Suzie HarrisonHeading up the canyon the scenic...

Suzie Harrison

Heading up the canyon the scenic path and vivid green rolling hills

guide visitors into the inspiration that drew the Laguna Canyon

Artists together.

This is where the artists create, and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on

Saturday and Sunday will unveil their new studios to the public

during a two-day open studio event. More than 20 artists will

participate, representing an array of mediums such as jewelry, drums,

oil painting, watercolors, glass etching, acrylics, sculpture,

photography, ceramics, mixed media and murals.

These studios are in production year-round, and are normally open

by appointment. With this show, art enthusiasts will be able to meet

the artists, purchase art directly and learn about techniques.

Marsh Scott who specializes in contemporary and ink paintings and

sculpture has been in her canyon space for 12 years.

“Years ago it started out with 12 artists doing a holiday show and

then they started the spring event, which has been going on for more

than four-years,” Scott said. “This open studio event is a great way

to get to know each other, there are a lot of new artists.”

Scott said it’s a time to bring clients to see their work, new

work and work in progress, as well as enjoy the party.

“It’s a different perspective than other shows,” Scott said.

“People get to see the environment, tools, mess and inspiration of

each artist -- kind of the history of the artist, as well as the

newest work.”

Last year’s spring event was so busy that they had to add three

more hours to both days. On view will be commissioned pieces that the

artist’s are working on, including classic French murals by Lorenzo

for Cie Le Vie restaurant in Laguna. Also in progress are life-size

mystical “Spirit Keepers” by Shelley Evans who is transforming three

beaded Indian wedding dresses sent to her by a client in Saudi

Arabia.

Evans explained that a Spirit Keeper is a term she made up that

integrates myth, magic, folklore and inspiration from other cultures.

The intricate details of her work come from fabrics and findings from

around the world.

“The power of a primitive figure, made to house a feeling or

spirit, intrigues me,” Evans said. “Weaving together a little myth,

magic and folklore, I create my ‘Spirit Keepers.’ Rich fabrics,

uncommon textures, the intrigue of found objects are a delight to the

senses and guide my hands through the process of creation.”

Jude Taylor-Darlin works in sandblasted or etched glass and has

been an exhibiting artist at the Festival of Arts for 20 years and

also exhibits at the Sawdust Art Festival.

“I started experimenting with sandblasting in ’73 and ’74 and do a

lot of residential, custom and corporate work,” Taylor-Darlin said.

“Lately I have been enjoying working in multiple layers of glass,

gold leafing and Abalone shell.”

She is looking forward to check out the other artists’ work in

progress.

“With this event, it will be fun to see each other’s studios, new

artists, see their work and meet new people and clients,”

Taylor-Darlin said. “I’ll get inspired.”

A highlight will be seeing some work by the artists who have had

recent public art installations such as Scott, John Barber and

Michele Taylor Heath. Scott’s brushed metal reliefs are a familiar

sight at Crescent Bay Villas in North Laguna and on Wesley Drive.

Barbers’ glass studio will present test samples that lead to his

glowing glass mural at the entrance to the Montage. And Taylor-Heath

will present cast glass sculptures similar to her larger-than-life

“Laguna Tortoise” installed in Bluebird Park last weekend.

Sue Thompson, who lives in North Laguna and used to have her

studio in her home, moved her artwork into her canyon studio in

November.

“I like the solitude and uninterrupted work space, while having

the other artists available for feedback or throwing ideas around,”

Thompson said. “The productivity from being here is 10-fold -- here

I’m totally focused.”

New work will be unveiled by a lot of the artists including Fitz

Maurice, Mike Tauber, Anne Weiler, Linda Ames and a dozen more. Bill

Agee will present his haunting black and white infrared photo images

and a new series of digitally manipulated color compositions. Cynthia

Britain will present new oil plein air oils, featuring Northern and

Southern California seascapes, including local spots.

Another highlight will be checking out the new studio headquarters

of the Laguna Plein Air Painters Assn.

“LAPAPA has a continuously open studio with live models three

times a week,” Thompson said. “For me who doesn’t have a formal

education in art, it’s a good learning experience. You just don’t get

that in a lot of places.”

The event is free. Laguna Canyon Artists are in Laguna Canyon,

next to Jeeps-R-Us, the complex has two entrances at 21062, 21080,

3251 and 3275 Laguna Canyon Road, and two separate glass foundries.

For information, call Marsh Scott at 494-8672 or visit

www.lagunacanyonartists.com.

“The open studio event allows you to get more connected to the

people in the area and lets them know what I’m doing,” Lorenzo said.

“I’m working on a series of etchings and will be doing some

portraits.”

* SUZIE HARRISON is a reporter for the Laguna Beach Coastline

Pilot. She may be reached at 494-4321 or suzie.harrison@latimes.com.