Gourds and Mixed Media in 29 Palms

This week I got a glimpse into the studios of two artists from Twenty nine Palms - Cynthia Enfinger and Jacqueline Angove. 

The first studio I visited today was Works of Grace, the studio of Cynthia Enfinger.  Enfinger was a basket weaver for over ten years before being introduced to gourd art.  It was another artist from Twentynine Palms who first introduced Enfinger to gourds.  She has been "hooked" ever since.  Most of the gourds Enfinger uses are from Wellburne's Gourd farm near Temecula.  Enfinger likes that Wellburn Gourds are grown organically.  She washes the gourds, lets them dry, and then begins transforming them.  I got to see how she cuts the top of a gourd off, cleans out the inside, and begins smoothing the inside and top edge.

She uses different kinds of pigment and dyes to color the gourds, and will eventually embellish them with seeds, feathers, pine needles and other found objects from nature.  Some of her finished gourds also feature fiber and/or pyrography.  She allows each gourd to "tell her" how it wants to be finished, working intuitively.  Enfinger compares the imperfections of each gourd with our own imperfections.  While she is working, she thinks about how, for her, the process of her working with these gourds is symbolic of how God works in her life, taking her flaws and imperfections and through His grace, shapes her into something better than she was before.  It is this belief that gives "Works of Grace" its name.

Gourds waiting to be worked on.

 

Finished Gourds.

Enfinger teaches school during the winter months, and so it is during our hot desert summers that she spends time creating her gourds.  This Georgia native has called Twentynine Palms home for 18 years.  She and her husband first came here in 1977, when he was stationed here as a Marine.  Not only are her roots evident in the southern charm she emanates, but she has even saved pine needles from Grandma's Georgia long leaf pine tree, and these infamous needles will occasionally make their way into one of her beautiful gourd creations.   Making Works of Grace a stop on your Art Tours this year will be time well spent.  You, too, will have a chance to see Enfinger in action, as demos are part of her repertoire during the Tours.   You may even be fortunate enough to try your hand at some of her techniques, as this high desert artist is generous with her knowledge and experience.

Enfinger.

Angove in front of her studio.

The second artist I was privileged to visit today was Jacqueline Angove.   Ms. Angove works and lives in a large space just off of Hwy. 62 on Cholla Ave. in Twentynine Palms.  Her studio is easy to spot, as it is adorned with an angel and the word "Peace" in bold letters.  Angove was born in London, and told me she was a child when the bombs of World War II were exploding.  In fact, she is in the middle of a series of mixed media paintings about the Second World War.  This series of work is done as though seen through the eyes of a child.  She informed me that she didn't know why she was doing these paintings, but that she felt like she HAD to do them.  Angove lived in London until she was 21 years old, when she came to the US with her husband, and Englishman and Olympic runner.  They spent three years in South Carolina.   They moved to Philadelphia after their stint in South Carolina, and then jumped around from Palo Alto to Southern California to Tennessee. 

One of the works in the WWII series.

Angove has been painting since the 80's, when she and her husband divorced.  At the time of the divorce, she had two teenage sons, and discovered that she could make a living, creating art for people remodeling their homes and corporate offices in Los Angeles.   Angove feels fortunate to be an artist, because she is doing what she wants to do.  Her goal is to "become one with nature and reflect that in my work."  She hikes often, and particularly enjoys the desert wildflowers.  She feels that she can absorb the colors that she sees in nature.  Angove has been in the high desert for fourteen years, six or seven of which have been in her current space.  She lives behind her spacious gallery and studio space, and is kept company by her beloved cats, now that her sons have grown.  Her art work is mixed media, incorporating acrylic paint and rice paper.  Some of her work is quite sculptural, breaking free from the traditional "paint on canvas" motif.  Many of the pieces she creates are impressive in their large scale, and well worth viewing in person.  

I am constantly amazed at the artistic variety and excellence of the artists who make their home in the high desert.  These two talented artists are another example of the plethora of creative talent we enjoy here.   I hope you will consider visiting the communities of Joshua Tree National Park this October, when we host the Hwy 62 Art Tours the last two weekends of October.  Both Cynthia Enfinger and Jacquie Angove will be stops on the tour the first weekend, October 23rd and 24th.  You will not be disappointed.

written by Karine Swenson

Steve Rieman, Artist focused on the Art of Balance and Harmony

  On Sunday, June 13 2010, I had the honor and privilege of meeting with artist Steve Rieman and wife Ruth at their Yucca Valley home art studio. From the time I pulled in the drive, I was impressed by how the Riemans had integrated the desert into their home studio making it harmonize with the natural landscape. Steve’s larger than life kinetic metal and stone sculptures were displayed through out the property and were responding gently, moving with the light desert breeze.

While talking with Steve and observing the surroundings, it became clear, his art is about balance and harmony.  It makes a statement about us as the human race balancing our thirst for progress while preserving the delicate balance and harmony of nature. For Steve and his wife Ruth, this has been a lifelong quest and it is very evident in all of his works of art and surroundings. Steve stated that most of his art is composed of couples, working together as one. To him, this is symbolic of his loving relationship with his wife Ruth.

Steve studied and graduated from Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, Ca. His first years were focused on industrial design as he was exploring painting. He then started experimenting with clay and other materials for more 3D works of art.  After some time, his art began evolving again. Working with metal and natural stone, Steve is today creating large scale kinetic sculptures.  Steve is hands on from concept to installation, using a variety of enduring materials such as stone, stainless steel, bronze and weathered steel and has many inspiring works of art in public places.

   Steve reminds us through his art that progress without balance and harmony of our natural world is meaningless and without value.  Steve will be on the Hwy 62 Art Tours on October 30th and 31st this year.  (the second weekend)  Please take the time to visit him in October; it is well worth the journey. To see and learn more about Steve Rieman and his sculptures, please visit Steve’s website at: www.riemansculptures.com

 (Written by Pepper Wagner)  

29 Palms Creative Center

One of the stops on this year's Highway 62 Art Tours is the 29 Palms Creative Center.  Gretchen Grunt is the owner of the Creative Center, and she is a printmaker, bookmaker and art educator.  For this year's art tours, she is hoping to focus more on altered books and bookmaking than she has in years past.  Many of the creative- minded people here in the high desert have taken a class from Gretchen.  Gretchen has been living in 29 Palms for the past seven years, and has served as a board member for the Morongo Basin Cultural Arts Council in past years.  If you stop by the Creative Center on this year's tours, you will have a chance to visit Ms. Grunt and see her fantastic studio.  You may even get to create some art of your own.

Showing in the studios behind the main building of the Creative Center are two other artists on this year's tours.  Many people are familiar with the jewelry of Mikal Winn, who has sold his jewelry to many top stores, including Fred Segal and Neiman Marcus.  What you may not know about Mikal is that he also does larger sculpture, in the form of glittering, fantastic animals.  Winn says that creating these animals is something he has dreamed about for a long time, and has now finally had a chance to see his dream to fruition.  These creatures deck the walls of Winn's studio.  Mikal has been in the high desert for about nine years.  He came here from Columbus, Ohio by way of a short stint in Los Angeles.  The sculptures are heavily inspired by his childhood experiences of growing up on a farm.  He says they are meant to be playful, drawing ideas from the fantasy world of the movies and books of his childhood.    

The third artist you will have the pleasure of meeting at this venue is Anna Houghton, a single mom.  Ms. Houghton works in acrylic, watercolor, silkscreen and does beadwork.  She loves to experiment and is always trying a new medium.  Houghton grew up in the desert, graduating from 29 Palms High School.  She did spend time away from the high desert, even living on the island of Maui for a few years.  Her two children keep her busy, but are also sources of inspiration for her.  Anna will often help out with the children of the area, teaching charcoal drawing.  Houghton hopes to have a new series of larger, non-representational paintings for the Art Tours similar to the one shown here.

There is no doubt that the 29 Palms Creative Center is a place worth visiting on your tour this year.  The Creative Center will be on the first weekend of the Art Tours.  For those of you who aren't familiar with the Hwy. 62 Art Tours, it takes place the last two weekends in October every year.  This year, we are highlighting the artists who will be on the tour, so you can have a "sneak peak" into the studios of the talented artists of the high desert.   Stay tuned for more visits!

 

written by Karine Swenson

Studio sneak peaks, pottery and paint

The open studio art tours have been in existence in slightly varying forms since about 2002.  The first art tours were organized in conjunction with a fall art festival that featured exhibitions at the 29 Palms Art Guild, the 29 Palms Inn, and a few other venues.  There were theater performances and musicians.  There was a gala.  (a smashing one, from I have been able to gather.)

Change is the one thing we can count on in life, and as the organizers of the MBCAC have changed, so have the Art Tours.  This year will be another new year of Art Tours.  There will be familiar faces and art, there will be new faces and art.  It will be an event worth venturing out for.

This blogger, being a recent desert dweller, is asking around.  Finding some of the original artists and organizers.  Meeting new friends.  Discovering that this high desert is rife with talent and artistic variety.  Today was a day of meeting two of the artists who are long-time desert dwellers.  Both of whom were involved in the first studio art tours. One of whom was instrumental in organizing the event.

My first visit was the studio of ceramicist Janet Braley.  Her studio is a treat for those of us who thrive on a certain degree of organized chaos.  It sits at the end of a dirt road, near the top of a hill on the north side of Hwy 62.  It is shaded by mature trees.  Boulder outcroppings set the tone for this magical desert studio locale.  Have a glimpse of what I saw, and what you will be able to see if you decide to make this a stop on your Art Tour in October.

I took more photos than can even be posted here, as there was so much visual stimulus and rich creative activity.  Like many artists, Ms. Braley has other creative outlets in addition to her pottery.  She sews aprons, insulated shopping bags, and aprons.   In this studio you will find not only functional ceramic mugs, platters and plates, but also her more sculptural pieces and what she refers to as her "serious" art.   There is a kick wheel and an electric wheel for throwing.  (no, this does not mean you spin the wheel as fast as you can so the clay is thrown across the room...although late at night I suppose that could be fun.)  A wheel is where a potter places a lump of clay and uses the centrifugal force to create a bowl, mug or vessel.   There are several kilns outside.  Tables filled with platters, plates, bowls, flower pots, and mugs.  I truly felt as though I could spend a full day looking, and still not see it all. 

The Artist, Janet Braley.

One of the kilns.

As much as I could have stayed at Janet Braley's all day, I had another stop to make.  My next visit involved a drive to the other side of Hwy. 62, to the dome house of Chuck Caplinger and his wife, near the entrance of the Joshua Tree National Park.  Mr. Caplinger was instrumental in organizing the MBCAC, and the first Fall Festival that included studio tours.  He has painted more than one of the famed murals in 29 Palms.  Caplinger paints masterful portraits and paintings of the southwest.  He will not be opening his studio during the Art Tours this year, but you will get a chance to see his paintings at the 29 Palms Art Gallery.  

Mr. Caplinger's clean and orderly studio.

 An appropriate collection of hats, for an artist whose wife has dubbed "Cowboy." 

 

Caplinger is a talented artist as well as an active community member.  He remains active today, promoting public art in 29 Palms.  Artists like this are an inspiration to all of us. 

Stay tuned for more glimpses into the studios of other artists who will be making this year's tours another unique event.  

written by Karine Swenson

Rick Unger

It is with sadness that I write the news that one of our artists has passed away.  Rick Unger recently lost a battle to liver cancer.  Mr. Unger was a featured artist of the Art Tours in years past, and he will be sorely missed by the art community.  To read his obituary in the Hi-Desert Star, click here.  (Thanks to Rik Livingstone for the art.)

Art Tours Applications have been rolling in!  If you missed the main deadline of April 6th, it is not too late to turn in an application.  A late fee of $25.00 will be added to your application fee.  Please don't wait any longer.  If you would like to be a part of this year's Hwy 62 Art Tours, download the application, fill it out, and get it sent in.  You have until May 4th.  You can mail your application in to MBCAC PO Box 643, Joshua Tree, CA  92252, or you can drop it off in person at our Donation=Creation Store.  The store is located at 61325 Hwy 62, Suite F.  Our store is all volunteer run, so I do recommend calling before you head out.  760-366-2226.

We will be needing volunteers to help process the applications, and if you are interested in helping with this task, please email Karine at arttours@mbcac.org.  Thank you!

Joining Forces

For those artists who haven't submitted their Art Tours application yet, the deadline is April 6th!  This year, like last year, artists will be able to pair up with one or more other artists and show together as one venue.  It is less expensive to show with another artist, and it may also help you have more visitors.  I have done the Art Tours the past two years.  The first year on the tours, I showed by myself.  Last year, I had three other artists show with me.  Not only was it easier and more fun, but I had a lot more traffic throughout the weekend.  I plan to join forces with other artists again this year. 

If you are interested in joining up with another artist (or artists) this year for the tour, but haven't found someone to partner with, you may leave a comment on the blog with your email address or some way for people to contact you.  Please include the kind of work you do (2 dimensional, 3 dimensional, large scale, etc.) and whether you would like to have another artist at your studio, or if you would be willing to come to another studio to show.   You may also send an email to arttours@mbcac.org. 

If you are new to the Art Tours, partnering with other artists is a really good way to get a feel for what the Art Tours are like, without such a large commitment.  Of course, if you really want to show off your studio and art by yourself, we welcome you to do so.  Please don't wait too long to send in your application.  You can mail the application to the MBCAC: PO Box 643, Joshua Tree, CA  92252 or you can deliver it in person to the Donation=Creation Art Store, 61325 Hwy. 62, Ste. F in Joshua Tree.  Once again, the application for the 2010 Art Tours is available online, simply by clicking this link.  Make sure to have it sent in by April 6th! 

Welcome

Hello, and welcome to the new blog of the HWY 62 Art Tours!  The Art Tours is an annual event in the high desert of Southern California sponsored by the Morongo Basin Cultural Arts Council (MBCAC) in the art communities of Joshua Tree National Park surrounding Highway 62.  This event takes place the last two weekends of October every year and features the popular Open Studio Art Tours.  This is a unique opportunity for the visual artists of the Morongo Basin to open up their studios to the public.  It offers a glimpse into the world of the artist: a chance to see the newest creations of area artists in the space where these works are created.  Often, the setting in which an artist works has a great impact on the art being created, and our beautiful high desert is no exception to this phenomenon. The Open Studios take place during the day, but the fun continues when the sun goes down.  Each evening of the Art Tours venues and theatres throughout the townships of the Morongo Basin offer live music and performance art.

For any event of this magnitude, it is important to start planning as soon as possible.  We are pleased to announce that the artist applications for the 2010 Art Tours are available.  The applications can be downloaded to your computer, or you can pick one up in person at the Donation=Creation Art Store run by the MBCAC in Joshua Tree.  To download your application, click here.  Local artists are invited to apply for participation in this event.  For more information about participating in the HWY 62 Art Tours or to help sponsor, you can call the MBCAC office at 760-366-2226.  You may also contact us via email at arttours@mbcac.org.  You must be a current member or apply for a new membership of the MBCAC to participate.

The Morongo Basin Cultural Arts Council is a non-profit 501(c) (3) organization that relies on memberships, grants, donations and sales at our thrift art store ... Donation=Creation. Our mission is to inspire and enliven the community through the arts, and enhance the cultural and economic health of the region. Building community through the arts, the Arts Council continues to be a leading source of information, inspiration and energy for artists and patrons throughout the Morongo Basin and beyond.  

We hope to make this year's HWY 62 Art Tours the best yet!  This blog will be your connection to the news pertaining to the Art Tours.  We hope to do our best to keep people informed, not only for the artists participating in the event, but also for those planning to go on the tours. To learn more about the annual event and the Arts Council visit www.HWY62ArtTours.com or www.MBCAC.org. Stay tuned for more coming soon.....