Published February 2nd, 2011
Moraga Art Gallery's New Show
Cathy Dausman
George Ehrenhaft and Beryl Glen-Reiland Photo Cathy Dausman
Moraga Art Gallery began its "Two Artists, Two Visions: A Singular Experience" show featuring local artists Beryl Glen-Reiland of Orinda and Moraga's George Ehrenhaft with an open house January 15. The show runs through March 19.

Glen-Reiland, who began painting at age 14 in her native Scotland, is exhibiting a collection of landscapes, seascapes and flowers, and some pencil sketches. One such pencil sketch features Andrea Farrell who played guitar during the open house.

"I am not sure I have a favorite medium." Glen-Reiland says. "When I draw, paint, think and study art history, my life is absorbed in the beauty..." She is proud of the thriving Lamorinda art community: "We have within our grasps one of the best alliances of art in northern California."

Ehrenhaft took up watercolors in 1996 after retiring from teaching English on the East Coast. His display of local landmarks, including the Lafayette-Moraga Trail, St. Mary's College, Theater Square, and Mt. Diablo drew high praise from Indian Valley Elementary school art teacher Heloise Levy. Levy was drawn to Ehrenhaft's mixed use of dry and wet brush techniques, and was at the open house to make a purchase.

On his website Ehrenhaft says: "I usually do the same painting two or three times--until I get sick of it or get it right. Three out of four end up in the trash." While painting recently on the Moraga-Lafayette trail, a passer-by stopped to comment: "I never realized that the trail was so beautiful." That, said Ehrenhaft, made his day.

The Gallery includes work from about 18 artists, notes host John Diestler. Current media includes oil and watercolor paintings, photography, collage work and fused glass work and ceramics. Everything in the gallery is for sale.

The Moraga Art Gallery is in the Rheem Shopping Center, 570 Center Street. The gallery is open noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday and is closed on Monday.


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