Danza Davis grew up in the oak woodlands and pine forests of Mendocino County. She dual majored in studio art and botany at Humboldt State University and completed graduate studies in science illustration at California State University Monterey Bay. In addition to her studio practice and community mural projects, she is a staff artist for Ink Dwell, a Bay Area based studio that creates art that explores the wonders of the natural world.
This body of work is a posthumous collaboration with the ... view more »
Danza Davis grew up in the oak woodlands and pine forests of Mendocino County. She dual majored in studio art and botany at Humboldt State University and completed graduate studies in science illustration at California State University Monterey Bay. In addition to her studio practice and community mural projects, she is a staff artist for Ink Dwell, a Bay Area based studio that creates art that explores the wonders of the natural world.
This body of work is a posthumous collaboration with the artist’s father, Robert Chisholm. Robert’s work is a mathematical homage to nature. He transformed graphical equations into patterns that he used in acrylic paintings and mixed media art. He loved the land he called home and drew inspiration from its natural beauty.
Danza also draws inspiration from nature, combining her naturalistic approach with her father’s patterns. Her process is informed by her experience as a mural artist; she works at a large scale using a limited palette of pre-mixed colors applied with rigorous precision. The resulting 4 ft. by 4 ft. acrylic paintings on canvas simultaneously evoke the child-like wonder of looking through a kaleidoscope and the awesome beauty that can be found in nature.
Anne Magratten spent her youth in Willits and drew inspiration from the Willits Center for the Arts. She is a graduate of Mills College and received her MFA in Studio Art from the University of Oregon in 2015. She is an Instructor of Painting & Drawing at Linn-Benton Community College. Additionally, she offers college drawing and painting courses within Oregon prisons. She is a member of the Eugene based artist collective Tropical Contemporary.
Her recent paintings focus on an outward trajectory, the desire to visually touch the horizon, and feel vast spaces. The pandemic and current politics have peaked key questions within her.
The work will speak for itself when you see these paintings.
Opening July 31, 2021 6-9pm through August 26, 2021 at the Willits Center for the Arts, 71 East Commercial St., (Next to the Noyo Theater). There will also be an Art Walk July 31 in Downtown Willits 6-10pm. The galleries at the WCA are open Friday through Sunday 11am-5pm.
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