I finally made it to two venues for SF’s 3rd weekend of open studios. I saw several artists that I liked, but two in particular illustrate how starkly different artists’ perspectives can be while both remaining exciting and vibrant.

Karl Roeseler charmed me. In addition to painting, Roeseler also writes short fiction and his work exudes a literary view of the world as a place full of tales. His colorful, jumbled buildings with their light imbued windows portend neighborhoods teeming with living narratives.

Karl Roeseler, Down in Divis

I chatted with him as he was eager to discuss his art, which he did in terms of language and writing. To paraphrase, as he begins a new series of paintings – as with the City Series above – Karl views the process of painting as akin to learning a new language whose grammatical structure is revealed a bit more with each new work. I love this analogy. It’s as if the further the artist progresses in a series the more complex the conversation with the viewer. And this conversation left me enlightened and elated.

At another open studio a few blocks away, the mood was darker but no less engaging. Jana Grover’s work that drew me into here studio jars with singular, mostly featureless figures against landscapes both bright and muted. At first the scenes disturb but then draw you in with familiar emotions, even if those emotions are fear or loneliness or grief. Feeling engulfed by such evocative images, I didn’t want to walk away from some of her pieces. I can’t think of a better compliment to pay an artist.

Jana Grover, On the Homestretch

The common thread I find in these two very different artists is unflinching honesty in their subject matter and dedication to their craft, wherever it takes them. I really like where they’ve been and where they’re going and am just happy to be along for the ride.