San Francisco Artist Toby Klayman, 90, Sees Rising Prominence and $100K Sale
San Francisco artist Toby Klayman, age 90, is experiencing a surge in recognition and sales, highlighted by a recent $100,000 sale of her large-scale canvas “Garden of Eden,” demonstrating the enduring appeal of her distinctive style.
Klayman, who has been creating art in San Francisco since the 1960s, is known for her bold, playful paintings, prints, and ceramics, attracting a dedicated following among tech industry leaders from companies like Google, Microsoft, and Airbnb. Her whimsical creations, including plywood cutouts adorning her Bernal Heights home, blend naive and modernist influences, drawing inspiration from artists like Toshusai Sharaku and Jean Cocteau. She even had her studio transformed into a branded “Airbnb Experience” at the invitation of CEO Brian Chesky, who remarked, “I know it’s your nap time, but we’ll send a car for you.”
Living and working alongside her husband, fellow artist Joe Branchcomb, also 90, Klayman’s studio is a vibrant space filled with a lifetime of art and memories, including a sculpture of her face by Ruth Asawa. Collector Bola Akinsanya, global operations lead at Airbnb, describes Klayman’s work as “deceptively simple, with bold brush strokes…that feel almost childlike,” adding, “Her art just makes me happy.” Klayman’s journey began in the 1950s at Brandeis University, and she relocated to San Francisco in 1966 with limited resources, successfully establishing a career without a patron, a testament to her resilience and artistic vision. The increasing cost of living and dwindling support for the arts in San Francisco pose a challenge to emerging artists, a trend Klayman has observed firsthand, noting the closures of institutions like City College’s Fort Mason campus and the Art Institute of California.
Despite these challenges, Klayman remains actively engaged with her art and a growing online presence, utilizing platforms like Instagram and Pinterest. She expresses optimism about the future, even joking about a collector involved in longevity research potentially extending her artistic life. Klayman emphasizes the importance of mentorship, having taught thousands of students how to navigate the challenges of an artistic career, and continues to create daily, stating, “It’s just like brushing my teeth and saying hello to my husband.” You can find more about the San Francisco art scene here.
Klayman and Branchcomb continue to work and live in San Francisco, with Klayman planning to maintain her daily studio practice as long as possible.
