ACRYLIC PAINTING

Booth B14

Workshop Instructor - sign up here

As a self-taught artist, I have explored various styles and mediums, searching for a distinct artistic identity.

My latest passion is painting flowers and landscapes with flowers in them. Focusing on flowers as my inspiration, encourages the use of the bright happy colors that I adore.

macedoart.com

Facebook: Pamela Macedo

Instagram: Macedo6340

SCULPTURE

BOOTH C12

grizzly-clan-ceramics-and-arts.square.site/

Facebook: q=grizzly%20clan%20ceramics%20art

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grizzly_clan_ceramics_art/

MIXED MEDIA - GLASS
Booth C21

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 A29

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/

JEWELRY
Booth A6

I began my jewelry career cutting stones for stress relief in my first career as a lawyer. After law, I began taking jewelry classes at Saddleback College to be able to set the stones I had cut. I credit my instructors/mentors, Sara Rokni, MFA and Roy Talahaftewa, Hopi Second Mesa, maser silversmith.

Today, I continue to cut stones and incorporate them into sterling silver and mixed metals to create unique, bespoke pieces that enhance the stone, the pieces, and ultimately, the wearer.

Website: bespoke-be-noticed-jewelry.myshopify.com/

Instagram: @bespoke_be_noticed_jewelry

MIXED MEDIA
Booth A7

Maribeth McFaul is recognized for vibrant mixed media paintings as well as her larger than life street paintings on pavement in pastel chalk. Her dual interests in science and visual art led her to a BA in Cell Biology and Art Education. Known for her expressive use of color, McFaul’s paintings expose the nuances of the human experience and natural beauty in compositions that combine abstraction with realism. Maribeth is also a renowned street painter, transforming pavements into massive works of art with pastel chalk.

Maribeth has enjoyed a career in art education encouraging artists of all ages and skill levels to stretch their creative wings.



Galleries, Exhibits & Events

Festival of Art - Laguna Beach
Laguna Art-a-Fair - Laguna Beach
Balboa Art Walk - Newport Beach
Dragonfly Wings Gallery - Mission Viejo
Laguna Woods Community Center Art Exhibit
Palo Alto Art Festival - Street Painting
Reno Chalk Art Festival - Award Winner
Chalktoberfest, Marietta, GA - International Chalk Festival
Arts Alive- Mission Viejo - Event Coordinator
International Street Painting Festival - Sarasota, FL
Hugo Rivera Gallery - Laguna Beach
Cove Galley - Laguna Beach
National Watercolor Society - Members Exhibits
Mission Viejo Library - Solo Exhibits 
OC Fair - Professional Fine Art Award Winner
California Art Ed Assoc. - Award Winner

metamorphosisarts.com

instagram.com/maribeth_mcfaul

facebook.com/mb4art

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.

finewhaleart.com

facebook.com/george.mcghee

Instagram: george.mcghee.737

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.”

gerimedway.com

facebook.com/GeriMedwayFineArt

instagram.com/gerimedway/

SCULPTURE

Booth B25

Todd Mihlbauer (aka; Tmiles) is a sculptor and painter based in Southern California, whose creative journey began in his childhood in Wisconsin. From a young age, he was constantly immersed in the world of hands-on creation, modifying everyday items and furniture to better suit his needs. This practical approach to design—combined with a deep love for puzzles—fueled his understanding of shapes, color patterns, and spatial relationships, laying the foundation for his future artistic endeavors.

While his natural inclination was toward studying architecture, he ultimately fell in love with the freedom of creating art. After earning a degree in Fine Arts from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, he made the bold decision to move to Southern California. There, he continued to nurture his artistic passions while lending his creativity to the advertising world. Painting remained central to his artistic practice, and his work in abstract painting reflects a deep exploration of shapes, colors, and the interplay of form.

In his early years in California, he discovered the joy of stone sculpting when he enrolled in a weekend introduction course at Otis College. His interest quickly turned into a full-fledged passion, and soon after, he attended the California Sculptor Symposium in Cambria. His pursuit of sculpture then led him to the Dellatolas Marble Sculpture Studio in Tinos, Greece, where he spent a brief moment honing his craft.

Sculpting—often a noisy, dusty endeavor—was difficult to pursue in the densely populated landscape of Southern California, but in recent years, he found a new community of stone sculptors and secured a shared industrial space to continue his work. This return to sculpture has reignited his passion, and today, while he still paints, stone sculpting has become his primary means of artistic expression.

He experiments with a variety of stones, including marble, alabaster, and onyx, seeking to merge his painting experience with his sculptural work. By applying the principles of color, light, and shadow to three-dimensional forms, he creates sculptures that reflect his ongoing exploration of the human experience. Nature and human behavior are central themes in his work, often focusing on power dynamics—whether between people or between humans and the natural world. Occasionally, he creates pieces inspired simply by nature's beauty, drawn from his love of hiking, camping, and travel.
Today, his works in both sculpture and painting continue to evolve, driven by a deep curiosity about form, color, and the world around him.

Instagram Address: @tmiles_art

CERAMIC SCULPTURE
Booth B23

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.

Facebook: mongrutceramic339

Instagram: pedromongrut/

PASTEL • WATERCOLOR

Booth D7

Workshop Instructor – sign up here

The Dream of Going Places in this new world.....

Staying home as a painter, after a 30 year long career as an accountant, has been a time of reflection.

Painting was always my passion. But it took me a while to get the courage to go out there and share the works I’ve created. It’s as if I was putting my soul on display.

During 2020, I spent many weeks dreaming of all the places I wanted to go, to see wide open spaces and reflect nature from my brushstrokes, the paint, the pastels, the paper and my heart.

This allowed me, actually forced me, to pull out the stash of paintings I’ve had in my drawers and cubbies. I am so excited that I embarked on this part of the artistic journey as I found some amazing pieces.

With my watercolors I splash and flick paint in a mindful and crafted way that helps me create from the beauty that I see surrounding me. This is also seen in my pastels with the expressive colorful mark making. The passion I feel when I paint is expressed, as one of my recent clients told me, in each finished piece. She said she could feel the calm and love in the painting.

Let the art heal, calm, excite, inspire and remind you to dream. As that’s what all art does. We all know life is short and beauty is forever.

From my brush and heart to yours.

BA in Fine Art with an emphasis in Drawing and Painting

Recent awards:

Back Bay Show – Watercolor West Award 2024

Back Bay Show – Randy Higbee Award 2024

First Place -SOCALPAPA Quick Draw Sea and Sage

Honorable Mention Pastel – Anaheim Art Association

First Place Watermedia - Tustin Art League

Best of Show - Tustin Art League

Member of:

Pastel Society of the West Coast

Southern California Plein Air Painters and former board member

Laguna Plein Air Painters Assoc.

Tustin Art League

sandramorrison.com

Instagram: @smorrisonfa

Facebook Address: smorrisonfa

CERAMICS
Booth D16

Born in Kenya to Italian and German parents, and raised in South Africa, I’ve truly had a unique life - experiences which shine through my art. After a fulfilling career in the design space, I immigrated to the United States. I joined a ceramic studio and started teaching classes encouraging students to awaken their imagination through their art. The positive feedback from classes encouraged me to expand my own creativity, while always staying true to the vibrancy of colors and wildlife in Africa. Having completed some commissions, I’ve enthusiastically expanded into further mediums. Right now, for example, I’m really enjoying creating big, bold, colorful canvases. I paint because I think it creates joy - for me and for those around me. I believe the dynamic spectrums of color in my work help to brighten someone’s day, and we all need a little more happiness in our lives. I’m happiest when I put a smile on others’ hearts and I like to think that I can achieve that through my art. The World of Reality has its Limits; the World of Imagination is Boundless. —Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Instagram: @Art_By_Danielle_RMV

OIL
Booth B17

When I go to California, all I want to do is paint. The combination of tall extraordinary palm trees against the backdrop of mountains is irresistibly beautiful. It was made with oils.

Sunsets never fail to impress me, so something told me to paint it over the whole city from a bird's eye view.

As an artist, I will like to do my own interpretation and romanticize the painting a bit.

sitoraart.com

Instagram: sitoraarts

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

facebook.com/jeffnadlerphotography

instagram.com/jeff.nadler.photo/

GLASS
Booth B28

Cody F. Nicely is an accomplished glass artist based in California, with almost 20 years of experience creating unique, hand-blown, and hot-sculpted glass artworks. As the president and owner of Cody Nicely, LLC, he has built a reputation for producing exquisite glass pieces sold to collectors and exhibited in galleries across the nation.

A juried artist at the 2024 Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach, Cody’s work reflects a seamless blend of creativity and craftsmanship. His professional journey includes roles such as mold blower at Glassy Baby in Berkeley, California, and assistant to renowned artist John Barber at John Barber Studios in Laguna Beach. His extensive experience also features collaborations with prominent artists and demonstrations at esteemed venues like the GlassConnectionBerlin e.V. Berlin, Germany.

Cody’s work has been showcased in exhibitions, as well as notable auctions, including the Tacoma Museum of Glass Red Hot Auction and the Pilchuck Glass School Auction. His commissions range from intricate chandeliers to sculptural tributes to marine life, reflecting his passion for art inspired by aquatic life.

A graduate of Wittenberg University with a major in Art and a minor in Marine Biology, Cody has honed his skills through specialized training under a variety glass masters. His innovative artistry has earned him numerous accolades, including the 2008 Presidential Award for Most Outstanding Senior Art Exhibit and the 2012 NICHE Award.

Driven by his commitment to highlighting sea life through glass, Cody Nicely continues to push the boundaries of this timeless art form.

codynicely.com

Instagram: @codynicelyglass

Jewelry

Booth C1

Living in Southern California has always sparked my creativity; it’s impossible not to be inspired by the serenity of the coastline, the golden sunsets, and the effortless blend of nature and sophistication. Every piece I create channels this energy—a fusion of coastal chic and modern lines that are both relaxed and polished.

Gemstones are at the heart of my designs. I’ve always been drawn to natural stones' raw beauty and inherent energy. Turquoise—with its vibrant hues and the calming spirit of the ocean—has become my signature. This stone perfectly reflects my aesthetic and the untamed yet timeless beauty of the California coast I call home.

My designs are crafted to inspire a sense of balance—mixing organic forms with refined details to create jewelry that feels perfectly at home, whether paired with a business suit, a breezy sundress, or your favorite yoga pants. Novaura embodies what I strive for in my own life: effortless, everyday elegance.

NovauraJewelry.com

Facebook: NovauraJewelry

Instagram: novaurajewelry

LinkedIn: lauraroesgen

DIGITAL ART

Booth C7

Sean ODaniels is an artist living in Orange County CA who is well known for his narrative pet portraits. In a world that can sometimes feel overwhelming, pets offer a sanctuary of unwavering loyalty, love, and humor. Through his art, he honors and celebrates these extraordinary companions, inviting viewers to recognize and cherish the profound value that animals bring to our lives.

seanodaniels.com

Instagram: @sean.odaniels

FIBER/TEXTILE

Booth D5

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.

Instagram: @carrieolsenstudioquits

OIL

Booth B20

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

OIL PAINTING
Booth C16

I am a local artist based in Aliso Viejo/Laguna Beach, CA, creating under the name ShyeArt. As a specialist in oil painting, I strive to capture the beauty of nature and cityscapes through warm, vibrant colors and intricate details. My artwork is designed to evoke feelings of joy, peace, and nostalgia, bringing light and comfort to those who appreciate it. Painting has always been a passion throughout my life’s journey. I majored in political science in college and worked in various fields, but my true passion and dream have always been in art. Over the past decade, I’ve honed my skills through self-growth and active involvement in my local art community. I believe that paintings and imagery have the power to inspire others. My mission is to share love, peace, and inspiration from God with every brushstroke. Live, Love, Enjoy Art!

shyeart.com

Instagram: shye.gallery

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/

GLASS

Booth A18

Bonnie has been drawn to water and its inhabitants since childhood. Growing up on Lake Michigan, she spent her early years surrounded by water, captivated by the way colors reflect from a blue sky and how the waves catch the sun’s rays. Her love for the ocean would go on to shape both her artistic vision and career.

From a young age, Bonnie’s artistic talent was apparent. She consistently received A+ grades in Art classes from Kindergarten onward, often taking assignments to a higher level. A bit defiant in her approach, she sought to express herself uniquely, never content to follow the crowd.

Bonnie earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Wisconsin, graduating Magna Cum Laude. Throughout her studies, she explored various mediums, including serigraphy, pencil illustration, watercolor, photography, and graphic design. After college, she relocated to California and worked for 15 years in computer graphics, electronic prepress, and desktop publishing.

Eventually, Bonnie left her successful corporate career to start her own company, specializing in international marketing for ocean and marine-related clients. As a passionate scuba diver and underwater photographer, she uses her talent to not only capture the beauty of the ocean, but to raise awareness about the need for its protection. She teaches photography workshops worldwide, sharing her knowledge and love for the underwater world with others.

Her art is deeply influenced by the Fibonacci sequence, particularly the Golden Mean and Golden Spiral composition, which she incorporates into many of her creations. She describes it as having “inexplicable aesthetic appeal”. For the past five years, Bonnie has focused on glass art, developing unique fusing techniques, molds, and original designs that set her work apart.

Bonnie resides in Laguna Beach and continues to travel the world looking for new reefs to photograph, hiking trails to explore, and adventures to experience. When not traveling, she can be found in her studio, perfecting her glass art pieces or painting in watercolor.

underwatercolours.com

Facebook: underwatercolours

Instagram: underwatercolours

LinkedIn: bonnie-pelnar-dietz

SCULPTURE

BOOTH B12

I am an artist in the Spanish Village Art Centre in Balboa Park and I create nautical 3-Dimensional Steampunk Wall Art in polymer clay. I’m originally from the UK where I was always creative but only as a hobby, something to do on all those rainy days. When we moved to the US in 2010 my neighbor introduced me to polymer clay. Having started with jewelry and wine glass charms I took a steampunk class in 2018 and it quickly became my passion. Since becoming a studio partner in the Spanish Village Art Centre in 2021 it has become my sole focus. My art is whimsical, my fish are always wearing hats and up to some sort of mischief (cooking, playing tennis etc.) … I wonder what they’ll be up to next.

denisepinnelldesigns.weebly.com

Facebook: denisepinnelldesigns

Instagram: denise.pinnell.7

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 D17

Anja Prescher creates layered, tactile paintings that bridge realism and abstraction, exploring texture, space, and meaning. Inspired by the landscapes of the American West and the fleeting presence of hummingbirds, her work balances depth with openness, weight with lightness.

Using natural materials like raw linen, sand, crushed seashells, and gold leaf, Anja Prescher builds surfaces rich with textures—weathered, woven, and alive. Her palette reflects the soft pinks of canyons at dusk, the serene blues of the Pacific coastline, and the radiant golds of the Californian sun. Hummingbirds often emerge in her compositions, symbolizing resilience, connection, and transformation.

Originally from Germany, she studied under European artists before settling in California, where she refined her artistic voice at the Milan Art Institute. Her work has been exhibited at juried shows like Laguna Beach’s Art-A-Fair and is held in private collections worldwide.

anjaprescher.com

Instagram: @prescherart

OIL • ACRYLIC • MIXED MEDIA

Booth C28

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

Nadalena’s first art exhibition was in 1984 in Dubrovnik, Croatia. More recently, 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 intention 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.”

In 2002, while living in Northern California, Nadalena became a fulltime artist. Soon thereafter her artwork was displayed and for sale in art multiple galleries in Carmel, California as well as in select locations in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Today, Nadalena lives in Southern California and specializes 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 artwork have been purchased by lovers of art, investors, and private collectors.

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

Recent Rewards and Recognitions:

• February 1st, 2025, Honorable Mention, Category - Figure,“ Butterfly Secrets”, SOCALPAPA
• November 9th, 2024, 1st Place Award, Category Oil & Acrylic. Painting “Adventure Awaits”, Tustin Art League, Tustin
• June 1st to June 30th, 2023 “Featured Artist Member of the Month” LPAPA, Laguna Beach
• May 21st, 2023, Randy Higbee Gallery Award, Balboa Island Artwalk, for painting “Glowing Harbor”
• April, 30th, 2023, Randy Higbee Gallery Award, SOCALPAPA, at ENC, Newport Beach, Ca, painting “My Inspiration”
• August 4th, 2022, “People Choice Award” LPAPA Gallery, “From Dusk to Dawn” Laguna Beach, Ca, Juried Art Exhibition for painting “Sky Above Catalina”
• October 4th, 2021, “People Choice Award” LPAPA, Juried Exhibition “Art and Nature”, Laguna Beach, Ca, painting “Splendid Moment”

NadalenaArt.com

Instagram: Nadalena art

Facebook: NadaRadis-Cobbs

MIXED MEDIA • WATERCOLOR
Booth A28

Workshop Instructor – sign up here

Emilee spent over 30 years working for the best boss ever; Mickey Mouse, at the Disneyland Resort. In her retired life she is just as happy at "the second happiest place on earth"; Laguna Art-A-Fair. Emilee has been a juried artist at Laguna Art-A-Fair since 2010.
"I paint whatever I see that is striking....something that takes my breath away." While Emilee admires watercolor pieces done in soft, light washes, she goes for "the gusto" and drama of bold, colorful artwork. Due to the vivid colors, many who view her work at first think the medium must be acrylic paint....and now she also uses acrylics in her "Liquid Art/Paint Pouring art pieces as well.
Emilee lives and paints in Anaheim, California. She is a published artist, a former Board Member and current Juried Exhibitor at Laguna Art-A-Fair in Laguna Beach. She is a Juror, an Art Demonstrator and conducts Watercolor and Paint Pouring Workshops and Lessons at Laguna Art-A-Fair, in her Anaheim studio and, when booked, transports her Workshops to various locations.
Emilee is a member of Watercolor West, Spark OC and Orange County Fine Arts Association.

facebook.com/emileeereed

Instagram Address: artistemilee

OILS
Booth A19

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 D8

As an abstract expressionist, Johnny aims to create pieces that feel organic, contemplative, and timeless. His work often invites viewers to engage with the hidden narratives and textures that emerge through etched layers, washes, and reduction techniques. The tone is introspective yet accessible—a blend of serenity and raw emotion that encourages personal connection and reflection. His art is about uncovering the shared human experience beneath the surface.

johnnyrogersart.com

Instagram: johnnyarthere

PHOTOGRAPHY • JEWELRY • OIL • MIXED MEDIA
Booth A24

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 D6

"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"

monkeybox-studio.com

Instagram: @susan.ruiz_art

OIL
Booth A2

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/

PHOTOGRAPHY
Booth B12

John Santoni is a conceptual nature and landscape photographer based in Laguna Niguel, CA, who creates images that provoke viewers to contemplate their relationship with the natural world. Growing up in Los Angeles in the smog-choked 1970’s informed John’s view that we have lost the ancient wisdom that allows for a symbiotic relationship with our environment.

Studying photography under legacy instructors at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa, CA, John explored art and photography history extensively, and became aware of how the artistic voice can influence positive change. Over twenty five years in commercial photography honed technical skills that are now applied to artistic expression.

Current work explores the idea of Earth’s “dreams” of transforming landscapes and restoring harmony to environments and species. Work created in silent and empty spaces helps communicate the often unnoticed power of Earth’s self-correcting power. John is committed to ongoing projects that will create awareness and enhance work and living spaces.

johnsantoni.com/

Facebook: JohnSantoniPhotographs/

Instagram: @santoniphoto

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/santoni1/

ACRYLIC

Booth B21

French artist Veronica Schmitt studied Art in France at Ecole Nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts. Former graphic designer, she became a fine art painter shortly after she moved to the US. The exploration of a world that was new to her as well as the discovery of the California impressionist artists had a significant impact on her work.

Veronica paints lively and colorful snapshots of life. Her artwork captures the natural beauty of everyday life. She invites the viewer to slow down and enjoy fleeting peaceful moments that celebrate color. She aspires to record a moment in time and transform an ordinary scene into something extraordinary.

Her work has earned numerous awards and has been published in several Art magazines and books in France and in the US, including the Artist’s Magazine, The American Artist and Southwest Art.

After she almost sold out at Art-A-Fair summer of 2023, she took a leave of absence in 2024 to work on commissioned works and paint enough pieces to be ready for 2025. She’s back this summer with 25 new original paintings!

VeronicaSchmitt.com

Instagram: @veronica_schmitt

Facebook: artist.veronicaschmitt

FIBER/TEXTILE

Booth C3

After working with textiles for many decades, I’ve found a medium that combines the skills I’ve learned over the years. I love making whimsical 3D soft sculptures and more realistic 2D art quilts, always with the goal of bringing a smile to someone’s face. Although I generally work on several projects at a time, I’ll focus for many hours on one piece until it is ‘just right’. The methods I use include hand and machine sewing, felting, beading and assemblage, sculpting, tinting and coloring, and any other method that will help bring the character to life. Each creation is a new adventure, and I love watching a flat piece of cloth become an engaging character with a story to tell.

SteampunkandWhimsy.art

Facebook: SteampunkWhimsy101

ACRYLIC • COLORED PENCIL • BOOKS • MIXED MEDIA
Booth B4

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 Address: facebook.com/lauraseeleystudio/

Instagram Address: instagram.com/lauraseeleystudio/

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lauraseeley

MEDIA
Booth 00

Nadia Setter is a passionate wildlife artist renowned for her breathtaking realism captured through the soft pastel and pencils.
Her artistic journey began in halls of the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg, Russia, where she immersed herself in studying the history of art at one of Europe’s largest and most esteemed institutions. This profound experience shaped her understanding of artistic techniques and the narratives embedded within visual art.
Her work has garnered recognition, with pieces from her surrealistic series, "Extinction of Species," exhibited at the Erarta Museum of Contemporary Art in Saint Petersburg. This series reflects her commitment to shedding light on the fragility of our environment and the urgent need for conservation, bridging the gap between artistic expression and ecological consciousness.
Upon her arrival in California, Nadia embraced the tranquility of countryside living, establishing an art studio in the attic of a horse barn, she formed a profound bond with the animal kingdom, drawing inspiration from the beauty surrounding her. Through her close interactions with horses, she developed an acute eye for capturing the specific details of their intricate anatomy. Her four feline companions, regarded as spiritual helpers, provide solace and creativity in her artistic endeavors.
Nadia’s fascination with mythology and symbolism deepens her work, as she intricately weaves the concept of spirit animals into her art. Her love for horses shines through as they become her muse, embodying strength, grace, and freedom. She captures their essence in her drawings, inviting viewers to reconnect with the natural world and explore the bonds we share with all living beings.

.nadiasetter.com

Facebook: nadin.sergeenkova

Instagram: nadia.setter

WATERCOLOR
Booth B13

bunchaesuki.com

MIXED MEDIA • KINTSUGI

Booth A27

I’m an artist, living in Hawaii. I work with multimedia to create vibrant abstract art that captures the soul of my island home.

Originally from South Africa, my lifelong 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. I continued sailing around the world for the next 10 years and this manifested my belief that if we take the first steps to make our dreams come true, the universe will conspire to make it happen.

I fell in love with French Polynesia during this time and my work reflects my passion for Polynesian culture and the beautiful scenery of the South Pacific with its turquoise lagoons, colorful reefs, vibrant sea life, dramatic pitons, beautiful sunsets and the elemental experience which comes from living on a boat on the ocean.

I love to create visual art that ignites the imagination, evokes emotion and represents universal truths and aspirations. It is further imbued with the strong multi-cultural influences of Hawaii and Asia. This Pacific – Asian fusion is reflected by the fusion of metal leaf with acrylics and oils to create harmonious unity.

My work can be viewed online on my website and can also be seen also be seen in galleries located in Hawaii, Laguna Beach and Tahiti.

Thank you for appreciating my art!

IlzeSimsArt.com
Facebook: HawaiiArtStudio
Instagram: ilzesimsart

MIXED MEDIA

Booth C22

Workshop Instructor - sign up here

mindfulart2022.etsy.com

OIL PAINTING
Booth A15

Julia Solazzo is an impressionist painter whose unique style brings new life to her painted seascapes, landscapes, and portraits. Much of Solazzo’s artwork is inspired by her experiences traveling across the globe. Each new country she visits, adds a new color to her imaginative palette; Veridian greens from the jungles of Costa Rica, Thalo blues of Spain’s Mediterranean waters, and pastel Violets blended into Portugal’s coastline. Solazzo’s world exportation translates directly to the canvas, with each brushstroke.

Solazzo began her studies at a young age, as both student and granddaughter of the renowned Master Painter, Sebastian Capella, internationally acclaimed artist and member of the Royal Fine Arts Academy in Spain. Solazzo’s early studies sparked a kindling flame for oil painting that comes to life in each painting she creates.

She continued to pursue her passion for art, obtaining her Undergraduate and Graduate degrees in Fine Arts. Solazzo graduated Summa Cum Laude from Pepperdine University and went on to complete her Master of Fine Arts Degree from Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles.

Solazzo currently lives and works in Southern California where she teaches painting to a number of dedicated students and maintains her own painting practice expanding her portfolio.

juliasolazzoart.com

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/juliasolazzoart/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliasolazzoart/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-solazzo-mfa-245b3792

OIL

Booth D2

Workshop Instructor - sign up here

Viviana's journey into the world of art is a testament to the transformative power of creativity and perseverance. Born and raised in Los Angeles, amidst the chaos of a bustling household, work, and family life, she discovered her passion for artistic expression later in life.

Though always drawn to creativity, it wasn't until adulthood that Viviana truly uncovered her love for art and painting. What began as a solution to a financial dilemma – replicating expensive wallpaper on her kitchen walls – quickly blossomed into a full-fledged passion. Fueled by a desire to beautify her surroundings and a knack for imitation, Viviana delved into the realms of faux finishing and trompe l'oeil painting just as they gained popularity.

Living in proximity to the esteemed Art Center College of Design in Pasadena provided Viviana with a serendipitous opportunity to hone her craft. Over seven years, she eagerly immersed herself in every night class available, relishing the guidance of accomplished artists and the camaraderie of fellow creatives.

Despite her unwavering dedication, the demands of work, responsibilities, and family commitments often relegated Viviana's artistic aspirations to the sidelines. Yet, after three decades of refining her skills amidst life's whirlwind, she has finally seized the opportunity to pursue her lifelong dream of painting full-time.

Viviana's art is a vibrant reflection of her spirit – pulsating with bold colors, dynamic contrasts, and a timeless mid-century aesthetic. While she delights in experimenting with various mediums, her heart belongs to the rich textures and expressive possibilities of oils. Through her art, Viviana not only explores the depths of her imagination but also invites viewers on a journey of joy, wonder, and self-discovery. Each stroke of her brush is imbued with passion and purpose, weaving a tapestry of emotions that speaks to the soul. For Viviana, art is more than just a form of expression; it is a profound manifestation of her innermost self, a lifelong pursuit that continues to inspire and uplift all who encounter it.

vivianafineart.net

Facebook: vivianafineart.net

Instagram: vivianafineart

PHOTOGRAPHY
Booth B32

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 “B/W” images as an early teen. By the early 80’s I was shooting covers as well as feature stories for automotive magazines.

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. My goal is to draw the viewer in, creating a story to be told in their mind about each image.

Currently, I only work with digital and produce fine art images. The images immerse the viewer in their color, creativity, and celebrate whimsey.

I continue to present my award-winning work in a variety of high-end art festivals such as the La Quinta Art Celebrations, Festival of Arts Laguna Beach, and have been named a “Featured Artist” at ArtWalk San Diego. I have participated in museum and juried shows, including the Palm Springs Art Museum, and the Museum of the Living Artist in Balboa Park

I have been represented by “Gallery by the Sea Carmel,” and the “Forest and Ocean Gallery.”

myteenylife.com/

facebook.com/john.straub.315

instagram.com/johnstraubimageworks/

OIL
Booth D18

Working from her twin studios in San Clemente and La Quinta, California, Monique is 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, art history, and commercial photography have taken a back seat to the pursuit of a more whimsical style.

An award winning oil painter and festival artist for over thirty five 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. Monique is also a Signature Member of the Pastel Society of America.

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/

BLOWN 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.

davidtateblownglass.net

OILS • ACRYLIC
Booth A26

Aurelia's love of nature and her Polish heritage influences her artistic expression. 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 enjoys painting in vivid colors in hopes to bring a glimmer of joy and inspiration to others. Aurelia is often driven by her faith and appreciation of nature to find an inspiration for her paintings. She favors painting portraits, flowers, landscapes, and still-life pieces. Her preferred medium is oil, although she paints in acrylics and watercolors.

Over the years, she has developed into an award-winning artist, often participating in local art shows, including the Arts Colony in Corona, Riverside Art Museum, Anaheim Art Association and Huntington Beach Art Center, California. Her paintings have been featured in several exhibitions throughout the Inland Empire and Orange County. She has been honored to exhibit at the Laguna Art-A-Fair for five consecutive years.

aureliathompson.com

facebook.com/ArtfromySoul/

instagram.com/artfromysoul/

MIXED MEDIA
Booth C24

Olena Tkachenko is a Los Angeles-based artist, originally from Ukraine, specializing in nature-inspired contemporary art. With a deep appreciation for organic forms and textures, Olena creates unique compositions that bring the beauty of the natural world into modern interiors. Working primarily with preserved moss, bark, and other natural elements, Olena explores the harmony between nature and design, crafting pieces that evoke tranquility and a connection to the outdoors. Each artwork is a balance between structure and spontaneity, allowing the materials to guide the creative process and often leading to unexpected yet captivating results.

A passionate and emerging artist, Olena has recently begun sharing her work with the public, with this exhibition marking her official debut.

Olena first visited the Laguna Art-A-Fair as an admirer, and the experience left a lasting impression, sparking a desire to one day showcase her own work. Now, with her dream realized, she is excited to connect with fellow artists and audiences who share her passion for organic artistry. She hopes her creations inspire a sense of calm, wonder, and appreciation for the hidden beauty found in nature’s smallest details.

Instagram Address: livinartworks

CERAMICS
Booth D3

Ceramics
A Biographical Profile

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 thirty 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.

liliavenierceramics.com/

Facebook: Lilia Venier Ceramics

Instagram: liliavenierceramics

MIXED MEDIA • STAINED GLASS
Booth C15

“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

Professional Glass Flameworking artist with 23 years experience. Mainly self-taught, has exhibited all around the US and many other countries including Spain, Germany, Austria, England and more. With an ever evolving catalog of work, Adam is in constant pursuit of achieveing the highest level of craftmanship in every piece he creates. Connecting to his audience thru relateable topics, universal experiences and sometimes out of this world ideas. He considers his art an ongoing expression of his life experiences which is in constant change and progression , as is life.

hoobsglass.net
Instagram: @hoobsglass

MEDIUM
Booth 000

Xiayu Zhang, a self-taught artist based in Shanghai, China, has recently embraced her lifelong passion for painting full-time. With a natural talent for art, she skillfully blends acrylic and oil techniques, using a palette knife to create striking textures that bring the fur of big cats—lions, tigers, leopards, and cheetahs—to life on canvas. Her distinctive approach captures the strength and beauty of these majestic animals, making her work both visually captivating and emotionally powerful.

Jadelionart.com

Instagram: vanessazhang999/