Cassandra Nguyen Musto - Artworks

08/12/2026

It’s that time of year, Friends, and we’re going to try this again …

Join me in my studio next month for Sacramento’s biggest art event of the year, Sac Open Studios! I actually expect to make it this year instead of being laid up in bed with a sad liver and barely functioning bile ducts. I was so sad to have missed you all last year.

As I write this today on August 12, we’re commemorating my 6-month liver transplant-a-versary. It’s also been a year since this liver journey began with great urgency. I’ve been making it into the studio and slowly creating a new rhythm of artmaking and creativity.

It was only a few days ago that I realized I can remove the pressure of, “This is supposed to be my best art weekend of the year and I have little to show for it!” and reframe it as “I’m coming out of a long, dark period of very ill health, and I’m celebrating my new lease on life with art in whatever form it takes.” I’m just going to manifest for a fun time and let the art do what it’s going to do.

So on Saturday & Sunday, Sept 12 & 13 from 10am-5pm, you can stop by my ARTHOUSE studio along the historic R Street corridor in downtown Sacramento and see my most recent work exploring California natives (of course). There will also be our 2nd Saturday opening reception for our guest artist, Sept 12 from 5pm to 8pm. I’ll be here with many of my studio mates who will also showcase their work.

This will be a great ARTY PARTY, and I hope you can join me for this celebration of art, joy, and life. Livee 2.0 can’t wait to meet you!

08/11/2026

This is me throwing in the pen. After 6 attempts to get this Peace Pagoda to fit on the page of my tiny art journal, I gave up. Some strategic cropping makes it look intentional.

Fun news! I'll officially be 6-months post-liver transplant next week!

I just returned late last week from a trip to San Francisco (UCSF) for an endoscopy to remove stents and check out the condition of my liver bile ducts. No new and upsized stents were needed since a sweep of the ducts showed no resistance. We have flowy ducts again!

I'm hopeful that this issue is resolved and no more endoscopies are needed. Post-transplant bile duct strictures can often take multiple stent upsizes to stretch out to the desired width.

While in the City, we stayed at a Japantown hotel with a view of the Peace Pagoda. Here's a detail of its rooftop and spire. After my procedure, I was surprisingly energetic enough to visit the DeYoung Museum, get a nourishing ramen bowl in Japantown, and explore the district like a regular tourist. What a delight! It's been quite a road to recovery, and I'm so grateful to feel closer and closer to normal.

And I expect to continue feeling normal to prepare for September's Sac Open Studios this year. I was all signed up for last year's SOS, but sadly ended up bedbound with end-stage liver disease instead of being in my studio. I'm excited to have my new liver participate in Sac Open Studios. If you're in town during Weekend One, stop by and "hello" to Livee 2.0 September 12 & 13.

07/16/2026

JOIN ME IN WEST SAC THIS FRIDAY!

I have my first art show in Yolo County this Friday, July 17 from 6pm to 8pm at Gallery 1075.

If you missed connecting with me and my Understory Collection at Twisted Track Gallery last May, you'll get another chance at this summer group art show. This is an annual event that's been presented by the West Sacramento Community Center for 10 years. I had no idea! Clearly, I need to keep a closer eye on the art scene that is in my own backyard.

If you can't make the reception this Friday, you'll have until July 31 to see the show. Viewing hours at Gallery 1075 are Monday - Friday, 8am to 5pm.

As my liver transplant recovery continues (at 5 months, it's going really well!), I'll be slowly expanding my art connections in Yolo County and beyond. There are quite a few art opportunities over here from Yolo Arts, Yolo Basin Foundation, The HIVE Tasting Room and Kitchen, several spots in Davis, and more. I'll be swarming Yolo County with bees, birds, and flowers in no time.

Gallery 1075 SUMMER GROUP ART SHOW
🗓️ Friday, July 17, 2026
⏰ 6PM to 8PM
📍 Gallery 1075 (in the West Sacramento Community Center)
1075 West Capitol Ave, Sacramento, CA 95691

03/04/2026

https://www.caringbridge.org/site/0f6c60ea-7ed3-11f0-b71a-ef6ce12b0ca6/post/e9c7237f-6648-49d4-956d-a096d3110d98?utm_source=website_share&utm_medium=share_button&utm_term=&utm_content=link_share_button&utm_campaign=post_php

We are using CaringBridge to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your support and words of hope and…