But made for a woman

It’s definitely more than just a chick show at the Pamela Skinner Gallery, 808 R Street. It’s true, the buzzing in the gallery last Second Saturday suggested a bunch of excited women trying on clothes during a kickin’ sale. But Femme hits a broad target audience—including the 10-year-old girl who walked up to Linda Raynsford’s freestanding “Bird of Paradise,” a bustier made of found metal objects, and declared, “I want this.” Then there were the men-folk, appreciating all the curves fashioned in sculpture, paintings, jewelry and pastels by Jennifer Johnson, Joy Bertinuson, Carolyn Cozad, Blue Reid and Raynsford. Reid’s pastels ooze sensuality with a dynamism reminiscent of two-dimensional works by Sanger-born sculptor Manuel Neri. But it was Raynsford’s “clothes” that everybody fawned over. Especially the bikinis. “Ticket to Ride” was cut from an old red Radio Flyer wagon, while “Release Me” sports amusing window handles, strategically attached on its top. For more information, call (916) 446-1786—and quick; the show closes this Saturday, February 4.