‘Brilliance & Beauty’ in San Carlos

Natalie Hyland, owner and lead designer of Hyland Design Group, said she is constantly considering the overlap of architecture, design and art and has been able to merge those mediums more since starting the gallery component.

Currently on display for the “Brilliance & Beauty” exhibition is Lina Manes Goodwin and Deborah Shea, two local artists whose work both feature large scale, richly displayed coloring that draws viewers in.

Manes Goodwin considers her paintings of woman figures to be more abstract than realistic, focusing mainly on bringing multiple elements together for something symphonious.

“I grew up in San Francisco and you would have all these voices and you have to make them individual and also get them to blend together harmoniously,” Manes Goodwin said. “I’m just used to this rich world with all these inputs but each one has an individual voice and they all come together in a beautiful symphony. I like my work to be like that.”

Dresses are a common motif in her work, but not exactly for the reasons many might consider. Though she does love her dresses, it’s more of a vehicle for her greater desire to make a complete ensemble reflected in her work.

“A lot of people think I love dresses, and I do, but I think they’re just a great excuse to make these incredibly rich surfaces,” Manes Goodwin said.

Richness is also a focus for Shea, who works with pastels to depict vibrant and realistic flowers inspired by the natural world around her across the Peninsula, like the blooming Magnolia trees and California poppies that pop up around lampposts.

“I just find such renewal and regeneration with the outdoors, with my running and my artwork is so based on all of that,” Shea said. “Artists are always looking for inspiration and I think I have inspiration all around me so I never lack in that.”

The two artists are both a part of Art Bias, a studio space hosting more than 50 artists in San Mateo, and Shea said that she was excited to work alongside Manes Goodwin on creating a powerful and vibrant show.

“It’s quite fun working with other artists because you just sort of get different energy going,” Shea said. “It can be fun, especially if the work has some interesting dynamics. Our colors are very vivid and strong in our work, even though our work is very different.”

Since starting the gallery component of the design studio, Hyland said she has learned a lot and is constantly reimagining what to do with the space. She said she has ideas to increase the reach of artists she displays and possibly have exhibitions that focus on particular groups of artists, such as young students.

“I’ve never done this before so it’s been a work in progress and I’m learning a lot,” Hyland said. “I am going to start being a bit more hands on with the curation.”

In the meantime, she has the space booked out until the fall and hopes that she can continue showcasing San Mateo County talent.

“I see so many San Carlos homes, I would love to see more real art in them, Hyland said. “I would love the San Carlos demographic to have more art in their homes and not just blank.”

The exhibition will be on display until June 14, open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends. Appointments are preferred for viewing and can be schedule with Nicole Mason at nicole@hylanddg.com. You can visit hylanddg.com for more information.