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Strasburg Studio Archives: Rediscovery in the Stacks
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I S L A N D F E V E R
JULY SPOTLIGHT : Santa Cruz Island Trio
"Winter, SCI", 10 x 48", Oil on Birch Panel, 2011.
"Fog Bank near Willows", 10 x 48", Oil on Birch Panel, 2011.
"Valley Floor, SCI ", 16 x 72", Oil on Birch Panel, 2011.
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Thank you for joining me on this monthly trip through the archives of my studio.
Winter, Santa Cruz Island, 10 x 48”, oil on birch panel, 2011.
Even in the height of summer, with its long golden days and warm, embracing light, the world remains shadowed by sorrow, anxiety, and an overwhelming sense of uncertainty. I am not immune. Some days I find myself holding my breath, waiting—wondering what will unfold next and how we’ll navigate it all. There are moments when I long to run, to disappear from the noise and the endless stream of news, to find shelter in a quieter, gentler place.
Our nearby islands offer just such a refuge. A day—or a few—spent on their rugged shores feels like stepping back in time, to an era when life was simpler and more rooted in the rhythms of nature. Untouched by technology and modern distractions, they provide the space to breathe, to reflect, and to remember what truly matters.
This month, I’m sharing a suite of panoramic paintings inspired by Santa Cruz Island, the largest of the five that make up the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. These works capture moments from sea to ridge to quiet inland valley—scenes of serenity and resilience amidst the chaos. For me, they evoke a timeless sense of calm, a reminder of what it means to live in harmony with the land, to care deeply for your family, and to find joy in the essentials.
Fog Bank, Santa Cruz Island, 10×48”, oil on birch panel, 2011.
Nature has always been my medicine—the salve for a soul worn thin by the world. Recently, I had the chance to retreat to a pine-covered mountainside, the air thick with the sweet, unexpected scent of butterscotch. A variety of birds were in residence while ravens swooped in and out of the canopies, their calls carrying on the wind like old stories being retold. Whether perched on a mountain or standing at the ocean’s edge, nature whispers to us—offering comfort, perspective, and a path back to ourselves.
Wherever this summer takes you, I hope you discover a moment of peace. A chance to remember the carefree magic of childhood, or simply the joy of a shared picnic in the company of those you love. May you find, if only briefly, the hope that summer promises—and the quiet strength to carry it forward.
Valley Floor, Santa Cruz Island, 16×72”, oil on birch panel, 2011.
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This trio of island images were created for the exhibition Island I Valleys I Home hosted by Sullivan Goss in Santa Barbara, Fall 2011. The video brochure is still available on the Sullivan Goss YouTube channel. Although Fog Bank migrated back to my studio after the closing of the exhibit, Valley Floor spent a year in San Diego at Susan Street Fine Art and Winter, Santa Cruz participated in the National Park juried exhibition at the Wildling Museum in 2016; both returning home in early 2017.
Revisit July 2024 Spotlight: Island Hike, another view from Santa Cruz Island.
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DID YOU KNOW?
Santa Cruz Island is largest in the chain of five islands making up the Channel Island National Park. The trusty guides at Island Packers, out of Ventura Harbor, take multitudes of interested adventurers out daily on the short boat ride to Scorpion Anchorage on the north side of the island. Stay for the day or pack your gear to camp, hike, and kayak for several days in this idyllic environment.
Find me this July in Lotusland Celebrates: Jardin des Rêves at Sullivan Goss, June 27-July 28. Also look for me at the Seattle Art Fair showing with Ocotillo, July 17-20.
Welsh Stick Chairs made by Bill Marazita at Santa Barbara Woodworker dot com
