Welcome to this week’s
VIRTUAL GALLERY
Featuring Art Central’s very own staff
Alejo
My name is Alejo and I am a student studying architecture and art.
1. What is your medium of choice and what do you enjoy most about it?
– “My medium of choice would have to be either just pencil and ink on paper or working digitally. Sitting down with a pen and a sketchbook is like comfort food for my art belly, and the flexibility and vast potential of digital media is fun to experiment with.”
2. How has working at Art Central affected your artwork?
– “Working here has probably most affected my artwork by giving me a lot more exposure to different traditional media and how they work. It gives me a better idea of how I can start to emulate a more traditional look into my digital work.”
3. What is your favorite part about working at Art Central?
– “The people are definitely my favorite part of the job. Etty makes a mean soup and is super generous with giving us food. I’m starting to get suspicious that she may be plumping me up for some unknown purpose, but as for what this purpose is, I’m still not sure. The other people that work here are also super talented, and I love how I can walk into work and ask anyone for feedback on projects I’m working on and get really helpful critiques. I also really enjoy talking to customers about the different projects they’re working on. There’s some crazy good artists here and getting to see what people are making is great.”
Chris
1. What is your medium of choice and what do you enjoy most about it?
– “Pen and ink, more recently pen and watercolors. I enjoy trying to blend precision with chaos.”
2. How has working at Art Central affected your artwork?
– “Working at AC has provided an opportunity to learn more and more about various mediums, other brands and materials, and especially the input, tips and techniques from other employees. Having the ability to try out almost any medium has also given me the freedom to hone my preferred ‘style’.”
3. What is your favorite part about working at Art Central?
– “I would have to say that helping others discover new ideas and methods to approach their projects is quite rewarding.” : )
April
1. What is your medium of choice and what do you enjoy most about it?
– “My medium of choice is oil paint. I love how oil paint doesn’t dry quickly and allows me to experiment with different techniques. Oil paint is such a versatile medium that can be challenging to master but I always find the end result to be rewarding.”
2. How has working at Art Central affected your artwork?
– “Working for Art Central has been such an eye opening experience. Seeing the different products that customers come in for has inspired me to be more experimental with my work. Having this job has changed the way I see my own art, I have started to think about the ways I can make my work stand out.”
3. What is your favorite part about working at Art Central?
– “The very best thing about working at Art Central is the creative community that it is a part of. Working here I have met so many local artists and creatives who keep art alive in SLO. The people I work with are all artistic individuals who inspire me to continue down a creative path.”
Shauna
1. What is your medium of choice and what do you enjoy most about it?
– “My Medium of choice is acrylic paint, however, I jump between mediums more than any sane person should. I jump between painting in acrylic and oil, drawing, tooling leather, and welding… Painting has been my longest relationship, so I will always keep a studio set up where ever I go just so I don’t lose touch. What I enjoy most about acrylic paint is the ability to layer and move fast, my creative process is really fast pace and fueled with passion that can quickly die out if I have to sit with my artwork for too long. Acrylic allows me to achieve my visions fast and effectively.”
2. How has working at Art Central affected your artwork?
– “Working at Art Central has taught me so much about the products and what’s out there to help enhance my artwork. Hearing how our customers use our supplies has definitely impacted me the most in experimenting and learning tips and tricks from our fellow artists.”
3. What is your favorite part about working at Art Central?
– “Art Central has been an amazing workplace and environment because of Etty and her sense of family with both staff and customers. I absolutely love meeting our local artists and helping coordinate exhibits to showcase their work in our gallery! I have made some great friends through the store, scored on some great deals, chowed down on a lot of Etty’s famous home made soup, tried new materials, and most importantly, Etty has taught me a lot about how to keep a small business thriving and staying true to who you are.”
Spencer
1. What is your medium of choice and what do you enjoy most about it?
– “My medium of choice is oil painting. I’ve tried just about every medium there is but I started with oils when I was 11 and I seem to always come back full circle to them.”
2. How has working at Art Central affected your artwork?
– “Working at Art Central has been a blessing! Etty is like the Jewish mother I never had! Not only does she give me killer deals on supplies but she also has helped me reconnect with the local art community of SLO.”
3. What is your favorite part about working at Art Central?
– “By far my favorite part about working for art central is the people. I crave being surrounded by artists. Being able to work in an environment where your customers are asking about the arts is the absolute best!”
You can find more images of my work on my website at spencerpoulterart.com
Emma
1. What is your medium of choice and what do you enjoy most about it?
– “While I’ve gone through phases with all types of mediums, I consistently find myself returning to oil painting. For as smooth of a medium as it is, oils really allow for a great deal of roughness in the way they are applied. I enjoy the process of scrubbing, scraping, and pushing colors on the canvas until the painting begins to work itself out. I rarely plan the final product because my work always manages to turn in its own direction along the way, so I admire the workability of oils. It’s a really forgiving medium for we’ll-see-as-we-goers like myself.“
2. How has working at Art Central affected your artwork?
– “Working at Art Central has encouraged me to find time for making art, even when I don’t have time for making art. This has meant incorporating new mediums into my architectural work, choosing to draw an assignment by hand that could be executed digitally, and always having something to sketch with on hand. Because my knowledge of different creative techniques has grown so much since working at Art Central, I find myself less hesitant to switch up my usual methods. I’d say my art has become more about enjoying the process, and less about the concern of the final product.“
3. What is your favorite part about working at Art Central?
– “One of the only redeeming factors of 2020 was the sudden event of stillness that forced me to reevaluate my plans and my purpose when my academic plans for the year were cancelled. In an attempt to get back in touch with my interest in art, I joined Art Central (looking a lot like a deer in the headlights). I’ve learned so much in such a short period of time– Etty is a walking encyclopedia for all things art. And she makes us fantastic soup, too.
-Beyond personal creative growth, the best part about working at Art Central has been the sense of greater community during a time that has otherwise deprived us all of regular human interaction. Morning coffee with Etty and team, fundraiser events to stock the food pantries, and just being surrounded by talented humans is really what makes Art Central a fulfilling place to be a part of. There’s a constant creative dialogue that keeps me learning, contributing, and discovering.”
Ellery
1. What is your medium of choice and what do you enjoy most about it?
– “My medium of choice is acrylic, though that is always subject to change. I love working as well with mixed media, watercolor, clay, and am now exploring oil paint for the first time! It is very different but I am having fun.”
2. How has working at Art Central affected your artwork?
– “Working at Art Central has exposed me to different mediums, and their best uses. I feel that I have expanded my understanding of how art is made more broadly. Even greater, I feel incredibly lucky to be able to be surrounded by art and artists every day.”
3. What is your favorite part about working at Art Central?
– “This is truly one of my favorite parts about working here. Every day, I learn more and more from Etty, my coworkers and very often, the customers. The community is amazingly tight-nit, open, and excited to pursue art through so many aspects of life. It is a wonderful thing to see the inspiration and joy that art brings to us all!”
ENTER OUR MINI-MASTERPIECE CONTEST
Before April 28th!
Paint a mini-masterpiece on one or more of our NEW mini-canvases and enter to WIN!
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION
Want to be featured in our next Virtual Gallery on Friday, April 9th?
Here’s what to do!
Send images of your recently created artwork to artcentralslo@yahoo.com with subject “Virtual Gallery Submission” & please attach your image as a jpeg. Include your name, along with the title, medium & size of artwork. And although not required, we’d love a few words about your artwork or inspiring thoughts for our viewers!
WE ARE STILL ACCEPTING DONATIONS
ART CENTRAL WANTS TO HELP THE HUNGRY AND LESS FORTUNATE IN OUR COMMUNITY!
We believe no one should go without food or the opportunity to express their creativity! We’re a little more than halfway to our goal, please tell your friends and help us get all the way there!
Art Central has come up with a way to both raise funds for our local food pantries and get art supplies into the hands of children from disadvantaged families. We are asking our community for help.
Click the donate today button to the right to donate $10. 100% of these donations will go to fill our local community food pop-up pantries. Art Central will match each $10 donation with a gift bag of art supplies to be donated to disadvantaged students at Pacheco Elementary School. Our goal is to raise $1000 for the food pantries & 100 gift bags for these students in need.
Stay up-to-date with our Art World in and around SLO
Be sure to tune into Facebook for a Virtual Art After Dark, follow instructions HERE
Morro Bay Arts Association’s Newsletter
Children’s Classes with June Li:
| “As a mother, I feel a special connection to children and supporting their creativity. It is so beautiful to share with them the world of possibilities of color, line, shape, and expression, watching their delight as they create something of their very own. I know that during this time, kids and families are experiencing some of the most difficult times, with school being mostly online and parents juggling a lot more than ever before. Painting and making art together can deeply help soothe the stress and anxiety of life, bringing balance, joy and wonder.“ Contact June to set up a private class for your family or your kids. View her site HERE |
Classes with Tricia Reichert:
| For the month of March on Tuesday mornings there will be a new *Nature Sketching* class where we will be drawing with a pen and using a little watercolor to depict subjects both from life and photographs. You will find this class under Live Sessions as above, look for the options for other *Webinar* classes under Webinars on Tricia.yondo.com. – If you prefer to work at your own pace, or on your own schedule, there are many skill building watercolor video classes available under *Videos* and *Courses* on Tricia.yondo.com or watch her YouTube videos HERE |
Classes with Jason Mayr:
| April Session of Online Painting Classes: “Exercises & Finishing What You Started” Have you worked on a painting and got “stuck” or put it aside to work on later?? Well you’re in luck as Jason’s next Session of Classes for the month of April are “Exercises & Finishing What You Started”. Online painting classes start on Monday, April 5th and the classes meet on Monday & Fridays from 9:45am – 11:00am (pst). The feedback from Students has been AMAZING and watching each artist grow has been so rewarding! You have nothing to lose and everything to gain! Come paint with us   . To register go to https://onlinecourses.jasonmayr.com/courses/april-group-b-oil-painting-class-exercises-finishing-what-you-startedBrand new Class starting Wednesday, April 7th – Introduction to Procreate Exciting news!!! Jason is launching an Introduction to Procreate class during the month of April. What is Procreate you ask??? It’s a program that you can use on your iPad that helps Artists sketch, paint & create. Classes will meet on Wednesday evenings from 7pm – 8pm (pst) where the first half an hour will be lesson & questions. Then the second half hour will be a group sketch where you can try out your new skills. Come join us! Class is only $25 and you can register here: https://onlinecourses.jasonmayr.com/courses/introduction-to-procreate-class |
Paint with Thomas W. Schaller:
| WHAT: LIVE ONLINE WORKSHOP, “Architecture of Light” WHEN: APRIL 16, 17 & 18, 2021 9am – 4pm COST: $250. MBAA Members or 310. Non-Members REGISTER Discover why it’s better to be less concerned with technical expertise and more about inspiration and observation. This workshop is provided online from the safety of your home or studio. Appropriate for all skill levels. For More information about Thomas W. Schaller and this workshop, please visit:www.ArtCenterMorroBay.org |
Loved learning more about your talented and enthusiastic team! I can feel the love and excitement for art when I come into the store. Thanks
Thank you Denise we love our store and our customers and I’m glad it shows!