Anything Goes Spotlight

Our first show of 2026 was Anything Goes! Please enjoy this selection of three artworks from the show.

Julie Berlin

Julie Berlin (she/her/hers) WinterWind felted wool

How does your artwork relate to the theme of the show?
The theme of Anything Goes was a positive and fun invitation to participate – to get out of my own way and share work in a medium that is new for me – wool felting.  Since anything goes, I went with it.  Full disclosure – I’m also a big fan of Cole Porter’s musical, Anything Goes.

What was the first artwork you created that really mattered to you?
Oil pastel of flowers when I was 6 – my teacher took the orange pastel crayon and showed me the “right” way to make a California poppy.  When she left, I made a few poppies, got bored and continued my business of making up a new kind of flower involving lots of red, pink and white dots.  That was a defining moment for me – I learned that I’m the only person who knows what I want to do and what I mean to do.

What is the most important artist tool that you use in your practice?
Playfulness and What-iffery – as in, “What if I do this?”  These tools are in high gear when I’m creating with wool.

Michael Fedor

Michael Fedor 18th and Valencia St. watercolor

 
What was the first artwork you created that really mattered to you?
I didn’t do any real artwork until 2 years ago when I was challenged and inspired by the show Portrait Artist of the Year on Prime Video. I did a self portrait as a challenge to myself and was surprised to have several of my family and friends tell me that they thought I had talent. I retired soon after (not because of the comments – it was just time to retire) and have been pursuing art for the last two years mainly through the generosity of artists that post free instructional videos on YouTube.
 
What is the most important artist tool that you use in your practice?
As an avid urban sketcher I think whoever invented the waterbrush should be awarded the Nobel Prize for practicality and ingenuity. It is so portable and useful for adding a bit of watercolor highlighting to a quick location sketch. I always travel with a couple waterbrushes as well as a few micron pens, or just pencils.
 
Do you have any upcoming projects that you would like to share?
I am currently planning to do a large format watercolor of the view from Twin Peaks across the entire downtown and between. 
 
Charlotte Seekamp

Charlotte Seekamp Venice Garden Fence silver gelatin print

How does your artwork relate to the theme of the show?
The theme is Anything Goes, so this photo was taken on my trip last May and printed in the darkroom in September, so it is recent work that fits the definition of “anything”.

What is the most important artist tool that you use in your practice?
A pencil (5B is my fav) because I love to draw and pencils are handy for that and so many other things. If I could pick a second, I’ve been doing a lot of photography lately so my film camera is also invaluable.

What is a little known fact about yourself that you would like to share?
I am extremely proud to be one of the dozen (+/-) artists who started the Sanchez Art Center in 1996. I was the first Gallery Committee Chairperson and was also actively involved in many of the “Work Days” to fix up the building and make it into the wonderful art space that all AGP members should treasure. Not many towns have a place like this for local artists to gather & exhibit their works. We are lucky.