Artists have something for every mom

It is my fraternal and maternal duty to warn all of you that Mother’s

Day is next Sunday. I realize that if you’re reading this article,

you’ve probably given the subject some thought and I’m preaching to

the choir. But in case you need some suggestions, read on.

Nine local artists will present an Open House on Thursday from 10

a.m. to 8 p.m. at Patina, a friendly and funky boutique at 178 Wells

Place in Costa Mesa, off 17th Street and Orange Avenue behind

Washington Mutual Bank.

Susan McKibbon will bring her beach paintings and tiles. I happen

to know that she is working on some great-looking mermaid plaques --

she donated one of these cool and crazy items to our girls’ water

polo banquet this year -- and everyone was fighting to buy raffle

tickets to increase their chance of taking it home. You must see them

to appreciate how spectacular they are.

Leslie of Nikki Twigs will be selling vintage fabric pillows or

“textile artwork.” Lisa Hannah of Hannah Designs, a.k.a. the Queen of

Gems, will have her jewelry on display. Her gemstone earrings are

exquisite.

Jonathan McGowen will offer his custom floral designs. McGowen is

the king of silk flowers. He has everything from serious white

orchids in vintage cachepots to whimsical arrangements screaming with

vibrant colors.

Fabric handbags, “Art on a Bag” by Alexander Muller, will feature

one-of-a-kind handbags made from upholstery fabrics. Check out the

Matisse, the Picasso and the Van Gogh.

Cynthia Morehouse will be showing her jewelry designs. Morehouse’s

necklace/bracelet/earring line is full of wild beads, enameled charms

and unique decorations. I have one of Morehouse’s riotous necklaces

with a fish, beads, crystals -- you name it, it’s on there. You might

need one, too.

Photo cards and photo-printed T-shirts by Michelle James will be

there for your perusal, and Kristen Jansson’s hand-illustrated note

cards (Girl Friday Studios) will be boxed and raring to go.

Last but never least, Jenny Johnson will be displaying her vintage

pendants and jewelry designs. Johnson has a fresh spring line of

jewelry in pretty pastels. If you haven’t seen Johnson’s “pinned”

tank tops, you’re missing out.

Last time I gave out Patina’s phone number, I put my home phone

number in by mistake (duh). To those of you who called, I loved

speaking with you. My boo-boo ended up being a blessing.

I’ll try this again: you can reach Patina to inquire about the

Artist Open House at (949) 548-1930.

Happy Mother’s Day.

* KAREN WIGHT is a Newport Beach resident. Her column runs

Sundays.