Our pueblo of Todos Santos, a bohemian artist community, was in true form on Sunday, February 12 when over 30 local artists opened their studio doors and welcomed in the public for the 3rd Annual Artists’ Open Studio Tour. From Villa Santa Cruz, Todos Santos Hotel, we headed into town and started the tour at the neighborhood café, Cafelix, to receive our self-guided tour map and official red wristband. We also browsed Cafelix’s Visions Gallery which had on display one work from each artist on the Studio Tour. As novice art enthusiasts (notice the emphasis!), we set out on the tour, looking forward to chatting with the artists and learning about their craft.
We headed up the main drag and stopped in at the Galeria de Todos Santos to visit with artists Michael Cope and Erick Ochoa. Their studio, an outdoor garden space draped in weather-resistant tarps, let in natural sunlight and a soft breeze while beautifully exhibiting their large oil works. (They also have an Asian inspired restaurant, Michael’s at the Gallery, on Friday & Saturday nights).
We then stopped at Diane Knight’s Purple Door Studio and enjoyed her work – lovely paintings inspired by life in Mexico.
At Tori Sepulveda’s studio, we were hypnotized by her paintings of strong women and horses.
Next door, we visited with Nanette Hayles and ogled her vibrant mosaics and discussed her emotionally charged pieces that depict the assassinations of John F. Kennedy and Bobby Kennedy.
Jill Logan’s lovely garden studio displayed her colorful and sensual landscapes, broken tile murals and bold abstracts.
As we headed back towards La Pastora Beach to Villa Santa Cruz, we stopped at the Studio of Gloria Santoyo Ruenitz. She explained how she combines encaustic, found objects and photography into her works.
Our last stop was to see Jan Marie Sessler, whose serene abstracts featuring ocean colors and found materials were calming.
We were proud to have supported the artist community of Todos Santos during the Studio Tour. We are continually impressed by the ingenuity and beauty in the works they create. Our sincere thanks to the artists for sharing your spaces with us!
