Art enthusiasts followed the Yellow Brick Road during the 10th annual Sebastian Art Studio Tour, not to search for Oz, but to visit seven local art studios where they viewed the works of 10 Sebastian-area artists.
This year’s event was dedicated to the memory of longtime local artist Sharon Morgan, who passed away unexpectedly in 2020, leaving a lasting impression on the arts community that she loved.
Morgan had co-founded the tour with mixed-media artist Mary Segal as a way to generate greater awareness of the quality of art in Sebastian, while encouraging artists to share their creative processes with like-minded individuals.
Among the studios on the self-guided tour was that of Richard Gillmor, who dabbles in acrylic, oil and sculpture and who gravitates toward Florida’s flora and waterways as his muse.
At the studio of Michele Loftus-Trzcinski, the professional photographer and photo restoration artist talked shop with passers-by, reminiscing about the days of dark rooms. The multi-talented artist also creates on canvas using acrylics, oils, pen, ink and graphite.
Donna Ware, a Master Naturalist who showcases her love of nature through her art, displayed her delightful watercolors on the lawn of Trzcinski’s house.
A colorful explosion of art spilled out of Shelia Lougheed’s home, where she and studio mate Suze Lavender work. Invigorated by the steady stream of visitors, Lougheed, a mixed/oil artist, said she loved the feedback that they offered.
The energy between the duo was palpable, making it easy to see how Lavender is able to express her emotions through acrylics and oils.
The workspace of oil painter Lana McConnell flows from her garage to the back porch and into a studio, depending upon her mood. She said that her favorite place to paint, though, is outside on the screened porch, immersed in nature.
Although Geoffrey Myers is currently in the process of renovating his home and studio, he was more than happy to have guests visit his backyard studio – where all the magic happens – to view the paintings and sculptures he creates.
At Stouthouse, art enthusiasts walked through the home built by the late Weldon J. Stout to view his stained-glass work and oil paintings, as well as the artistic creations of wife Quentin Walter and the 100 pieces of artwork that make up their Seth Thelonious Alvin Foster Art Collection.
Candida Rodriguez, the current artist-in-residence at Stouthouse, welcomed guests into the studio where, she said, working among the trees has been genuinely inspiring and has enabled her to focus on her art.
The eclectic creations at Roy Woodall’s studio in the forest, where he also works on antique art and restoration, are a mix of medium with a decidedly Florida-centric flair.
Fellow creatives and art aficionados peppered the artists at each stop along the way with questions about technique, inspiration, mediums and more, with many so impressed that they used the opportunity to purchase pieces to add to their own collections.
For information, visit sebastianartstudiotour.com.
Photos by Kaila Jones
