I’m hard at work on a new mural, I just celebrated the opening of a mini solo show, and I’m looking ahead to two group exhibitions, plus the annual Frank Bette Paint Out! I also took a workshop from Danny Folkman in Point Reyes this month. 

Thanks to my friend Apollo Fisher, I have partnered up with San Franpsycho, a local screenprinting and gift shop, for a mini solo show! It’s on display now at the Inner Sunset location until the end of the month.

You may remember from last month that my work was featured in Issue 9 of the 415 Zine. Now, we’re having an exhibit of 415 Zine artists at one of my favorite bars– Mini Bar! Anita Beshirs with KnownSF has partnered with 415 Zine, and I know she will absolutely pack the walls with great art.

Join us for the opening night celebration on June 25, starting at 6pm and going late. I’ll be there on the late end of the evening.

Next, we have a Plein Air show at Anälog gallery! It’s a small but beautiful gallery built into the garage of a Victorian house at 24th and Capp. My friend Mila Kirillova is in the exhibition with me, as well as Eddie Rodriguez and Mark Garrett.

I’ll be displaying this recent piece from the top of Montgomery, on the way up to Telegraph Hill. This is the first time that I’ve returned to the same location for a second day of painting– it was a complex and challenging scene!

We’re having an opening celebration on Friday, July 10, 5-8pm, at 886 Capp. The gallery will be open July 11th, 18th, and 25th, from 12pm-5pm.

This month I have been painting a mural in collaboration with the Transgender District. Six artists are each taking on an archway on the 64 Golden Gate parking garage, including my friend Apollo Fisher, bringing some queer joy to the Tenderloin! My mural “Beacons of History” is a continuation of my neon sign obsession, and celebrates historical queer venues of the Tenderloin and North Beach. 

This is the first time I’m painting neon signs that are no longer existing/functioning (all except Aunt Charlie’s). Instead of being able to see them in person and take my own photos, I had to find and interpret old photographs. I’m striving to stylize the signs in such a way that they all go well together in the same image, in a different way from my BEACONS gallery pieces.

Check out the progress for yourself at the 64 Golden Gate parking garage, the oldest parking garage in the city. It even has a plaque. I’ll have finished photos by next month’s newsletter!

One of my favorite artists, Danny Folkman, held a workshop in Point Reyes, and I got to attend! I was there along with several painter friends: Mila Kirillova, Karen Fiene, and David Savellano. Though I have a lot of experience with gouache, it was good for me to approach it in a completely different way.

On the final day, we painted in nearby Nicasio! I had a breakthrough with this chapel painting. Check out the subtle color changes in the shadow side, the striated brush strokes, and the transparently painted clouds. I’m excited to see how Danny’s techniques work their way into my process as I go forward.

The gang (Danny, Mila, Karen, and David) will all be back together for this year’s Frank Bette Plein Air Paint Out! Approximately 40 artists, both local and from all over the country, descend on Alameda and paint all over the island for a week— with the exception of one “off island” day, so you’ll also see works from around the Bay Area.

The four of us are all participating, and David helps organize it. He’s the one who first suggested I apply, four years ago. My friend and workshop co-teacher Kate Rado will also be participating! 

There are two events open to the public as part of the Frank Bette paint out. You can paint with us during the quick draw on Wednesday, July 29, and then display your work for sale, or come by the quick draw sale to see works created by the juried painters and community painters that very day.

The big sale is on Saturday, August 1st, 10am-5pm. That’s when every artist displays their entire week’s worth of paintings for sale and awards are announced. 

It’s inspiring to see the variety of work created over the week by all the different artists. This event is known by community members and serious art collectors alike as a great opportunity to explore amazing plein air paintings and find new pieces for their homes and collections.

You’ve heard a lot about Mila Kirillova during this newsletter, so it seems fitting to make sure you know about her upcoming group show at STUDIO Gallery. She is one of only three artists in this exhibition, and she’s made an entire series of ‘slices’-- paintings with a very long and tall aspect ratio. I got to preview the series in the studio, plus I was with her during some of the plein air adventures, and this series is fantastic.

I can’t wait to see them up in the gallery! The opening reception will be Saturday, June 27, from 3-5pm. The exhibit is open through July 13.

Thanks for reading! As a reward, here is a picture of Ruby.

While you await the next newsletter, you can check out my website to see my portfolio!

I have prints available in small businesses around San Francisco! Find them at: Queer Arts Featured, Fleet Wood, SF Mercantile, and Locali.

Stay tuned for next month, and let me know what you’d like to hear about in the newsletter in the future by responding directly to this email or reaching out at nathaniel@njbice.com.

-Nathaniel J. Bice

he/him

njbice.com