Mini #5

In 2011 Distinction's retail location was converted into ArtHatch, a 501(c)(3) organization. Distinction continues to exist as an online gallery. A large portion of profits are donated back to ArtHatch as well as to other arts related causes including annual art scholarships to Palomar College students. All work is on display for viewing at ArtHatch. ArtHatch is a 7000 square foot building housing over 15 gallery spaces: our front gallery, which features artists from around the world, "The Alley" featuring over 100 works from artists around the world, the "Lounge" featuring 8 local artists (juried rental spaces), 14 artists studios (juried rental spaces) ranging in size from 150 - 800 sq ft, 12 rental walls featuring local artists, and the teen studio featuring artwork and workspace for local teens. The Gallery features contemporary and cutting edge artwork with an emphasis on figurative pop and urban surrealism. With a focus on painting, the gallery exhibits work by emerging and internationally acclaimed artists. Acrylic paint is fast drying paint containing pigment suspension in acrylic polymer emulsion. Acrylic paints can be diluted with water, but become water-resistant when dry. Depending on how much the paint is diluted (with water) or modified with acrylic gels, media, or pastes, the finished acrylic painting can resemble a watercolor or an oil painting, or have its own unique characteristics not attainable with other media. From the land of surf and sea, Caia Koopman has emerged as one of lowbrow’s preeminent female artists. With a well-rounded background from her years spent obtaining her BA in Fine arts from UC Santa Cruz, to her time spent in the skateboarding and snowboarding scenes, Caia’s environment has both molded and provided an eclectic background that makes her paintings come to life. With her fine detail for beauty, inclinations toward nature, and collectiveness of the female spirit, Caia has quickly become one of the quintessential artists fully encompassing the elegance, strengths, and vulnerabilities of femininity. Her work is alluring and has a hint of whimsy. It delves into the fascination of women, in both our conscious and subconscious ideals of the feminine role in society. Caia consistently submerses herself in subject that matter that is ingrained and full of cultural connotations. Caia’s work is infused with a variety of cultural, political, environmental, sociological, and dreamscape references. Her influences serve as an amalgamation bringing her world to life through deliberate references and reverent imagery, with the finished work deriving strength and beauty from the artist herself. Her playfulness in her brush strokes is a constant struggle with the reality and