Artist shows works in San Francisco Artist shows works in San Francisco (September 08, 2004)

Atherton artist Arthur Krakower makes his way through his studio, where big canvases are leaning against the walls and worktable, waiting to be taken to City Picture Frame Gallery in San Francisco. A new solo show, displaying selected oils, etchings and monotypes, is open through October 29, and a reception is set for 5 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, September 9.

Mr. Krakower has mined some of his favorite subjects in his recent work -- recollections of his family and his childhood in New York City in the 1930s, some inspired by the old photographs he keeps tacked to the wall, and others from his memory.

In a bit of revisionist history, he painted "Proud scout," a portrait of himself in a Boy Scout uniform, with his little sister looking on. Back in his scouting days, his mother had only enough money for the jacket, but could never afford the pants. Now, years later, "I put the pants on," he said with a smile.

He's also tried his hand at still-life subjects, such as "Blue window with flowers" and "Studio floor with orchids," which have already sold, he said.

Mr. Krakower, who decided to pursue his lifelong love of painting full time after retiring, was the oldest graduate of the California College of Arts and Crafts (now called California College of the Arts), where he earned his master's degree in 2001 at age 80.

Work in his newest medium, the etchings, he made at Crown Point Press in San Francisco, where the likes of Richard Diebenkorn and Nathan Oliveira have worked.

"It's a continual process, trying to learn new techniques. You can't stop," he muses as he flips rapidly through a stack of etchings.

City Picture Frame Gallery is located at 524 3rd Street, San Francisco. For information on the show, call 415-543-4105. Information about Mr. Krakower's work is online at arthurkrakower.com.

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