| For Erika Oller, painting is a laughing matter. The Folk Tree Collection in Pasadena is pleased to present its fifth exhibition of her whimsical and ironic images from March 4 - April 8, 2006. The subject matter of her watercolors and monotypes are caricatured animals and humans, captured in quirky situations and always with a comically meaningful edge. This show, entitled SMALL DRAMAS, is a natural evolution of her work, this time with a focus on odd encounters between varying animal species, including humans. The public is invited to a reception for the artist on Saturday, March 4, from 2 - 6 P.M. As in the past, this exhibit is lighthearted, with images varying in size and theme. An alligator teaching a woman to do the two-step; a woman pushing a rhino in a cage that is much too small; an elegantly dressed lady sitting atop a camel; a woman pushing a cat with a lion cut in a baby carriage coming face to face with a real lion - these are just some of the bizarre "little" happenings that originate in Oller's imagination. They are highly improbable events involving bizarre, but not threatening, meetings between unlikely characters - hence the title SMALL DRAMAS. Animals have always been a primary focus in her work, from the common house pet to more exotic species. They are portrayed with individuality and anthropomorphic attributes - they are often cunning and manipulative, as well as lovable. Oller's humans tend to be substantial in size. As she puts it, "they mean business." Long-nosed with ample body types, she gently pokes fun at their idiosyncrasies without ridicule. Besides being an accomplished painter/printmaker, Oller has also illustrated several children's books. She is a long time Pasadena resident, with a fine arts degree from the University of California, Los Angeles. In addition to her fine art background, she has a line of images reproduced on cards, calendars, posters, and a variety of other gift items which are available throughout the country and abroad. The Folk Tree Collection is located at 199 S. Fair Oaks Ave., minutes walking distance from the Gold Line's Del Mar Station (and just fifteen minutes from downtown Los Angeles off the end of the 110 freeway) near the heart of Old Pasadena. Gallery hours are: M-W, 11-6; Th-Sat, 10-6; Sun, 12-5. For further information, contact Gail Mishkin at (626)793-4828. |
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