A Happier Place

I have a featured art exhibition coming up fast in April, titled “A Happier Place.” The opening will coincide with the South First Fridays Art Walk in the downtown San Jose SoFA Art District.

This is the first that you’re hearing about this exhibition and that’s because I just learned about it earlier this month. I’ve been working like a fiend to finish and varnish four new paintings that will be included. A second artist is also being featured. She’s a mosaic artist and her works are stunning and not to be missed. Find her on Instagram at @myxuanho.

In addition to the opening reception, I’ll be hanging out in the gallery on Saturday afternoons through the month of April working on small art projects and available to chat about art. Check my Instagram or Facebook page for updates on the dates and times I’ll be at the gallery.

• Opening Reception: Friday, April 1, 2020, 5-9 pm
• Gallery Hours: April 2 – April 29: Thursdays–Fridays 12pm–7pm, Saturdays 12pm–5pm
• Where: KALEID Gallery, 320 S. 1st St., San Jose, CA 95112
• Meet and Greet: Saturday afternoons throughoug April, check my Instagram or Facebook page for updates on the days and times

A Happier Place Synopsis

As a youth, I loved the song “Don’t Worry, Be Happy,” by Bobby McFerrin. I played that music video again while writing this synopsis, and it’s impossible to watch that video, with Robin Williams dancing around being a complete dork, and not smile and forget all about my worries. When I sit in my art studio surrounded by all of my colorful flower fields, a similar feeling envelops me.

2021 was a difficult year for me, and for all of us. That rotten pandemic affected everyone, except maybe those rare few living in isolation atop a remote mountain. We’re now seeing a possible light at the end of the COVID tunnel. Mask mandates are gone. Is it for real or will a new variant plague us a few months from now?

Maybe, just for now, we can look at pretty things and forget about the pandemic, and find ourselves in “A Happier Place.” I’m thrilled to share these paintings with you, and hope that you’ll enjoy their cheerful vibe.