Local Art Takes Shape in Martinez

Math class was never quite so beautiful, thanks to the creative ingenuity of a local artist with a love for geometry.

Shannon Reinhardt, a 30-year-old artist from Concord, unveils a shape-themed exhibition Friday evening at in downtown Martinez. The paintings harmonize logic and imagination, bringing together both sides of the brain in dream-like compositions of lines, shapes and muted color.

"I've been developing my abstract, multi-media painting style for a little over 10 years now," Reinhardt said discussing her artistic style. "I never know how a piece is ultimately going to look in the end. I usually start off with a loose concept, but work strictly from feeling after that. It travels through so many transitions before it finally 'feels' finished. It always surprises me what turns up."

Reinhardt was born and raised in Redding, Calif. and studied fine art and communications at Trinity Western University in Langley, British Columbia, Canada, where she met her husband, Stephen. The two were married in 2004 and and settled down in Concord a few years later. In 2008, they started a small design firm called Vague Dream, specializing in business web development, graphic design and online marketing. 

As an artist, Reinhardt's work has been shown and sold in venues around Concord and Martinez. Her work is distinctive for its use of multiple layers and various textures to show the complexity of the creative process. 

"Lately, I’ve been occupied with shapes and spacial relations," said Reinhardt. "My work tends to encompass a very organic feel using a lot of texture and materials. With this show, I really wanted to explore a more analytical edge by incorporating grids, straight lines and other recognizable shapes."

Reinhardt says she titled the show "Geometry" because the collection reminded her of her Geometry class in school — her favorite of the math classes. "My right-brain thinking had an easier time grasping the idea of drawing shapes over diciphering numbers," she said. "In the end, it was really fun to put my own organic twist on the traditional concept."

The artist says she was honored to share her creations at the Citrus Salon. Owner Candice Gliatto rotates local art work in her salon every quarter.  

"I really admire her passion and consistency to bring local art to the community of Martinez," said Reinhardt of Gilatto. "I'm proud to be a part of that effort."

An will be held 6 p.m. Friday, June 1 at in conjunction with "First Fridays," with art for sale, wine, appetizers and music. The exhibition runs through July 31.

View Shannon Reinhardt's artistic portfolio on her website, and check out the featured artists at Citrus Salon.