UPPER LAKE, Calif. – The Lake County Wine Studio and Tallman Hotel in Upper Lake are joining together to present a unique weekend event on June 5 and 6.

The event will combine art opening and local wine tasting with a multimedia concert featuring acoustic guitar and live digital drawing inspired by scenes from Lake County wine country.

Featured artist at the Wine Studio opening and tasting both Friday and Saturday evenings will be acclaimed illustrator Bill Russell exhibiting his unique drawings of the North Coast and its rolling wine country.

Russell will be joined by guitarist Brian Gore in a “concert with conversation” the following evening, Saturday, June 6, starting at 7:30 p.m. in the Tallman Meeting House.

During the concert, Russell will complete a finished drawing live and projected onscreen, based on his impressions of the beautiful and evolving Lake County wine scene. 

The audience will have the chance to help decide what Russell will draw by voting from a menu of possible options.

“I’ve seen many of Bill’s great illustrations,” said Wine Studio owner Susan Feiler, “and heard a great deal about his pairing with Brian Gore. We’re looking forward to having his art on the walls here and enjoying their performance.”

Russell, a graduate of the Parsons School of Design in New York, is a versatile visual artist working in a wide range of styles.

He pushes the creative envelope by incorporating a variety of new multimedia technologies, such as live digital drawing, for use in performance and on the Web.

Gore is based in San Francisco and is one of the country’s most influential performers in the fingerstyle guitar tradition.

A musical romantic, his lyrical compositions draw inspiration from nature, history and literature.

Tallman owner Bernie Butcher said he loves working together with the Wine Studio to promote Lake County wines. “This pairing of art, wine and music is a perfect extension of our ongoing Concert with Conversation series.”

The Wine Studio will host the art opening and wine tasting starting at 5 p.m. Friday, June 5, and 4 p.m. Saturday, June 6, at a cost of $12.50.

The featured wines will be from Vigilance Winery & Vineyards with paired appetizers designed by Chef Mark Linback.  

The Concert with Conversation will start at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 6, in the Tallman Meeting House. 

Tickets for the concert at $25 plus tax may be purchased by calling the Tallman Hotel at 707-275-2244, Extension 0.