The Sunset’s art scene has grown from near-nonexistent to downright bustling over the past year, and adding another option to the mix is new record store Western Relics (1400 Irving St.), which began hosting art shows at its Irving Street shop last month.

The store's second show, "Options in Life," by Emeryville-based artist Jessalyn Aaland, opens this Saturday with a reception from 6-9pm that will include drinks, kettle corn, and music from a pair of DJs.

Aaland, a friend of Western Relics whose art has been displayed at Oakland's Swarm Gallery, Toronto's Narwhal Projects, and San Francisco City Hall, works with shaped, cut, and layered materials, namely paper and vinyl, to create textural, often humorous pieces.

She said she finds herself drawn to plants, a recurring subject in her work, for their "peaceful, contemplative" qualities. As for humor, she's interested in its ability to help cope with life's difficulties.

Aaland became friends with Western Relics owners Wilson Drozdowski and Sabrina Kay after meeting Drozdowski over a decade ago, when they were both musicians in San Diego.

While there, Aaland started designing collage-based posters for "these weird, experimental music shows I was booking." Drozdowski and Kay became fans of her art, particularly her use of "humor to explore different aspects of life, society, and politics" in a way "that's not heavy-handed," said Drozdowski.

After becoming an artist-in-residence at Facebook in 2013, Aaland gained access to the company's Analog Research Lab, which housed a wood shop and laser and vinyl cutters. She began drawing and cutting her own shapes, a departure from collage's reliance on found objects. "The way I'm working now makes me feel like someone who draws or paints, but I happen to be using paper," she said.

While creating the pieces for "Options in Life," Aaland, like many in the Bay Area, had housing on the brain. In December, she and her partner were forced to leave their Oakland art studio of eight years after the building was condemned. She has since set up shop in a smaller, pricier Emeryville space.

Although she leaves interpretations of her work intentionally open-ended, "that's what I was thinking about when I made [these pieces]. About location and a sense of security and place."

"Options in Life" will feature six new, original works, each sized at about 20x20 inches. All of the art will be for sale, and Aaland said she plans to price the pieces affordably, at around $400 to $500 apiece.

Having displayed at galleries, retail stores, cafes, and even another record store, Aaland said she's excited to be one of the early exhibitors at Western Relics. "It’s a different population than the gallery population because anyone has access to come and see it, which is kind of awesome."

If you miss Saturday's opening reception, you can still catch "Options In Life" in the store until July 24th. After that, Drozdowski and Kay aim to host new art shows every other month.

"I think they're really invested in artists," said Aaland. "It's really nice when you work with someone who runs a business, but is also excited about the logistics of running a show."