Too Good to Forget: "Lighten Up" at Studios on the Park

Remembering the Past at Studios on the Park

This blog preserves what I find interesting in Paso Robles. Of course, I can't keep track of everything that interests me or I wouldn't have time to go enjoy it, but I try to make frequent visits to Studios on the Park. Much that is worthy to remember from there happened before this blog started. This "Lighten Up" exhibit had lamps designed by many of my favorite artists.

Many artists in residence back in January 2014 whose work I feature here are no longer there. Many artists not in residence also exhibit their work here. I featured Dale Evers' contribution to this exhibit on my Tidbits from Templeton blog which preceded this one. See his amazing lamp here. Laure Carlisle was also in residence then. So was Joe Thomas. This post will show some of what I skipped when I wrote the first post on that event.

Hanging Lights

In the photo above you can see the display of lamps hanging in the atrium. The one in the foreground was painted by Anne Laddon.  One of my favorites isn't visible in this shot, so I'll show it to you below. The title is "Smudge and Squiggle" -- the mascots of Studios on the Park. This lampshade was created by Joe Thomas.

Table and Floor Lamps

Most of the lamps on display were table lamps, with only a few floor lamps to be seen. Here is a typical display from this exhibit, and this one also has a floor lamp.

This mixed media lamp below is one of my favorites. I like it because I need a lot of inspiration and bright ideas myself. Although to the best of my knowledge Nancy Vest has not yet been an artist in residence at Studios on the Park, she usually is a participant in the Paso Robles Art Association exhibits.

Ever wondered what to do with your collection of old cameras? Laure Carlisle had a great idea. Make a lamp out of them. I'll bet you've never seen a floor lamp quite like this before. Displays were crowded close together and in odd places -- wherever they would fit, so it was hard to isolate this lamp from its surroundings. I blew up the cameras a bit so you could see them in more detail without the shade.

Which lamp do you think is most inventive? Which would you rather have in your home?Have you ever made a lamp? Feel free to share in the comments. 

Back to Studios on the Park

Studios on the Park is like an art hub in downtown Paso Robles. I have been enjoying visits to it often since I found it in 2010. Today was my first visit in months, since my recent surgeries have restricted my activities outside my home. Now my restrictions are lifted and I can drive again. That's why I decided to stop by the studios after I left the post office today just to see what's been happening. The current juried exhibit is announced here in the Window: Eat Your Heart Out. You can enlarge this photo or any other by clicking on it.

Almost no one I knew was around today, and there had been many changes since my last visit. Artists had moved and new artists had taken their spaces. Galleries had been shuffled into new spaces, as well. I did make it into the "Celebrations" exhibit of the Paso Robles Art Association and I took a picture of the art piece that won first place. It's by Nancy Vest. She has been doing a lot of mixed media art. The title on this one is "It's a Boy!"

Photo © Barbara Radisavljevic

I have always thought of Nancy as a photographer, because I first saw her work at the Ranch Dressing Exhibit in 2010. Here’s what Nancy herself says about her photograph, which she allowed me to share.  “The photo “Never Let The Horse Drive” is a photo of the mule LaVonda looking through the wrecked truck. Mules know they are smarter than horses so that is what LaVonda is conveying: “Never let the horse drive” if you want your vehicle back in one piece! I was at the right place at the right time do get her to look at me with just such an expression.”

Photo © Barbara Radisavljevic

My very favorite work of Nancy's is called "Love Letters by Snail Mail." It's also mixed media. It was part of the 'Love Songs" exhibit in February, 2012. Don't you think it's clever?

Photo © Barbara Radisavljevic

To find out what's happening on any given day at Studios on the Park and for information about exhibits and resident artists, visit the Studios on the Park website.