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Beth O’Brien 1806 Key Boulevard El Cerrito, CA 94530 510~230~4007 [EMAIL REDACTED] May 5, 2015 Suzanne Iarla Community Outreach Special City of El Cerrito 10890 San Pablo Avenue El Cerrito, CA 94530 Dear Suzanne Iarla: I am writing to express my interest in exhibiting works of art in the gallery space in El Cerrito City Hall. Any time period would be fine. I think it is a lovely space with beautiful light, and artworks are very well represented there. Also attached is a bit of background information about my art education and history, as well as nine photos of works which could be included in the exhibit. I also have a few more which are not photographed at this time, which could be considered. Thank you very much for considering my artwork for exhibit at El Cerrito City Hall. Sincerely, Beth O’Brien ---PAGE BREAK--- Beth O’Brien, Fine Artist 1806 Key Boulevard, El Cerrito, CA 94530 [PHONE REDACTED] [EMAIL REDACTED] Beth O’Brien Artist Statement My biggest joy in life is attempting, and occasionally succeeding, to bring a sense of peace and serenity to this world. It gives me great pleasure to express this through painting and drawing. My artwork has been a serious hobby for a number of years, and recently I am in an upsurge of motivation to do more. Education 1971 – 1975 – Began studying with Thomas Leighton, a Canadian-born artist and teacher of wide renown and skill. Instruction was given in the atelier style, working many hours from one model to learn basic drawing and principles of composition, light and shadow, and finally color. Classes were held in San Francisco in a beautiful Mediterranean-style apartment overlooking the city. Mediums used were charcoal, pastel, and oil. 1978 – 1980 – After the passing of Thomas Leighton, I continued my studies with his wife, Marjery Lester, an extremely accomplished artist as well. She helped me with developing my own style and method, and how to transpose images into a higher key, which she excelled at. Began working with watercolor to facilitate this endeavor. History During most of the time I studied with the above-mentioned artists, I was living in South Lake Tahoe and commuting to art classes in San Francisco once a week. I became involved with local art groups around the lake, and exhibited and sold my work in the galleries in Caesars, Sahara, and in local art exhibits around town. I won Best of Show several times, and began to receive commissions for portrait work. I also began to explore animal portraits, and later landscapes. After moving to the Bay Area in 1983, I laid aside the art work for a number of years. Occasionally I would dabble, but it has been only in the last year or so that I have felt a strong resurgence of desire to paint and draw again. My latest works are watercolor landscapes. ---PAGE BREAK--- ---PAGE BREAK--- ---PAGE BREAK--- ---PAGE BREAK--- ---PAGE BREAK--- ---PAGE BREAK---