There’s a buzz downtown, and those in the know are flocking to
Lizarran Tapas Restaurant in the Old City Hall building. When local
artist Louise Shields had the idea to display her African-inspired
artwork, she decided to be proactive about finding space to do
so.
There’s a buzz downtown, and those in the know are flocking to Lizarran Tapas Restaurant in the Old City Hall building. When local artist Louise Shields had the idea to display her African-inspired artwork, she decided to be proactive about finding space to do so.
“I’ve been looking for a place to show my art in the community,” Louise Shields said to Joe Walton, co-owner of Lizarran.
Not only did owners Joe and Gary Walton immediately say yes, they gave her a whole wall to decorate any way she wished after seeing her art.
“I was amazed at the creative freedom they gave me,” Shields said.
The Waltons also declined to accept any commission from sales of her work.
Shields works with a variety of materials to create cards which are inspired by Zulu culture and other African influences. The cards have grown increasingly complex as her skill level has advanced. She uses stamps her mother gave her to start the designs, then tears handmade paper into shapes, and adds black metallic powder using a hot gun.
She adds clay which she bakes and paints to accent the cards, as well as silver thread and fabrics from Africa. Layers of paper give the cards texture and a 3D effect with many having four layers of black card stock and gold, gray, silver or white mulberry paper.
“For me, it’s easy to work with and comes in many different colors,” she said adding that mulberry paper is a particular favorite.
Since the collage work that goes into creating the cards is so labor intensive with the cards being small, Shields has come up with the next best thing as a way to share her art with more people and stretch her creations farther.
Her husband photographs the cards, which can then be enlarged so that prints can be created from them. The framed prints are easier to display and appreciate in a larger space.
“Re-creating art from my original designs is the next best thing,” Shields said.
Paul and Vicki Sweet recently decided to make their usual date night into a dinner out at Lizarran once they heard about the collage art on display. People are enthusiastically purchasing Shields’ prints, which are priced at $75 each.
Past Gilroy Garlic Festival Judge Eric von Forstmeyer and wife Rosalie have enjoyed dinner twice now at Lizarran in the past couple of weeks and bought one of Shields’ prints Wednesday night.
“It’s a win-win situation,” Shields explained of her reasons for approaching a downtown business. “By supporting me in my art, I in turn am supporting local business downtown.”
Lizarran is not the only place where her artwork can be viewed.
K.C. Lovell Adams, owner of the beauty salon Kutz & Colors Hair Salon just up the street, has embraced Louise Shields’ art as well.
“My wall is your wall,” he responded when he saw her work. “I had just repainted outside, and now thanks to Louise, inside is beautiful as well.”
Mary Taulbee, previous owner of Garlic City Coffee and Tea, now Sue’s Coffee on Monterey St., was the first downtown business to showcase Shields’ handmade collage cards.
“To me, that speaks to the sense of community that Gilroy has in supporting local artists like myself. I credit Mary with giving me the opportunity to get my work out into the community for others to enjoy. That led to a one-year show in Starbucks Coffee at Arroyo Circle in Gilroy. I am forever grateful and feel truly blessed by the blanket of support that Mary and so many others in this community have given me with my art. It started out as a hobby but has enfolded me as one of my passions,” Shields said.
Shields is also known locally for having a heart for the needs of children. She currently volunteers with middle and high school students.
She recently assisted in a dinner held between youth of different ethnicities in order to encourage the development of positive relationships with each other, and has been recognized with a Gilroy Unified School District community service award for efforts to encourage migrant education for children.
Shields’ art will be on display at Lizarran through March.
