Meet the friends of the friend!

Mon Ami proudly hosts artists and creators from various practices and backgrounds.

This is a core part of the mission: To nurture our local art community and to provide a space for art and play to flourish professionally in a studio setting.

You can find the artist’s statements, workshops, and all booking information here.

Current Friends of Mon Ami

  • My name is Kristina Kernytska. I was born in Kyiv, Ukraine in 1994. My grandfather, Nikolai Gusev, was a painter and from my childhood years I was interested in art and painting, and he was teaching me. It was one of the favorite moments of my youth.

    For me it is very important to create paintings that give a feeling of immersion. I hope that when people see my paintings, they can find themselves on the Pacific shore or surrounded by Yosemite epic landscapes.

    I often experiment with the texture of paintings, I use palette knives and dense paint, to recreate the relief of the rocks and cliffs.

  • Come and join a workshop with me in Mon Ami’s beautiful space on 41st Ave.

    We’ll work together to learn the technical strokes of painting, exploring how to execute your acrylic dream. From landscapes to still life, I’ll work alongside you to build an understanding of the art you hope to create.

    This is open to all aged 10 and up.

  • Secure your spot with Mon Ami through their regular booking section. Select the option to book a “Friends with Mon Ami” class. Once the spot is reserved you’ll be contacted about payment!

    My current class rate is $70 for two hours.

  • My name is Sam Van Pykeren. Born and raised in the San Lorenzo Valley, I’ve always been drawn to visual art. While my main outlet is digital—video and photography—over the years I’ve developed a passion and skill for paper collage.

    Using only secondhand materials found in thrift stores across the country, every finished piece is a vignette into how my imagination sees the world. Sometimes as we become hardened by the world it can be difficult to breathe new life into our imaginations, and I find paper collage to be an instinctual way to unlock our lost imaginations.

  • Come and join a workshop with me in Mon Ami’s beautiful space on 41st Ave.

    We’ll work together to find inspiration in the books, maps, magazines, and other materials to inspire a vignette into your imagination. (All materials will be provided.) Over the course of the class you’ll learn basic tips and tricks to the technique, but mainly will focus on building composition and inspiration.

    By the end of the class you’ll have a fully framed vignette into your own world!

  • Secure your spot with Mon Ami through their regular booking section. Select the option to book a “Friends with Mon Ami” class. Once the spot is reserved you’ll be contacted about payment!

    My current class rate is $45 for one hour and 15 minutes. (Price includes framing of your collage!)