Meet more than 70 Ojai artists and visit their home studios in this free tour
Wes Woods II
Some people enjoy painting by using a photo as a guide.
Not Ojai artist Susan Guy, who must go outside to create her plein air painting.
"It's almost like a spiritual experience for me," said Guy, 52, who is also a full-time psychiatrist. "I just find a place that feels good and go for it."
Guy is one of more than 70 artists participating in a free Ojai studio artist tour starting on Saturday and continuing through Monday. Attendees can visit the artists' home studios located throughout Ojai to view and purchase their work.
Artist Emily Thomas is taking part in her first Ojai artist tour after having gone to the event for the past 10 years of its nearly 40-year history.
"I'm a little nervous but excited to share my work. I think my work right now is focusing on abstract landscapes in the Ojai area: familiar places to people," she said.
Thomas, who will display her work at 519 N. Ventura Ave., said she wants audiences to find calm and peace in her work.
"I really love Ojai and the landscape so much," Thomas, 43, said. Her paintings range from $500 to $3,500.
When attendees register online, they'll receive a digital ticket and a detailed map. Event spokesman Christopher Noxon said it was really important for attendees to register to get the map and look at it before they head out.
"If you just come up and follow the signs, wherever they lead, there are 73 studios that are open and ... more than likely you're going to end up somewhere you're not totally excited about," said Noxon, also an artist.
He recommended people plan their routes and take a couple of days to view everything.
"It's hot sometimes, you're tired ... it's a lot," Noxon, 53, said. "You can figure out how many you're going to make, but don't try to see 30 studios in a day or you'll drop dead."
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Visitors can start the tour at the Ojai Valley Museum, where artwork from every artist participating in the event is displayed.
"As a first stop, you can see everybody's work and then be like, 'OK, I definitely want to see this guy. Don't need to see this,'" Noxon said.
While the process can be done online, in person makes a difference, he said.
The studio tour is celebrating its 39th year, said Chris Beirne, an artist and board president of the nonprofit behind the event, Ojai Studio Artists.
"I think it's good for people to see that artists are a part of your community. We live and work in this area, and I think that's important," said Beirne, adding the hope is that people also purchase art.
She said about 2,000 people have registered for the tour, but she expects the event will draw at least 3,000.
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Guy, who has been a part of the event for about 10 years, said the tour has evolved with newer members. She said organizers used to be "super picky" about the locations, which tended toward fancier digs.
"Now, they're much more open to people who don't necessarily have their own spaces. People are sharing spaces. I think there's a lot of new energy now," Guy said.
If you go
What: Ojai Studio Artists Tour
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday through Monday
Where: Start at Ojai Valley Museum, 130 W. Ojai Ave., Ojai; self-guided tour goes to the studios of more than 70 artists in Ojai
Cost: Free, but visit www.ojaistudioartists.org to register and get a detailed map with all the locations
Wes Woods II covers West County for the Ventura County Star. Reach him at wesley.woodsii@vcstar.com, 805-437-