They tear easily, they're hard to keep steady, and they're far too absorbent for the likes of many artists.

But Oakland café owner George Marino encourages patrons of his eclectic and “homestyle-hip” eatery to use napkins as a medium for their art.

Marino, who has run Mama's Royal Café for the past 25 years, is so passionate about his interest that he holds an annual contest with cash awards and prizes to winners for their napkin art submissions that are exhibited yearly at the café.

Since the contest began in 1982, Marino has collected over 1,000 napkin submissions.

“They’re his babies,” said Mary Foster, longtime manager at Mama’s.

Marino said he feels very connected to the contest and the pieces he’s collected. "This is our 23rd annual and we're going to keep it going,” Marino said. “I started it in the early '80s after I noticed doodles people would leave on tables and I was so impressed that I decided I would give people incentive to do it.”

Each year, Marino’s wife, Jill, selects a panel of three local artists to do the judging for the contest. This year, print maker Barbara Milman, fine artist Richard Shaw and cartoonist Darrin Bell are on the bill. Past judges included painter Raymond Saunders and artist Mike Henders.

"Oakland is a hotbed for artists and the contest gives (judges) a way to go back to their roots," said Jill Marino, an artist and acupuncturist who added that she feels the contest brings all different kinds of artists together.

“We have a range of submissions from beginners to experts and it’s so exciting to see the various artists working with different mediums and materials,” she said.

Napkin artists use materials from pens and markers to paint and thread, while submissions vary in form from napkin jewelry and other 3-D art to napkin books.

“I am looking forward to seeing wild drawings, exuberant foolishness, beautiful ideas, elaborate doodles, visual jokes, and social commentary, all free of the seriousness of ‘real art’,” said Milman.

The samples on exhibit from last year comprise a giant tapestry upon the main wall at Mama’s. Images of cats, people, whales, birds, dogs, roosters, and flowers glow upon the napkins.

One napkin artist, Alison Luterman, became so inspired by the form that she even wrote a poem that hangs on a wall at the café about it in 1991.It reads, "Trying to win a free meal at Mama's Royal Café/ I draw a picture on a paper napkin/ It's the same woman I always draw/ She has my body ... ."

Luterman is not alone in her feelings of inspiration. Marino said that each year hundreds of submissions pour in from new artists, some who have lived as far away as Massachusetts and even Japan.

“The contest is definitely becoming more popular," Marino said. "We get tourists who submit and the (Oakland) community has become more and more involved over the years.”
Marino said he considers his café to be his “ third place” in the community, along with work and home. He said he always makes an effort to meet contestants and to create a sense of community within the café.

The café’s atmosphere is influenced by turquoise-colored walls with rose and maroon accents, a selection of books labeled “The Smallest Lending Library,” and various knickknacks scattered about as though they belong in one’s living room.

Such decor along with a blend of background music varying from jazz to reggae sets the scene for familiarity among patrons who can be seen observing napkin art and greeting one another upon entry.

“This really is a special place,” said Foster, who admits she feels that the atmosphere of the café is as unique as the napkin art itself.

Marino agrees.

“It’s great running the café, especially during the time that the contest is going on because I get to look forward to receiving napkin art in the mail instead of just the monthly bills,” said Morino.

Though the contest has officially ended, desperate latecomers can give their napkin art to Marino in person at Mama's until April 2.

Contest winners will be announced on April 15. Awards include $300 for first place, $200 for second place, and $100 for third place submissions, along with 25 honorable mention awards of breakfast or lunch for two, and five prizes of $10 for children under 12.