Robert Nanninga was a force of nature in the Encinitas community. Writer, poet, environmentalist, activist, actor, and a catalyst for all things creative, blessed with the true spirit of The Trickster. Vanessa Lemen was inspired by a poem by Bob called “Ode To The Tree People”, which he included in the last editorial he wrote for The Coast News from his hospital bed. The first line reads: “Who are the people who speak for the trees, giving them voice from root tip to leaves”…the last line reads:

“Make no mistake, I stand with the trees”.

He was buried under an oak tree. His spirit lives on in everything around us.

“The Complexities of Life”

Cindy Lee Berryhill is a singer songwriter who started playing in the 80s’ “anti folk” movement, and has toured all over the world and has recorded five CDs of original tunes, her latest being “Beloved Stranger”, (Populuxe Records). Ron Lemen says of his piece: “This is a symphonic composition, relating loud imposing sounds with the smaller more scintillating crisp chimes and cymbals of the mind; a convoluted cacophony of canvases big and little. Life takes us on so many journeys, some hopeful, some painful, others fantastical, trivial, spiritual, political, etc. Central to all this is Home or A Place We Feel Secure. Art is Home to the artist, as we rest in it, grow in it, find relief in it, and reflect it, or heal in it. Well rested and recharged by it, we journey on once again”.

Brian Weisz, 25, has been studying at Ron and Vanessa Lemens’ Second Street Studio for three years, and is currently the manger at Rhino Art. Later this year, he’ll also be exhibiting another portrait in the upcoming “Movers and Shakers” group show sponsered by the San Diego Visual Arts Network. Vanessa Lemen, not only teaches drawing and painting at her place, Studio 2nd Street in downtown Encinitas, but also works in photography, (digital and old school), and illustration. Vanessa will also have a piece in the “Movers and Shakers” show as well.

Manuelita Brown is a sculptor who works in bronze; “figurative, often with an abstract basis”. Her latest work, “Encinitas Child”, is part of Encinitas Public Art program and will be installed along our historic downtown Highway 101. Kevin Anderson is a well known muralist, who not only grew up in Encinitas, but also had Ms. Brown as a mathematics teacher at San Dieugito High School.

Jim Hornung made this piece out of wood, plaster, gesso, and gilded it with aluminum leaf, using asphaltum as a “goldening agent”, on the exterior frame.  His last show was a six month engagement at the 2nd City Council Gallery in Long Beach, where he exhibited over 70 pieces of his Archeo Art. Kevin Anderson, well known for his murals in Encinitas, lives in Cardiff, and his community is, indeed, his gallery, and ours.

Anne Julian was a social worker for many years, and ended up at Hospice where she organized the successful event, Art From The Heart, an art show with proceeds going to Hospice, and now she works in Environmental studies with water. For Rodney’s piece, she was inspired by his use of recycled trash as an art medium. Rodney McCoubrey is currently exhibiting his work at Leucadias’ newest fine art venue, The Eric Phleger Gallery, and he also has permanent installations at the Encinitas Library.

Fred Caldwell is, “just a local guy forever”, who owns Caldwell’s Antiques in Leucadia. He’s on the board the of Leucadia Town Council, the Leucadia 101 Mainstreet Association, and is responsible for the huge surf-city theme graphics that adorn the exterior our city buses. Mary Fleener didn’t have a choice when she asked Fred to do a portrait for the AxA show. “I WANNA PAINT YOU!!”, Fred said… and the rest, as they say, is history. Fred’s piece , made with ”Sculpey”, was inspired by a womans’ costume in a turn of the century fortune teller machine. Fleener also sees The Future, and it’s always colorful.

World class surfer, Rob Machado, lives in Cardiff. “The nature of my art is FUN”, states Rodney McCoubrey, who has made a name for himself by using ONLY recycled materials as his art supplies. He has a permanent installation of whimsical fish in the childrens area at the Encinitas Library, as well as floral sculptures in the librarys’ gardens, all made with used plastic bottle caps, wire, house paint, and other forms of fresh garbage.

Ron Lemen , (and Vanessa Lemen ) , teach drawing, painting, and art theory, at Studio Second Street in downtown Encinitas. Their space is used for shows, classes, workshops, and the popular “2nd Friday Night Sketch Night”. Ron’s work has been widely exhibited all over the US. Dody Tucker, is not only known for her civic involvment within the community, but as you can see, I wasn’t kidding when I said she knew how to use a pen and brush.

Dody Tucker is the director of the Downtown Encinitas Mainstreet Association, and serves on the Encinitas Arts Commission. She is also an artist and her expertise is portraiture. Taina Ringeride was the owner of the eclectic gift shop, Casa de Corozon in Leucadia, but is still buying and selling folk art from all over the US and Mexico. Her portrait of Dody is a classic example of “back painting” on glass.