 "Photo: Stefan Agregado | Daily 49er")
An old-fashioned theme adorns the walls of the West Gatov Gallery with large colorful canvases, textured oil paintings and images of workshops and craftsmanship this week. A student solo show, titled "The Workshop," is on display as part of this week's student art galleries.
Jacqueline Gutierrez, a sixth-year fine arts and Italian double major, presents a collection of rustic still-lifes and textured imagery inspired by her experience abroad in Italy.
"This experience came up in my head a lot," Gutierrez said. "I had to remember what is driving me, the image and the experience go hand in hand."
The large canvases appeal to the eye with its color and texture. Clearly visible brushstrokes and blends of color guide the audience's eyes across the painting. With the hard edges, the viewer experiences the difference between the background and the boat, the shelf and the tools in the foreground.
Gutierrez experiments with the light in the painting by showing exposure and shadows in different areas of her pieces. The light in each piece puts focus on the subject of the painting when the light is drawn to it.
Gutierrez's inspiration for this collection is drawn from a 95-year-old Italian boat craftsman, named Tonino, who is in search of an apprentice to succeed him in his craft. She intends to convey the experience of watching the craftsman at work and the workshop itself through her paintings and drawings.
"My experience in Italy, what [Tonino] was showing me, is what inspired the collection," Gutierrez said. "It's an intimate telling of tradition."
Each painting expresses a dream-like memory of the work and the tools that go into building something. The paintings have a taste of what someone would find in a traditional workshop — full of tools that serve a purpose in the preservation of an old-fashioned craft.
"I love to paint," Gutierrez said. "I love being able to convey a feeling, a sense of place, and emotion. It's fun."
Gutierrez said her passion motivates her to continue to create works of art. She said art captures an experience, a time, place and feeling. She portrays as many of these aspects in her collection.
In this particular collection, she chose to glorify the hard work and intensity of a dying art of craftsmanship. After her time at Cal State Long Beach, Gutierrez plans to join the graduate program for painting and pursue a career as a university-level art professor.
Gutierrez hopes that her artwork speaks to the public and says everything she can't say herself.
Gutierrez's gallery is just one exhibit in this week's student art galleries. The weekly galleries run Monday through Thursday from noon to 5 p.m. between the FA2 and FA3 buildings.
Disclaimer: The Daily 49er is not responsible for Postings made on www.daily49er.com. Persons commenting are solely responsible for Postings made on this website. Persons commenting agree to the Terms of Use of the website. If Postings do not abide by the Rules of Conduct or Posting Regulations as listed in the Postings Policy, the Daily 49er has all rights to delete Postings as it deems necessary. The Daily 49er strongly advises individuals to not abuse their First Amendment rights, and to avoid language suggestive of hate speech. This site also encourages users to make Postings relevant to the article or other Postings.
is a member of the 
