be inspired

As our treasured holiday tradition, we would like to greet the new year with a piece of art by an amazing artist from Creative Growth Art Center, one of the oldest and largest nonprofit art studios for artists with disabilities.

Aurie Ramirez, born 1962, Sangley Point, Philippines, has practiced art at Creative Growth since 1997

Aurie Ramirez's sophisticated and delicately rendered watercolor and ink compositions create a fantasy world of 18th century dandyism, neo-Victorian decorum, and psychedelia. In many of her works, she explores sexuality, fashion, violence, and forbidden foods; in another series, she explores her Filipino heritage and childhood memories by reimagining the traditional wardrobe on her red and green pinstriped characters. Her work has been exhibited at galleries and museums internationally, including White Columns and Gavin Brown's Enterprise in New York; Jack Hanley Gallery, Los Angeles; ABCD, Paris; Collection de l'Art Brut, Switzerland; and MADmusèe, Belgium.

As we take a moment at year's end to express our thanks to our clients and associates, we wish to share this inspiration with you.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

the bL team

aurie ramirez: Untitled (AR296) 22"X30"

A watercolor drawing of a landscape with a flower, white rainbow, cloud, and the moon. Each element has a face with harlequin-like makeup.

This image is generously provided by Creative Growth Art Center. Founded in 1974 in downtown Oakland, Creative Growth is a leader in the field of arts and disabilities, establishing a model for a creative community guided by the principle that art is fundamental to human expression and that all people are entitled to its tools of communication.

If you like to make a donation to support this amazing organization, you can mail a check to

Creative Growth Art Center
355 24th Street, Oakland, CA 94612
510.836.2340
or you can donate online

holiday show

Creative Growth is hosting its beloved holiday show online this year. This is an opportunity for you to shop a large selection of original artwork from the studio. New additions to this year's event include vintage artwork from the archives, new merch, and curated selections from Creative Growth fans! All purchases not only bring incredible art into your home and the lives of those you love, they also directly support the artists and Creative Growth. Find out more here.