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“Journey” at Topanga Canyon Gallery September 5 - 30
When Robin Becker, Rebecca Catterall and Paula Fagan decided to have an art show together at Topanga Canyon Gallery, they did not anticipate the synergy of their collaboration. Becker’s artwork combines her passion for architecture, photography and fibers/textiles. PHOTOS COURTESY TOPANGA CANYON GALLERY Rebecca Catterall creates decorative pieces from a collection of old hubcaps. Above, Mustang hubcap in Raku. Fagan's recent three years living and painting in Belize began at an orphanage. This experience served as an inspiration for my current collection.
ROBIN BECKER
Becker’s photo-painting collages reveal a recent visit to Venice, Italy and Catterall uses “found art hubcaps” as a template for a ceramics series on Car Culture. Fagan recently journeyed to Topanga via Belize via Kansas to create her physical and mental space for creating her abstract paintings saturated with color and texture. 
Becker’s artwork combines her passion for architecture, photography and fibers/textiles. Her work has evolved into a large series of photo-painting collages. She states, ”The photographs become paintings, the paintings become illusions suggesting rooms and passageways from fragments of memory that become shrines for contemplation. I go somewhere to be nowhere within these stories.”
“My photos are diary journeys of the places I travel to,” Becker continues, “Looking for a path to discover. On the other side of my memory are dreams: A shadow glides into the light; a blurred image creates a sense of narrative. Reflections change the perception of time and space. The journey appears as an unreal moment standing still on the canvas.”
REBECCA CATTERALL
Found art is not typically a staple of a ceramics studio, but Catterall describes her inspiration, “I could not resist the collection artist and neighbor Beverly Weinger had at her moving sale —mountains of hubcaps. After posting pictures of some of Beverly’s prized possessions, a Facebook friend suggested imprinting the hubcaps in clay. Taking it one step further, I transferred images related to a car culture theme imparting my take on the use of the automobile. Many of the ceramic hubcaps are decorative Raku and designed to be hung on a wall, while the VW ceramic hubcaps make great functional tureens atop a thrown pedestal. In addition, Catterall is introducing her “Journey Cups” with a daily reminder of the wisdom of Ralph Waldo Emerson, “Life is a journey, not a destination” and other quotes. 
PAULA FAGAN
After living, painting, and working in an orphanage in Belize, Fagan moved to Topanga. Her journey to art began in 2003 as she describes, “I gave myself permission to pick up a spatula and use it for something other than scraping the brownie bowl. I acquired a giant canvas; some acrylic paints and allowed a force from the center of my soul to guide that spatula in placing those colors and textures onto that canvas in a mysterious way. What was the yellow brick road in Kansas paved with that led me to that first canvas? A full life of guiding my three wonderful children and teaching in my small Montessori school… children just unfold effortlessly. That was my formal training for painting. My recent three years living and painting in Belize began at an orphanage. This experience served as an inspiration for my current collection. My home and studio are now perched overlooking beautiful Topanga Canyon … for now.” 
Each artist has also donated an original work of art for a raffle to benefit Liberty Children’s Home, Fagan’s orphanage in Belize. Tickets are available throughout the show and the winner (who does not need to be present) will be drawn during the artists’ talk and closing reception, Sunday, Sept. 30 from 2-5 p.m.
“Journey” runs from Sept. 5 – 30 with an opening reception Saturday, September 8 from 4-7 p.m.
Topanga Canyon Gallery is located in Pine Tree Circle at 120 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., suite 109, Topanga, CA 90290. The gallery is open Wednesday – Saturday from 10 – 6 and Sunday 11-5. For more information please call 310 455-7909 or visit us at www.topangacanyongallery.com.
