Serene surroundings for art walk

Andrew Edwards

No two artists paint the ocean the same way.

Some use watercolors; others prefer oils. A painter can layer

paint to create a texture that echoes the look of ripples along the

shoreline. Another can use quick brushstrokes to mimic the spray

created by a wave crashing against a rock.

On Saturday, hundreds gathered under clear skies to visit the

Balboa Island Artwalk. All who made their way along the crowded South

Bayfront sidewalk had the chance to see and buy a wide variety of

art, including several artists’ interpretations of the sea.

Balboa Island Artwalk director Debra Huse, whose exhibit included

an impressionistic painting of the Balboa Pavilion, was among the

many painters who offered interpretations of Newport Harbor. Huse,

who brought her curly black poodle, Clyde, to the show, helped

organize the event that grew into the art walk 11 years ago.

The event was much smaller the first year, Huse said. The entire

event was contained in a Marina Avenue storefront and featured 10

artists. This year, 110 artists and six bands were lined up along a

more-than-one-mile stretch of the Balboa Island waterfront.

“It’s been adventurous, and I’ve gotten to meet a lot of talented

artists,” Huse said. “I like to walk along and see what kind of art

I’d like to buy too.”

Plein-air painter John Eagle’s exhibition also included seascapes.

Eagle, who lives in Laguna Beach, finished a painting of the harbor

during the show. Eagle completed the painting in about 2 1/2 hours,

and his sweeping brushstrokes revealed the quickness of his work.

Eagle used a shade of peach to show sunlight bouncing off the

water. He said he and other plein-air artists have to work fast to

paint a scene before the daylight changes.

“You want to capture the light the way it is,” he said.

Costa Mesa artist Tracey Moloney did not focus on the sea as much

as others had, though her paintings of neon signs, classic cars and

local burger joints echoed the coastal culture.

“I’m trying to capture history when I paint,” she said.

The show was not exclusive to local-themed art or paintings.

Tanzanian-born photographer Paul Renner’s display included shots of

an elephant rearing up on its hind legs and a growling lioness.

Arroyo Grande artist Carlos Covarrubias had a table lined with blown

glass, crafted with whorls of bright colors.

The recent rains and clouds took a break Saturday, and artists and

visitors spent a day under clear skies between Balboa Island’s

neighborhoods and the harbor. The sounds of steel drums and singers

covering Frank Sinatra tunes provided background noise to the crowd’s

conversations.

“It’s a beautiful experience because it’s very serene out here,”

Newport Beach resident Liz Thomas said.

* ANDREW EDWARDS covers business and the environment. He can be

reached at (714) 966-4624 or by e-mail at andrew.edwards@

latimes.com.