Backyard Dreams, a solo show with Bay Area artist Samantha Buller, opens Saturday, March 1st, 2025 from 4:00 - 6:00pm. We are thrilled that Samantha will be attending the reception and hope to see you there! On view March 1st -April 27th, 2025.
RSVP to the Opening Reception here!
Backyard Dreams presents a collection of large scale oil paintings by Bay Area artist Samantha Buller. Buller’s work depicts landmarks of her own making, introducing the viewer to the people, places, and objects around her through an intimate lens. Her work is a reminder to find the enchanting in the everyday – to reflect on connections and memories, no matter how ordinary they may seem.
Drawn to minimal compositions, she creates clean, bold designs that play off the negative space in each piece. Buller’s latest body of work features a new emphasis on abstraction. Faces, bodies, and their surroundings, lose specific details as Buller expertly distills each into a composition of smooth lines and shapes that seem to glow from within. This simplification, and the interplay between translucent and forceful blocks of color, evoke a sense of memory and nostalgia as they allow the viewer to project their own associations.
As a Bay Area native, Buller’s work is touched with an unmistakable Californian sensibility, emphasizing the verdant setting, abundant light, and omnipresent modernism of Northern California. Her landscapes attentively communicate the importance of the place, her still life paintings offer a glimpse at tranquil domestic scenes, and her portraits display a tender reverence for the subject.
Samantha Buller is based in Petaluma. She received her BFA in Painting from the Academy of Art University, San Francisco where she had the opportunity to study abroad in Italy, painting in the rich, golden landscape, which greatly influenced her passion for the arts. Driven by her love of color, she is inspired by the art of Wayne Thiebaud for his paint application, color, and composition, as well as the works of Raimonds Staprans for his layering techniques. Currently, Buller paints full time in her home studio and teaches workshops whenever possible.
Samantha will also be offering a two-day oil painting workshop, where students will create a large pet portrait using a 30x30 canvas and a reference image of your choice! This workshop is 18+ only and best for intermediate artists. Samantha's workshop will take place on two Saturdays, April 5th & 12th from 10AM-3PM. Sign up today to receive early bird pricing!
