Caleigh's portrait of Robert Towne, a screenwriter

“Her work is great, very strong, and we’re happy to have her in our gallery,” said Amanda Taylor, owner of Artisans Gallery.

She was talking about a teenager’s work that’s going to be featured at her gallery today, Saturday, May 15, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Caleigh, a senior at Idyllwild Arts Academy, is going to New York University for art in the fall. This is her first gallery experience. (See “Student’s Work at Artisans Gallery” blog from March 6, 2010).

When Taylor received Caleigh’s portrait of Robert Towne a couple of month’s ago, she immediately put in on the fireplace mantle, a place of honor, and the first place most people look when they enter the gallery.

According to the Imdb web site, Towne is a writer, director, producer and actor. He got his start working with legendary exploitation director/producer Roger Corman. Considered one of the best script doctors in Hollywood, Towne contributed crucial scenes to such films as “Bonnie and Clyde” and “The Godfather.”

Although we cannot show you photos of Towne because of copyright infringements, we welcome you to visit www.imdb.com, and see how Caleigh got a good likeness of him. According to Taylor, Caleigh has met the famous screenwriter.

Caleigh’s 20 x 30 inch portrait of  Towne is a mixed media painting that appears to have writing mixed into the paint.

“See how she blends the oranges and reds into the painting,” Amanda pointed out. “That’s technique that adds a lot of warmth to an otherwise black and white painting.”

Another portrait by Caleigh is from her memory

“People’s reaction to Caleigh’s work has been positive,” Amanda added. “They really like her work.”

Caleigh will feature nine large-sized acrylic and mixed media paintings. She will be on hand from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. today to discuss her work.

Artisans Gallery, located in the Oakwood Village Center, features paintings, pottery, fiber art, sculptures, photography, and jewelry of mostly local artists.

Artisans is located at 54425 North Circle Drive. For more information, call (951) 659-9091, or visit www.idyllwildartisans.com.

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Idyllwild Arts student Caleigh Thompson Birrell is going to New York University for art next year, but before she goes, she’ll be getting a real life gallery experience.

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Her work was recommended by Kirsten Cunio, a staff nurse at Idyllwild Arts, who knew Amanda and Steve Taylor from Artisans Gallery in Oakwood Village.

“I liked Amanda right away, and I’m thrilled that she’s willing to give me a show of my work in April,” Caleigh said.

“Her work is great, very strong, and we’re happy to have her in our gallery,” Amanda said. Artisans Gallery features paintings, pottery, fiber art, sculptures, photography, and jewelry of mostly local artists. Both Amanda and her husband, Steve, are artists. Amanda creates jewelry, while Steve carves from Manzanita wood.

After Kristian’s recommendations, Caleigh brought in her portfolio to show the variety of her work over the years at Idyllwild Arts. Yet, it wasn’t until she brought in the two acrylic and mixed media paintings that Amanda could see the depth of her work.

Immediately, she placed the portrait of “Robert Towne” on the fireplace mantle, a place of honor.

“It’s the first thing that people see when they enter the gallery,” Amanda said. “Besides, when it’s cold, they want to get warm by the fire.”

The 20 x 30 inch portrait of “Robert Towne” is a mixed media painting that appears to have writing mixed into the paint.

“See how she blends the oranges and reds into the painting,” Amanda pointed out. “That’s technique that adds a lot of warmth to an otherwise black and white painting.”

The other portrait, which is untitled, depicts a man looking down in a somber mood.

“Caleigh said that she did that one from out of her head,” Amanda explained. “It’s not of any particular person, while Robert Towne was a writer, I think she said.”

Caleigh said that she liked the work in Artisans Gallery. It’s the first gallery she’s shown in besides the Parks Exhibition Center on campus.

Artisans will give her a one-woman show in April. The date has yet to be determined, but Caleigh said that she has enough pieces to show (generally 10-15 pieces). She’s not sure if the series is going to be all male portraits, or if her boyfriend, Nate Levonson, an Idyllwild Arts music student, is going to be one of the subjects of a painting.

“People’s reaction to Caleigh’s work has been positive,” Amanda added. “They really like her work.”

Visit Artisans Gallery in the Oakwood Village at 54425 North Circle Drive, call (951) 659-9091, or visit www.idyllwildartisans.com.