By Lookout Staff

March 14, 2025 -- An exhibit of drawings by a Pacific Palisades-based artist whose work has been inspired by Southern California's landscape for more than 60 years will open in Santa Monica Canyon this month.

The opening reception for "GRASSES" by Marta Chaffee will take place at Gallery 169 on Saturday, March 22 from 5 to 8 p.m. and can be viewed by appointment through April 27.

A portion of the proceeds from sales will be donated to relief efforts for artists impacted by the recent fires, event organizers said.

"GRASSES" explores the "subtle beauty and complexity of humble yet pervasive plant life through soft pencil tones and erased shapes," according to the gallery.

"Her compositions blur the boundaries between abstraction and representation, offering a meditative reflection on time, light, and the changing forms of nature."

Born and raised in Pasadena, Chaffee earned her B.A. from Occidental College and an M.F.A. from Otis Art Institute after studying at UCLA and the Art Students League in New York.

Her work has been exhibited at major institutions including the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Laguna Art Museum, Santa Barbara Art Museum and the Newport Harbor Art Museum.

Chaffee's works -- which range from pencil drawings to oil paintings -- are held in private and public collections, including the Total Museum of Contemporary Art in Seoul, Korea.

Gallery 169, located at W Channel Road in Santa Monica, showcases work by established and emerging artists.