The Art of Michael Arntz
An artist in Montecito received a gift of a unique ceramic charger plate found at a thrift store in Goleta. It’s signed ‘M Arntz.’ She wrote about the blue glaze …
OACT Presents Meteor Shower
Director Brian Robert Harris, and actors Anna Kotula, John Medieros, Kimberly Demmary, and evan austin talk about the Ojai Art Center Theater production of Steve Martin’s comedy Meteor Shower, January …
The Power of Green Stamps
I discovered pasted-down Green Stamps in Grace’s bottom drawer when she passed away at 101. Seeing them transported me back to our kitchen table in Deerfield, Illinois. Young Elizabeth watched …
Vintage Mallory Hat
FM of Montecito sent me a photo of his grandfather’s vintage Mallory hat. He wonders what became of the venerable custom and manufacture of American fedoras. The story is a …
Best Gifts for Artists in Your Life
Tips for selecting the best gift for the artist in your life. Watch Video
Tear Catcher: A Sentimental Gift
SR sent me this pink and blue gold gilded porcelain bottle with an ornate gold stopper and interesting “scoop” or funnel to the top in metal. She called it a …
Making Art and Living the Authentic Life
Prof. Caroline Arruda talks about her upcoming lecture, “Making Art and Living the Authentic Life.” at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art on Thursday, December 14 at 5:30 pm. Watch …
Buddhist Temple Lion Ming or Not?
FK, an older resident of Montecito, sent me a Kodak photo of her Temple Lion in the US Post (snail-mail). She asked if her Chinese ceramic was in fact late …
Tonia Shimin and Cie Gumucio
Dancer and author Tonia Shimin talks about her book, The Art of Symeon Shimin, then Cie Gumucio discusses California Poets in the Schools. Watch Video
Value of All Things Bob Dylan
When a museum welcomes an object or collection, values rise for objects with similar provenance. A reader’s Bob Dylan collectible vinyl album serves as a great example of this phenomena, …