OCEANSIDE DAYS OF ART REVISITED

By Shirley M. Carolan

Last year I wrote about the 2-day 15th Annual Art Show in Oceanside, in April, and how inspiring and beautiful this show is featuring artists from all over California.

This year the show was just as exciting and interesting. The overcast skies didn’t deter me from enjoying a wonderful day strolling through the booths and chatting with the artists. If you couldn’t make it to the show this year, this is one event you won’t want to miss next year, so be forewarned to mark your calendars now! Next year’s show will be April 18-19, 2009.

As usual, there was something for everyone from young tots to seniors like myself. There was food, sweets, live music, dancing, in addition to all the wonderful art work from pottery, exquisitely blown glassware, oil paintings, watercolors, mixed media, carvings, etc. I renewed acquaintances with folks and artists that I met last year and beyond. I found the artists so eager to talk about their work and share “secrets” with me. Artists are definitely a different breed of cat from other types of professionals. They seem so laid back and not at all pushy or needy, or hustling you to buy their wares! How refreshing!

I made a beeline for the Carlsbad Oceanside Art League (COAL) booth to say hello to my fellow artists exhibiting there. These wonderful and friendly artists inspired me to join their organization last July and start exhibiting my own work. As a result, I received an “Honorable Mention” for one of my oil paintings this February. I’ve also been appointed as their Public Relations Chairperson.

Next, I sought out I one of my favorite artists, Jacqueline Tyree. Hard to believe this wonderful woman is now 85 and is a living legend. I caught her impish grin and asked her what was new about her work this year. She quickly showed me several canvases where she had used a metallic gold to highlight sea, sky, or beautiful I sandy beaches. The effect was startling and beautiful. She told me “I don’t just paint what I see. I paint a mood!” Now that’s a lesson worth remembering! Her exquisite seascapes of the San Diego coastal area are a joy to behold. She says she’s getting a little too old to be climbing up and down big rocks to descend to the sandy beaches below to begin her paintings.

Jacquie is a member of the San Diego Art Guild and her paintings are on display at “On Track” gallery in Encinitas. Also, you can learn more about her and her paintings can be seen on www.coastalartprints.com. In addition to her beautiful paintings she has photos of her work made into greeting cards. Don’t you know I was the lucky recipient of one of them entitled “Surf’s Up.” She generously placed one in my hand as I started to depart. Jacqueline is just one of the many artists you will enjoy meeting and hopefully going home with a piece of her art.

Another highlight of this annual event is the High School Art Show sponsored by the Carlsbad Oceanside Art League (COAL), my home league. It is truly a spectacular show and hard to believe the artists are all so young. Over 270 pieces of art were on display by high school students from Carlsbad, Oceanside and Vista. Judging and awards took place earlier in the month. One of the most popular pieces was the 6’x8’ colored pencil drawing done by 156 students from Mr. Draim’s El Camino Real High School art classes.

I hope I’ve whet your appetite to attend this wonderful Art Show next year, April 18-19, 2009! There is something to please everyone, from watercolors, oil paintings, ceramics, fibers, gourd sculptures, silk paintings, photography, jewelry, pottery, fused glass, wood and stone, etc.