OJAI ARTISTS STUDIO TOUR PART 2
Hello!
In my last post we started our tour of the Ojai Artists Studios by visiting artist, Ted Gall’s studio. But because so many talented artists participate, over 50 every year, there is just so much more to show you. So today I’m bringing you the Ojai Artists Studio Tour Part 2. Although it is too late for you to take the tour this year, if you’d like to attend next year it would be wise to start the planning process now. That’s because it’s a really popular event that sells out every year. Consequently the hotels also sell out quickly. So, it would not be too early to book your hotel now. The premier place to stay in Ojai is the wonderful Ojai Valley Inn & Spa.
But by the time we went to book a hotel, the Inn was sold out so, we ended up here at The Blue Iguana Inn.
The grounds of the Inn were quite pretty and the outdoor spaces were lovely and tranquil.
We stayed in Casita C called Gecko…
that featured 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a living room and kitchen. It was perfect for our needs because we were traveling with 3 other couples, so 4 of us stayed here. It was fine, but because I am admittedly a bit of a hotel snob, I think I’d plan ahead and book at the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa next time.
We enjoyed a wine and cheese reception around the pool in the evening…
and a complimentary poolside breakfast in the morning.
So, lets get started on the studio tour, shall we? First stop, the home, garden and studio of artist, Christine Brennan.
Christine’s home is contemporary with Asian influences, including a koi pond complete with lily pads.
Visitors got to enter her living room where every object was artfully placed in lovely little vignettes.
Christine Brennan describes her artwork as dreamlike and mysterious, with many symbolic references.
If you’d like to learn more about her you can visit her website here.
And if you’d like to hear Christine talk about her work, here is a little video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OY06DvAuokA#t=429
Next stop on our tour was the home studio of legendary pastel artist Bert Collins. Now disabled and working and teaching from a wheelchair, Ms. Collins is a prolific artist who paints every day. She also shares her artistic gifts with students who attend the classes she teaches 4 days a week.
Nationally known with many distinguished awards and honors bestowed upon her, Bert Collins was named an “Ojai Living Treasure” and also received the “Lifetime Achievement in the Arts” award from the City of Ojai. She paints realistic landscapes, seascapes and still lifes with acrylic and pastels on sand paper.
Along with two other artists, Bert Collins founded the Ojai Artists Studio Tour 30 years ago. For many, her gallery is often the first stop on the studio tour, with people actually lining up at the crack of dawn to be the first in the door. Her artwork is so popular that it is usually sold out within the first hour of the tour, as indicated by the red dots you see on the frames. Thankfully, their new owners often leave their newly purchased pieces in her studio until after the tour concludes, otherwise there would be none of her work available to see.
The next artist I’d like to introduce you to is Nancy Whitman. She lives in a wonderful old guest ranch called Rancho Del Oso that was built in the 1920’s.
During the studio tour she invites guests to explore the grounds of her beautiful home and gardens, which have charming little surprises at every turn.
The main building is used as a gallery and one of the cottages is her studio. Her whimsical and exuberant style of art is free-flowing with the vigor and joie de vivre of a child . She uses a variety of media including oil, acrylic and watercolor, and acknowledges the influences of Matisse, Jawlensky and The Fauves in her painterly style of art that is just bursting with color. You can learn more about Nancy Whitman on her website here.
Her son is also an artist. I admired his sculptures that were displayed around the grounds of her home.
I regret that I can’t tell you the name of this next artist but I admired his work, especially his studies of women. If anybody out there knows his name please let me know so I can acknowledge his lovely work.
I hope you enjoyed this artistic journey through Ojai, California.
So there you have it: THE OJAI ARTISTS STUDIO TOUR PART 2
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