The latest art exhibition at the Old Mill allows visitors to travel the world – all through paintings from California Art Club artists.
“Traversing the Globe” opened on Jan. 12 and features nearly 40 works depicting a wide variety of destinations including Parisian landmarks, rolling Tuscan hills, Caribbean beaches, Tanzanian mountain peaks and ancient Chinese fortifications.
An opening reception with the featured artists was held on Jan. 14 at the Old Mill.
Old Mill Foundation President John Quinn announced that the Old Mill is turning 200 this year.
“We are celebrating the whole year of 2016 as our 200th anniversary,” he said. “So this is the first event of the year of our 200th anniversary.”
Quinn said the foundation is delighted to be working with the California Art Club to present the exhibition.
California Art Club artists put their globetrotting memories on canvas for the show’s travel theme.
Artist Elaine Mathews’ two art piece submissions were inspired by her trips to Belgium and Greece. Her painting, “Beautiful Belgium,” portrays the time she spent painting en plein air in Belgium’s countryside.
“When I saw those poppies and I was on that hill painting, I just thought I was so lucky,” said Mathews, of Palm Springs. “It was wonderful.”
She said she particularly enjoys the California Art Club shows at the Old Mill because they always have a different theme.
“It makes it interesting because you never know what it’s going to be,” Mathews said.
The Czech Republic city of Cesky Krumlov was the subject of artist Esther Engelman’s pastel artwork.
“It was gorgeous,” she said, remarking she had to photograph it and paint it.
Engelman of Woodland Hills said the travel theme allows artists to show the memories of their trips.
Pasadena resident and artist Anna T. Kelly based her “Turkish Delight II, Istanbul” on her travels to Turkey’s most populous city.
“I went there because I wanted to see the Cradle of Cultures,” she said, adding that she went on a hot air balloon and saw the Cappadocia region, which she said was very special.
Kelly said she enjoys the travel theme because it’s inspirational.
Artist Debra Holladay of Pomona didn’t paint a landscape, but a still life Ikebana floral arrangement. Ikebana is a Japanese art of flower arranging. “It’s an orchid and some vases,” Holladay said. “I used the Japanese method of arrangement to tie it to the theme of the show.”
“Traversing the Globe” will be on display at the California Art Club Gallery at the Old Mill until May 15. All artwork is available for purchase with proceeds benefiting educational programs at the California Art Club and Old Mill. An online gallery can be viewed at californiaartclub.org. The Old Mill is open Tuesday through Sunday from 1 to 4pm; closed on Mondays and holidays. For more information, please email oldmill@sbcglobal.net or call 626.449.5458
