New Artist Shines at 'Girls Night Out' in Healdsburg

Karli Henneman's first gallery show in California turned out to be at one of Healdsburg's newest art venues, on Plaza Street.

"I liked her work," said Just For You co-owner Bryon Karow. "I wanted to broaden out into more abstract paintings."

Henneman, who will be 26 next week, moved to San Francisco about two years ago from New York City. She was in Healdsburg at the gallery show Thursday night as part of special events for s monthly "Girls Night Out."

On the third Thursday of the month through October, downtown stores and shops offer special sales, discounts, food and wine from 5 to 8 p.m. for people to stroll the Plaza and enjoy shopping and socializing.

Henneman's art agent, Vanessa Harris, said although she has booked the artist in four shows in California in recent months, Thursday was the first one in a gallery for Henneman, a 2007 graduate of Parsons School of Design in New York and former intern with famed clothing designer Diane Von Furstenberg.

"I was an all-around intern," said Henneman, who also spent time in Rwanda teaching self-identification art classes to children. "I did a little bit of everything."

Henneman, also a former model, said she is experimenting with other materials -- such as wax and beads -- along with her colorful, flamboyant abstract acrylics. Acrylics, she said, came naturally to her after a lot of experience with body painting in New York.

"I like being able to use a lot of water -- it's more forgiving," she said.

To see Henneman's website, click here.

Karow, who opened the gallery Dec. 10 with co-owner and wife Helen Karow, said Just for You will be expanding into a rear space, allowing the gallery to double in size.

"Both my wife and I are passionate about art," said Karow, 57, of Petaluma, who just retired three weeks ago from his job as Marin County assistant finance director. "We have about 60 to 70 pieces in our personal collection."

Helen Karow, who inspired the gallery's name when her husband told her he was getting the Healdsburg space "Just for You," is a nurse and director of surgery at St. Francis Hospital in San Francisco.