Easel-y does it

Connect with coastal artists at Art on the Edge this weekend

Being on the Oregon Coast is a beautifully immersive experience. Observing the ever-changing ocean, seeing the rich diversity of birds, smelling the Sitka spruce trees — perhaps this is why it serves as such a cradle of inspiration for so many artists.

In order to showcase the talent of the coast’s vibrant artistic community the Lincoln City Cultural Center has developed an event that allows people to connect with coastal artists in a unique and personal way.

The Art on the Edge Studio Tour is a self-guided visit to studio spaces of well-known artists where guests will be able to visit exclusive locations, observe artists’ creative processes and purchase art. And to make sure all who want to attend can, the event is free.

“This started because we have such a rich and incredible artistic community here,” said Krista Eddy, the center’s visual arts director. “We wanted to harness that and showcase this area as a place known for art.”

The sixth annual event will take place Friday, June 16, through Sunday, June 18.

The tour will include a range of media from oil and acrylic painting to metal sculpture, glassblowing, fire painting and more. It also includes roughly 70 artists across up to 30 studios.

Taking part in the tour for the first time this year is nationally acclaimed artist Michael Schlicting, who will welcome guests to his Hawk Creek Gallery in Neskowin.

Schlicting’s works aim to capture mood, feeling and universal longing rather than literal, physical realism. His multi-layered work is rooted in the abstract forms of nature. His paintings hang in more than 2,500 public, corporate and private collections around the world.

Another of the talented artists featured is Nora Sherwood, a science illustrator who infuses detailed accuracy and advocacy into her art. With a background in tech, she brings a multi-faceted perspective that illuminates one main goal.

“I adopted a statement of purpose when I decided to become a science illustrator,” she said. “Baba Dioum, a Senegalese forestry engineer, said ‘In the end we will conserve only what we love, we will love only what we understand and we will understand only what we are taught.’ Science illustrators are part of the system that tries to do that teaching to foster love and hopefully conservation.”

Though it is impossible to tell by looking at Sherwood’s stunning art, she never considered herself an artist and did not begin to pursue it until later in life.

“Becoming a science illustrator, I did almost every assignment twice,” she said. “I’m an example of somebody who changed directions pretty late in life, and so I was able to objectively observe myself put in hard work and go from not being an artist at all to being fairly proficient.”

Sherwood’s studio space is an octagonal sculpture with a cupola sticking out the top with lovely views out of every window.

Another incredible artist partaking in the tour is Maria Esther Sund who primarily does collage and mixed media to make beautifully rich and layered pieces that evoke a sense of ease and nostalgia.

“Mixed media is so forgiving and playful,” she said. “It’s like exploring for the first time. Sometimes I just want to paint but I always end up gluing something.”

As far as the studio tour goes, Sund loves getting to interact with people.

“Art on the Edge is so fun,” she said. “I love getting feedback, answering any and all questions and learning from others, too. It’s wonderful to have more in-depth conversations and exchange ideas. It’s exciting that it keeps growing, too.”

Sund’s studio has an incredible view of the Salmon River and evokes a welcoming feeling for all who pass through.

The cultural center’s Chessman Gallery will showcase work by every artist on the tour from May 26 until July 2.  A booklet listing all the studios is available at the cultural center and at all the studio sites during the tour.

The Art on the Edge Tour ranges from Neskowin to Newport along Highway 101 and roughly six miles east from the coast in Toledo and will be open from 11 am to 5 pm.

For more information, go to artstudiotourLCCC.com.