The Weir and The Marsh, oil on 6" wood panel

Celebrating the Carmel Art Association's 94th anniversary, the CAA's Miniature Raffle is on now through August 30th. Tickets can be purchased in person at the gallery or over the phone: 831-624-6176. CAA Artist Members painted two miniatures each. See them all. Come to the gallery or call with a credit card number and tell us where to place your tickets. You don't need to be present to win. Winning works can be shipped if you live out of the area. Tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20. New and current associate members receive 10 free tickets! Join CAA for only $35. Good luck! 

We had a great turn-out at a mask-free reception before The Hearts of Carmel were unveiled in select locations throughout downtown Carmel! 10 enormous hearts, 10 local artists, lots of Love for Carmel. I painted one of the hearts in my studio and it was then picked up and sealed with a protective coating and placed on the lower level of the Carmel Plaza. As I worked on this heart I kept in mind that this would be a public work of sorts and thus I made one side (top) a little more beachy and "accessible." The other side shown below is a more typical reflection of my work. Do you have a favorite side?

Devised by Leadership Carmel, the project will help celebrate the return of life and hope to Carmel-by-the-Sea. Love is always the bridge to connection…to community. These will be on display for the summer and auctioned off at summer's end to benefit youth groups in our community. I'm so grateful to have been involved!

June 5, 2021

I'm delighted to share that I've been juried in as a new Artist Member of the Carmel Art Association! The Carmel Art Association is composed of local artists who are selected by their peers. Founded in 1927, it is one of the oldest operating non-profit artist cooperative in the United States. The Association exists to provide its members with a permanent art gallery, to advance knowledge of, and interest in the arts, and to create a spirit of cooperation and fellowship among artists and the community. I am thrilled to be included in the New Member Show which opens in June!

Earlier this month I completed two paintings commissioned by new collectors based in Southern California. Before I began the work, I was excited to learn they would be going on a gray wall as it meant I could use the pale pinks and whites I've been loving lately. I painted the same gray on my studio walls which helped me work out the palette while keeping the paintings light. A gray wall is so striking and these two works look right at home. (36" x 36" acrylic on canvas)

Art 55 is a group of 55 emerging and established artists from Europe, North America and Australia committed to excellence in artistic expression. Despite our distances, we have been sharing our work with each other through social media since 2018, offering feedback, and encouragement as well as just sharing our lives. I designed our logo as well, and was amazed at how we all easily we all agreed to one of the 4 options offered. It is a sweet and remarkable group I am so happy to be a part of!

CONNECTIONS, our first online show, explores interrelatedness within the cosmos, nature, community, family and ourselves. During this unprecedented and isolating pandemic our curated show presents a collection of thoughtful, inspiring and healing works of art. Click above to see the show.

I'm happy to share that “The Summer Before” has been selected for “A Moment of Reflection” at the Mill Valley O'Hanlon Center for the Arts, juried by Emebet Korn of Desta Gallery. This is the first in-person exhibit at the O’Hanlon Center for the Arts since Covid began. (Note: appointments need to be made to visit.) It was refreshing to deliver my piece in person to meet juror herself, and see the installation in progress! This nicely curated and restful show opens today and runs through March 19. See the show!

Excited to announce my participation in Studio 10, a virtual pop-up art show featuring 10 contemporary artists from New Zealand, Spain and across the USA. The show debuts a selection of 10 original abstract paintings (one from each artist) for collectors of all levels. The exhibit begins on November 27 and runs through December 6th. The big reveal is on the 27th. I’ll post a link to Studio 10 then so you can check out my newest piece and the incredible work of the other 9 artists!

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I'm very happy to announce my work will be included into the following exhibitions.

Fly Me to the Moon
Fragments | Arc Gallery | San Francisco
Juried by Jen Tough. See the show.

After the Fair
Crocker Kingsley juried exhibition
Blue Line Arts, Roseville CA
Show runs January 8 – February 20, 2021

Nah, don't be fooled, I didn't make the cover of the Carmel Pinecone, but I am featured in an artist profile in this week's edition thanks to staff writer Dennis Taylor. Always fun to reminisce on various experiences and nice to get the exposure!

Excited to share that “Good Trouble” has been accepted into the 2020 International Juried Exhibition curated by esteemed juror, Julie Nester, owner of Julie Nester Gallery (Park City Utah). This selection of 50 works, chosen from 3,322 submissions, represents a terrific body of work including emerging, as well as established contemporary artists. I am thrilled an honored to be included!

Good Trouble. 40 x 60 oil on linen

If not during a pandemic & the collapse of democracy as we know it, then when? Introducing my new bigger studio! Two freshly painted walls, yes! New flooring, yes! Natural light, tons! Located in downtown Carmel at the Church of the Wayfarer, a sweet building featuring beautiful crank windows, ample ventilation, and a cheerful community. So grateful. If you are in the area, feel free to contact me for a studio visit. Big paintings to come but slowly, they take more time. Shape your life—it’s still yours.

Jenny K. of LA found my work on Instagram and sent me a brief email, "I am interested in purchasing your art. I’m in Carmel for the week..." And boy, she meant it! I am thrilled to share this painting with a new collector. It looks great hanging in the room Jenny describes as the main family gathering spot.

While most new paintings stay at the studio, I've wanted to live with this one for the past months. Working on it has been an emotional ride. A large painting such as this (40" x 60") can take time to resolve — weeks or months. This has had many lives, some more calm and resolved than others (see below). There were probably 8 versions in all and points at which I could have called it “done” but this one kept pushing me. This final version was painted during the days of tragedy and chaos in Minneapolis in early summer. More charged with deeper reds and impulsive gestures, it now can live as is. I am so grateful that "Good Trouble" resonates with Jenny & family.

I can’t watch the news anymore. The chaos leaves me listless. Painting is a great alleviator. Mixing colors and spreading paint is pure pleasure in itself. When I get to the studio lately, there is no plan. Just a desire to make something. So I’m bouncing around in subject, size and materials. It’s been fun and therapuetic.

I’m finding comfort creating kitchen art — simple compositions with clear delineation of space. Surprisingly, creating simplicity takes lots of focus and thoughtful decision making, especially when it comes to color. But you also have to quiet the mind and let your intuition roam.

See more kitchen art other new work.

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It’s nice to be featured in this week’s MC Weekly’s VISUALS section. Thanks go to Arts Writer Walter Ryce. I like his use of the word “jostle.” Such a good word that’s bound to become the title of a new painting when the right one comes along.

My Open Studio has been postponed so for now, I’m joining in the ARTIST SUPPORT PLEDGE initiative started by London artist Matthew Burrow. The concept is a sweet and simple one to keep us artists going. Artists post images of work to sell for no more than $200. Anyone can then buy the work. Every time an artists reaches $1000 of sales they pledge to buy another artist's work for $200. It’s a win win!

I’m offering this piece from a new series titled “Buildings”. It’s 6” x 6” acrylic on panel and one of many works up for grabs for $140 (plus shipping). DM me via instagram if you fancy it! www.instagram.com/annelliotartz

More small works will be posted over the next few days in support of the artist pledge so follow me to find the one you love!

This is part of a series of 6"x6” panels I am calling "Life’s Chubby" based on a conversation I had with my 96 year old mother in late March. I was mentioning to her that though these times have brought about so much suffering, I can also appreciate how extraordinary it is that something so unimaginable still occurs. All of humanity stops to take a collective breath. That is something. Change happens. And Mom replied, “Life’s chubby.”

Due to the pandemic my next Open Studio is postponed until Oct. 2020. Let’s hope our world is in a better place by then. Be well.

It was merry at the Cherry! Loved being a part of the Holiday Benefit at the Cherry Center for the Arts. This oil painting was purchased and taken right off the wall going home to some new local collectors. Thank you Gaye!

Happy to be included in this next exhibit at the Carl Cherry Center. A strong group of artists show their stuff on paper. Show opens tonight with a reception from 5-7. Pop by and mingle! If not tonight, the show remains up until Feb. 16.

Carl Cherry Center  | 4th and Guadalupe

I will be participating in the Monterey county Open Studios this spring. Drop by to see new work. Stay for refreshments, community, conversation, and leave with an original!

Saturday & Sunday
September 29-30, 11-5pm
24424 San Juan Road, Carmel