Our Blog

What a great opportunity! With the advent of YouTube we can hear Penny Otwell talk about her life as an artist and how she creates. Plus we get to see her in her own environment, Yosemite! Hope you enjoy!

Charles (Chuck) Waldman is the newest addition to our Gallery. He paid us a visit Monday, April 13 and brought some fabulous paintings! He, Glen and John had a great visit. Here's a couple of photos of Chuck and John talking about Chuck's work. 

Chuck began painting full-time in 1999 after practicing Family Medicine in Sonora (CA) for 22 years.  He was born in Oakland (CA) in 1949 and had an early interest in art but didn’t start oil painting until 1987.  He is mostly self-taught except for two workshops with Clyde Aspevig that were a major part of his education and got him painting on-location, where he does most of his work.

Morning in June,   Oil On Linen,   18x24,   $2,200

The former physician is awed by the course of events since leaving medicine for Art.  He was selected as an Artist Member of the California Art Club, The Laguna Plein Air Painters, “The Sea-to-Shining-Sea” Exhibition and has been invited to several group shows at the Haggin Museum in Stockton, CA.  He shows in galleries throughout the US, attends a few plein air events, and teaches workshops.

April Showers, Oil On Linen, 16x20, $1,800

Chuck paints mostly in California and the West but also makes trips to other parts of the US (Maine in July 2006) and has traveled many times to France. “I paint on-location to discover the beauty in the commonplace and to find new ways for me to express this in paint.  When I can fully engage in this dialog between place and paint, it is, for me, utterly satisfying.”

Stop in and see all of Chuck's paintings during regular business hours or call for an appointment after hours.

First Street Gallery is pleased to announce we are now representing Paul Kratter. Paul was born in San Francisco and raised on the Peninsula, South of the City. He spent his youth either outdoors playing tennis or indoors drawing his favorite athletes and wild animals.

He received a degree in Graphic Arts from the College of San Mateo and spent four years at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, CA, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Illustration in 1980.

Painting outdoors has become a passion. Paul participates in a number of plein air events annually in California. Each has its own unique topography, light and challenges, which forces him to keep his work fresh and loose.

In 2005, Paul joined a group of fellow artists to paint in the Eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains. They packed their supplies, hiked to nearly 10,000 feet and painted the majestic peaks. This has become an annual event.

Hi wife, Tia, is an art director at Pixar Studios in Emeryville, CA.  They have two boys, Joel an aspiring artist, and Marshall a college bound baseball player. 

Above The Bridge, Half Dome, Oil On Linen Board, 8 x 10

Emerald Bay View, Oil On Linen Board, 8 x 10