These Central Coast characters are from the pottery workshop of Los Osos artisan, Richard Rowe. A graduate from Cal State Fullerton, Richard explains: “My goal is to produce reasonably priced functional pottery with an aesthetic content. I use life influences for the contents of my work. Subject matter depends on what I find interesting. Landscapes, fish, oak trees, politicians masquerading as sea creatures and even the Fullerton City Council have seen my interpretations.” Bottom feeders and other more traditional pottery items of Richard’s craft are for sale at Gallery at the Network in San Luis Obispo. As it happens, bottom feeders like to lurk under Christmas trees too!
This vision of promised precipitation was actually made out of hot wax. Encaustic painting is an ancient technique of adding colored pigments to hot beeswax and using metal tools and special brushes to shape the wax on a canvas. Arroyo Grande artist Vicki Meagher has recently discovered that encaustic’s powerful combination of color, texture and depth is continuously inspiring. Vicki’s work is part of the current Hot Paintings in Wax show featured at Gallery at the Network in San Luis Obispo. Here’s hoping that this will be the view out our windows very soon!
Open Studio Art Tours taking place this month in several areas of the Central Coast, is the ultimate road trip! After visiting artists in Cambria (and some AMAZING scarecrows) last weekend, I plan to visit the San Luis Obispo area this weekend. On my list is the studio of Jayne Schelden (#141) in Shell Beach. Her oil painting, Canyon Shadows, Johnson Ranch Trail caught my eye because the 242 acres of Open Space on the Johnson Ranch, right off HWY 101 south of San Luis Obispo, is one of our favorite hiking destinations. And as you can see by Jayne’s painting, our hills and canyons are still beautiful even after a long summer. Take a ride to the Central Coast this weekend and say hello to our painters, jewelers, potters, glass designers and other unique artisans participating in the Arts Obispo Open Studios Art Tour. You know in December you’ll want to have something “just right” to put under the Christmas tree.
I saw these pendant lamps hanging in the front window at the Hands Gallery in San Luis Obispo, and kind of flipped-out. (It’s true, I’m from the 70’s) Such incarnations of the Central Coast! Local artist Rowan Chase confirms; “I feel a very strong connection to the geography and coastline of San Luis Obispo County and if I had to pick my most inspirational influence it would be from those sources. In my artwork, whether paintings, sculpture, or other mediums there is a common intensity which I attribute to my relationship with this part of the world.” Personally I think this combination of 3 dimensional abstract and impressionistic art, combined with illumination and function makes a “universe” of enchantment. You may quote me on that.
Today I get to post about two of my favorite things, Open Space and Art. Allow me to introduce S.L.O.P.E; in their own words: “San Luis Outdoor Painters for the Environment (S.L.O.P.E.) is a group of professional artists who create artworks depicting the beauty and uniqueness of California’s Central Coast. Working with local and national organizations, we use our art to draw public attention to this area and generate funds for preserving local lands for open space, wildlife, and ecologically respectful recreation, ranching and farming.” From June 27th to July 31st, we have an opportunity to purchase original paintings from S.L.O.P.E. artists at Blakeslee & Blakeslee in San Luis Obispo, with a portion of the proceeds going to the San Luis Obispo Land Conservancy for the purchase of the 900 acre Pismo Preserve for use as open space. First purchase an original S.L.O.P.E. painting, then while you are admiring it in your home dream about the hike you will take there someday. The view from the top will be amazing!
What used to be part of a Redwood beam on an old bridge near Santa Cruz, is now this charming heron! I met wood carver, Dick Marshall at Gallery At The Network in San Luis Obispo during Art After Dark last weekend. Dick, who also carves realistic ducks and shore bird decoys explains, “My inspirations come from nature and love of the avian world. I have been a birdwatcher from an early age.” These art works can be seen at the Gallery At The Network. In the slide show to the upper right, you can see Dick’s sandpipers made from recycled Alaskan Yellow Cedar; as well as the works of several other local artisans spotlighting their works at Gallery At The Network, where browsers are ALWAYS welcome!
I have a 30 minute daily commute to work. Occasionally, along the way I’ll need to slow down to allow a covey of quail to cross the road. Experiences like that make it all worthwhile! One of my favorite local artists is Julie Dunn who captures Central Coast imagery in her tempera batik paintings on paper. The tempera batik process (in a nutshell) involves making a line drawing on colored paper with black permanent marker, painting between the lines with tempera paint, drying thoroughly then covering the entire work with India ink, drying again and then carefully rinsing off the desired amount of India ink. This painting can also be found in the artist’s Central Coast Landscape II triptych which includes Valley Oak and Owl’s Clover & Tidy Tips. The “abstract and representational” qualities of Julie’s work definitely add an alluring magic to her depictions of our area.
These Central Coast characters are from the pottery workshop of Los Osos artisan, Richard Rowe. A graduate from Cal State Fullerton, Richard explains: “My goal is to produce reasonably priced functional pottery with an aesthetic content. I use life influences for the contents of my work. Subject matter depends on what I find interesting. Landscapes, fish, oak trees, politicians masquerading as sea creatures and even the Fullerton City Council have seen my interpretations.” Bottom feeders and other more traditional pottery items of Richard’s craft are for sale at Gallery at the Network in San Luis Obispo. As it happens, bottom feeders like to lurk under Christmas trees too!
Central Coast Impressions 