Am still savoring the memories of a full day at Art in Bloom, Benicia’s First Annual Art Festival. Every block had something of interest going on. I’ll touch on just a few.
Walked over to The Plein Air Gallery to view some 80 wet paintings that had been completed that weekby plein air painters from all over the country. Ran into artist members Mary Lou Correia and JoanneMcMahon who were encouraging people to cast ballots for the People’s Choice Award. Carol Tarzier, a former gallery member, awarded prizes for the top three paintings and three Honorable Mentions.
Artist Member Michael Dadasovich was standing in front of an easel on the front porch demonstrating how to paint like beloved recently deceased artist Jerrold Turner who, along with Nikki Basch Davis, co-founded the Gallery. He showed me how to mix paints and then fill in a sketch he had blocked out from one of Turner’s original paintings, on the idea of paint-by- numbers but on a grander scale. One of my favorite winning paintings featured the fuchsia red front door of St. Pauls’ framed by leafy green cannalillies. Go to: pleinairgallery.com for a list of winners.
Hightailed it over to Cafe at the Inn to meet “Picasso” who was sitting at an easel in the garden rocking his usual blue and white striped jersey and a straw hat. He looked quite different from his photos as his eyes were baby blue and his hair blond. Was he wearing contacts? He was working at an easel on something that looked childlike — a green monster or some creature in front of the Himalayas. His pochade box held a big brush like a house painter and Crayolas. He had definitely moved on from his blue period. He was surprisingly gentle and kind.
“Who is your favorite artist?” I asked. “Rembrandt,” he said.
Getting into investigative reporter mode, I asked him why the mother of his children, Claude and Paloma, left him and later ran off with Jonas Salk. He paused, thought, and said “Abuse?” He has definitely mellowed.
Ten potters stooped over their wheels in a competitive pottery throw-down at Happy Life Pottery with owners David and Amy Stellato. Suspenseful music filled the air. Each potter wore one of the shop’s festive aprons which hung on a rack out front along with two full-sized surfboards covered with glass mosaics and CD’s as embellishments, looking like fish scales. For pictures see Facebook, “Happy Life Pottery.”
Dashed across the street to Vickie Marchand’s new mural on the alley by her NY2CA Gallery. Her back patio was abuzz with people of all ages making paper houses for an interactive art experience. Greeter Vicki Dennis set me up with artist Jane Ingram Allen, a Fulbright scholar who has taught handmade paper making all over the world. Joyce Byrum was meticulously placing daisies on her yellow house. I dipped mine into a vat of liquid paper colored with old Levis and pulled out an indigo house that looked like it had been artfully plastered.
The next step was to decorate it choosing from a table covered with all sorts of vegetation — petals, leaves, twigs, old book pages. What a thrill to see a rainbow of dozens of tiny houses lined up on the stone garden wall. I was touched by the thought and work that each person put into their creation.
Hurried past the State Capitol to meet “Bob Ross” at ArtCentric. Had watched him on TV years ago, mesmerized by his soft voice and gentle manner. His afro is still big as life. He seemed a lot younger than he appears on TV. His mustache was a different color than his beard and seemed a bit off center, but it might just be old age.
“Bob, do you ever get angry? I asked. “I do, but only secretly.”
Who is your favorite painter?” Always the peacemaker, he said,””I love a lot of people, and it’s hard to pick a specific one, but my favorite is Aline Kaproyen. (Coincidently, Aline, along with husband Steve, is co-owner of Artcentric.)
What was a horse trailer doing parked in front of The Hat Bar next to Benicia Fitness? Proprietor Anne Marie walked me to the back patio where I met Stephanie Peek, a licensed clinical social worker certified in equine therapy — and two horses, Ginger, a miniature paint horse who came up to my waist and a larger 30-year-old horse whose name I forgot. Sorry horsy. Ginger’s bangs and mane were silky from being brushed. Decorated with pink, blue and purple hair extensions and butterfly clips, Ginger doesn’t mindbeing painted with washable paints and having her hair braided and appreciates the mindful grooming.
“Horses are naturally regulating creatures and can work miracles with troubled kids,” Stephanie explained. Rustyhaloranch.com.
Was sitting with a friend at the art pianos in the patio in front of St. Paul’s waiting for the trolley to take me to Arts Benicia when a young woman jumped up from a picnic table, sat down at the baby grand and tickled the keys. Everybody was stunned into silence. She was playing an upbeat Scott Joplin ragtime by ear with the ease, of well, Scott Joplin. I started laughing, as she sounded like a player piano, hitting the notes in a staccato fashion, her purse casually draped over her shoulder. Sophia is an electrical engineerby trade and started playing piano at four years old. Her Mom made her take lessons, but she loved it and kept it up, unlike me who quit after ten years and can barely play chopsticks.
As a crowd gathered around someone said,” We’ve got to find you a job at a saloon.” I’d go in a minute. Sophia is seriously good.
Caught the trolley and breezed over to the Commandant’s Residence where executive director Celeste Smeland was helping to set up a flute concert on the capacious front porch at the 39th annual “Art of Community” — through July 19, 2026.
I didn’t mention seeing the flower arrangements or the musical venues or the belly dancer who balanced a candelabra on her head. Definitely put this magical day on your calendar for next year and start early.
Letters From Benicia 