OPEN STUDIOS SAN DIEGO produced by Studio Door

by Patricia Frischer
 

OPEN STUDIOS SAN DIEGO Sat/Sun Oct. 10/11, Preview: Sat Oct 3, 6 to 9 pm. Produced for FREE by The Studio Door  (3750 30th Street, SD 92104). For Maps/Smart Phone App and more info: Patric Stillman 619-255-4920

The last  Open Studios events that I remember were the COVA Open Studios that grew very large and impressive. They were three weekends per year and stretched from Fallbrook to Baja Norte.  Patric Stillman is making a brave start to re-introduce that county wide event. I have always thought of Open Studios as a progression from Art Walks. At an Art Walk you have the general public taking a day to stroll in front of art (instead of taking a ocean, lake, or mountain hike). It is an introduction to art and if the artists are lucky they will find a few new clients and also reconnect with those they know.

An Open Studio event takes much more effort on the part of the viewer. But it is much easier to plan a day long road trip now that we have GPS and Map Quest to help with routing. This is a bonus for The Studio Door which could becomes the main delivery system for connecting artist with those who are prepared to drive from place to place and scout out new talent.  This is the first year, but we wish them luck in involving more artist and expanding the event. 

There are many artists with work spaces at The Studio Door and a lovely exhibition space for curated shows. They had a selection of works by all the artists participating. It was hot, hot, hot on this weekend and I only managed to visit The Studio Door artists.

Ann Blessing Gallagher is a painter of children's delights. This is a great place for any parent to start to introduce their own child to the visual art world.

Patric Stillman is the director of Studio Door and a passionate artist himself. I think this image portrays the vision he has to enrich the visual arts community.

Christina Ilene Thomas has started a journey into abstraction and has a wonderful touch with color and texture. She is hoping to achieve a connection to the universal spirit  in this work and she has the enthusiasm and courage to go on that path.

Chrisinda is a glass artist who is experimenting with shapes and colors.

Kevin Greeland has a studio full of Golden Acrylic art supplies. He is a representative for them and  teaches artists how to use combinations to get all sorts of effects.  They are available to buy as well and you can see samples of Kevin's own work.

Julia Reasor is an artist living in Fallbrook which is a long way from all the other artists, but she is enthusiastic about the idea of Open Studios. She has created a sculpture garden at her home and there is an amazing variety of artists in Fallbrook so it would be wonderful to see them all opening their studios with a county wide promotion.