Feeling Artsy-Fartsy and Loving It

By Lynn Selich

"Harbor Crossing" by Jim Wodark, one of the paintings being auctioned off this weekend by The Gallery: SOCALPAPA. Forty percent of The Gallery's ongoing proceeds will be donated back to the Newport Harbor Nautical Museum.I love plein air art. I collect it. I seek out museums and galleries near and far that exhibit it. I covet collected works of other like-minded enthusiasts. I have even bargained with my Higher Power to bestow upon me a mere pinky-finger full of talent that would enable me to paint in the plein air style.

Some women collect purses, shoes, jewelry. Not me. My inner visual artist craves plein air artwork; my bank account fears it.

So needless to say, when I heard that the Southern California Plein Air Painters Association (SOCALPAPA) was opening their very own art gallery – craftily named The Gallery: SOCALPAPA – I was thrilled. In addition to supporting an art form I love, I view their entre to Balboa Village as a small victory for those of us hoping to see this type of occupant forge a path to the redevelopment of an area of our beautiful city that has been sorely overlooked for far too long.

But I digress….

The origin of plein air art is derived from the French term “en plein air” which means to paint out in the open air. This style is also sometimes referred to as California Impressionism, an art style that flourished in our beautiful state from 1890 to 1930, and remains popular today. California is well known for fostering some of the plein air community’s greatest artists, many of whom are represented in Joan Irvine Smith’s famous private collection on permanent exhibit at the Irvine Museum. And now, we can also enjoy similar style works on display at The Gallery: SOCALPAPA.

The Gallery space has been donated by the Newport Harbor Nautical Museum – a move in the right direction for the evolving institution. (Check back for more on my continuing coverage of the Museum’s changing of the guard). The 10’ x 40’ space is located on the northeast corner of the property formerly occupied by a dingy T-shirt shop. It will sure be nice to walk by that storefront and see some beautiful artwork instead of a dusty “I’m with Stupid” T-shirt in the window.

To help raise funds for the renovations and operation of the new gallery, SOCALPAPA is selling opportunity tickets for lots of great prizes, but most exciting to me are the three paintings donated by award-winning artists from past SOCALPAPA shows, including the uber-talented Jim Wodark, Jack Wang and Richard Rice.  These happen to be three of my absolute favorite plein air masters, so they didn’t have to ask me twice to buy my tickets!

So this Saturday, Feb. 6 from 4-6 p.m., you’ll find me at The Gallery’s grand opening festivities, raffle tickets in hand, biting my lip in the hope of adding a beautiful new piece to my collection!

One of my favorite local restaurants is The Bungalow in Corona del Mar. Whenever we are craving a good juicy steak it’s where we head. It’s got that neighborhood “Cheers” atmosphere, and the staff is friendly and efficient. The wine list ain’t bad either.

As a marketing professional (my “real job”) I am intrigued with ways in which local businesses attempt to drive traffic. Especially in these challenging economic times. One of the oldest tricks in the book, especially for restaurants, is to offer their venue in support of a charity.

So, when I heard The Bungalow was going to host a series of “Celebrity Bartender” nights – my interest was somewhat piqued. But then I learned that the beneficiary of one of their first events was the Pacific Symphony. I was sold.

Note: As you continue reading this story, things may seem a little disjointed, but stick with me – it comes full circle.

I was fortunate to grow up in what I affectionately refer to as an “artsy-fartsy” family that values and supports the visual and performing arts; and as important, I was educated in the Los Angeles Public School system at a time when music education was not just merely offered – it was encouraged.

Thank God!

I began playing the violin in first grade and by second grade was taking private lessons that continued for another 11 years (and which I have continued off and on even today). My parents took my brother and me to countless museums, galleries, performances – and we were often kicking and screaming. We didn’t always understand why we had to spend a sunny Sunday at MOCA when an afternoon in the swimming pool and munching on hot dogs would be so much more fun.

Thank goodness they didn’t give in!

My parents' steady persistence in opening our eyes and ears to new experiences and worlds profoundly shaped our lives, and I have told them often that I am eternally grateful.

As a result, I feel strongly about giving back by supporting similar music education programs like those from which I benefited. To that end, I began volunteering with the Pacific Symphony in 1995, eventually making it to the Board of Directors as the president of their volunteer league. It is an institution I am proud to serve, as it serves our communities by not only providing world-class performances, but also vital music education programs to youngsters who would otherwise not have the exposure.

Back to The Bungalow.  See I told you this would come full circle!

Maxim Eshkenazy, Paciic Symphony Assistant Conductor and Youth Orchestra ConductOn Monday, Feb. 8 from 5:30-7:30 p.m., as part of The Bungalow’s “celebrity bartender” series, the incredibly talented and affable assistant conductor (and youth orchestra conductor) of the Pacific Symphony, Maxim Eshkenazy, along with PS Board of Directors prez Sally Anderson and other esteemed board leadership, will go behind the bar to earn tips and promote the upcoming Pacific Coast Wine Festival from which all proceeds will support the music education programs of the Pacific Symphony. The Bungalow is also generously donating 25 percent of all sales from the evening to the Symphony.

I’ll be there with bells on, sipping a nice glass of Cab or maybe a cold martini, throwing money in the jar, cheering on the “celeb” bartenders and once more – in another small way - taking the opportunity to give back to an art form that changed my life.

It’s the least I can do.

And if at the same time it promotes local business, I’m all for it. Especially when times are tight, when local businesses chose to help achieve the goals of non-profit organizations through their generosity, they should be thanked and patronized.

I know where I’m going for my next steak night out!

Lynn Selich resides with her husband in Newport Beach. Her weekly column runs every Thursday. She can be reached at lynnselich@roadrunner.com.