. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Strasburg Studio Archives: Rediscovery in the Stacks

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Y O U ’ R E S W E L L

JUNE SPOTLIGHT : "You’re Swell"
30 x 48", oil on birch panel, 2023.

Ask me about price, delivery and install
Thank you for joining me on this monthly trip through the archives of my studio.

It’s June and summer is just around the corner, bringing with it a familiar pull—those sweet, restless memories of wanting to break free. The final stretch of school, the rush of last exams, and then at last, release—into the warmth of endless days. Sunbaked skin, ocean salt lingering in your hair and on your lips, time stretching out like a shimmering ribbon. Days spent outside, unburdened by homework or deadlines, filled instead with the laughter of friends and quiet hours lost in books in the shade of trees. Everything felt open. Anything felt possible.

This month’s spotlight, You’re Swell, calls the viewer into the cool foam of the sea, evoking a sense of freedom and lightness that so often accompanies the summer months. The colors, textures, and movements of the ocean serve as a reminder of the carefree days of our youth, when time seemed to stretch on endlessly and the demands of adulthood hadn’t yet taken hold.

But how can we, as adults, bring more of that feeling into our daily lives? How can we tap into the same sense of joy and ease that summer once provided, even when the hustle and bustle of work, responsibilities, and constant connectivity threaten to overwhelm us? Is it possible to let go of the never-ending list of tasks and obligations?

Perhaps now, it takes intention—a conscious choice to create space for joy. To deliberately carve out time for rest, for play, for those unexpected moments that become lasting memories.

Let’s bring more of that summer spirit into adulthood, making the space for adventure, spontaneity, and simple pleasures. Why not? And why not now-infuse our lives with the same joy and freedom that summer so effortlessly provides.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

You’re Swell was created in 2023 for the solo exhibition SURFacing at Sullivan Goss. This piece was part of a broader dialogue—one that began with my 2021 show SEA CHANGE. Both exhibitions explored the local shoreline — the places where land meets sky and sea, where boundaries blur and freedom feels just within reach. The painting was again exhibited in the Spring Salon of 2024 and can still be viewed at Sullivan Goss in Santa Barbara, you need only ask to see it.

Did you know?

I happen to be one of two creatives in my current household – and I’m not talking about the dog! While I spend most days in my studio painting, my husband, Bill, is busy in his own shop creating amazing, one-of-a-kind chairs. When the house began to fill with furniture, Bill decided to learn photography and web design, building a website to share his growing collection, as well as how these wonderful, bespoke objects are constructed.

You can peruse all the different versions of the chair at Santa Barbara Woodworker dot com.
Make sure to check out the construction page! You can watch Bill make a chair from start to finish in under 30 minutes.

The chairs can be be seen, touched, sat in, and purchased at DIANI Living, 1324 State Street, Santa Barbara or by private showing with the artist.