Two Weekends: October 12 & 13, October 19 & 20
My Studio is # 237 on this county wide Art Tour

The annual Open Studios Tour offers the public a look into the studios of artists throughout Santa Cruz County, and is presented by the Arts Council of Santa Cruz County.

I was in my studio welcoming visitors these 2 weekends in October as part of this annual art tour.As I have done for years, I offer visitors during the show the opportunity to fill out a raffle entry card. Most did this year! And the winners of the raffle…drum roll…

• Grand Prize of the original oil painting “Fog Over Bay” went to Jill of Los Gatos

• 2nd place of a giclee print, double matted, 11x14 went to John of Watsonville

• 3rd place of a pack of 5 notecards went to Eric of Santa Cruz

I had many landscape paintings to offer. In visiting my studio, you'll see both completed paintings and works in progress. You can talk to me about art inspiration, choice of colors and tools, or any other topic related to painting. And of course I'll have my usual print offerings.

This year, I'll be showing paintings in 3 groups on the 3 main walls of my 25'x25' art studio. This image shows the large Coastal Landscape grouping on my studio's western wall. Click the image to see my Coastal Landscape paintings.

Another group is Mountain Paintings, which largely consists of Yosemite NP and other paintings created in or inspired by other national and state parks

Finally, toward the back of my studio, I'll have a grouping of paintings done while Traveling, which includes many recent plein air paintings - the last of which I am framing as I send this message.

As an artist, I welcome solitude to work on my paintings. As a person, I greatly enjoy all the interaction that happens when I am able to meet art appreciators and other artists.

This Open Studio Art Tour has been happening for over thirty years, and I have been a participant since my first time back in 1998 - 26 years ago. Last year, I had a great time meeting so many old friends and making new friends. Thanks to all my new collectors! I expect this year may be even better. I'll have a strong selection of new paintings to show in my spacious Soquel, CA art studio.

This tour is a chance for visitors to see my working space: paintings in various stages of completion, my palette and favorite paint colors, framing materials, art making tools, and speak in person with me.

You can plan your tour with the guide magazine, available at many locales in Santa Cruz county, and see various other art forms from metal sculpture, glass, jewelry, collage, woodworking and many more. The tour is also an opportunity to visit less traveled locales in our community.

My studio is # 237 on this county wide tour. And like myself, many artists will open again for the "encore" weekend on October 19 and 20. If neither weekend works for you, you may contact me anytime to arrange a private visit. Please drive carefully on my street, Cherryvale Avenue, as it is a favorite place for neighbors to walk and bike, and it has a few twists and turns.

I encourage you to plan a fun outing with friends in our beautiful coastal county, and definitely stop in to see me.

Looking forward to your visit,
Michele