Heather Piazza

May 26, 2008 Oakland Tribune

2008-06-02T23:28:00.000-07:00

Framing a picture-perfect job for local Artist

Article on Heather Piazza of Four Oceans Press from the Oakland Tribune.

Dave Newhouse: Art's a frame job 05/26/2008 06:28:38 AM PDT

The artist sees beauty in a painting, but so does the framer. Heather Piazza understands this comparison fully because she is both painter and framer.

Piazza makes a living framing paintings and photographs, but she sees herself first as a painter. Either way in her mind, it's all art.

''The framing enhances what's in the picture,'' she said. ''Depending on the colors you pick in the frame, you can create different moods or enhance various elements of the artwork.''

Why would the greatest artists — Picasso, Rembrandt, Matisse — even want a frame whenthey obviously felt their paintings were classics?

''To hold it all together and pop it out from the wall,'' Piazza pointed out, ''and to give it something to showcase it, so that it stands out.''

Indeed, a memorable painting without an appropriate frame would be like an expensive suit without just the right shirt and tie to set it off.

Piazza, 33, grew up in Modesto and has been a custom framer for 14 years, the last 5-1/2 years at Creative Framing & Gallery in the Oakland hills. Dave Sommers has owned the store for 33 years, but Piazza is the store's manager and its only employee.

Get the picture? Piazza is a one-person show. She refers to Sommers as ''semi-retired.'' He takes care of the books, and she takes care of customers.

''I really love helping customers,'' she said, ''and helping them pick stuff that's going to be on their wall for a long time. And I pick up ideas from them for my own art.''

The framing shop is open Tuesday through Saturday. Piazza paints after work and on days off. She also uses her workplace to showcase her art. On June 7 and 8, and June 14 and 15, she will join Kathe Welch, both members of Four Oceans Press Artists and East Bay Open Studios, in exhibiting their paintings at Creative Framing, located at 5015 Woodminster Lane.

Piazza describes herself as an ''eclectic artist.'' She paints, she makes printings, she does sculpted glass and photography.

''I'm a Renaissance woman — in art and in life,'' she said. ''I can do most things for myself, and I'm not scared to try new things.''

She could decorate wedding cakes as a girl or fix the plumbing. Sky-diving and bungee-jumping are still on her list of adventuresome things to do.

Obviously, she doesn't think in black and white, whether it's art or exploration.

''All of my work is very colorful,'' she said of her paintings. ''I love color, and it's always really bright. I almost call it childlike, because it's very vibrant, happy and fun.''

A painting takes time, but so does framing.

''When someone comes in with their piece of art,'' said Piazza, ''I ask them a few basic questions to get to know them and their style. That gives me an instinct of what would look best on their art.''

If that instinct doesn't happen, she'll then experiment with different samples to figure out the customer's style. Basically, she prefers Earth tones for ''casual'' individuals, and gold, baroque frames for ''elegant'' people. She has a ''95 to 100 percent'' success rate in pleasing others.

''People say I have a really good eye,'' she said.

She does remarkable work. I know; I'm a regular customer. I have a hobby of collecting restaurant menus from my travels. She has enhanced them — with frame or frameless. She's artistic even in matting, including a tattered poster I have from a 1930s Oakland boxing show.
Piazza wants to be remembered, though, for her paintings, not her framings.

''I would love to be a full-time artist because I like to create art,'' she said. ''And I'd like people to enjoy my art. I'm not at a point where I've sold a lot of it yet.

''But I would frame my own art.''

Why would she trust anyone else?

Dave Newhouse's columns appear Sunday, Monday and Thursday, usually on the Metro page of the Oakland Tribune. Know any Good Neighbors? Phone 510-208-6466 or e-mail dnewhouse@bayareanewsgroup.com

http://www.insidebayarea.com/ci_9381337

This article also ran in "The Daily Review" a Hayward paper with the title: 'Eclectic Artist' excels in picture-perfect job

More in May 2007

2008-06-02T23:11:00.000-07:00

Mark your calender... Save these dates... Come and see me!!!

East Bay Open Studio's 2008
Four Oceans Press Artists
Kathe Welch & Heather Piazza
Featured at
Creative Framing & Gallery
5015 Woodminster Lane
Oakland, CA 94602
(510)482-1200

Come see us both weekends!!!
June 7th & 8th
June 14th & 15th
11am - 6pm
www.heatherpiazza.com/ebos2008

Here is a few shot from the opening night gala for the
"Aerial Suspension" Show at the Frank Bette in Alameda -
in case you missed it... Check out my website to see all the info
and there is a link for you to watch a video too...
www.heatherpiazza.com/frank_bette_shows

Not only is "Dancing in the ocean breeze" featured at Frank Bette,
but it is also featured in the first "Fine Arts Photography Exchange"
coordinate by Four Oceans Press... I'm excited to see all the finished photos with this 'Movement' theme. Check it out and feel free to sign up if you are a photographer... www.fouroceanspress.com/exchange_photo

Here are my finished prints "Life of an Oak Tree"
for exchange #36 with the Baren Forum...
All my prints can be found on my website...
www.heatherpiazza.com/prints

The NitPixies (http://www.nitpixies.com/) commissioned painting hanging in the reception area at the salon. www.heatherpiazza.com/services

BIG NEWS!!! There will be a "Good Neighbor" article about me, written by Dave Newhouse, in the Oakland Tribune Monday, May 26th, 2008... I'll post it on my website after it comes out :)

More ART still to come... I have big plans for what's next...
I just wish there were more hours in the day :)

Check out my newly updated website and see all that is new &
what is still to come in 2008 :) www.heatherpiazza.com/heather

As always, Thank you again for your interest and continued
support in my Art career... I would love to see you in Oakland
at the East Bay Open Studios 2008, June 7th-8th or 14th-15th!!!

Thanks & Smiles,
Heather

http://www.heatherpiazza.com/
http://www.fouroceanspress.com/

May 2008

2008-06-02T22:49:00.000-07:00

Opening Gala for the "Aerial Suspension" Show this Friday, May 2nd from 7-9pm!!! Frank Bette Center for the Arts is putting on another wonderful show of local Bay Area Artists work. I have two photographs featured in this show and fellow Four Oceans Press Artist & Photographer Graham Bird (http://www.brearleyphoto.com/ ) has three in the show... Here is a sneak peek of two of our pieces... (Mine is the "Dancing in the Ocean Breeze" on the right.)

More Frank Bette Shows that I have been a part of are featured here:
www.heatherpiazza.com/frank_bette_shows

This kite at the ocean was shot for the first "Fine Arts Photography Exchange" coordinate by Four Oceans Press... I'm excited to see all the finished photos with this 'Movement' theme. Check it out and feel free to sign up if you are a photographer. www.fouroceanspress.com/exchange_photo
I'm just finishing up my prints for Exchange #36 with the Baren Forum (http://www.barenforum.org/) - Above is my idea drawing for "Life on an Oak Tree"... I'll make sure the finished print is in my next up-date e-mail :) I'm also finishing up my "Blooming" prints for the Four Oceans Press Spring Exchange and I need to be starting my "Pizza" for the Food Alphabet Exchange... (Here is a link to the Archive page on Four Oceans Press where you can view the prints from all the completed exchanges which are linked to the left www.fouroceanspress.com/archive )

Below is a commissioned painting (36x36 acrylic on canvas) I have just finished for NitPixies ( http://www.nitpixies.com/ )

This June will be East Bay Open Studios 2008!!! I will be showing my art along side Kathe Welch (http://www.kathewelch.org/). The official dates are June 7-8 & 14-15 (11am - 6pm) and the viewing location will be at: Creative Framing & Gallery, 5015 Woodminster Lane, Oakland, CA.
( www.heatherpiazza.com/creative_framing ) We would both love to see you there, so mark your calender and be sure to stop by one of these fun weekends in June :) Below are two 'close-ups' of some of our new work...

"Last Leaf" relief print by Kathe Welch

"Year of the Rat" relief print by Heather Piazza

Last but not least... I have been continuously working on my website to try to make it easier to navigate... If you haven't seen it yet check out the new face lift on my website (http://www.heatherpiazza.com/) there is a new 'top' to every page and a new navigation bar :)

As always, Thank you again for your interest and continued support in my Art career... I wish you a Happy Friday & I would love to see you at the Frank Bette Center for the Arts... Keep checking back to my website to see all that is new and what is still to come in 2008 :)

Thanks & Smiles,
Heather
http://www.heatherpiazza.com/
http://www.fouroceanspress.com/

Here is my new postcard promoting my 'Fine Art Services'... Some of you may not know that I do pictures hangings for customers and I've also been doing Art Consulting too... So, if you have a need for either or know someone who does please feel free to pass on my information :)
www.heatherpiazza.com/services

April 2008

2008-06-02T20:31:00.000-07:00

Happy Spring!!!
Don't you just love the days getting warmer and the evenings lasting longer :) A few more new updates on what I've been doing...

Here is my new postcard promoting my 'Fine Art Services'... Some of you may not know that I do pictures hangings for customers and I've also been doing Art Consulting too... So, if you have a need for either or know someone who does please feel free to pass on my information :)

http://www.heatherpiazza.com/services.html

My most recent painting is a small 8 x 10 acrylic on rag board "Tree Study". I plan on making this same image into a large 36 x 48 painting in the near future... I did this piece because I needed three examples of "Plein Air" painting to enter the Frank Bette Plein Air Paintout this July (http://www.frankbettecenter.org/PAPo08.htm)... They only take 40 Artists - I sure hope I get in :)

The other two paintings I used to enter are two acrylics paintings I finished a few years ago... Sunrise Valley & Pacific Grove...

My newest finished print is "Snowing" for the Four Oceans Press Winter 2008 Print Exchange. However, it is already time to get on the ball and finish up both the Spring 2008 Exchange Print for FOP and to do a print for Exchange #36 with the Baren Forum (http://www.barenforum.org/).
...I am a busy Artist :)

Here is a link to the Archive page on Four Oceans Press where you can view all the prints from all the completed exchanges. http://www.fouroceanspress.com/archive.html

I have signed up for a new exchange; a Fine Arts Photography Exchange coordinate by Four Oceans Press... I'm excited to see all the finished photos with the theme of 'Movement'. Check it out... http://www.fouroceanspress.com/exchange_photo.html

This June will be East Bay Open Studios 2008!!! I will be showing my art along side Kathe Welch (http://www.kathewelch.org/)... The official dates are June 7-8 & 14-15 (11am - 6pm ...I think) and the viewing location will be at: Creative Framing, 5015 Woodminster Lane, Oakland, CA.
http://www.heatherpiazza.com/creative_framing.html
We would both love to see you there, so keep it in the back of your mind as a fun few weekends coming up in June :)

I was also a Featured Artist of the Month on FOP
http://www.fouroceanspress.com/am_10_07.html

Last but not least... I have been continuously working on my website to try to make it easier to navigate... Check out the new face lift on my website (http://www.heatherpiazza.com/) there is a new 'top' to every page and even a new navigation bar :)

As always, Thank you again for your interest and continued support in my Art career... I wish you a Happy Spring and I hope you had a few relaxing Holiday weekends that just past... Keep checking back to my website to see all that is new and what is still to come in 2008 :)

Thanks & Smiles,
Heather

http://www.heatherpiazza.com/
http://www.fou%20roceanspress.com/

March 2008

2008-06-02T20:22:00.000-07:00

Heather's ART update!

I have recently updated and changed my website. I am making improvements weekly to make my site easier to navigate and faster to find things... Take a look :)

"Come Right in, Sit Right Down" is the current Art Show that I am in at the Frank Bette Center for the Arts in Alameda, California. This show runs through March 29th ... Stop by to see my trip-tic "Apple on Stool" featured below and my other mixed-media "Enchanted Chair" in the show, as well as all the other great art too! My friends and fellow Four Oceans Press Artists Kathe Welch & Graham Bird also have several pieces in this show too :)

http://www.heatherpiazza.com/frank_bette_shows.html

Last month I had 3 pieces in the "Vision & Revision" Show at Frank Bette... Here is one of my favorite oil paintings "Treasure" that got in :)

Currently working on:

A commissioned painting project on a 36x36 canvas :)

A few new linoleum prints... One for the Spring 2008 Exchange with Four Oceans Press and one for Exchange #36 with the Baren Forum :)

This June will be Open Studios 2008!!! I will be doing it with Kathe Welch in Oakland, California... I will provide more information as this event gets closer, but keep it in the back of your mind as a fun weekend coming up in June :)

As always, Thank you again for your interest and continued support in my Art career... I wish you a Happy Spring & I hope you get to enjoy a few relaxing holiday weekends coming up... Keep checking back to my website to see all that is new and what is still to come in 2008 :)

Thanks & Smiles,
Heather
http://www.heatherpiazza.com/
http://www.fouroceanspress.com/

Welcome 2008

2008-06-02T20:12:00.000-07:00

Welcome 2008 - Another Year of Art!!!

My newest print exchange that I'm completing is "The Year of the Rat" with the Baren Forum...
2008 is the Year of the Rat and with this exchange each Artist sends a small Rat print to each person on the list - there are 57 Artists in this exchange. My Rat is running away after stealing
some cheese...

The Winter exchange with Four Oceans Press is coming to an end and I'm finishing us these prints now... Here is my proof print 0 two layers already done... I just need to add the snow.

Keep checking back to my website to see all that's new and what is still to come in 2008...

As always, Thank you again for your interest and continued support in my Art career... I hope you had a wonderful Holiday Season & a very Happy New Year to you :)

Thanks & Smiles,
Heather
http://www.heatherpiazza.com/
http://www.fouroceanspress.com/

End of 2007

2008-06-02T20:04:00.000-07:00

I wish you a Happy and Healthy Holiday Season & a Very Wonderful New Year :)

This is the last week to see the "Holiday Gift Boutique" and the "A Partridge and a Pear Tree" Show at The Frank Bette Center for the Arts in Alameda. The show will only run through December 23rd... www.heatherpiazza.com/frank_bette_shows

I have four pieces on the walls at 'The Frank Bette Center for the Arts' including one of my new paintings from my 'Aspen Series' of mixed-media on canvas... I was also fortunate enough to get 15 of my sculpted glass pendents in the gallery too, but I think there are only 13 left so hurry on over :)

You can check out photo's and a review of opening night of the "A Partridge and a Pear Tree" Show as well as other shows that I have been a part of here: ww.fouroceanspress.com/as_index.

The Postcard Show at "The Lab" in San Francisco was a lot of fun this year - I sold 7 pieces :) If you didn't make it out to the show and want to see what you missed there is a video of opening night linked to my page: www.heatherpiazza.com/postcard_2007

I have recently finished my "Falling" reduction print for the Four Oceans Press & Gallery Fall Print Exchange. You can see mine along with all the other prints that have come in at www.fouroceanspress.com/archive_fall_2007

Also on my Prints page you can see the other variations I printed www.heatherpiazza.com/prints

The next prints to come will be a Winter one for the Four Oceans Press Winter Exchange ( http://www.fouroceanspress.com/exchange.html ) & a rat for the Baren "Year of the Rat" New Year's Card Exchange ( http://www.barenforum.org/new_year/rat.html ).

Keep checking my website to see all that's new :)

Thank you again for your interest & continued support in my Art career :)

Thanks & Smiles,
Heather
http://www.heatherpiazza.com/
http://www.fouroceanspress.com/

December 2007

2008-06-02T19:55:00.000-07:00

Most Current Art update!!!

I would be honored if you would join me at both these events :)

Time for the Annual Post-Postcard 11 Show at "The Lab" in San Francisco, California. I have two boxes featured at this Gallery Show: one with Origami (Pig) Ornaments & the other with Blow Trees (Acrylic paintings on 5x7 Rag Board).

You should come and see all these wonderful treats in the boxes. Opening Reception November 30th, 2007 From 6-9pm. All the details can be found on my website at www.heatherpiazza.com/postcard_2007

Your second chance is here... Friday December 7th from 7-9pm is the Reception for the "Holiday Gift Boutique", but the "A Partridge and a Pear Tree" Show will still be up. If you missed the opening reception here's your second chance :) The show will only run through December 23rd... The Frank Bette Center for the Arts is in Alameda, California. All the details can be found on my website at www.heatherpiazza.com/frank_bette_shows

I have four pieces on the walls at 'The Frank Bette Center for the Arts' including one of my new paintings from my 'Aspen Series' of mixed-media on canvas... I was also fortunate enough to get 15 of my sculpted glass pendents in the gallery too... I would love for you to join me there :)

Regular Gallery Hours:
Wednesday - Saturday 11 AM to 7 PMSunday 11 AM to 5 PM
Closed Monday & Tuesday
Center for the Arts
1601 Paru StreetAlameda, CA 94501
510-523-6957

More up-dates:
I have also been involved in a few print exchanges lately. The most current one with Four Oceans Press & Gallery. You can check it out at www.fouroceanspress.com/archive_fall_2007

Here is my first cutting on the linoleum - this is going to be a reduction print.
www.heatherpiazza.com/fop_exchanges

Thank you again for your interest & continued support in my Art career :)

Thanks & Smiles,
Heather

http://www.heatherpiazza.com/
http://www.fouroceanspress.com/

November 2007

2008-06-02T19:43:00.000-07:00

My latest Art update!!!

I have several pieces on display At 'The Frank Bette Center for the Arts' including one of my new ones from my 'Aspen Series' of mixed-media on canvas... I would love for you to join me :)

This Friday November 2nd from 7-9pm is the Reception for "A Partridge and a Pear Tree" Show at The Frank Bette Center for the Arts in Alameda, California. http://www.frankbettecenter.org/

If you can't make it to this opening reception, the show will be up two months - all of November through December 24th...

Regular Gallery Hours:
Wednesday - Saturday 11 AM to 7 PMSunday 11 AM to 5 PM
Closed Monday & Tuesday

Center for the Arts1601 Paru StreetAlameda, CA 94501510-523-6957

The below image is from the "A Partridge and a Pear Tree" Show starting this Friday... I spent the Monday hanging the show... You must come by to see all this great art in person & see what else ia on display!!!

I have also been involved in a few print exchanges lately. The most current one with Four Oceans Press & Gallery - you can check it out at www.fouroceanspress.com/archive_fall_2007

If you are a print-maker & would like to join the next exchange you can sign up for it at www.fouroceanspress.com/exchange

Thank you again for your interest & continued support in my Art career :)

Thanks & Smiles,
Heather
http://www.heatherpiazza.com/
http://www.fouroceanspress.com/

September 2007

2008-06-02T19:39:00.000-07:00

You are invited to join me at 'The Frank Bette Center' in Alameda, California this Friday night, September 7th from 7-9pm.

I am one of the Artists on display for the "Reading between the Lines" Art Show, which will be on display all of September... Kathe Welch & Graham Bird (Fellow Artists from www.fouroceanspress.com/gallery) also have some pieces in this show. I would love to see you there...

Thank you for your interest & continued support in my Art career... The Display at Creative Framing was up for 2 months, but has now moved on to show other Artists. I do have a new 'crayon' piece in the current window display & I have a new painting ready for the October 'Fall' window... I'll keep you posted on what's comming up next :)

Thanks & Smiles,
Heather
www.heatherpiazza.com

Frank Bette Center for the Arts1601 Paru StreetAlameda, CA 94501510-523-6957

"Reading Between the Lines"September 7-29, 2007First Friday Opening Gala September 7, 7-9 PMSignature Salon"Transitions and Journeys" - Contemporary abstract paintings by Adam K. Orla-Bukowski

http://www.frankbettecenter.org/

June 2007

2008-06-02T19:33:00.000-07:00

Thank you to all who were able to stop by to the Open Studio Show. We had around 200 people come through the Studio over both weekends. Quite a busy and exciting event thanks to all of you :)

If you didn't happen to make it to the Studio I am currently featured at Creative Framing & Gallery along with a few other Artists: Graham Bird, Linda Piazza & Kathe Welch. The frame shop and Gallery are located in the beautiful Oakland hills just off of HWY 13. Gallery and Store Hours: Tue.-Fri. 10-6 & Sat. 10-4

Creative Framing & Gallery
5015 Woodminster Lane
Oakland, CA 94602
(510) 482-1200
http://www.heatherpiazza.com/creative_framing.html

Thank you again to all who are interested in fallowing my Art career...

Thanks & Smiles,
Heather Piazza

www.heatherpiazza.com

Heather Piazza's Biography

2008-06-02T18:13:00.001-07:00

A native of California's central valley, Heather joined in the Bay Area art scene in 2002 after receiving her Fine Arts Degree. She has been a custom picture framer for more then 13 years. Heather has a passion for the non-traditional, for the variety and complexity of light, for color, texture and design. These passions come though in the frames she designs for her customers as well as in each new piece of art she creates. Whether expressing herself through acrylic and oil painting, glass lamp-working, printmaking, drawing or photography, Heather has let creative intuition guide her work.

While other kids took pictures of their friends, Heather took pictures of the beauty around her in nature - the trees, the sky and the ocean. Heather has always had an eye for photography. She honed her technical skills in high school as part of the yearbook staff and continued her studies through her college years. Heather finds joy in capturing life around her with her camera.

Heather discovered her love for texture in 1997 while first working with oil paints. She was able to draw people into her paintings with her use of texture and give them the desire to not only look at the artwork, but to touch it as well. The use of color, texture and design allow Heather to share her vision with others. She also enjoys the soft fluid look of realism.

In 2001, Heather was attracted to a new subject for her art. She became captivated with expressing the essence of the female form in a variety of mediums on paper. The loose fluidity, the free form and unrefined sketch style lends itself beautifully to the sensual lines and natural raw beauty of the female nude.

Heather began exploring Glass Lamp-working in 2002. Working with melted glass allows her to further her move toward three-dimensional art. As the glass begins to take on its own form, she is able to add textural elements into the smooth surface of molten glass and shape the finished piece to her artistic ends.

Printmaking is Heather’s newest adventure. Over the last few years, she has begun to carve linoleum which allows her to continue her exploration of texture through various cutting techniques. Printmaking has forced her to consider more graphic imagery. Her prints have evolved from black and white to multiple colors and layers.

Heather’s work is derived by her enthusiasm in life and is expressed in whatever medium helps translate her feelings or fits her artistic mood. She is fortunate enough to show art regularly in all mediums. Heather looks forward to her next creative challenge, in whatever form it may take.