The members of the Brush and Palette Artist Group all hold one thing in common: They wield a brush with such honed skill that their work truly qualifies as fine art. But the idle hands of a painter are often used for other things, and each member has more than the group’s namesake in their toolbox. That’s why Brush and Palette’s annual fine arts show began including crafts for sale alongside its members’ paintings last year, explained member Marilyn Benson.
“It was incredible; we had so many people and sales that we are going to do it again over two days this year,” she said. “We are all creative, and we found out the more we talked, we all do something different when we’re not painting.”
The painting skill of Brush and Palette members straddles a wide range of genres, Benson explained, including abstract, landscapes, portraits, and more. The same goes for the group’s collective crafting skills. Benson herself makes baby clothes while member like Hattie Stoddard make teddy bears.
Member Michelle Ellis wields the needle and thread in lieu of the brush and palette. When not creating abstract paintings, Ellis makes unique pillows with fabrics and patterns that harmonize to create a stuffing-filled art piece. With a base fabric as a canvas or backdrop, Ellis explores several themes with lace, buttons, charms, and even pictures or designs.
“I do different kinds: I have a romance line, a pet line, a décor line, but no two pieces are duplicated; they are all original,” Ellis said. “They’re not a pillow you would lay your head down on to take a nap; these are pillows that are meant to be a statement piece on a chair or on a couch or on a bed.”
Brush and Palette members—Benson, Stoddard, Ellis, Minnie Anderson, Barbara Shepherd, Bev Hoebel, Robert Hoebel, Vora Souza, and Debbie Hart—may all differ in their respective crafts, but they share painting, creativity, and camaraderie together. The group meets regularly at Benson’s house to share their work with one another, Benson explained. They help each other look at their paintings with a different perspective.
“We give very friendly and gentle criticism to each other,” Benson said. “And it really helps; it helps you to look at it a little differently.”
The show is a chance for the members to share their collected efforts with the public and the longtime followers who attend the annual meeting at the Foxenwood Tennis Swim Club in Orcutt. The event includes food and wine as well, which lends to the friendly, celebratory atmosphere of the show where artists and appreciators get to socialize, buy, and sell.
“To be able to be around like-minded people who enjoy art and being creative, that’s fun and stimulating,” Ellis said. “But also, to interact with the customer and just hear their reactions and provide something that is unique and personal for them, that’s rewarding too.”
Happy customers are also something Brush and Palette members hold in common. Each member achieves an incredible output due to the demand for his or her fine and crafty creations. They will always make time, though, to get together, share work, and talk shop.
“Artists are a different breed, and we all live and breath art,” Benson said. “We are a cohesive and friendly group of professional artists.”
Arts Editor Joe Payne loves to talk shop. Contact him at jpayne@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Mar 5-12, 2015.
