Five years ago, when he was still an idealistic young man, Richard Stephens presented a mother-daughter show at Cannery Row Studios. He’d met Jeanne Zaske through Wilfred Sarr and took a class from her. “I learned to not be so critical of other artists or to belittle their attempts at art,” he recalls. “‘Speak from experience and knowledge,’ Jeanne would say; ‘don’t let the ego sway your opinion.’ I can still hear Jeanne’s voice echoing in my brain.”
Zaske, who studied art at the Art Students League in New York and has a masters degree from Cal State Long Beach, has weathered many physical problems, breast cancer and shingles among them. Her painting, though, keeps her going. Or, as Stephens puts it, “Her excitement about painting has not faltered since we first met.”
Lynnie Sterba, Jeanne’s daughter, studies with Frank Minuto at the Palos Verdes Art Center. Stephens points out that her Fauve-flavored art is reminiscent of André Derain and Henri Matisse, the movement’s co-founders.
It’s also clear that her mother has had a strong influence on her style and palette.
Both women paint in colors that are strong and imposing. Among other artists in the South Bay you always know at a distance that what you’re looking at is either by Jeanne or Lynnie.
Stephens had hoped to present his second Zaske-Sterba show last fall, but a mysterious illness put that plan on hold. Now it’s back with a (gentle) vengeance.
Celebrating Life opens with a reception from 5 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 4, at Cannery Row Studios, 604 N. Francisca Ave., Redondo Beach. There is an artists talk scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 18, from 4 to 7 p.m. Gallery hours are Thursday through Saturday, noon to 7 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Call (888) 366-1988 or go to canneryrowstudios.com
