The art comes pouring out

Luis Pena

The Camp will host a benefit art show featuring Orange County artists

who have all designed special creations out of Thermoses. In addition

to the Thermos displays, there will also be various works of art to

look at on Saturday.

The idea behind event is to show what local young artists and

designers, some from the surf and skate fashion industry, are capable

of, said Chris Bennet, the organizer of the event.

With the gallery being held at the Camp, old-fashioned Thermos

bottles seemed like a natural selection to use as a medium. All the

works will be auctioned off. The proceeds from the auction will go to

a local charity and another charity called Pioneers, which will help

to better schools in Indonesia.

“There’s definitely a flavor that Orange County has in that area

[design] that can be seen in fashion, the surf skate industry and

that’s going to show up in the show as well,” Bennet said.

Each of the 10 artists will be showing their latest works,

paintings, drawings and of course, Thermoses.

One of the participating artists is Jill Griffith, an Orange

County artist who is a member of the L.A. Art Assn. and works in

mixed media. Her work features a lot of photography. She mixes the

film with resins, copper and wood.

“When the theme of the show was announced and Thermos containers

were sent to each of the artists, I immediately began the challenge

of building a story around the piece,” she said. “I wanted to share

the struggle of coffee addiction and a break-up. I call it ‘Dear

Joe.’”

She has copper wires coming out of the Thermos so that it appears

as though coffee is pouring out of it. She also has a “Dear Joe”

letter with it. Griffith became involved with the show because she

felt that it was an opportunity to work with local artists and

contribute to charity.

Luke Mysse is another local artist who decided to get involved

with the show. He felt inspired to go back to art because he hasn’t

done anything outside of his profession in the last five years.

He brings 14 years of professional graphic design experience to

the show, not to mention that he’s been an artist all of his life.

His brother Johnny Mysse’s appearance at the show was another reason

why he decided to participate.

He also does photography, combining it with pop art and

advertising art.

His Thermos creation, “Holiday Blend,” will be a parody on all of

the special holiday blend coffees that establishments such as

Starbucks produce. Luke Mysse will have various Christmas objects

pouring out of it.

He feels that he can truly be creative in this particular show

because he doesn’t have to take orders from clients the way that he

does at work.

“I really like spending time alone out at the beach ... things

like that inspire me,” Luke Mysse said.