Experiencing Joy Through Art

   Good morning! It’s great to see you back here again. This past weekend an event was held here in southern California called “Art Along The Coast”. It featured twelve artists whose studios were open to the public, kind of like an open house. People were free to come in, look at the art, talk to the artist and get an inside look at how and where they work.

   Each artist had several pieces for sale as well as a small gallery of work displayed. If you stopped at all twelve over the course of the weekend, you could be entered to win prizes. The artist’s studios were all located in the Laguna Beach or San Clemente area. I wasn't able to visit all twelve, but I went to three of them and enjoyed the experience immensely!

   I visited the studios of Mary Aslin, Paul Bond and Molly Hutchings. I have always loved watching other artists work, and I enjoy seeing their studios, what supplies they use and how they use them. Each artists has their own way of working and each studio has its own “personality”. Many of those artists use the same supplies that I do, yet keep them organized in a different way or use them in a slightly different capacity. I like seeing those alternate ways of using the same stuff.

   Mary Aslin is a master pastelist and is also a personal friend. Her work is amazingly beautiful and I enjoyed seeing her studio and watching her do a demo as well as an interview for the local high school video club. Especially fun for me was getting to see some of Mary’s work in progress…a fascinating look into her process as an artist. Usually I only see the finished and framed works on her website or at The Festival of the Arts. As many professional artists do, Mary rents her studio which is located in Laguna Beach. It is a beautiful space with tons of natural light. 

   Paul Bond is an oil painter who does surrealistic subjects, that have a touch of whimsy to them. I especially enjoyed seeing some of the animal paintings he had as part of his gallery display. He shows each year in the Festival of the Arts as well and was kind enough to spend some time with me on Saturday showing me his studio. Made from a converted garage, I marveled at how neat and streamlined it was! He has only the supplies that he needs. Most painters (myself included) end up with drawers of paint, jars of brushes and a myriad of other goodies that could furnish a small country, so to find a guy like Paul who has paired his stuff down to bare essentials is really cool!

   The third artist I visited, Molly Hutchings, does incredible watercolors and I have admired her work for years at the Festival of Arts. From afar, many people mistake her work for collage, as I did when I first saw it. It was upon closer inspection though that I realized each of her works is entirely painted by hand with watercolor. It must be seen to be believed!! Resembling quilts, her work often incorporates themes that go together and have a unified idea. One particular stand-out this weekend was her “New York Beauty” piece which borrowed its design patterns from the Statue of Liberty’s crown. Molly was also gracious enough to share her studio space and show me her paints (she uses Daniel Smith watercolors…one of the best!) and her husband and sister were delightful. 

   The Art Along the Coast was a thoroughly enjoyable experience and it certainly got my juices flowing and reenergized my desire to get back into my own studio. If you live in or are going to be visiting the southern California area at this time next year I highly recommend taking a day to see the studio tour! You won't be disappointed…