Artist Alley: November 2014

NCSS

NORTH COUNTY SCULPTORS SALON

This vibrant and extremely talented group of artists come together every other month to explore their journeys, share their new findings of media, and have treats of nibbles and wine. We meet in our respective studios, and are located all over our great North County pastures of creativity.

This month we met at Ving Simpson's studio in Oceanside. The weather was great and the comradery was warm with seeing old friends and meeting new ones. We share, laugh, eat, and in generally just have a great time as folks who have a common interest in the very tough and labor intensive genre of sculpture.

.LIBBY LAKE PARK

Libby Lake 1995 As I wandered down the pathways of this lovely place hidden among the complex of apartments and condos, I thought about why more folks did not come to Libby Lake Park. “It's not safe” my neighbors told me. There are gangs and bad things happen there. Yes they do, murder, drugs, fighting over turf and all of the many elements which are gang related. Never ignoring a challenge, I sought to bring art to the park. So taking paper pads, charcoal, pencils, water, and my hopes I went to Libby Park one day to see what would happen if someone just put their art selves “out there”. I did bring a secret weapon. One of my heroes of the Art World which would be an easy visible way to bring art to the park which had never happened before. M.C. Escher. My book had many incredible images to show and inspire the youngsters who I hoped would be receptive. As I sat beneath a tree, sketching away a group of young men came towards me. Young Children had already started their drawings and some were doing water color as well. Oh, I thought, what will happen now? The Young Men approached and watched the children for a while. Then the motioned me to come over to them. I went and this is what they said. “This is our Park” and we do not want strangers here, but since you are helping the kids we will let you stay”. Hmm I thought...maybe they too would want to do some art. So here is where the MC book came into play. I brought the book over to them, and asked if they would like to try their hand at drawing Escher. The images blew their minds as they were not familiar with this kind of art. When you think about it, Escher is not to far away from the Graffiti art that these young men do. So they spent about a half hour sitting at one of the tables drawing and looking at Escher. When they were leaving, this is what they said to me. Come when ever you want, the Children need this kind of Art experience...and I did...through out that summer I went to Libby Park, sat under a tree and watched children immerse themselves in another world, a world of the real in their eyes, the world of their own art, and a world filled with possibilities. Ruth Jameson

Year of the Horse

The Spring Equinox

Celebrate Spring with Equinox Photography Workshop
On Friday, March 21, the only day of the year when the amount of sunlight and darkness are equal, join Oceanside Public Library to welcome spring with a celebration of equals. Starting at 5:00 p.m., a workshop in photographic composition will be followed by local photographers Aurelia Valencia and Rich Cruse speaking about their work in the Civic Center Library Foundation Room on the second floor. Following the workshop, head downstairs to experience a traditional performance with Nahuatzin Folklorico Dance Company.

Rich Cruse, a Southern California local, has been a triathlon photographer for over 30 years. His work with Equinox explores the magic of Oceanside at sunset. "The beach here is pure magic. I am constantly astounded by the diversity I find, low tide at sunset is like a symphony. Being here is a great way to end my day and celebrate another day on earth."

Aurelia Valencia's work celebrates the Mexican culture through her images of the Mexican-American women of Oceanside keeping traditions alive through cultural changes. She focuses on details that remain constant through time. Together, their work represents the delicate balance of opposites in Oceanside. Their work will be on display through April 11, 2014.

For more news and information about the Oceanside Public Library, please visit the library's website at www.oceansidepubliclibrary.org and follow us on Facebook.

ART GLOW

I remember the First Thursday like it was yesterday. Today was to be our first Artist Alley event in conjunction with the Farmers Market. My thought was why not have the folks who buy fresh food and veggies, maybe finding an art work. The two do go together.

I arrived at 6:00 AM, hosed down the Alley, brought tables and chairs outside and put on the tape recorder of the Steel Drums playing calypso tunes. Would the Artist Come? I had promises from the Carlsbad Artists who said they would, and hoped they would remember, to try do something that had never happened in Oceanside before. Art in the Alley?. Could it happen?.

My fellow artist in this happening was Michael Rosenblatt. He had a studio upstairs and mine was downstairs where Myles McGuinness currently has his photographic studio.

The hour arrived, the artists came, and the People from the Farmer’s Market came. They came into an Alley which had metamorphosed into an Artist outdoor working studio. The hours seemed but like a moment, and suddenly it was all over. The artists gathered up their beautiful paintings and took away their success stories. The best one was that Michael did sell a painting and was our Star of the Day.

As I looked at the empty Alley, it was as if nothing had ever happened there as it was as before. The glow of the morning was gone from the Alley, but this wondrous golden glow of voices of the artists and the People finding a new experience in their City has remained in my heart for 20 years…

The Thursday mornings became a weekly event which lasted for several years…and changed the Alley forever…

United States	77
Ukraine	4
China	2
Philippines	2
Poland	2
United Arab Emirates	1
Brazil	1
France	1
United Kingdom	1
Japan	1

Art Walls Oceanside

Friday, November 7, 2014