The Artists Fund at Festival of Arts
Festival of Arts, 650 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, CA. 92651
TheArtistsFund-foa.org Info@TheArtistsFund-FoA.org 949 / 612-1949
“Q and A” with Isabelle Alessandra
Think.Joy.
Fifth year FOA exhibitor Isabelle Alessandra is noted for her vibrant abstract and geometric paintings. The Artist Fund recently caught up with her for a fascinating “Q and A” interview. We find her answers are equally as intriguing as her art!
Q: What are your favorite museums?
A: Four art museums immediately come to mind, two in Paris and two here in Southern California: I love the Centre Pompdou (under renovation now) for its huge collection of modern and contemporary art, and the Musée D’Orsay for its iconic masterpieces of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art. Locally, partly because of the smaller size of both, I love the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena for its collection of modern and impressionist art, and the ever changing and rather eclectic exhibits of California artists in the Laguna Art Museum.
Q: Who is a favorite artist?
A: I am consistent with this answer – there are three:
1) I love the late 1960’s era of Richard Diebenkorn’s work when he created his extensive series of geometric, lyrical abstract paintings.
2) I am particularly moved by the wonderful explorations of color in the work of Mark Rothko.
3) I am inspired by the fearless, raw bravery in Jean Michel Basquiat’s work.
Q: What are favorite things about Festival of Arts?
A: This is an easy question. It’s the people – the people I meet who attend, the community of artists, the staff, the volunteers. It’s an amazing collaboration that feels like magic when it all comes together each summer. As in all art shows, the energy just before the gates open on Artists Preview Nightis especially exciting. And the music – I have to mention how much I love the variety and quality of the bands.
Q: I became an artist because?
A: Five and-a-half years ago I made a career shift from CEO of my own consulting firm to full-time artist because of words of wisdom from my 96 year-old mother during her final hours in hospice: She told me to stop wasting time and use my gift, develop my talent and do whatever it takes to find out if I can make it as a full-time artist. She told me to let the world know what I can do — and so I did. My work as an artist is like a life-force, and it’s a cherished legacy from my mother.
Q: A favorite location where your work is installed?
A: This is difficult to answer, so I’m going to say no favorites, but I’ll list where I’ve shown my work starting with a special shout out to Sandstone Gallery in Laguna Beach and to Peterson Contemporary Art in Bend, Oregon. Both are galleries who have been especially supportive in my growth. I am super fortunate that my work has been shown in galleries in California, Oregon, Arizona and Massachusetts, and abroad in Paris, Madrid, Stuttgart, Beijing, and Innsbruck.
Q: Any signature elements, that make your work unique?
A: I have a tagline that keeps me focused: “Think.Joy.” Both words that inform the way I work and how I know a painting is finished:
THINK. Each painting begins with a mindset of play and without a plan. As each piece evolves, deliberate decisions about composition are influenced by the universal visual language used by abstract and representational fine artists: color, value, line, shape, form, texture, and the principles of design. I paint on high quality wood panels custom made for me in Oregon. The tough wood substrate allows me to aggressively sand and scratch back into the many changing layers of paint to reveal what I call ‘the history’ of the work. This process gives me infinite possibilities to consider. The constantly repeated work of layering and sanding provides a unique richness and depth to the color and design.
JOY. At the core of each work is the absolute joy I feel when painting. A painting isn’t finished until I can see the joy in it. I hope that same feeling is what viewers sense when they look at my work.
Q: Describe something unexpected about your career:
A: Getting into the Festival of Arts the first time was one of the most exciting things that has happened to me. I’d only been painting for a few months when I applied. I knew that risk taking was an important part of my growth, and I had no expectations. I literally burst into tears of joy when I go the acceptance letter. This will be my 5th consecutive year and I still feel the same way. It’s an amazing honor to be chosen by the jury to show my work with such extraordinary artists.
Q: What’s your greatest career achievement?
A: When I declared my new career as a working artist, I set financial goals for each of the first five years, increasing over time. I’m a contributing member to my family’s living expenses – this isn’t a hobby. By my fifth year I needed to meet or exceed what I was earning as a consultant. I’ve met all of those goals, and now I’m raising the bar again. I’m really proud of that.
Q: What would be a dream project?
A: My dream is studio (in Paris) where I create a series of paintings for a dedicated solo show of 15 pieces, 8 to 20 feet in diameter. I am seriously working toward one day making that happen on some scale.
Visit website → https://isabelle-alessandra-artist.com/
The City of Laguna Beach, a partner of Festival of Arts, also provides support to The Artists Fund through exhibition
space at City Hall, under direction of the City's Cultural Arts Department. "Our spring shows at City Hall provide a
great venue for FOA artists and the public to connect," said Wirth.
Laguna Clay Company sponsors the platter decorating event at FOA
Another important program partner is Laguna Clay Company, who provides bisque platters,
underglazes, and firings for the popular platter decorating demonstration on FOA membership day.
Other valued support comes from Third Street Writers Art Inscribed program (see story above),
and The Tides Inn for the Art-To-Go Buyers Bonus prize (see story above).
"We also keep an active membership with Laguna Beach Arts Alliance in hopes of building future
collaborations with other cultural groups," said Wirth.
Join 80 local artists and art lovers for gourmet foods, mimosas, and live music by Dave Murdy.
A paint-around, performed by Hilary McCarthy, along with FOA artists Sandra Jones Campbell and Elizabeth McGhee,
will offer opportunity for guests to join in. Those playing the free LOCA bingo trivia game, conceived by Dawn Buckingham,
will find clues throughout the event space.
LOCA's ArtsGiving Tree group art project invites everyone (absentees included)
to donate $50 online (link below) or in-person, and have their personal ceramic leaf added to the centerpiece tree sculpture.
Leaves will be gifted to each donor afterward. Silent auctions for stays at The Ranch, dining at Starfish,
golfing at Monarch Beach Golf Links and more will round out the fun.
Advance registration required, $30 guests / free to LOCA members.
