My paintings provide a portal, inviting the viewer into the subtleties of rhythm and movement. The composing process involves layering paint, with attention to clarity and detail, so that light enhances the colors and creates dimension. There is a strong emphasis on traditional, classical techniques so that the viewer may better appreciate the beauty, peacefulness and tranquility of the subject.

In current work, I am exploring the coded transmission of specific information. I use a color coded numerical system within rigidly placed grids, allowing the colors and their placement provide information to the viewer. More important to me than solving the code, are patterrns, random though seemingly not so, that emerge as colors tumble across and down these grids.

Light is essential to the process and product of my work; light breaks through the rigidity imposed by my use of geometric shapes. I use layers of reflective materials that add to and alter the light already reflecting from the glass. The pieces are, put simply, a series of layers: pattern, shine, reflection and color, all intended to draw viewers closer, to examine, and to see themselves reflected in and from the work.

Chessa Piker-Ward has a background in dance, theater and visual arts. She received her B.A. from U.C.S.C in Theater Arts. She has studied dance at the Alvin Ailey Institute, Motion Pacific and the Dance Mission Theater. She has been painting since she was twelve years old and took classes on portrait painting and figure drawing from the Art Students League of New York City. She feels that art is therapy and encourages everyone to do it as much and as often as possible.

Derek lynch was born in Englewood NJ and currently lives and works in San Francisco CA. Solo and Group exhibitions have been featured at: Schneider Museum of Art, Ashley Oregon, Bedford Gallery of Contemporary Art, Walnut Creek, CA, SFMOMA Museo gallery, San Francisco,CA, SFMOMA Artist Gallery San Francisco, CA, Gallerie Citi, CA. .

Artist Statement

My new work involves the creation of urban based Idealized landscapes in dream like circumstances. Ambiguous relationships and unsettling juxtapositions.

I am focusing and dissecting, rearranging forms derived from the architecture of the bay area to create new perspectives.

My text are idioms of my perception of reality base on the Current social political life we live.

The outcome can be whimsical and yet it offers a serious sociopolitical commentary on the changes to our urban landscape.

My perception of reality, and how I interpret it, was shaped by the implications of the housing scandals of the last decade.

I am attempting to combine these observations to create a compilation of connective awareness.

In 2006, I began working with architectural forms using ink, pencil markers, acrylic paint, and archival pigment. My use of these materials has become a prominent feature of my work..

I was fortunate to attend the School of the Visual Arts in New York City in the early 80’s with artists such as Keith Haring and Kenny Scharf.

As a musician my band played at CBGB's in 1986 & 87 at the Christmas special as the 'Special Guests' after the performance in 1987 we performed live on WFMU radio.

My film debut was at the Castro Theater in San Francisco, BAM in Berkeley, CA, and The Kitchen in New York City in 2000.

My film debut was at the Castro Theater in San Francisco, BAM in Berkeley, CA, and The Kitchen in New York City in 2000.

In an information-filled world as a wanna-be minimalist, am searching for essences while working with vertical movement, color, rhythm, light, layers.

Kellyʼs work draws on the inspirations of her early childhood memories and the organic forms and colors found in nature. Combining other disciplines such as sculptural elements within the glass and hand paint; her work reflects her belief in simplistic forms and asymmetry, varying in color intensity from landscape palettes to the boldness of graffiti art. As a self taught artist she has studied techniques in such mediums as painting, ceramic sculpture, metal smithing, woodworking, photography and motorcycle maintenance which she combines with to create the unique pieces.

art makes me make art makes me. i work in a variety of mediums, reflecting my take on everything from societies absurdities to its beauties. Often I work quickly on impulse and find i achieve my best results this way. In the past i have worked with ceramics, but currently focus on latex painting, drawing, silkscreening, installation, and performance art.