Bolinas-based artist and educator Janis Yerington, whose lush paintings are currently presented in the exhibition Janis Yerington: Even Still (on view through June 2), is passionate about the many ways art can enhance lives. As an art teacher at the Bolinas-Stinson and Nicasio schools, she imbues her students with knowledge, encourages critical thinking and creativity, and shares a sense of wonder about all the opportunities the arts can provide.

Yerington graduated *** laude from Brandeis University in Art History and attended Studio Art Center International in Florence, Italy, and Cambridge University. She has worked at the New Yorker Magazine, galleries, and museums. Her work has been presented in solo exhibitions throughout the US and Europe. 

When did art come into your life?

Art came into my life at an early age. I still remember the drawings and paintings I did as a three-year-old. My first “serious” work was created at age 4. It hangs in my studio to this day. In elementary school, I loved all my art classes, and my parents had me go to private art classes after school with other budding artists, which were held in various ladies’ basements. My folks were also great about regularly bringing my brother and me to all the NYC museums. The paintings at the Met feel like old friends to me. In high school, I fell in love with sculpting. In college, I studied Art and Art History. My mentor, Carl Belz, inspired me to take art seriously, live artfully, and become a critical thinker. I loved my time abroad, studying Art, Art History, and Art Conservation in Florence and Cambridge. This early focus on Art has carried through my life. I can never get enough – whether it is making art, looking at art, supporting the arts, teaching art, or my ongoing learning.

What do you turn to for inspiration, and how does coastal Marin influence you as an artist?

Inspiration is everywhere-art from 5 minutes ago to five hundred years ago. The artist's mannequin in the studio represents Everyman and the range of human emotion and experience. Blossoming flowers remind us of abundance, but their and our bloom will fade. Everything is so beautiful I find myself swept away in worship throughout my days. I see the simple, commonplace, and ordinary through the artist's lens, and I observe endless vignettes as gorgeous and breathtaking. My life focuses on my family, community, and God and how I can best love them. I am inspired by transcendence and goodness. I like to think of whatever is pleasing, right – and know that if I want to change the world, it starts with loving those closest to me, my family, my students, and my community. My art is not necessarily of a moralizing content or always symbolic. Yet, it has a story to tell and touches on philosophical, spiritual, and moral questions in a quiet voice. My current paintings are in the humble yet persistent resonance of the still life genre, incorporating chiaroscuro and slow, labor-intensive, Old World techniques. I used to worry that I paint so slowly, but after lamenting to my dear friend, Sean Thackrey, he reminded me, “Why in the world would you ever desire to paint fast?!”

Compositions are born as I prepare meals for my family and friends and as I garden. In my still lifes, I portray purely fresh and seasonal sensory pleasures. Real-life counterpoints are prepared and served in my kitchen, just steps away from my tiny studio. The “ingredients” of my subject matter are procured from our local waters (which I enjoy swimming in almost every day and dream of being a fisherwoman), harvesting from my garden, collecting the delightful and therapeutic backyard chicken’s eggs, from the natural store next door, and the farm stand. I wonder what makes a compelling painting, knowing that historically, in the hierarchy of subject matter, the still life ranks last. I cherish that the mundane can be magical and that we can see the difference between the sacred and the profane. As an East Coast transplant, I can never get over the abundance of produce in Marin. It is like the Garden of Eden. Bolinas is a moveable feast.

What are you reading, listening to, and cooking lately?

I am currently reading Get the Picture by Bianca Bosker. I have always been an avid reader; a few of my favorite books are: My Name is Asher Lev by Chaim Potok, Moby Dick by Herman Melville, The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery, Nathaniel’s Nutmeg by Giles Milton, The Sabbath by Abraham Joshua Heschel, What is the What by Dave Eggers, and Walking on Water: Reflections on Faith and Art by Madeleine L’Engle. Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese was great. I enjoy all of Martin Gayford’s books on art.

I listen to a lot of books and podcasts in my studio. A couple of great books to listen to are Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi and The Art Forger by B.A. Shapiro. My favorite podcasts are the Sporkful, Decoder Ring, Gastropod, Freakonomics, and The Cave of Apelles.

My chickens are laying pretty well now, so I am grateful to be cooking fresh eggs. In my garden, the herbs and bok choy are plentiful. The tomatoes are off to a good start, and I am hopeful for red, yellow, and purple fruit come summer. I’m an intuitive cook, and it relaxes me; every meal starts with sauteing onions and garlic. 

What is one lesson you have learned from life? 

That it is better to be kind than to be right.

IN THE GALLERIES

THROUGH JUNE 2

MAIN GALLERY

New Geographies

Curated by Ivan Iannoli

??This exhibition looks at the influence and connections of Bolinas’ artistic history with the hope of recognizing and opening new conversations between coastal Marin-affiliated artists and practices and those in the wider creative landscape. The exhibition highlights specific qualities that illustrate Bolinas’ unique history and those that place this area and its creative ethos into larger conversations. The works in this exhibition come from a range of artists and locales but are meant to be a conversation, sometimes broad, sometimes more intimate, and hopefully sometimes surprising, that considers the varied places, terrains, and histories that link a small beach hamlet to the global discourse.

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Janis Yerington: Even Still

Curated by Louisa Gloger and Elia Haworth

Bolinas-based artist Janis Yerington sees the ordinary as a miracle. For this exhibition, she uses old-world techniques and the chiaroscuro study of light and shadow to create vibrant still-life paintings of West Marin produce, from ripe tomatoes to blue eggs, highlighting the abundant raw ingredients from the local farm stand, the natural food store, and the garden. Her compositions are born as she prepares meals for friends and family, conveying prayers of peace and nourishment. 

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PHOTOGRAPHY GALLERY

Ken Botto: Barbies

Curated by Louisa Gloger

Bolinas-based artist Ken Botto (1937-2008) created and photographed miniature tableaux using his toy collection, unique props, and found objects. Among his varied subjects, he is well known for staging and photographing Barbie, Ken, and Robots between 1980-1986. This exhibition showcases a selection of his iconic Barbie photographs and never-before-seen prints, including some borrowed from private collections. Come and see a marble bust of Barbie and many treasured memorabilia.

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HISTORY ROOM

HISTORY OF THE BOLINAS POST OFFICE

Curated by Elia Haworth

For 160 years, Bolinas had a busy downtown post office. Then, in early 2023, an unfortunate and perhaps avoidable set of circumstances left the Bolinas postal service without a home. The situation became a dire hardship for the town and an urgent issue. This exhibit, featuring Bolinas’s original 1863 post office facade, shares fascinating stories from the days of mail delivered by horse and boat to the present. It highlights some of the communications, dynamic postmasters, and community spirit of residents who joined throughout the decades to maintain the presence and integrity of the USPS as an essential service in Bolinas.

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LEARN AND ENGAGE

FUNDRAISER

Annual Spring Benefit Party

Saturday, June 1, 4 - 6 PM

Enjoy stunning coastal views, music, seasonal fare, lovely wine varietals, including a selection from Scribe, and specialty cocktails as we kick off summer during this festive gathering of friends, old and new!

EARLY BIRD TICKETS ON SALE THROUGH MAY 15:

$100 Members* / $125 General Admission

TICKETS AFTER MAY 15:

$125 Members* / $150 General Admission

*Members received an email with the promo code on May 1.

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