Art Seen

Gallery Showcases a Printmaker’s Blended Landscapes

The art of “Vinita Voogd – Printmaker” now rings the Festival of Arts’ satellite gallery, foaSouth, which will remain on display through April 11. The public is invited to a meet the artist at a special reception on Feb. 6 from 6 – 9 p.m., 1006 S. Coast Highway, during First Thursdays Art Walk in Laguna Beach.

The exhibit showcases her current work juxtaposed with her prints from the Festival’s permanent art collection.

A native of New Delhi, India, Voogd studied fine art at the University of Delhi. With an interest in printmaking, she studied with John Paul Jones at UC Irvine for three years after moving to California. She has been creating original fine prints since 1982 and has exhibited at the Festival for more than 10 years.

Her works are in both private and corporate collections as well as exhibitions, which have included the Laguna Art Museum.

Utilizing a variety of materials, Voogd creates her prints using the collagraph technique, a combination of collage and graphics. She draws inspiration from her travels and regularly collects small artifacts and handmade papers she finds along the way. 

“By producing prints using everyday mundane materials, I am placing my work in an entirely new context, with the goal of challenging and changing the viewer’s perceptions,” said Voogd. “In an age of extremes, wealth and poverty, peace and discord, technology and ecology, my art strives for a universal landscape of harmony, blending cultural decorative motifs, color, texture and pattern.”

Artists Open Their Studios

Art enthusiasts are invited to step into the sanctuaries where art is created during Laguna Beach’s Artist Open Studios, which takes place Saturday, Feb. 1, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Participants can a free shuttle service from the ACT V parking lot, 1900 Laguna Canyon Road, and take advantage of free parking.

Observe 29 mostly Laguna Canyon artists working in a spectrum of art media – glass blowing, fused glass, ceramics, painting, printmaking and bronze lost-wax demonstrations.

“Visitors always comment about the joy of meeting the artist and my own personal experiences have made me realize how much it means to collectors and patrons when they can ‘put a face’ on the work that they like,” said award-winning oil painter Tom Swimm.

“It’s wonderful to hop on the trolley, see the splendor of the canyon and the vitality of our resident artists, and gain further insights into their creative process,” said Lisa Mansour, chair of the Arts Commission project.

For a list of participating artists, please visit the Cultural Arts Department page at www.lagunabeachcity.net or call (949) 497-0722.

Artman Gallery Opens New Show

America Martin’s annual solo exhibition will open at Joanne Artman Gallery, 326 N. Coast Highway, with an artist reception on Thursday, Feb. 6, from 6-8 p.m. to coincide with Laguna Beach’s Art Walk.

Martin will be unveiling a mix of three new series inspired by her recent travels, “Native American,” “Bathers” and “Still Lives.” The show will run through March 31.

 Art-A- Fair Seeks New Artists

Artists are invited to bring their artwork for jurying into the Art-a-Fair to Laguna Beach’s Boys and Girls Club, 1085 Laguna Canyon Road, Sunday, Feb. 9, from 8 -11 a.m.

All media may be submitted including oil, acrylic, watercolor, sculpture, mixed media, digital art, charcoal, pencil, ceramics, glass, jewelry, photography, and wood. Three original works are required for each medium, though artists may submit works in more than one medium.

The jury of fine artists and master craftsmen will look for excellence in conception, execution and presentation as well as top level creativity and technical competence. Artists will learn the jury’s decision that day and artwork ready for pick-up by 4 p.m.

For additional information and forms, call 949 494-4514.