MIXED MEDIA - GLASS
Booth C1

A native of Southern California, art has always been a means of personal expression and intellectual challenge for Susan. As a career artist, several years ago she began to search for a medium that would allow for a unique method and a more personal connection with her art. The mercurial qualities and purity of glass proved irresistible and allowed for a completely original approach. After extensive research, trial and error, Susan created her own method of combining glass and other mediums. The result somewhat mimics a traditional painting but is actually an original image made with the rich depth and jewel-like tones of glass. (The process is currently patent pending)
She hopes viewers experience a spontaneous enjoyment and connection as their own life experiences mesh with her art.

Her work can be found in private and commercial collections throughout the United States, Australia and Europe.

susanmaroszart.com

PEN & INK • WATERCOLOR
Booth D14

I was born in 1947 in a 17” snowstorm in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Growing up in Wisconsin, I had an idyllic childhood, playing in wide-open fields and forests, chasing frogs, and looking for garter snakes. My first interest in art started when I was 7 or 8 and I enjoyed drawing birds and other animals. But a teacher accused me of tracing my drawings and I was so traumatized that I did not draw again until I went to college. In 1965 I left Wisconsin to attend the University of Illinois. There I rediscovered my passion for art and was reassured when a famous artist teaching at the time, explained that tracing in art, is just like scales in music. He suggested that I trace the Sear’s catalog to improve my hand/eye coordination. And it truly did work. Through my studies, I was introduced to most forms of art – pencil, pen and ink, oils, pastels, and watercolors. At the time, I didn’t like the soaking and stretching involved with watercolors and initially settled into pen and ink. After I graduated in 1969 with a BFA, I moved back to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and eventually joined up with a group of artisans, who were exploring and working in various mediums. We opened a combination leather shop, shoe repair, and art gallery that attracted a rather eclectic clientele and did quite well. At that time, I began working in pen and ink and the pen and ink drawings I have are reflective of that period, circa 1969-1975. In the early 1970s, I returned to Urbana-Champaign to visit friends. Although I intended to move west after that visit, fate had other plans for me. I met my future wife, got married, started working as a graphic designer, became a father, added a variety of cats and dogs to our family, and settled into family and work-life in Urbana-Champaign. In the 80’s I began experimenting. I found I could wax the watercolor paper to a piece of hardboard and I didn’t have to soak and stretch. It works very well, even with heavy washes! For the last 40 years, I have done drawings and paintings of the Midwest, Idaho, Hawaii, Europe, and California. Although I have explored various mediums, I always return to watercolors. I have 3 distinct groups of painting: landscapes, flowers, and whimsy. I enjoy painting all three types and as I grow older, the whimsy is more attractive, but I always enjoy painting flowers! I hope you enjoy my work!

rmaulwatercolors.com/

ACRYLIC
Booth A25

A native Californian, George McGhee has achieved the reputation of a artist with a unique eye for detail. Much of his early career was spent studying styles of landscape, and seascape painters of the past.
Artist such as Thomas Cole and Frederick Church have influenced him greatly. As masters of the American Luminous Style, Cole and Church studied and painted in the Hudson River School era during the 1800’s. Building on this inspiration with over 30 years of experience. George has emerged in the 21st century with his own approach in his art work. His subjects range from land and seascapes to wildlife and marine subjects.

www.finewhaleart.com

facebook.com/george.mcghee

WATERCOLOR • OIL • ACRYLIC
Booth A23

Workshop Instructor – sign up here

Geri began drawing and painting at an early age in Chicago, Illinois. As a child, she attended scholarship classes at the Art Institute of Chicago and later attended the American Academy of Art and then worked in the Graphic Arts field.After moving to Southern California, she continued her artistic development by painting with watercolors. She loves their inherent qualities of transparent and glowing colors. Her art work is driven by a lifelong love and sense of awe for the natural world. Her passion is painting LIGHT in all its subtleties. She is also enjoying painting with Oils and Acrylics. Each medium demands different methods which keeps her fresh, growing and excited to paint. She enjoys the challenges!!
Geri is a Signature Member the National Watercolor Society and Watercolor West, and has been an exhibitor at the juried Art-A-Fair and The Festival of Arts, Laguna Beach for many years. She has been included in numerous solo and group exhibitions. Walter Foster Publishing has published “Step by Step Watercolor with Geri Medway,” and she is also included in 3 other Foster publications, and “Art of the American West”. A natural teacher, she has taught art workshops in locales such as Limoux, France and Yosemite National Park as well as Southern CA. Her work is held in numerous collections in the US and abroad. Her mastery of the medium has led her to receiving numerous awards for her ability to paint with remarkable vibrancy and spirit, showing her love of Nature and her quest of painting “light.”

www.gerimedway.com

facebook.com/GeriMedwayFineArt

instagram.com/gerimedway/

GOURDS • PAINTING
Booth A5

Workshop Instructor – sign up here

Lisa is a Southern California native who has been working with gourds for the last 15 years. After years working in the commercial illustration world, she discovered the world of gourds and never looked back.

“I am so curious about repeating shapes in nature and the universe….from chambered nautilus shells, to fiddle-head ferns, to Fibonacci numbers. From there it is a fairly short leap to make a connection between the organic, natural shapes of gourds….. to the shapes of people!”

Email: mamagourds@yahoo.com

CLAY
Booth B8

My inspiration is life, the emotions of human beings and the need to create and the love I have for sculptor in ceramic.

I make my ceramic sculptor with clay , paint with engobes, stains and glazes. I fire them three times in low (1940 f) and high (2185 f) temperatures to reach the desired effects.

instagram.com/pedromongrut/

attps://facebook.compamongrut

PASTEL • WATERCOLOR

Booth B2

Workshop Instructor – sign up here

From My Heart and Brush to Yours

Painting has been a part of Sandra’s life since the first grade when she realized she wanted to be an artist. She graduated from San Diego State University with a BA in Fine Art with an emphasis in drawing and painting. Her mediums are pastel and watercolors and is mainly a plein air painter and it gives her great pleasure to go outside and paint. Being a member of Laguna Plein Air Painters and Southern California Plein Air Painters gives her opportunities to paint.

Even though she has no formal training in teaching she is consistently asked for advice and critiques when she paints with fellow artists. For over seven years, she was an art instructor for Bower’s Museum for their Treasures Program and other events like the Lantern Festival at Segerstrom’s and the Sip and Cookies at libraries around Orange County. In addition, she taught at Silverado Newport Mesa Memory Care Unit and various Board and Care Facilities.

Recent awards include:

LPAPA Best of Plein Air Juried as an Alternate on their website

SOCALPAPA Sea and Sage Quick Draw First Place

Tustin Art League Water Media First Place

Over the many years of her career Sandra’s artwork has been purchased by many art lovers and collectors. This year is her second year with Art-a-fair where she will be displaying her pastel artwork as well as watercolor. You are invited to come see her artwork on display.

Website: sandramorrison.com

Instagram: @smorrisonfa

PHOTOGRAPHY
Booth B27

Wildlife photographer Jeff Nadler specializes in award-winning fine art wildlife and nature photography from around the globe, with a special talent for exposing nature’s soul through black-&-white and color artistic imagery. With a passion of advocacy for the protection of endangered species, Jeff’s photographic mission is to create an emotional connection with his natural world subjects for the viewer and encourage active support of wildlife conservation. A percentage of his sales is donated to support an anti-poaching organization in East Africa.

Jeff has been especially fascinated by Africa for as long as he can remember. “As a child, I was always drawn to movies and stories about the African ‘jungle’, from Tarzan to Hatari, from King Solomon’s Mines to the Man-eaters of Tsavo.” A career in scuba diving and exploring the world’s oceans pushed aside adult thoughts of Africa until an overseas business trip provided the opportunity for a safari in Botswana. That experience not only re-awakened his childhood dreams of Africa, it turned that fascination into a passion for its animals. Jeff has returned to Africa seven times since that first safari in 2001.

Jeff’s images have received awards in numerous international contests, with recognition for art originality, technical excellence, composition, overall impact and artistic merit. In 2016, 2017 and 2018, his fellow exhibitors at Laguna Art-A-Fair selected Jeff as Best in Photography. His work has been featured in fine art magazines, with one reviewer noting “Although it’s fair to say that artwork involving animal subjects has universal appeal, the manner in which Jeff presents his subjects far surpasses conventional documentation. It is said that the eyes are the windows of the soul. Nowhere is that more evident than in the sensitive, soulful portraits of Jeff’s subjects. He possesses an extraordinary ability to connect with wild animals on a level of intimacy and serenity that belies the risks and dangers of working in the wild.”

How does Jeff create such unique images? He explains, “Unlike landscape photography, where pre-planning the composition, lighting, etc., is crucial for a successful image, in photographing wildlife it is impossible to ‘edit within the camera’. When the action is happening fast and furious, it needs to be captured quickly. It is only after the action is over that I can actually see what I have to work with. Later that night, as I look at each of the day’s images, I listen for those that speak to me; that tell me what they are meant to turn into. Just as a group of painters will look at a bowl of fruit and each create a completely different still-life, each photo tells me what I need to do in my editing to ‘paint’ my vision of it. Sometimes I instantly know what the final image will be. For others, it may be months (or even years) after numerous viewings before an image unlocks its secrets and reveals itself to me, just as a block of marble eventually reveals the statue hidden inside it to the sculptor.”

Jeff’s image library includes: African wildlife of all types photographed throughout Eastern & Southern Africa; jaguars, birds & other South American wildlife photographed in Brazil; Grizzly bears, black bears & spirit bears (white-furred black bear sub-species) photographed in Canada; wolves, elk & bison photographed in Yellowstone; giant pandas & other Chinese wildlife photographed in Sichuan Province, China; wild horses photographed in France’s Camargue region. His work is printed on canvas or archival photo paper, in custom sizes to meet each client’s specific needs.

Galleries:

SmartSpace Art Gallery - San Diego, CA

SmartSpace Art Gallery - Vista, CA

www.facebook.com/jeffnadlerphotography

instagram.com/jeff.nadler.photo/

MIXED MEDIA

Booth B10

briannguyensart.com
facebook: briannguyensart
instagram: briannguyensart
linkedin: brian-nguyen-a94511135/

Jewelry

Booth

My story is one of creativity, resilience, and the transformative power of art.

My jewelry journey began when I was 12 years old, crafting a Puka Shell necklace to showcase my sun-kissed skin after days spent on Southern California beaches in the 70s. I developed a passion for visiting local bead stores and creating vibrant, beaded necklaces. During a high school jewelry class, I discovered the art of casting sterling silver rings adorned with crushed turquoise and coral - colors that still hold a special place in my heart. When my wedding day arrived, I designed an elegant, three-strand white beaded choker as my “something new,” paired with a cross necklace borrowed from my grandmother.

These experiences have shaped me, igniting a lifelong passion for crafting and adorning myself with pieces that tell a story, that speak of love and cherished memories.

As the daughter of an electrical engineer and excelling in math and science, I was naturally drawn to pursuing a degree in engineering from the University of California, Irvine. Also, born into a family with deep entrepreneurial roots, I grew up working alongside my parents and sister in our family business, Novak Electronics. Our business flourished for nearly 40 years, and the experience instilled in me the values of hard work, dedication, and the importance of building strong relationships with customers.

However, life took an unexpected turn when our family business closed in 2016 and my sister was diagnosed with cancer. Amidst these hardships, I found solace in an old hobby – jewelry making. What started as a therapeutic outlet soon bloomed into a passion project, and before long, Novaura Jewelry was born.

In my 50s, my career and life took a significant turn. With the support of my husband and children and the wisdom of my parents, I transformed a beloved hobby into a joyful business.

My story is a testament to the power of resilience, passion, and creativity. It serves as a beacon of hope for others navigating their own life transitions or dealing with grief, reminding them that joy and fulfillment can be found in unexpected places. It is a celebration of life, love, and art’s power to heal and transform, proving that it’s never too late to pivot, pursue our passions, and create something truly beautiful.

NovauraJewelry.com

Facebook: NovauraJewelry

Instagram: novaurajewelry

LinkedIn: lauraroesgen

FIBER/TEXTILE

Booth D9

Workshop Instructor – sign up here

Carrie Olsen is a contemporary quilt maker and fiber artist from Laguna Woods, California. Her artwork is firmly grounded in the craft of quilt making. It has taken her many years to acquire the cutting, piecing, and quilting skills she now uses daily. Her studio is her happy place. She works intuitively while listening to her favorite music. Color, line, texture, and design ignite her passion for making art.
She uses fabric and thread as a painter uses paint and a brush to inspire her creative process. She is an artist. She simply loves it!

Art has been a thread throughout her life. Graduating with a degree in Photography from Art Center College of Design was the beginning. Working as an advertising photographer was exciting and fulfilling. Returning to school for a master’s degree in education, seemed right. She became an educator and taught school for twenty-five years. After retiring, she continues to teach workshops at the Laguna Art-A-Fair and quilting classes for the Orange County Modern Quilt Guild and The Quilt Bee in Orange, California.

Website: carrieolsen.com

Instagram: @carrieolsenstudioquits

OIL PAINTING

Booth A13

Morgan Palla began painting in her small bedroom in Newport Beach, CA where her home became her studio. Her pieces combine her love of nature and travels, with her admiration for all art forms. Self taught through years of learning, Morgan creates art that artistically turns landscapes into oil paintings to be enjoyed in all homes. She loves being able to turn meaningful experiences, locations and travels into paintings that can be cherished in a home everyday!

pallaart.com

Instagram: @palla_art

WATERCOLOR • OIL • ACRYLIC • COLLAGE
Booth D10

Workshop Instructor – sign up here

Barbara Palmer-Davis has been an exhibitor in Art-A-Fair for 34 summers. She has been a co-owner of a gallery in Prescott, AZ and has studied with Ted Goerschner, David Simons, and Tony Couch. She has taught watercolor and acrylic for years and her students are very appreciative of her patience and nurturing attitude. Her favorite subjects are children, seascapes, and collage. She loves to capture the play of light in her paintings.

barbarapalmerdavis.com

instagram.com/palmerdavisbarbara/

facebook.com/barbara.kimmelpalmer

ACRYLIC
Booth C20

My name is Dale Patterson. I have just recently retired from running a high-end finish carpentry business, doing my best to put beauty into client's home with custom woodworking. I have done artwork all my life but it always had to take a back seat to the woodworking and making my living. Now I have the time to devote to my artwork as I have always wanted to do. I hope you enjoy my artwork as much as I do creating it. I live in San Clemente and have worked on custom homes up and down the coast for over forty-five years. I still love woodworking but now it will be taking the back seat so I can create the artwork.

THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO ENJOY MY PIECES

abreathoffreshart.com

instagram.com/abreathoffreshart/

FIBER/TEXTILE

Booth D25

Martine is native from Paris, France, she has lived in several cities across North America including New York, Chicago, Vancouver, Seattle, Hillsborough (NJ), and Costa Mesa. She now calls Laguna Hills home, where she has finally settled. Upon retiring, her creativity and attention to detail blossomed, leading her to discover a passion for the art of macramé. She embarked on a journey to create unique pieces, continuously exploring new techniques and pushing the boundaries of her craft. Her dream of mastering macramé became a reality as she embraced her passion and unleashed her inventive spirit.

Instagram: mp_macrame

MIXED MEDIA

Booth C14

Anja Prescher is a contemporary artist living in Southern California, with her husband and two toddler daughters.

Having learnt painting under European artists in Germany, mastering the art of using natural textures as well as adding a variety of mediums and oil paint, she has developed her own unique style over the years. She is passionate about heavily textured, abstract paintings with realistic elements that reflect her passion for the beauty, textures and colors of nature.

Raw and earthy materials inspire her creations, which she typically starts with an eclectic mix of fabric, sand, gold leaf, natural elements and impasto paste to achieve a three-dimensional experience on canvas. Multiple layers of acrylic paint washes, expressive spray paint and mark making add to the depth of the pieces.

She then completes her paintings with vibrant oil colors to render more realistic form and to fully bring the paintings to life.

Anja Prescher graduated from the Milan Art Institute and has studied in Germany, France, and the US - holding a Master’s Degree in Media Business, as well as an International MBA.

Currently, Anja’s paintings can be openly accessed through her website, Behind-the-Scenes Studio Sales, and Art Exhibitions like the Laguna Beach Art-a-Fair, one of the premier juried art shows in Southern California.

Artist Bio

Anja Prescher lives with her husband and two daughters in Laguna Hills, California. She has been creating and selling her large format abstract paintings for over 20 years, while working as a Creative Executive during the day where she drew vast design inspiration.

Having learnt painting under European artists in Germany, mastering the art of using natural textures as well as adding a variety of colors and mediums, she has developed her own unique style over the years. She finishes her paintings with vibrant oil glazes on canvas to exhibit deep blues, dusty pinks, shades of white, and neutral clay colors. These colors are informed by her life experiences near the Pacific Coast and Californian deserts.

Anja's love for travel has allowed her to incorporate exotic materials into her art, resulting in unique compositions that inspire hope and a turning towards the light.

Anja Prescher has studied in Germany, France and the US and holds a Master’s Degree in Media Business, as well as an International MBA. She is now studying at the Milan Art Institute to challenge herself further.

Currently, Anja's paintings can be openly accessed through her website, Behind-the-Scenes Studio Sales, and Art Exhibitions. Since the birth of her two daughters, Anja has decided to fully focus on her art, allowing her to connect more deeply with her collectors."

Website: anjaprescher.com

Instagram: @prescherart

LinkedIn: Anja Prescher

OIL • ACRYLIC • MIXED MEDIA

Booth B4

Workshop Instructor – sign up here

Born in Dubrovnik, Croatia, Nadalena Radis-Cobbs grew up amidst ancient fortresses, weathered stone architecture, cobblestone streets and the stunning Adriatic Sea.

Her first exhibition was 1984 in Dubrovnik, Croatia.

Nadalena lived in Dubrovnik in 1991 during the war. Living through and experiencing firsthand the destruction and travesty of the war gave Nadalena even more appreciation for beaty and art.

In 2002 Nadalena was living in Northern California and decided to be full time artist. Not long after her artworks were displayed and for sale in art galleries in Carmel, Ca. (Winters Fine Art and Diamond Gallery).

Today Nadalena lives in Southern California and specialize in original Plein Air paintings and studio paintings of California, Croatia, coastal scenes, landscapes, and historical architecture.

She also enjoys making abstract paintings.

Over the years countless pieces of Nadalena’s have been purchased by lovers of art, investors, and private collectors.

Traveling to many places throughout Europe and United States has given Nadalena the opportunity to understand and incorporate her experience of the translucent world of the water, majestic land, and everchanging sky. Experiences such as sailing in the Pacific Ocean, swimming in the Adriatic Sea, kayaking in Idaho and backpacking in California have exposed her to the overwhelming beauty of nature.

Her attention as an artist is to share these visual and emotional experiences with others through her painting.

“My paintings come from my daily life; they express my connection with world around me.”

Rewards and Recognitions

*November 9th, 2023, 1st place Award, Category Oil & Acrylic, painting “Adventure Awaits”, Tustin Art League, Tustin

*June 1st to June 30th, 2023 LPAPA, Laguna Beach, “Featured Artist Member of the Month”

*May 21st, 2023, Balboa Island Artwalk, Randy Higbee Award for Painting “Glowing Harbor”

* April, 30th, 2023, SOCALPAPA, ENC, Newport Beach, Ca, Randy Higbee Award for painting “My Inspiration”

*August 4th, 2022, LPAPA, Laguna Beach, Ca, Juried Art Exhibition

“From Dusk to Dawn 2022”, “People Choice Award” for painting “Sky Above Catalina”

*October 4th, 2021, LPAPA, Laguna Beach, Ca, Juried Exhibition “Art and Nature”, People Choice Award for painting “Splendid Moment”

Nadalena is a member of Laguna Plein Air Painters (LPAPA), California art Club (CAC), Southern California Plein Air Painters Association (SOCALPAPA), Dana Point Fine Art Association (DPFAA) and Laguna Art-A-Fair (LAAF), Tustin Art League, TAL.

https://www.NadalenaArt.com

Instagram: Nadalena art Facebook: NadalenaArt and Nada Radis-Cobbs

https://www.nafalenaFineart.com

MIXED MEDIA • WATERCOLOR
Booth A28

Workshop Instructor – sign up here

"I paint whatever I see that is striking - - something that takes my breath away." While Emilee admires watercolor done in soft, light washes, she goes for the drama of bold, colorful artwork. Due to the vivid colors, many viewing her work assume the medium must be acrylic - - and now she also uses acrylics in her "Paint Pouring" art pieces as well.

Retired after over 30 years with the Walt Disney Co., Emilee lives and paints in Anaheim, California. She is a published artist, a Juried Exhibitor at Laguna Art-A-Fair in Laguna Beach, a Juror, and Art Demonstrator and conducts both watercolor and Liquid Art/Paint Pouring workshops.

Emilee is a member of Watercolor West, Spark OC and Orange County Fine Arts. Emilee's artwork is also available at the Quorum Gallery located in Laguna Beach, CA.

emileereed-watercolors.com

facebook.com/emileeereed

MIXED MEDIA
Booth B13

Heather Reichard is a self taught Mixed Media artist who grew up in Allentown Pennsylvania. She has lived her life backwards, upside down, and has a habit of diving into the deep end of the pool without thinking first. Heather is married to her best friend Michael who she has known since she was sixteen and has two incredible children Noah, 22 and Abbey, 17.

If you would have asked Heather where she would be at 45, 10 years ago her answer definitely would not have been living in Southern California or showing her art in beautiful places like Laguna Beach. Heather and her husband Michael joke that they have taken the hardest paths and bumpiest unpaved roads to get where they are. They are grateful for the struggles and mistakes they have made because without them they never would have made it where they are now. It’s a lifetime away from where they started.

Heather has loved creating art since she was a child and fell in love with everything vintage and rusty as a teenager. She has blended her two loves, art and vintage goodies to create her whimsical happy art. If heather’s not making art or wandering around vintage markets you may find her running, spending time in nature with her family, container gardening or walking her dog, Mary Jane. When Heather thinks about what things may look like at 55, she hopes her family will be happy, healthy, and close, that her art career has become more successful, that she finally has her vintage truck, a big yard again with a swing, her own private studio space, and that she’s still running.

www.heatherreichard.com/

Instagram: @artdragonfly

OILS
Booth A18

I started painting seriously about 15 years ago when my daughter decided I had a gift and that I needed to explore it.

The decision to focus on animals, particularly pets was an easy one. For years my friends would enjoy watching me react to every cute pet I encountered. Since I think that every dog or cat I encounter is adorable, this became a full time activity for my acquaintances. I added some wildlife and outdoor paintings into the mix when I had the opportunity to explore our wild planet.

I began offering pet portraits to the public and was pleasantly surprised by the overwhelming positive reactions. When I paint someone's pet dog or cat, that pet becomes mine for the duration of the project. I become possessive about the pet and want to capture its very soul, what makes it so lovable.

I have a passion for inviting people into my world of art:
If I can make someone feel the love that pets bring into our lives then I've been successful.

When someone steps into my booth and smiles at the celebration of pets following them with their eyes and happy faces, then I've been successful.

Stop by and allow me to show you how we can make a lifetime memory together for you and your pet.

lifeinoils.com

ACRYLIC PAINTING

Booth B34

A native of Southern California's artistic hub of Claremont, Johnny Rogers' journey as an artist began with ceramics, metal and stone sculpture - mediums that fundamentally shaped his visceral approach to materials and form. This sculptural sensibility carries through into his current abstract painting practice.

On large canvases, Rogers builds up layers of acrylic paint, creating thick, textured surfaces that he selectively sands back into. Through this additive and subtractive process, his compositions emerge from the accumulation of gestural markings, excavations, and buried histories.

He wields traditional painting tools but also implements less conventional objects to etch, scrape and manipulate the paint into tactile topography - stratified, active surfaces that envelop the viewer's senses with depth, movement and metaphor.

Rogers' mission is to accentuate paint's pure physicality by pushing it into somatic, sculptural expressions transcending representation. He resides in Laguna Niguel.

johnny-rogers.com

Instagram: johnnyarthere

PHOTOGRAPHY • OIL • JEWELRY • MIXED MEDIA
Booth D12

My art career started quite by accident. I owned a company and hired an ad agency to help me with promotion. Part of the job required them to take advertising photos of our building and our workers. When I saw the photos I was very disappointed and told the agency how I felt. It was suggested that I take the photos myself and show the agency photographer what I wanted. I took the photos and my partner and I decided that they were just what we wanted and used them in our ad campaign. Shortly thereafter we sold the business and the ad agency asked me if I wanted to work for them. I began my career as a photographer.

After a number of industrial jobs I was offered a commercial photo shoot for a clothing designer. During that time I started wildlife photography. For the next few decades I sold wildlife photos, lead wildlife tours and did commercial photography.

In 2008 I started painting. What you find here is my progression as an oil painter. I’ve decided that I will only paint what moves me, and what moves me is painting from my own photos.

In particular this holds true with my wildlife paintings. Not only do I want to paint scenes that I have personally observed, but the photo has to have been taken in the wild, not a captive animal, so that I can feel and portray the emotion of the moment. Recreating that wonderful sensation I felt when a truly wild and free animal is in my personal space.

I hope the emotion I feel, the exhilaration, the feeling of being in the presence of such a beautiful animal comes through to you. I have been lucky enough to have traveled the world over. I love what I do, feel truly blessed that I can do it. I want to spend the rest of my life taking photographs of fantastic animals and places and paint those moments that catch my fancy.

robertrossfineart.com/

ENCAUSTIC • MIXED MEDIA

Booth B12

"I failed miserably in my art history classes in college. I studied each image as if it were the last image I would ever see, but the names of the artist who created the masterpiece would escape my mind. My father was a physicist who captured life around him with his father’s Leica when I was a child. He bought a 110 camera when I was about 10, so it was easier to carry around and I somewhat absconded with it. When I would return from an airplane trip, he would delight in the images I took of the cloud formations in the sky. My father and I would go to the library, and I would walk out with my arms full of photography and film books, any book that was full of images. My life was images, I loved images. As I got older, I took a photography class in Jr. College, while still in high school. I went on to study commercial photography and ceramics at Cal State Fullerton and ended up working in a commercial photography studio in Orange County, Ca in the early 1980’s. I soon started my own commercial/portrait studio and began to custom print black and white photographs. I moved on to wedding photography and my life took a big detour. I wouldn’t pick up a camera again for 15 years, until I met my husband, Steve, 11 years ago. I credit him for bringing me back to artistically expressing myself again. He started by teaching me to paint with oils, something my mom had done before I was born. I could create any world I wanted to. I was soon introduced to an encaustic artist. I saw her work and the ideas of what I could do with this newfound medium, raced through my head. I had found a medium that I could manipulate the medium to express my feelings and ideas that had been lingering in my head for so many years. I use collage with my encaustic work just as I used collage in my photography work in college and I also paint with straight pure encaustic wax with color to evoke different feelings. Encaustic art allows me to incorporate all my experience as an artist into one medium. It blends design with texture and has visual depth. You can delve down into the layers of wax, exposing hazy details, just like a person.

Selected Exhibitions

2022 Solo Show, Bunny Gunner Gallery, Claremont, CA

2021 Group Show, Old Broads, Riverside Museum of Art, Riverside, CA

2020 Group Show, The Old Broads, Roswell Space Gallery, Los Angeles, CA

2020 Dual Show, Hillcrest Gallery, La Verne, CA

2019 Dual Show, Progress Gallery, Pomona, CA

2019 Group Show, Square I Gallery, Claremont, CA

2019 Group Show, The Old Broads, Middle Ridge Winery Gallery, Idyllwild, CA

2019 Group Show, The Old Broads, Bunny Gunner, Claremont, CA

2018 Group Show, The Old Broads, UCR, Riverside, CA

2017 Group Show, The Old Broads, Progress Gallery, Pomona CA

2015 All You Can Eat, Bunny Gunner, Claremont, CA (group show)

2013 Dual Show, Illuminated Methodology, DPOA, Pomona, CA"

Website: monkeybox-studio.com

Instagram: @susan.ruiz_art

OIL
Booth A19

After making my mark in the Native American Music world, as a flutist, my roots are calling. I’m being pulled back to my love of painting by the smell of the oils and the feel of the brush. I find peace and tranquility in my studio. It’s my meditation in this crazy world.

Steven Rushingwind-Ruiz a California native is of Native American & Mexican descent, has been interested in art and music his entire life. He was raised within a family of artists, including musicians and painters. As a child he spent time with his uncle, oil painter Alfred Flores 1913-1997, in his studio. Rushingwind remembers sensing the full rich smell of oils, the buttery texture of the paint on his fingers, — he was hooked.

Money was tight in the Ruiz family, since his parents had six children to feed. Steve didn’t have enough money to buy oils so he took the discarded tubes from his uncle’s trash can and squeezed out every blob he could possibly get so he could amass enough paint for a painting. This turned out to be a blessing in disguise as it taught him how to mix an array of colors out of the three primary colors. As we fast-forward to his early thirties, the love of music and the outdoors became his passion, so it was only natural to step outside and paint what was in his heart. He did several plein air paintings. Many have acquired Rushingwind’s landscape paintings, plein air paintings, award winning music and wood sculptures. He is known as the “matchmaker” for his wood carved eight-foot-high burnt matchsticks. Rushingwind is fascinated by ordinary objects becoming bigger than life as is shown in his latest work, the fishing lures, commonly called “Big Fish”. These paintings of the old lures show the use and history and of each one. His work can be found in corporate, private and museum collections. He has been featured in catalogs and many newspaper articles. Rushingwind is a self-taught artist, coming from a family of artists.

He has owned two galleries, The Blue Core in Pomona California and Ruiz Studios in Monterey, California. His work is part of the permanent collection at The Latino Art Museum in Pomona, California and The Pomona Valley Hospital. His work has also been shown in hundreds of one-man and group shows including the Millard Sheets Gallery, Claremont Museum of Art, Square I Gallery in Claremont, CA, dA Center for the Arts, Metro Gallery, Blue Core, Buddhamouse, Division 9 Gallery as well as galleries in Monterey, Sand City, Carmel, California and Washington DC. Steven has judged and curated many art shows throughout his career. Steven is also an accomplished international award-winning Native Flute musician, known as Steven Rushingwind.

rushingwind-art.com

facebook.com/steven.rushingwind

instagram.com/rushingwind_art/

MIXED MEDIA

Booth B14

kerry-rutherford.com

Facebook: kerryrutherford

Instagram: kersart

LinkedIn: kerryrutherford

OIL PAINTING

Booth C16

Steve began his art journey early in life having been inspired by his father to draw, paint and build things when he was young. He studied art at UCLA (while earning an Economics degree) with a focus on the human form and abstract painting. Then a 40-year career in marketing and advertising limited his time for personal creativity. So, it wasn’t until recent years that he was able to fully explore his love of painting combined with travel and adventure.

Steve’s art often reflects the places he has visited over the years to enjoy his love of the outdoors via scuba diving, sailing, fly fishing, mountain biking and hiking. While he has and continues to have great experiences in mountain and urban landscapes, it is his scuba diving and sailing that has been most inspirational as it has taken him to some of the most spectacular coastal and island locations throughout the world. However, he is quick to note that some of his favorite coastal scenes are only a short drive from his home in Southern California or a quick boat trip over to Catalina.

Steve works primarily in oil and does much of his work on location, en plein air. He also paints in the studio with studies and photo references, which is often necessary for larger pieces. His range of subject matter includes coastal and harbor scenes, landscapes, figurative work, and abstract landscapes. He also paints tropical fish portraits while on scuba diving trips.

“As a painter, I can look at just about any scene and enjoy its qualities – the shapes, shadows and highlights, bright colors and muted colors, mood and energy, and how the atmosphere affects the light. My goal is to bring the story of the moment to life in a way that touches a chord or evokes a memory with the viewer. To me, life is about enjoying the beauty all around us. If I can impart even a little of what I experience in those moments, then I’ve created a successful painting.”

Steve is a member of the Laguna Plein Air Painters Association (LPAPA) and Southern California Plein Air Painters Association (SOCALPAPA). His work can be seen at Studio 7 Gallery in Laguna Beach. He also participates in a select number of juried shows in the Southern California area including Laguna’s Art-A-Fair during July and August.

Website: stevesandborgart.com

Instagram: @stevesandborgart

Facebook: facebook.com/stevesandborgart

ACRYLIC • COLORED PENCIL • BOOKS • MIXED MEDIA
Booth A24

An Andover, Massachusetts native, this southern CA-based artist is a poet as well as a painter. Laura is the author & illustrator of several award-winning gift and picture books. Currently she is working on a new edition of her 1990 ""The Book of Shadowboxes"", a 64 9x12"" search & find picture book. It won a Best Children's Literature award back in the day, but this book's hefty makeover will present with fresh design, modified art and even hidden words to find in the shadowbox art along with items and creatures. Laura hopes to have it ready for readers, young & old, by early 2024.

Besides books, her whimsical animals speak without talking, through their eyes... eyes with a touch of ""human"". And her POETRY IN PAINT Collection depicts life, with a verse in each painting. Cats are often Laura's star subjects along with dogs, dolphins, seahorses and more. Also in her art repertoire are artworks of abstract, beach & sea, music and inspirational.

Laura taught commercial, editorial and children's book illustration at The Atlanta College of Art, and co-pioneered the Authors In Schools programs, inspiring children to write and draw from their hearts and minds. Laura's interactive school programs focus on the importance of rough drafts and each session wraps with drawing step by step and book signings.

Laura’s paintings have been shown and sold in galleries and shows from San Francisco, New Orleans to L.A., Laguna Beach, San Diego and Palm Springs. Her cats have graced the Royal Canin-supported San Diego Cat Fanciers’ Club poster and the cover of the International Cat Fanciers’ Association Yearbook. Her abstracts and whimsical acrylic paintings occasionally include messages and inspirational wording.

In 2018 one of Laura's books was Laguna's Festival of Arts' best selling book in their 80+ year history and she was voted Laguna Art-A-Fair’s favorite new artist in 2013. Her summers are spent at Art-A-Fair, just a few miles north of her Dana Point gallery and studio.

Laura Seeley Studio & Best Friends Art Gallery are at 24682 Del Prado, Dana Point, CA. 92629.

bestfriendsartgallery.com/

facebook.com/BestFriendsArtGallery

instagram.com/lauraseeleystudio

WATERCOLOR
Booth D16

www.bunchaesuki.com

MIXED MEDIA • KINTSUGI

Booth D18

I am an artist living on the Hamakua Coast of Hawaii Island. I work with multi media to create textural, vibrant abstract art which tells a story.

Originally from South Africa, my life long dream was to go sailing, a dream that turned into reality when I hopped on a sailboat in Cape Town for a trip across the Atlantic. Along the way I met my future husband and spent the next 10 years sailing around the world on our sailboat SCOOTS. I believe that if we take the first steps to make our dreams come true, the universe will conspire to make it happen.

My art is imbued by strong cultural influences acquired during our travels around the world, in particular my love for the beautiful Polynesian culture of the South Pacific Islands and Asian culture in Hawaii. This Pacific-Asian influence is evident in the fused harmony I love to create with metal leaf, textural media and acrylic and oil paint.

My paintings are also inspired by Hawaii’s beautiful coastal parks, colorful coral reefs, pristine beaches, tropical jungle and the ongoing Kilauea volcano eruption, uniting fantasy and reality in vibrant images of nature. They reflect my awe of nature and gratitude for the elemental experience that comes with living on an active, breathing, volcanic island.

Mahalo for visiting and for appreciating my art!

IlzeSimsArt.com
Facebook: HawaiiArtStudio
Instagram: ilzesimsart

PHOTOGRAPHY
Booth D24

Bodhi Smith is an award winning fine-art landscape photographer, a digital photography instructor for both high school and private lessons, an international tour guide, an inspirational speaker, and a writer/poet (under the name of Bodhi). He is a native of Southern California and both teaches and makes his home in Fallbrook, CA which is only a few miles from where he took his first breaths after entering this world in Oceanside, CA.

Until 2011, Bodhi was an avid and successful backcountry skier/splitboarder with weekly adventures into the North American Alpine wildernesses. Since 2011, he has taken that kind of professional skill, passion, knowledge of weather, and obsessions of natural beauty and has translated it into building an impressive body of photographic artwork that is enjoyed by thousands of viewers on a daily basis.

Utilizing both his routines of thorough planning and pre-visualization, Bodhi creates vivid photographic compositions that are impressions and expressions of his own feelings, emotions, and experiences. He specializes in night time photography and ultra-long exposures that often appear surreal or dreamlike but still maintain an anchor of grounding in reality.

Although he travels the world and has recently photographed Tahiti, Bora Bora, Easter Island, New Zealand, Iceland, Mexico, Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and Japan, Bodhi is especially noted for his bold and colorful scenes of the iconic American Southwest, luminescent nightscapes under the Milky Way, vibrant trees that seemingly come to life, and his mystical seascapes of the Pacific Ocean coastline.

Being a teacher and a student of his craft, Bodhi wishes for people not to follow him, but to journey beside him. He is always approachable and absolutely selfless with his photography. He is always open and helpful with everyone he knows and meets. He willingly shares his techniques, experience, knowledge insights, and camera settings. In doing so, Bodhi realistically hopes to inspire others to enrich their own lives by picking up a camera. Through the lens of a camera, people will become more deeply skilled at enriching their own personal life experiences."

www.bodhismith.com

facebook.com/Bodhi.Impressions

instagram.com/bodhi.impressions/

MIXED MEDIA

Booth C21

mindfulart2022.etsy.com

OIL PAINTING

Booth A29

After three decades of refining her skills, Viviana has finally embarked on her lifelong dream of dedicating herself to painting full-time. Her art exudes vibrant colors, striking contrast, and a mid-century flair that mirrors her affinity for vibrancy and joy. While she embraces experimentation with different mediums, her heart lies with oils. For Viviana, art is not just a medium of expression, but a thrilling journey and profound passion through which she reveals her innermost self.

vivianafineart.net

Facebook: vivianafineart.net

Instagram: vivianafineart

PHOTOGRAPHY
Booth B15

John Straub Fine Art Photography

Voted Favorite Photographer 2019, 2020, & 2021 by Laguna Beach Vibe Magazine.

My experience with a camera started at a young age working in my father’s darkroom modifying images as an early teen. By the early 80’s I was shooting covers as well as feature stories for magazines. Now, I only work with digital and produce fine art images.

I have always felt there is something magical about storytelling with a camera and being an image maker, respecting the past but unafraid of innovation.

I love to explore my images endless potential through editing and to infuse them with personality and spirit by recreating a story to be enjoyed. My images celebrate fun and will immerse you in their soul, color, composition, and whimsy.

If I was asked to describe my images, I would call them "A fun look at everyday life of my crew of little people. Their moment lived in a profoundly unique slice of time.” Each image captures an interpreted feeling, an object of art representing a point where creativity and imagination meet.

Primarily showing in high end art festivals and galleries as well as selling on my website.

myteenylife.com/

facebook.com/john.straub.315

instagram.com/johnstraubimageworks/

OILS
Booth A3

Known for her vividly colored botanical and landscape paintings in oil on canvas, her work is focused on the raw concepts of movement and design, and painted with a twist of joy and playfulness. Formal training in technical illustration and art history have taken a back seat to the pursuit of a more whimsical style.

A professional painter for over 35 years, her vibrant work is in numerous private collections, and has been published in Professional Artist Magazine, San Diego Home & Garden Magazine, and Art Collector Magazine.

From her twin studios in San Clemente and La Quinta, she brings to life bold renditions of everyday scenes. Selected as a “Featured Artist” for the Mission Federal ArtWalk in San Diego, and awarded “Best in Show - Painting” at the La Jolla Festival of the Arts, Monique shows her work at several fine art festivals in Southern California, and maintains a direct sales website at MoniqueStraub.com.

moniquestraub.com

instagram.com/moniquestraubstudio/

GOURDS • WOOD • BASKETRY
Booth A14

Workshop Instructor – sign up here

My interest in gourds began as a small child, born and raised in Nigeria. The Nigerian people use gourds for everything from storing food to spoons to holding cosmetics. when i saw a class on gourd art offered by San Diego botanic garden I decided to give it a try. the feel and smell of the burning gourd just took me ‘home’. i was hooked.

i purchase my gourds from Welburn Gourd Farm just north of Fallbrook — uncleaned and uncut. first i soak and scrub off the farm dirt and mold. then i look at each gourd carefully for any flaws or cracks. each gourd has its own personality and that often dictates what design i will burn into the gourd and whether it will stay whole or become an opened vessel. some gourds may take as little as two or three hours to complete. others may take days or weeks.

The gourds are cut, dremeled, sanded, dyed, carved, painted, beaded and finished with an acrylic spray. the surface of a good quality gourd is almost like wood. the difference being that there is an outer “skin” that is smooth. dyes and paint can be wiped off. beneath this skin is a softer flesh that absorbs dye and paint very readily and can create very interesting effects.

Gourds are grown in many shapes and sizes ranging from tiny “jewelry” gourds to very large ones used as drums. even though no two gourds are the exact shape and are never perfectly round or symmetrical, there are some basic shapes including apple, bottle, canteen, pear, snake and so on.

I also make pine needle art and pine needle baskets. the pine needles are sourced from the Southwest United States. Each piece is unique and takes many hours. a real labor of love. Some may hang on a wall, and others may be displayed on a stand.

Taken from techniques I perfected on gourds, I now burn and dye professional wood art boards. They are wired to hang on a wall but may also be displayed on a stand.

My artwork is sold through the off track gallery in downtown Encinitas and the Fallbrook Art Center.

All current gourds available for purchase may be viewed at

GourdsByGrace.com.

facebook.com/grace.a.swanson

instagram.com/grace.a.swanson/

GLASS
Booth C17

Biographical Information: My first exposure to glass forming was at California State University, Fullerton. In 1983 while working on a Bachelors degree in Art I decided to take the glass forming class and became captured by the medium. I experimented with many different techniques and made attempts at combining them, for instance, fusing with blowing and casting with blowing. Glass casting became the dominant method used for my Masters degree exhibition in the fall of 1990. After that I opened my own studio and began blowing glass pieces again.

Around that time, I began applying to fairs and festivals locally around Southern California. Then I was invited to participate at a Renaissance festival in Minneapolis, Minnesota. There I had a large space to exhibit my work and demonstrate to the public for seven weekends during August and September. The fair would draw between twenty to forty thousand people on the weekend days and my demonstrations would have well over 200 people watching. I would engage them verbally during the demonstration using a wireless microphone explaining processes and each step of the glass piece I was making.

In 2004, I had the opportunity to return to CSU, Fullerton to teach glass forming for several years as an adjunct teacher. It was fascinating how the students were hungry for information and just about anything I said got their attention. I enjoyed the opportunity and was happy that quite a few of those students continued working with glass after graduating.

I retired from the Renaissance fair in 2009. I began participating in fairs and festivals around the mid-west and western region, Texas, Oklahoma and Missouri, just to name a few and then show locally around southern California where I live and have my studio.

www.davidtateblownglass.net

OILS • ACRYLIC
Booth C2

Aurelia’s love of nature and need for artistic expression influences her art. 
Inspired by God’s beautiful creation, she uses her raw talent to bring a glimmer of that natural wonder to life.

 Born and raised in Southern Poland, outside of Krakow, art, culture, and music were fundamental components of her family heritage. Her great-grandfather was an accomplished painter whose works adorn the walls of several churches and monasteries in Poland. Artistry is in her blood and comes to her naturally from within. She often refers to the art she creates as “Art from my Soul,” since it flows out from the depths of her soul without previous formal training.

 Aurelia’s passion for art started at an early age, but did not blossom until later in her adult life, after becoming a mother and having a successful career as a registered nurse. Living her passions of being a mom, a nurse, and an artist makes her feel complete. Creating art brings her peace, joy, and recharges her soul. Aurelia paints whatever inspires her. She favors painting portraits, flowers, landscapes, and still-life pieces. Her preferred medium is oil, although she paints in acrylics and draws with color pencils on occasion.

Over the years she has developed into an award winning artist, often participating in local art shows including the Arts Colony in Corona, California. Her paintings have been featured in several exhibitions throughout the Inland Empire and Orange County including a publication in Inland Empire and Plexus magazines.

She is honored to be included in this year’s Art-A-Fair fine art festival in Laguna Beach, CA and looks forward to many more creative opportunities ahead.

www.aureliathompson.com

facebook.com/ArtfromySoul/

instagram.com/artfromysoul/

CERAMICS
Booth A30

I started to work with clay twenty-two years ago, and it has been the most wonderful experience of my life. I was born and grew up in Mexico, but I have been living in the United States for the last twenty-three years. I earned my certificate in International Business at Glendale College in California. This certificate is related to the Business Administration degree I earned in Mexico. During the summer of 1998, I took a design class, just to see if I had any talent in this area. I found the class to be exciting. Seeing my new-found passion, my teacher encouraged me to take more art classes; I chose ceramics.

Ceramics has given me the opportunity to express my ideas and creativity in a different way. Color and texture were a part of my everyday experiences growing up; this background is reflected in my work. I developed a technique where I can use both color and texture in my art design. Being surrounded by folk art inspired me to convey a story through my pieces in a contemporary way. Every creation represents things that are important to me such as family, friends, nature and traveling. Using the skills of throwing, hand building, carving and painting, I achieve my vibrant and whimsical designs. My pieces are one of a kind. They bring happiness and a sense of wonder to any home or business. My ceramic art is a must for any avid art collector.

I started to learn about pottery as a hobby, but today it is the way that I express myself to the world. Many of my pieces are in galleries and private collections in the United States, Canada, Germany, England, Japan, Singapore, and Thailand. In addition, I enjoy participating in various Southern California art festivals which allows me to connect personally with ceramic art lovers.

www.liliavenierceramics.com/

Instagram: liliavenierceramics

MIXED MEDIA • GLASS
Booth C7

I was born and raised in southern California. My parents took me to art shows, galleries and museums all through my childhood. They encouraged a love and respect for the beauty of nature. Glass art in all its forms caught my eye at a young age.

A wedding at The Mission Inn in Riverside when I was 5 and a stained glass class in middle school piqued my interest in the art. In 1997, after I expressed my desire to take up stained glass again, my husband gave me an instructional book, tools and supplies for a stained glass project. I loved the craft. After a year and a half of experimentation and practice, I was honored to take a class from a master craftsman.

In June, 2000 I opened Glasspirations Custom Stained and Leaded Glass. I feel so blessed to do something for which I have such passion. I love to celebrate nature and light by “playing” at the workbench!

glasspirations.biz

GLASS

Booth A21

Adam Whobrey was born 1982, in Torrance California . Submerged in a melting pot of sub-culture , he found the underground art of flame working glass in 2001. Mainly self-taught he developed his skills outside of traditional schooling, traveling the US sharing techniques with fellow artists. Creating realism in glass and invoking emotion thru timeless creations that are universally relatable, Adam has created a body of work that draws from human experiences in the 20th century on forward.

In 2010 Adam created the first glass sneaker which gained him wide recognition for his mastered sculpting, with collectors including famous musicians and businessmen. Now after over two decades spent mastering his craft, he is pushing the limits of the medium. Adam has lead some of the largest projects ever created with borosilicate glass. His work has blended cultures and help expose the art form to a broader audience.

Adam has held art exhibits throughout the US, Canada & Europe. He has taught in the US, Canada and Europe, has been featured in multiple glass and non- glass related magazines. And his work is now collected and sold in over 18 different countries.

hoobsglass.net
@hoobsglass