A few weeks ago, I had the wonderful opportunity to participate in a surf-themed art show presented by the Del Mar Historical Society at the beautiful L'Auberge Del Mar Hotel in Del Mar, California. It was such a fun and meaningful experience to share my artwork in a setting that celebrates the coastal lifestyle, creativity, and the unique character of our local community.
Inspired by the California Coast
As an artist, I love exploring color, movement, and the energy of the natural world in my paintings. The ocean has always been an incredible source of inspiration, and the Southern California coastline offers endless possibilities for capturing light, color, and atmosphere.
For this show, I featured vibrant colors, expressive brushstrokes, dramatic sunsets, crashing waves, and the unmistakable feeling of being at the beach. I wanted my work to capture more than just a beautiful coastal scene — I wanted to convey the movement of the water, the warmth of the sand, and that magical moment when the sky lights up with brilliant oranges, pinks, purples, and blues as the sun begins to set.
My painting pictured here brings together many of those elements, with a surfer standing along the shoreline beneath a colorful sunset. I love using bold, unexpected color combinations to create paintings that feel energetic, expressive, and full of life.
Bringing My Students' Art Into the Show
One of the most rewarding parts of this experience was being able to include artwork created by some of my own students!
As a high school art teacher, I believe that creating opportunities for students to share their work beyond the classroom is incredibly important. Art isn't just about completing an assignment or earning a grade. It's about developing a creative voice, taking artistic risks, expressing ideas, and discovering how our work can connect with other people.
Being able to showcase student artwork alongside my own was a special way to celebrate their creativity and hard work. I love seeing students experiment with color, develop their individual styles, and realize that their artwork deserves to be seen and appreciated.
Experiences like this remind me why I love being both an artist and an educator. Inspiring students to create is wonderful, but helping them see themselves as artists is even more meaningful.
Celebrating Art in the Del Mar Community
The setting at L'Auberge Del Mar was a beautiful backdrop for an art show inspired by the ocean and the coastal lifestyle. Del Mar has such a distinctive artistic character, and its connection to the beach, surfing, and Southern California culture made it a fitting place to celebrate this theme.
I'm grateful to the Del Mar Historical Society for organizing the show and creating an opportunity for local artists and student artists to share their work with the community.
It's always exciting to step outside the classroom and connect with other people through art. Whether I'm creating a new painting in my studio or helping students explore their own ideas, I love how art brings people together and gives us new ways to see the world around us.
Art, Community, and Creativity
This show was a wonderful reminder of how much inspiration we can find in the places we know and love. Sometimes it's the colors of a sunset, the movement of the waves, or a familiar stretch of coastline that sparks an entirely new creative idea.
I'm excited to share more photos from the show, including additional paintings and the student artwork that was part of this special event.
Thank you again to the Del Mar Historical Society for supporting the arts and making this experience possible. I'm so happy I could be part of it!
Here's to more creativity, more color, and more opportunities to share art with our community.