 On The Line -- Issue 581 -- May 5, 2006  Online News and Views of Life in San Benito County with Herman Wrede Published by HollisterOnline.com -- Copyright 1995-2008 HollisterOnline.com
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On The Line -- Issue 581 -- May 5, 2006 Online News and Views of Life in San Benito County with Herman Wrede Published by HollisterOnline.com -- Copyright 1995-2008 HollisterOnline.com
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San Benito County is remarkable for its natural beauty. It covers many kinds of terrain, from jutting mountains to rolling meadowland, orchards, agricultural fields and many bodies of water.
Even while it was still part of Monterey County many tourists came each year to visit Mission San Juan Bautista with it Spanish colonial architecture, its orchards and vineyards and to delight in the statuary on the grounds. Artists turned to it naturally, and as other communities developed around it with the influx of United States settlement, they also found something to delight in and inspire them there. Moviemakers also were attracted by the beauty with the result that many films -- both on the wide screen and television -- have been shot wholly or partially there. Scenes from "Vertigo," "Topaz" and "Sundown" as well as many others get an appreciative yell from local audiences whenever they are shown. But while camera crews come and go many artists reside here permanently or visit often to gain inspiration for their brush. It has always been so and will continue as long as its scenery calls for reproduction. The county has had many artists' groups over the years, people who exchange ideas and methods with like-minded colleagues who feel impelled to capture a scene or a mood for themselves and others to enjoy. The desire to create and to share the creation with others is an important part of the artist's makeup. It has flourished for a number of years in the annual Open Studio in which artists give the public a view of their work, often in their own homes or studios, and how it is done. On Saturday and Sunday, April 28 and 29, more than two dozen artists in Hollister, San Juan Bautista and Aromas held the event at different places around the county. Some are veterans of many art shows, some have had the experience a few times and there may even have been artists who were new to it. But whatever their background, all welcomed an opportunity to display their creations and to explain to visitors how certain effects were achieved and to answer questions about their medium and related matters. Gayle Sleznick of San Juan is among the veterans of the local Open Studio. As a girl and a young woman she was exposed to much more natural beauty than the average person. Her father, and later her husband, Jim Sleznick, were in the National Parks Service, and she has lived in many national parks. Like many gifted people, she is always lavish in her praise of others who invest their talent, time and planning to encourage others to find means of expressing themselves, whether it be art or something else. She also has a sense of herself and, although she strives to do her best in any project, doesn't lose a sense of proportion." Some women from San Francisco were visiting San Juan to try the German restaurant and as long as they were here decided to take in the Open Studio," she laughed. "Open Studio is not about sales, although it is a good feeling to sell a picture you've created," she said. "I get a good feeling when people show a real interest in what I've done and ask questions about it." Mrs. Sleznick mused on earlier shows under Open Studio. "We started all right but weren't always sure of our direction," she said. "One year we were even a part of a Santa Clara County Open studio but we came back to our own sphere." She talked of artists who contributed greatly to the direction, "people like Kathleen Sheridan, Shannon Grissom and so many others. Now we (the Hollister Art League) are allied with the Aromas Artisans and there is a lot of talent emanating from there." Meanwhile in other studios, galleries and businesses, area artists had put together a display of their best creations and were anxious to exchange views and discuss art with the people who came in to see it. Pat Zuniga had the walls of her family's Progresso Tamale Parlor lined with her artwork. Sylvia Nichols also discussed art with many who had come to her studio, and Jennifer Colby was in her element in Galeria Tonantzin. Francene Markle's venue was the back room of She's, a women's clothing store owned by her friend, Sheila Stevens. Mrs. Markle specializes in paintings of local scenery and had some she created while on an Alaskan cruise with her husband, Jack Markle. She agreed with Mrs. Sleznick that Open Studio is primarily about art "although it is pleasing to any artist when someone wants one of her works enough to pay for it." She pointed out that the big-ticket price makes some viewers consider it but want time to think it over. "A number of sales have been made after Open studio has closed for the year," she said, "In past years, some people have commissioned me to execute a scene that they particularly like because they have decided from seeing my paintings that I have the skill to do it," she said. On Saturday, the first day of the annual event, "the number of viewers so far has been steady but I expect a bigger turnout tomorrow based on past experience," she said. A call later in the week confirmed her expectation was well founded. Meanwhile, Saturday visitors to the YMCA to see the San Benito High School students' display were impressed, not only by the number of works displayed throughout the main part of the building but by the immediately apparent talent they saw in them. John Robrock and Louise Roy, who teach art at the high school, were quietly appreciative of the turnout and the compliments on the work. It included some scenic views, some on wildlife conservation and many portraits. The portraits, especially, intrigued the viewers. They captured merriment, sanguinity and pensiveness to an outstanding degree. A few works that may have been executed with an eye to shocking the viewer also showed skill in the painting itself. It was an inspiring weekend for the artist and viewer alike and continued a tradition that promises to keep growing in San Benito County. Certainly, it seems that the next generation of artists has inspiration in the example of those who have long experience in capturing beauty. |
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