Descending Light Ojai

What Central Coast community is shadowed by the Topatopa Mountains, has no chain stores (except some gas stations), and is know for a culture which emphasizes ecology, health, organic agriculture, music and local art?  Why that would be Ojai of course.  And among the many art galleries in Ojai, Tartaglia Fine Arts houses a breathtaking collection of oil paintings from Richard Schloss.  Capturing light so realistically in his impressionistic portrayals of the Central Coast, if feels as though you can inhale the atmosphere from the huge canvases.  Richard has a very large number of followers, with some collectors owning more than 20 of his paintings!  Richard Schloss  is also an original member of The Oak Group; a band of plein air artists committed to preserving local lands for wildlife, recreation, ranching, or farming; and there is still time to catch The Oak Group Exhibition at the Faulkner Gallery of Santa Barbara’s Central Library through March 29th.  Forty-five percent of proceeds from sales will support the work of the Land Trust of Santa Barbara County!

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Mt. Toro-Early Evening

On a recent visit to Carmel Valley we were walking near the main street into town and Rolf Lygren stepped out of his studio, with paint bushes in hand, to let us know visitors were welcome.  Inside and outdoors were many paintings-in-progress in a variety of media.  The most prominent work was a wall-length commissioned piece fancifully depicting a view of Carmel Valley from the mountains to the sea.  A definitive Central Coast Impression!  Here is Rolf’s Mt. Toro-Early Evening.  Can you feel the topography and mystery of this rugged Monterey landmark?  Rolf described his process:  “It’s a combination of oil paints (in the tube) & oil sticks.  The goal is using the oil sticks to uncover images that are hidden.  It’s a very textural and tactile surface and result.  I like how the results are unpredictable and exciting.”  This painting makes me want to put on my hiking shoes!

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Blue Agave on Mission Ridge

If you turn away from the Santa Barbara beach and travel towards the Mission, then continue into the hills by the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, and then on toward the trailhead at Rattlesnake Canyon; you will discover the wild side of Santa Barbara.  Hippies and millionaires coexist in a labyrinth of winding roads and colliding ecosystems. “Blue Agave on Mission Ridge” reminds me of day trips to the Gardens and the trails.  Artist Cheryl Ambrecht, who currently exhibits at Gallery Los Olivos, started her career in 1968 at Northrup Corporation in the art department, drawing unmanned drones, airplanes and their parts.  Today her canvases reflect the beauty of the Central Coast!  Cheryl notes, “We are blessed to live in Santa Barbara. So many views are worth capturing on canvas for the artist eye”

From A Sandbar

The tide is out, you take a break from shopping and walk across the hard-packed wet sand.  Reaching the sandbar, you turn around to take in the view of Santa Barbara.  The air is cool, salty and abundant.  Artist Susan Belloni carried a large canvas to the sandbar and set to work painting this image on a less than sunny day.  She recalls: “As an artist you sometimes think you don’t want to paint outside on a cloudy day but the grays can be just gorgeous so I try to remember that.”  Originally from Canada, Susan says her favorite art scenery comes from Gaviota, Hollister Ranch, Santa Cruz Island, Santa Ynez vinyards and ranches, Montecito and Devereux Slough.  Susan is a member of the Artists Guild, Santa Ynez Valley which exhibits at the Gallery Los Olivos; and one of the founders of SCAPE (Southern California Artists Painting for the Environment).  Take a moment and breath it in!