Event held Saturday, November
15th on the Embarcadero Park North behind Seaport Village.
Christopher M. was busy signing posters at the Exclusive
Collections booth. He met many celebrity chefs who want him
to come visit their kitchens and paint them.

One of the chefs, Gavin Kaysen of the world renowned Cafe
Boulud in New York City, has asked Christopher M. to come to
NYC in the Spring and paint a series of works inspired by his
kitchen! Gavin is formerly of Rancho Bernardo Inn's El Bizcocho
and has since received awards from the James Beard Foundation
(Rising Star Chef 2008) as well as Food & Wine Magazine
(10 Best New Chefs).

The 2nd ANNUAL Miniatures Show!

Exclusive Collections hosted their highly attended second annual
miniature show November 8th, 2008. There were eight artists in
attendance and over 110 originals works were created in a small
format for the event.

The artist appearances were by, Steve Barton, Michael Flohr,
Christopher M., Joe Metcalf, Michael Summers, Daniel Thedell,
Steven Quartly and John Webster. In addition, artists Asencio,
Walfrido Garcia, Royo, Samir Sammon and Dale Terbush each
created a body of fantastic small works for collector's consideration.

The magical evening was filled with such amazing talent that
collectors were having a difficult time deciding what art to collect
and many left with more than one original painting! Owner James
Thorn introduced each artist in attendance and gave all an
opportunity to expound on the inspiration behind the body of
work they had created for the show. For many collectors, this
was the pinnacle of the evening. Patrons of Exclusive Collections
have enjoyed many wonderful and exciting openings over the
years. This event offered the opportunity to meet these talents
first hand, collect these great artist's works, and experience
"the art of living with fine art."

10news.com's A-list / San Diego Bay Food & Wine Festival

Greetings!

Exclusive Collections Gallery is in the running for the top spot on 10news.com's A-list! Our current standing is 4th place to date with 12% of the votes. If you love our artists, our art, our staff, please vote at this link: http://kgtv.cityvoter.com/contests/10news-com-s-a-list/1997/arts-and-entertainment/art-gallery

You need to create an account, but it takes less than a minute and you will not receive any sort of promotional e-mails unless you wish to receive the messages.

--

Exclusive Collection artist Christopher M. has been selected as the feature artist for San Diego's Food & Wine Festival in November. With his originality in his work, Christopher M. is sure to be a hit with the food & wine buffs of San Diego!

The San Diego Bay Food & Wine Festival website writes "The expressive, realist paintings of Contemporary painter Christopher M. remind us that artistic talent fused with good old-fashioned values never goes out of style. Creativity, beauty, integrity and hard work are constant companions to this artist’s paint and canvas."

To read more, click http://www.worldofwineevents.com/Wine_Food_Christopher_M.html

Mark your calendars for November 12-16 and watch out for Christopher M!

Bon Appetit!

Exclusive Collections' Million-Dollar Night

San Diego Magazine's The Good Life: An Evening of luxury...Last week, Exclusive Collections Gallery participated in an open house at a multi-million dollar estate in Rancho Santa Fe where we rubbed elbows with some of San Diego's most affluent people. Exclusive Collections had the honor of coloring the decor of the mansion by providing paintings and sculptures. Artists Steve Barton, Christopher M., and Michael Flohr were present to present live demonstrations of their work. Their paintings along with Henry Asencio and Royo paintings as well as Tuan sculptures also contributed to the artistic aura of the estate.

Click here for additional coverage of the event brought to you by Kiwi Audio Visuals

Here are some picture excerpts of the grand event. Enjoy!

Henry Asencio's work graces a sitting area in the house. From left: "Inspiration," "Red Door," "Haven"



Royo's "Andaluza" overlooks singers belting songs of love.








Christopher M. (top), Steve Barton (center), and Michael Flohr (bottom) discuss their artwork with potential collectors.
Michael Flohr (top) and Christopher M. (bottom) work hard their stations while potential collectors admire their work.

Tale of two Christophers. Artist Christopher M. (left) strikes a pose with Exclusive Collections' consultant Christopher Cummings (right).

Exclusive Collections consultant Aline Spellmeier discusses one of Steve Barton's paintings with a potential collector.

(From left) Exclusive Collections' consultants Bert Dutcher and Richard Hickle, Exclusive Collections Gallery co-owners Ruth-Ann and James Thorn are all smiles at the grand event.