Pocket Life
By Corky Mau
August 2019
Age is relative to creative photographer
Francine Moskovitz lives in a museum. Or put another way, a museum lives in her Little Pocket home. Each room is filled with the work of local artists and a vast collection of her own photographs spanning more than 40 years.
“My journey has been one big adventure,” Moskovitz, 95, says. “Getting involved with photography in my 50s became a major, all-consuming activity. Over the years, I’ve taken numerous workshops and traveled to many national parks with fellow photographers. I would probably never have known the beautiful glow of the early morning world if photography hadn’t drawn me there.”
From her early efforts to shoot ocean life while scuba diving in the Caribbean to doing underwater nudes, Moskovitz has become more creative with time’s passage. She discovered Photoshop almost 20 years ago and loves how she can manipulate digital images. A prime example of her creative photography was the cover of our July issue—a brilliant mélange of balloons in a pool, photographed from underwater.
In 1983, Moskovitz co-founded Ten Eyes, a group of women photographers who meet monthly to show and critique new works. With the group’s encouragement, she produces new and original works. She spends several hours daily recreating her earlier works with Photoshop. Her images are unique, multi-layered and complex.
I’m a novice photographer with a Nikon digital single-lens reflex camera. Moskovitz offered some advice: “Don’t be afraid to get in close to your subject—it’s amazing what you’ll capture through the lens. And join a camera group. It’s a great way to learn the basics of composition, lighting, focus and other technical skills.”
Working well into her 90s, Moskovitz’s journey isn’t ending anytime soon. She’s learning infrared photography. “Photography has helped me to continue an active and engaged life,” she says. “I look forward every day to working on my photographs.”
ART OF WINE
“I was exposed to art at a very young age,” Vonne Matney says. “My mother, Diana Johnson, was a watercolor artist and taught art. My maternal grandmother, Gayle Bandy, worked at a prop gallery in San Francisco and painted realistic features on mannequins.”
Until recently, Matney put much of her art on hiatus. She did occasional pieces for her children’s school, Matsuyama Elementary. She designed T-shirts for Pocket’s Fourth of July parade.
Now she is “resident artist” at Trading Post Originals Art Gallery in Clarksburg (the bright turquoise building next to Husick’s Taphouse). I traveled down the Delta to sip delicious wines from Twisted Rivers Wines and watch Matney at work.
“This little slice of Clarksburg is wonderfully relaxing. And this month, I’m kicking off fun Paint & Sip classes. Down the road, I may also hold art classes,” she says.
Matney will showcase her work Saturday, Aug. 10, at Downtown’s Tsakopoulos Library Galleria. To sign up for Paint & Sip classes, email vonnematney@gmail.com.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Robbie Waters Pocket-Greenhaven Library turns 9 on Saturday, Aug. 24. Naturally, a party is being thrown.
Help celebrate this community treasure with carnival games, a story walk and refreshments from 10 a.m. to noon.
PAIN RELIEF
Suction cups have been used for centuries to reduce pain and inflammation, and to help blood flow.
Certified acupuncturist Dr. Allen Duong will lead an informational workshop Thursday, Aug. 8, at 4:30 p.m. in the Asian Community Center. To register, call (916) 393-9026 or email infossca@accsv.org.
SCHOOLED IN SCIENCE
Here’s a chance to learn more about the excellent work at the School of Engineering & Sciences.
A community barbecue will be held on campus Thursday, Aug. 22, at 6 p.m. Staff will offer tours of the new Engineering Building. No doubt teachers will have answers for any tricky science question.
For information, contact assistant principal Patrick Bohman at patrick-bohman@seshs.org.
DOING IT YOURSELF
Natalie Wyatt will teach two do-it-yourself craft classes at the Asian Community Center in August. “Bags & Tags,” the art of making homemade gift bags and tags using gel inks, is Wednesday, Aug. 14, 6 to 7 p.m.
Next, Wyatt will show how to decorate snack jars for kids or pets on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 6 to 7 p.m.
There is a minimal cost for each class, which includes all supplies. To register, call (916) 393-9026 or email infossca@accsv.org.
SOCCER CAMPS
In partnership with Trans-Atlantic Soccer, Greenhaven Soccer Club will hold player camps Aug. 5–9 from 9 a.m. to noon at Garcia Bend Park.
Led by experienced European coaches, two camps will be offered: Skills Camp for ages 4–15; and Advanced Players Camp for ages 10–16.
The fee is $135 per child. Register at transatlanticsoccer.com. For more information, call (916) 827-0820 or email programdirector@transatlanticsoccer.com.
A GARDEN GROWS
After five years of work, the Sojourner Truth Park Community Garden is a reality, thanks to the Pocket-Greenhaven Community Association. For information on reserving a garden plot, check with Will Cannady at willcannady@gmail.com.
LIGHT UP FOR HEALTH
Did you know light impacts sleep patterns, mood and health? SMUD representatives will present a workshop on low-cost, energy-efficient lighting to help you feel energized and sleep better.
Learn more on Saturday, Aug. 17, from 2 to 3 p.m. in the Pocket-Greenhaven Library Community Room.
Corky Mau can be reached at corky.sue50@gmail.com. Submissions are due six weeks prior to the publication month. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: @insidesacramento.
