Artists of the Month - October 2016

by Judie Apablaza

Jay Ewing, was our blue ribbon winner in the “Premier” category. The title of his watercolor, “Cape May Victorian” is a fine example of his work. The setting for his painting was a small fishing village on the southern tip of New Jersey. This particular Cape May Victorian is in a setting with other historic residences frozen in time, amid storefront style coffee shops and Bed and Breakfast charmers looking out over the water. Jay’s wife has family in the surrounding area and Jay delights in these visits to capture intricate details of those stately building known as “Painted Ladies.” Jay mentioned that the setting is even more welcoming because the people in the village are very friendly and the general ambience of the small town seems tucked away from the “always in a hurry” mode of big cities. 

Even though the setting for the painting was a trifle overcast he took several photographs as a reference, completing the watercolor in the studio setting. Jay is a master of light and shadow especially when it entails historical buildings imbedded in interesting landscapes.  
    
Jay has a commercial art background with professional art training and continues to show his work in galleries. He enjoys  teaching at Descanso Gardens, being called back many times by popular demand. Jay has also taught art classes at his church for many years as well as working for a small company in the capacity of marketing and sales. We are not surprised that our award winner states that art is his “passion.” Verdugo Hills Art Association is very fortunate to have this well-respected artist as a colleague, demonstrator and teacher.

Our winner in the “Open” category was Judie Apablaza. She states that Autumn or the "harvest season" is her favorite time of the year. September is back to school, the heat of Summer diminishing with the leaves in the mid-west and east-coast starting to turn bright, warm colors. Judie states that this is the time for pumpkin pie, sweaters and hot, mulled cider. Her watercolor painting titled, “Ghost Pumpkin and Friends” is a whimsical still-life theme captured from a composite of several photographs. 

Judie loves the approach of the season which also speaks to centuries of harvest traditions in Ireland and Scotland. From legends we have “Stingy Jack” where he was set off into the dark with a burning coal to light his way. Jack put the coal into a carved turnip. The Irish began to refer to this ghostly figure as “Jack of the Lantern” when the United Kingdom’s early immigrants brought their traditions with them and employed the pumpkin in their festivities. 

Judie states that she is an amateur and hobbyist in the field of art, having spent her career as a college professor in the field of Psychology.  Judie is very honored to be a part of the Verdugo Hills Art Association membership and continues to be encouraged by those who share their tips, techniques and expertise with her.