"You're Beautiful", a work in progress

In a small seating nook in the back room at Duffy’s Tavern hangs an evolving surreal portrait of the beautiful and quirky town of Chico, California. On January 26, 2024, a triptych of custom built birch panels were installed on three adjacent walls to create a “visual surround”—an enveloping panorama that winds through many of my favorite places around town, eventually flowing into a menagerie of a spirited night at Duffy’s. “You’re Beautiful” is an ongoing work-in-progress that will grow denser and denser as new characters and vignettes are woven into the composition over time.

As a CSUC alumni (1981-1987, B.A. in Art) and longtime fan of Duffy’s, it’s a thrill to contribute to this legendary bar and music venue established by friends nearly 35 years ago. Thank you, Doug!

Follow progress pics on Instagram

Oil on birch panels, 58 x 136 inches

Custom birch panels by Tom Molesworth

©2024 Lynn Rubenzer. All rights reserved.

Waylynn’s Room

I’m excited to announce the installation of “Waylynn’s Room”—an eight-part portrait on reclaimed vintage windows chronicling the inception and evolution of the Wingen family bakery located in downtown Livermore, California. Installed on June 7, 2022, “Waylynn’s Room” was created in celebration of Waylynn, her parents Aimee and Bryan, and the greater Livermore community, and coinciding with the bakery’s one year anniversary.

It was an honor to create a custom piece for The Waylynn Room. Thank you Aimee and Bryan for the opportunity and congratulations on the bakery’s one year anniversary!

The Wingen Story

From the Wingen website: “Wingen Bakery specializes in sourdough breads, sandwiches and pastries in Downtown Livermore. Husband and wife team Bryan and Aimee Wingen began baking out of their home in 2020 during quarantine under a cottage bakery license after their newborn daughter was diagnosed with a terminal genetic disorder called Zellweger Syndrome. The cottage bakery allowed them to be at home with their daughter (Waylynn) as her caregivers and provide some extra income to the family. Setting up a bread rack in front of their home allowed the community to (safely) stop by for a loaf of freshly baked sourdough bread. They quickly gained a following but, unfortunately had to put a pause on the bakery when Waylynn passed away at just 8 months old.”

After taking time off to grieve, the Wingens returned to baking with more drive than ever, finding comfort in the long therapeutic process of baking sourdough. In the Fall of 2020 they joined the Livermore Farmers Market, selling out every week. Quickly growing, they knew they needed a bigger location soon and began searching. It wasn’t long until they found a local bakery who happened to be selling their business. The Wingens took over 50-52 S Livermore Avenue in February 2021 and opened in June 2021.

For the Wingens, being able to work at home was instrumental to Waylynn’s quality of life as well as having the support of the Livermore Community. Aimee and Bryan are dedicated to continuing the bakery in their daughter’s honor and giving back to the community who lifted them up during the most difficult time in their life.” —WingenBakery.com

“Waylynn’s Room”:

#1 Cottage On College, 2022, oil, 32” x 30”

#2 Farmers Market, 2022, oil, 32” x 32”

#3 The Donut Wheel, 2022, oil, 32” x 36”

#4 Two Fountains, 2022, oil, 39” x 32”

#5 Wingen Bakery, 2022, oil, 31” x 36”

#6 The Livermore Express, 2022, oil, 36” x 32”

#7 Concannon Vineyard Roots, 2022, oil, 47” x 16”

#8 East Of Livermore, 2022, oil, 30” x 38”

Once Upon A Quarantine Moon

When Covid hit, I felt lucky to have an art studio to escape to. With all foreseeable shows canceled, I spent my quiet days sorting through old projects, starting new canvases, and salvaging older works were stacking up against the walls of my studio. At the end of the day, I’d return home and face my neighbors in the apartment buildings across the street as we all settled in for the night. Such a surreal time, it felt like a scene out of Hitchcock’s “Rear Window”, however, instead of witnessing a murder, we watched each other watering plants and rearranging the furniture.

“Once Upon A Quarantine Moon”, 2021-2022, oil on canvas, 48” x 72” [Private Collection)

Spring Sabbatical in The Loire Valley

I'm excited to return for another month-long painting sabbatical in the small village of Poce-Sur-Cisse, nestled in the lush countryside of the Loire Valley, France. I was last here in the Spring 2014 where I began 20+ canvases inspired by the quaint village architecture, rolling vineyards and grand chateaux. I'll be returning to San Francisco just in time to host (April 2018) Spring Open Studios and will have many new works from France to share. Hope to see you then~

The beautiful 17th Century Manor of my longtime collectors where I stay and create studio space. The first year I set up my studio in one of the original troglodyte caves on the property previously used for wine making; another visit I painted in their 400 year-old pigeonnier.

New! 1000-Piece Jigsaw Puzzles!

1000-piece jigsaw puzzles
19.75 x 28 inches
Ages 13 and up
$75 /each

Introducing premium custom jigsaw puzzles featuring two of my San Francisco-inspired oil paintings:  COIT TOWER and GOLDEN GATE. Puzzles are made of high quality chipboard, bagged and packaged in a custom shrink-wrapped box. Shipping available anywhere in the U.S. for $15. Just email your order [and personal note if it's a gift] to receive a secure SquareUp online invoice. Orders ship Priority Mail [USPS 2-3 day] wherever you wish!

These are the perfect accessory for a cozy weekend in Tahoe...and a great gift idea for the San Francisco-lover in your life! :)

Super-Stellar Studio Remodel

Space. You can always use more space. Almost busting at the seams, we finally knocked down the far wall and absorbed a part of the hallway, accompanied by a hefty purge and renewed organization, and new light gray high gloss floors have the natural light dancing all of the place :)

SFBC Winterfest 2016 :: Auction & Party!

Please join me for the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition's Annual Winterfest Fundraiser and Member Party on Sunday December 4 from 6-10:30pm at The Village [Market Street between 5th & 6th] in downtown San Francisco.

As a member since 2002, it's an honor to support an organization that has done so much to make our beautiful city safer for everyone. Come out and support a great cause and enjoy the best fundraiser party of the year!

"Eve", 2016, oil on cardboard, 11" x 17" ©Lynn Rubenzer. All rights reserved.

Surrealism @ Bi-Rite Creamery

I am very excited to partner with Bi-Rite Creamery in creating a site-specific portrait of the neighborhood for their shop on the corner of 18th and Dolores in the Mission District of San Francisco. Three custom birch panels were built to fit together on three perpendicular walls in a small seating nook, with each panel aligned with the direction of the view outside. Standing in the middle of the seating area created a “surroundscape” panorama effect. Completed in time for the Creamery’s 10th year anniversary, ten ice cream cones were painted (hidden) within the landscape.

“18th & Dolores” (triptych), 2015-2016, oil on birch panel, 4x13ft

Below chronicles the evolution, photographed at the end of each day I worked on it:

The Midway Mural Project

Psyched to have been selected alongside 5 other artists to create a mural on the exterior facade of The Midway—a 40,000 square-foot arts complex in the Dogpatch neighborhood of San Francisco. The creative brief was to create a portrait of a side-show freak from a slightly askew carnival midway scene. Mine? Why, a fortune-telling pterodactyl, of course!, perched at her table and feeding on the tools of her trade. She’s located on the far right side on the front facade, alongside murals by Benjamin Clarke and Chris Black-Stock, "The Levitator" and "Twin Personalities", respectively.

Custom Silk Scarves, Oh my!

NEW! Custom scarves featuring my San Francisco-inspired oil paintings!

100% luscious poly chiffon. 13 x 85 inches. Hand wash cold. Proudly made in San Francisco!

$85 each

 SHOP :: SPECIAL EDITIONS]

SFBC's 19th Annual Winterfest Art Auction

"The Avenues", 2014, pastel on paper, custom-matted & framed 12" x 18"

Sunday November 16, 2014 :: 6pm - 10:30pm

City View at Metreon [top floor]

135 4th Street, San Francisco

2014 marks my thirteenth consecutive year donating to the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition's Annual Winterfest Party. This year's piece, "The Avenues", is available at silent auction along with artwork from 50+ local artists, many great bikes, accessories, and gift certificates. This is a really fun party! Annual membership is included with admission. Please consider supporting this wonderful organization.

The Launch

Welcome to my new website! Please feel free to email with questions about my work. You can also connect with me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.....just follow the icons in the upper right corner.

Thanks for your interest in my work.