Current Issue Articles
LADIES FIRST ART SHOW
Saturday, March 15, 2008
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The Victorian village of Los Olivos has an established reputation as one of the finest art colonies on the West Coast. It has a number of first rate galleries, featuring the best artists in every discipline. We suggest that you plan a day to stroll through the Los Olivos galleries and shops, many of which are housed in quaint, Victorian buildings lining the wide streets. You may find the perfect work of art to give to “that special someone” on your shopping list, or you may want to buy yourself a gift that will last a lifetime. If you are into fine wines, you will also enjoy the wine tasting opportunities available in Los Olivos. You will definitely want to make plans to visit Los Olivos for the “Ladies First Art Show” on Saturday, March 15. |
During this “Salute to Women Artists,” each of the town’s galleries hold receptions for featured artists. There will be demonstrations by and opportunities to chat with many of the leading female artists in California, while viewing exhibits of their paintings, sculptures and other works of art. Each year, musicians play in the background, and little girls with baskets of
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flowers stroll the streets, handing out blossoms to visitors.
This year, there will be a “Show Within a Show” entitled “Young Ladies First,” which will be held at Judith Hale Gallery. The young artists to be included are Sammy Hefley, Karina Puente and Jessica Garrett. At thirteen, Sammy Hefley is by far the youngest of the three. She became involved in clay sculpting of horses at the age of |
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nine, and when she took a one-day horse sculpture workshop from Laurie Beechen-Ballard. Over eighteen months she continued to work on her clay sculpture, changing it more times than she could count as she attempted to get the muscle structure and proportions exactly correct. Finally, she got to the point where she was invited to display her work in a gallery show. A passing couple was so impressed with it that they offered to have it cast in a limited edition bronze. The limited edition, entitled “Untamed Glory,” is now almost sold out. Sammy’s new limited edition of a western horse is scheduled to be released in August. |
Karina Puente was raised in the Santa Ynez Valley, where she developed her interest in depicting the human form in multiple mediums. She then attended the Boston Museum of Fine Art School, graduating in 2007. She has received many scholarships and awards, which reflect the wide acceptance of her ability and style. She was featured in the September 2002 issue of Southwest Art and the June/July 2003 issue of Art Talk. Her work will be featured in a show at Judith Hale Gallery, which will begin with a reception on February 9 and run through March 9.
The final “Young Ladies First” artist is Jessica Dawn Garrett, who was born in 1983. She showed a striking talent for drawing at an early age, but her true passion for landscape painting developed as a result of a workshop with R.A. Heichberger in 2005. She still studies privately under Heichberger and her passion continues to grow. Jessica is currently a teacher’s aide but looks forward to being a full time artist. |