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Friday, May 18, 2012

Inspirations on Balboa Island

Welcome.  I am so happy that you stopped by.  My garden gate is always open for you to come in and sit and relax with a cup of tea while I share with you the inspirations for my art.  My garden is very often the inspiration for my art as well as the charming little island on the Newport Bay - Balboa Island. Today I want to share this charming island with you. I feel so fortunate to live just two miles from the island as it is a very special place for me -  that is where I got my start as a new artist about ten years ago when I started showing my work at the art walk.  Once a year there is a fabulous juried art walk featuring over 100 artists who show their art along the seawall on the bay. 

                                                       Balboa Island Art Walk -
                                                 http://www.balboaislandartwalk.info/


Above photo of my space taken several years ago before I was invited to show my art at the Heart of The Island Gallery.


                                     Photos of  the talented artists at the Art walk on the bay.






The Balboa Pavilion across the bay  is over 100 years old and is a landmark on the Newport Bay.  I often use it a a backdrop in my paintings.






The fairy boat takes you across from the island to the Newport Peninsular - I also use the Ferris wheel in the background of some of my paintings.




Some of my new paintings inspired by the island charm that are featured at The Heart of The Island Gallery.























I no longer participate in the art walk art show as my paintings are now at The Heart of The Island art gallery on the island - http://www.heartoftheisland.net/


 Let's take a little tour of the island.













Bentley' s favorite store on the island is The Barkery - a charming pet bakery and shop!





Parking is very tight on the island and little mini cars are popular means of transportation.


The yards are small and the sidewalk gardens are charming.
















Love the blue and white plates hung over the door.





Thank you for stopping by.  I hope you enjoyed the little tour of Balboa Island where so much of the inspiration for my "Beach Cottage" art comes from.  I love hearing from you and sincerely appreciate your visits, e-mails, comments and those of you who follow my blog.  Please let me know if you have any questions or would like to see me paint something special.

                                                 Have a lovely week.  Blessings, Erin



                                        "To set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace".  Romans  8:6

10 comments:

Jen said...

such a nice post
a lovely island
such inspiration in the art walk
thanks for sharing this :)

Terra said...

Well, YES, I liked this tour of Balboa Island, the darling gardens and cottages, and your beautiful paintings of sea, beach and flowers.
Do you take the ferry to get there?

Shannon said...

We usually spend a week on the charming island of Balboa during the Summer and my favorite part is always taking a walk in the evenings and seeing the gorgeous flowers everyone has in their yards!

Anonymous said...

How lucky you are to live close by such a beautiful place.
I love the bright colors of the shops and cottages. Some are very inspiring and your new paintings are beautiful and fit so well this charming place.
Thank you very much for sharing.

Ruth Welter said...

Erin, what a beautiful art show. I remember you posting about it in years past as well. So pretty and inspirational. Lovely new work as well.

Ruth

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Very interesting... I really like it... Thank you so much...

Candy said...

I just ran across your blog on someone's post on Facebook and had to come take a look. I love your art and will be back often to keep up with what you're doing. Im now following you. Please come visit me at PICKINandPAINTIN.blogspot.com and maybe you'll decide to follow back??? THANKS.

Wildflowerhouse said...

Erin thank you so much for this wonderful post. Many years ago I was taken to Balboa Island and fell in love with it. The colors, the artist touches everywhere, everything about it.The gardens and the people too. Your paintings are wonderful.

Vicki Boster said...

Oh Erin I loved the island tour-- I'd love to visit there!! How wonderful to see some of the places that you use as your inspirations-- and then to see the beautiful paintings. Your artistic abilities are amazing-- I truly love everything you do--

Vicki

Cris, Artist in Oregon said...

I found your blog when you commented on Laurie's blog post. She is the one losing her sight. I was so delighted to see familiar territory as we moved from Costa Mesa eight and half years ago. I lived there for close to 40 years. I was missing Balboa Island and it was a treat to see it here. I have taken many photos from around the Island and recognize much. Love your style. I do oils mostly but have been dabbling in journaling with ink and watercolors. I am now following you. Thanks for the walk down memory lane. :)