APRIL FEATURED ARTIST
FRANCIE BEAMAN
Growing up along the coastline of California. Francie’s love of the central coast landscapes patterned with oak trees and vineyards has called her and her husband Paul to settle in Ojai and Paso Robles, California to pursue her dream of being a full-time artist.
While striving to create a unique style of her own, and combining elements of various mediums together with her love of color and texture; her paintings stand out in crowd, bringing a fresh new look to art by using a vibrant color palette.
Francie’s style is constantly evolving as “Modern-Impressionism”. The same passion demonstrated in her paintings has brought joy to many collectors. Her work has been seen in art festivals and galleries throughout the United States.
APRIL FEATURED ARTIST
KRISTY VANTREASE
Kristy Vantrease was born in Ojai, California and is a third generation Ojai resident. She studied Fine Art at the University of Maryland and for the next ten years painted exclusively in oils both on canvas and masonite. After living and raising a family on the East Coast she returned to Ojai from Connecticut in 1995. The beautiful, tranquil and scenic Ojai Valley now provides the setting and the inspiration for many of her paintings. After her return to California she began painting in watercolors and became a signature member of the Gold Coast Watercolor Society. Kristy was very active in the organization, serving on the board of directors for six years and as president from 2005 - 2008.
Along with four local artists, Kristy launched “Ojai Open Studio” - an artistic forum with a mission to lend support, provide good humor, and facilitate peer critiques. The members, eventually known as “The Ojai Group”, exhibit together in shows, sponsor "Ojai Summer Evening Plein Air Sessions", and have taught classes and workshops. In November 2009, The Ojai Group was invited to show over 100 paintings at the Ojai Art Center with an exhibit entitled “Ojai Ink”. Kristy and the group also taught “Ink Resist” workshops at the Ojai Art Center.
In the Spring of 2009 Kristy built a solo studio, and began painting mostly in oils. She loves to try different mediums and enjoys the “play” of experimenting with different methods, but her love of oil paintings keeps calling back her back. Most of her work is now done in oils with occasional work in acrylic and watercolors.
Kristy was the featured artist in August 2008 in the Ventura County Star “Artistic Touch”. She is a member of the Santa Barbara Art Association, Los Padres Art Association of Santa Barbara, and a founding member of The Ojai Group.
Francie Beaman interview
Ojai Studio Artists will open their studios on Saturday, April 8th featuring downtown artists.
OVA Arts participating artist is:
Kristen Clawson Ceramics
Map will be available on OjaiStudioArtists.org two days before the tour.
OVA Arts 3rd Fridays Downtown Ojai
Friday, April 21st, 5 – 7pm
Refreshments / Music / Art / Community
OVA Arts will have live music with Lynn Mullins and special guest, a variety of wines and hors d'oeuvres.
“When I was 14, I met a friend who played guitar and we sang folk tunes. That evolved into surf music and I started playing electric bass.
Then it was rock and roll, the Beatles and the Stones. Then the blues. How do you shake the blues? Blue Grass. At 21 I had the opportunity to play with a very established Blue Grass/Country band (the Floyd County Boys) in Santa Barbara. I played Fender Bass and vocals with them for two plus years three nights a week 9 pm to 2:00 am. Since then I've been in a dozen bands including the Milton Kelley Band, Lynn Mullins Pick Up Band, and most recently Coyote Creek band.
At this point, my music is a fusion of all these elements. I'm primarily inspired by good vocals and meaningful lyrics. I've also added a a bit of cross harp on the rack to the guitar and singing.”
– Lynn
OVA Arts artist Martha Moran
April 22, Saturday 10am - 4pm
MATTERS OF GRAVITY, an exhibition of gravity-defying sculptures by Martha Moran and Tanya Kovaleski, is on display through April in the six-acre gardens at the Maloof Foundation for the Arts in Rancho Cucamonga.
For more information.
OVA Arts artist Pamela Grau is in AWAKEN at 10 West Gallery
March 23rd - May 15th
More information.
OVA Arts artist Vera Maguire
Offering ceramics workshops every last weekend of the month.
Make you own Bowl or Garden Stakes or Sushi platter.
For more information.
