7 Questions with…Antje Campbell

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antje campbell, art gallery, fine art, forest and ocean gallery, laguna beach, laguna beach art, laguna beach art scene, Q & A, sculpture

For your reading and viewing pleasure this week, I sat down with the lovely, German-born, Laguna Beach-based sculptor, Antje Campbell. Antje’s works, both in clay and bronze, have been featured in galleries across the US and Europe, and locally, she is an accomplished Festival artist. Her passion for creating came through naturally in our conversation and it was a delight to learn more about her. Please visit antjecampbell.com for information.

F & O Team: What advice would you give to an artist starting to go public with their work?

Antje: The best work comes from your heart—and as an artist, you’re really compelled to do what you love, even if it’s not practical. So foremost, make sure you are doing what you love while still being true to yourself. And, at least in the beginning, don’t expect to feed your family with your sales!

F & O Team: Other than your own work, whose work do you admire?

Antje: Sculpturally, I love the simplicity and classical style of Britain’s Henry Moore and Swiss artist, Giacometti. I’m also drawn to the color palettes used by the German Expressionists.

F & O Team: What do you love most about your medium?

Antje: Clay is the most basic earth material; the decisions I make in regard to form and the uncertainty of the firing and then the finishing of the layers, you really only have so much control over the outcome. The surprise of opening the kiln is the equivalent to a day at Disneyland for me—and 30 years later, after opening thousands of kilns, I’m still that excited.

F & O Team: How do you know when a work is finished?

Antje: There comes a point where you just have to say to yourself, “This is finished.” Then there’s always the next piece to move onto.

F & O Team: If you weren’t an artist, what would you be?

Antje: I love design, every kind and in every form. Anything creative pulls at my heart, whether it involves interior design, architecture, gardening or knitting. If I weren’t a sculptor, I would find a way to create something regardless of the medium.

F & O Team: When you’re not creating art, what are you most likely doing?

Antje: I love entertaining, and do it often. I love the process of making a meal together, and fortunately, the richness of my life really lies in the range of eccentric and diverse people that I’m so grateful to know. And of course, being a grandmother and seeing my three grandchildren (although two are in Minnesota), makes any day worthwhile.

F & O Team: What is your favorite spot in Laguna Beach?

Antje: Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach brings together artists and people of all ages, from all walks of life and is a must see for visitors and locals alike.

 

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7 Questions with…Robert Hansen

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art gallery, fine art, fine art photography, forest and ocean gallery, laguna beach, laguna beach art, ludo leideritz, photography, Q & A, robert hansen, southern california art, yucatan passages

Sunset View, Catalina by Robert A. Hansen

Gallery staffer, Kathie Jepson-Bernier, with photographer, Robert A. Hansen

As a way for you—our loyal followers and new fans alike—to get to know our artists better, we’ve started a weekly question and answer series to give you the inside scoop from our multi-talented resident artists. Although artists don’t often like to talk about themselves, I’m the lucky lady that gets to put them in the proverbial hot seat! So without further ado, I’m thrilled to kick off our “7 Questions with…” Q & A series with resident artist and photographer extraordinaire, Robert A. Hansen.

F & O Team: What advice would you give an artist starting to go public with their work?

Robert: Speak from your heart and let your career develop based on work that you are passionate about. In my case, I’m very fortunate that my commercial art pays my bills, but my fine art really feeds my soul. My own art is therapeutic, and about discovery of myself. For example, my travels through the Yucatan, were solely about finding myself and luckily, art came from that discovery and gorgeous inspiration. Bottom line: Don’t try to find your market—if you’re patient, it will find you.

F & O Team: Other than your own work, whose work do you admire?

Robert: I love modernist photographers like Paul Strand and Ed Weston; Strand was a master storyteller utilizing a large format camera and Weston truly lived his art. I also admire painters in general and try to cross-pollinate my photography with that medium. What’s really cool about Forest & Ocean Gallery is the mix of traditional art with new mixed media formats.

F & O Team: What do you love most about your medium?

Robert: I like the aspect of being a craftsman, in that I never work the same way on any given project and never really know what the end result will be. One shot can take me 4 minutes or 4 hours, and I would never know the difference in time. I literally get lost in my work.

F & O Team: How do you know when a work is finished?

Robert: I love this quote by Andrew Wyeth: “One’s art goes as far and as deep as one’s love goes.” I’d venture that a step further and include personal discovery. Sometimes I have moments of extreme, intense creativity and magic just happens. But really, you can only bring a piece so far without having discovery in your work as an artist. When you have discovery, it will finish itself.

F & O Team: If you weren’t an artist, what would you be?

Robert: Homeless!

F & O Team: When you’re not creating art, what are you most likely doing?

Robert: I try very hard to take advantage of the California landscape we are so blessed to live with. I often meditate, and explore the coast on walks and hikes. It’s also very easy to find inspiration this way.

F & O Team: What is your favorite spot in Laguna Beach?

Robert: Hands down, Forest & Ocean Gallery!

To learn more about Robert, click here to read his full bio or visit roberthansen.com.

Hobnobbing with Music Legend Peter Asher

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andrew c. ko, art gallery, forest and ocean gallery, laguna beach, laguna beach art, laguna concert band, laguna playhouse, ludo leideritz, music legend, peter asher

One of the best parts about owning and working in a gallery, other than being surrounded by award-winning art and artists everyday, is that we get to host some of the coolest events in Laguna Beach! Last week, the Laguna Concert Band teamed up with pop music legend, Peter Asher, for “A British Invasion Tribute: A Musical Memoir of the 60’s and Beyond” at the Laguna Playhouse. Afterwards, the party continued at the gallery with good company and great conversation. Surrounded by band members, fans and other resident gallery artists, the evening was topped off with a special dedication by artist Andrew C. Ko to Mr. Asher of his photograph entitled, “Rise of Melody”. It was quite an honor to meet such a remarkable and iconic musician, and to collaborate with an extraordinary organization like the Laguna Concert Band. Thank you to everyone that attended and for your continued support of the gallery and our community.

Peter Asher arrives, followed by camaras.

Ludo greets Mr. Asher.

Local music talent, Sara Gordon, with Craig Gordon of Laguna Concert Band and Peter Asher

Gallery staffer, Kathie Jepson-Bernier with Cathy Burrows and resident artists, Sheri Cohen and Brian Giberson.

Peter Asher with Daniela Walsh of Laguna Beach Independent and Craig Gordon.

Everyone is thrilled to mingle with Peter.

Resident artists John Burrows, Brian Giberson and Jacques Garnier chatting with Ludo.

Ludo and gallery staffer, Aimée Morgan pause to take a photograph.

Some of our resident artists getting to know each other.

Resident artist, Andrew C. Ko, dedicating his photograph to Peter Asher.

Peter Asher and resident artist, Andrew C. Ko.

Peter Asher with resident artist, Andrew C. Ko.

Ludo with resident artist, Andrew C. Ko and his wife.

Peter Asher stops to take a photograph with two adoring fans.

Plein Air in Action

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art, art gallery, fabiola a. lorente-sorolla, fine art, forest and ocean gallery, jeff horn, laguna beach, laguna beach art, laguna plein air painters association, LPAPA, ludo leideritz, patricia mcgeeney, pauline roche, plein air, rick j. delanty, rita pacheco, saim caglayan, sorolla, spanish art

Our celebration of Sorolla’s Legacy: LPAPA, Inspired by a Master continued through the weekend as we invited the public to view a painting demonstration by LPAPA artists in the gallery. Our muse, Fabiola A. Lorente-Sorolla, modeled a dress that was purchased and used by her great-great grandfather, Joaquin Sorolla, in his original paintings.

It was so cool to have the gallery filled with artists, creating masterpieces right before our eyes, and giving us their own unique rendition of the same subject matter. There was such an energy in the gallery, even as the artists worked in determined silence, there was a subtle buzz that could be felt around the artists’ and their work.

It was a wonderful way to cap a whirlwind weekend at the gallery, and we hope you enjoyed it as much as we loved hosting it.

The Muse

View from the back

LPAPA artist Pauline Roche

Sneaking behind LPAPA artist Jeff Horn

LPAPA Chairman and artist Saim Caglayan

LPAPA artist Patricia McGeeney

LPAPA artist Rita Pacheco

Sneaking behind Saim

A close-up of Saim’s wonderful rendition of Fabiola

LPAPA Artist Jeff Horn

Pauline Roche’s beautiful painting of Fabiola

LPAPA artist Patricia McGeeney

LPAPA artist Rick J. Delanty

An Evening With Fabiola A. Lorente-Sorolla

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art gallery, fabiola a. lorente-sorolla, fine art, forest and ocean gallery, joaquin sorolla, laguna beach, laguna beach art, laguna plein air painters association, LPAPA, plein air, spanish art

Wow—what a month we are having at the gallery! From new artists to fab events, we have so much to share with you! On Saturday, January 23rd, we hosted a VIP Reception for “Sorolla’s Legacy, LPAPA Inspired by a Master,” celebrating the influence the great master, Joaquin Sorolla, has had on today’s artists. We are proud and honored to have Laguna Plein Air Painters Association in residence at the gallery and to co-host events such as this with them.

The exhibition, which featured over 50 original paintings by LPAPA artists, was especially exciting because Sorolla’s great-great granddaughter, Fabiola A. Lorente-Sorolla traveled all the way from Spain to speak at the reception and to give an exclusive insider perspective to the life and work of her great-great grandfather.

Although Fabiola spoke exclusively in Spanish, her native tongue, it was amazing to hear her narrative of Sorolla’s life, sprinkled with her own personal insight. It was especially interesting to note that it wasn’t until she was much older and in school, that she realized the tremendous scope of influence that her great-great grandfather had on Spain and the art world at large. Following her intimate overview, Ludo (gallery owner, in case this is your first time here!) led a Q & A session with a panel of LPAPA artists, including Jeff Sewell, Jeff Horn, Saim Caglayan and of course, honorary LPAPA member, Fabiola A. Lorente-Sorolla. Each exhibition features a juried selection of art, and Fabiola graciously judged and awarded the prizes to the LPAPA artist winners.

It was truly a wonderful evening, filled with great people and amazing art. We would especially like to extend our gratitude to Fabiola and the entire LPAPA community for allowing us to be a part of this extraordinary experience.

Ludo with Fabiola A. Lorente-Sorolla

Welcome to our event!

Fabiola A. Lorente-Sorolla in action.

Rosemary Swimm, Executive Director Of LPAPA

Toni Kellenberg and Rosemary Swimm of LPAPA with Vickie and Tom Lamb, resident artists

 

Kathie and Resident artist, Robert Hansen