Vino Godfather on Mare Island in Vallejo is currently featuring artwork by local artist Veronica Lindsey. (Chris Riley/Times-Herald)
You won’t just find shades of red and white at Vino Godfather.
Inside the historical mansion of the Mare Island winery is an exhibit of vibrant paintings and fused glass accessories crafted by local artist Veronica Lindsey. Creator of Jassver Art, her artwork blends Mexican and
Indigenous elements reminiscent of her homeland, while others are inspired by the essence of the San Francisco Bay Area, where she resides.
“I didn’t really grow up with professional training, but I began to produce these and more paintings during the pandemic and was excited when people began to purchase them,” said Lindsey.
Delightfully unaware, patrons wander past the front bar and stairwell where they stumble upon a panel walled room with burgundy accents that display Lindsey’s paintings, glass jewelry, and melted wine bottle cheese trays, among other accessories. Lindsey will juggle her job as a wine educator at Vino Godfather and sharing the stories behind every piece with visitors.
Sitting above her eclectic collection is an abstract painting depicting a face with dueling human and jaguar features.
“I like to include pieces of my Mexican heritage in my paintings,” says Lindsey. “There are elements of the Aztecs, and in Mayan culture, the jaguar is very important, so you see it in this piece.”
Lindsey, who lives with her husband in Vallejo, says that while some visitors purchase her items, others started to make requests for specific objects or scenes to be painted, which takes her a week to fulfill in tandem with her job at the winery.
“One woman asked me to paint her with her car, which I love because it brings her joy so it brings me joy,” Lindsey said.
Lindsey also has displays of the historic Golden Gate Bridge, a setting that brings her peace after moving to Vallejo almost two decades ago.
“I moved here 18 years ago from Mexico and began cleaning homes while I lived with my brother,” Lindsey said. She said she was initially undocumented and juggled her job as a maid and as a barista at a coffee shop before her subsequent role in customer service at a collections agency.
She found a job at Vino Godfather during the pandemic when, she said, she began producing more artwork and exploring additional mediums.
“Unfortunately, it’s very hard to make a living on art,” Lindsey said. “I love it, but I cannot survive on it, so I’m excited when people come and look at my artwork.”
According to PetaPixel, most galleries will take anywhere between 40-50 percent commission from pieces sold by artists, and others will take a smaller percentage in exchange for a monthly payment.
Lindsey said only recently did she gain recognition from local businesses. Last year, her work was showcased at the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum after the venue offered her a space at no cost. Lindsey also exhibited her work at the Dia de los Muertos Festival in Vallejo.
This Saturday, she will showcase her paintings and fused glass pieces at the 420 celebration at the Harborside Oakland Dispensary.
“Vino Godfather is one of my greatest supporters, and I’m grateful that they allowed me to share my work with the community,” she said.
