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Tehachapi Valley Arts Association is thrilled to feature local artist, Chris Paschke of Designs Ink Art, for the First Friday event, Mar. 7 at Gallery 'n' Gifts.

Paschke's love of calligraphy and letters began when she took her first calligraphy class as her final college elective before graduation. She stated she was then hooked for life. Interesting how decisions such as deciding on an elective in order to complete our course of study, seeming of little significance, at the time can take us down a path that has such profound influence on the rest of our lives.

Her professional affiliations are with the Sumi-e Society of America, Friends of Calligraphy of San Francisco, International En-caustic Artists, Professional Picture Framers Association and the Fine Art Trade Guild in the UK.

Her passion for letters and their emersion into her fine art was nurtured during her studies under several master calligraphers and type designers, such as Friedrich Neugebauer and Gottfried Pott. "I received structure and precision from the British teachers but surprisingly enough my freedom came from German influences. Integrating the written word with my love of abstraction and texture is where I have ended up today," stated Pascke.

Paschke continued with "As I have learned from my Asian studies, the white blank page is already a completed piece of art, hence the minimalism that is often seen in my work. The enso, or nothingness, is always the best place for me to begin. I may have the concept of the quotation I wish to integrate into the piece, but the work tells me what to do and where to go as it evolves."

She feels she has been greatly influenced by inspirational artists such as Kline, Pollack, Motherwell, Rothoko, Warhol and O'Keeffe.

Another by Chris Paschke

In 1915 Georgia O'Keeffe wrote: "I began with charcoal on paper and decided not to use any color until it was impossible to do what I wanted to do in black and white. I believe it was June before I needed blue." Paschke says she still works in black and white and now brown and gold, also.

First Friday at Gallery 'n' Gifts is where it is happening.

Come chat with Chris Paschke and learn more about the process she uses in her work. Remember the hors d'oeuvres will be scrumptious, as always, and the atmosphere welcoming.

Gallery 'n' Gifts is located at 100 W. Tehachapi Blvd and is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., daily and 5 to 8 p.m on First Friday, every month.

For further information please call 661-822-6062.