An island of art

Young Chang

The storybook, French-village-on-the-water look of Balboa Island is

about to get even more picturesque.

With more than 90 artists slated to set up their easels and tables for

the seventh annual Balboa Island Artwalk along the island’s boardwalk

today, the usually quiet and cozy strip of homes is about to explode,

artistically.

Last year, most of the featured artists were painters and sculptors,

titles one would typically associate with art.

This year, the guests range from wood painters and jewelry makers to

six musical groups. You’ll still find the seascapes and other local,

pretty sites rendered in oils and acrylics. But you’ll also stumble

across lamps and flower pots.

“The only requirement is that it’s fine art and from the local area,”

said organizer Debra Huse, who is an artist herself. “It gives the

artists a venue to show what they might not otherwise be able to. We have

a lot of new artists that weren’t in before -- a lot of new, different

things to look at.”

The artists come from all over Orange County, which means Balboa

Island gets visited by friends of artists, some of whom are even from

outside the state. More than 100 artists submitted their works to a jury

committee that selected the final pieces based on quality and

professionalism.

The artwalk started on Balboa Island seven years ago as a gathering of

a few artists who wanted to show and sell their work. It’s continued to

be held on the island because the setting is inspirational.

“You’ll often see artists out there painting,” Huse said. “We made it

an opportunity to enjoy the surroundings and beautiful art.”

Visitors will also get to learn some artistic tricks, as artists will

demonstrate their methods.

“So that kids and parents alike can see the different styles and how

they’re achieved,” Huse said.

Wire jewelry artist Julie Neglia will feature and sell earrings,

bracelets and necklaces made with hand tools and wire.

Her first time at the artwalk, the Costa Mesa resident who owns a home

on the island said she looks forward to exhibiting her work alongside

other area artists she’s admired.

Neglia works with wire because it’s a strong material that is portable

and doesn’t require soldering. Some include beads, vintage buttons and

coils -- a touch which seems to be the artist’s signature.

Because each piece of jewelry is made by hand, most bear marks that

tell the story of its creation.

“You can see marks from the tools,” Neglia said. “I don’t make a huge

effort to polish those out.”

The artist always makes it a point to make her own clasps.

“I just think that it’s a nice, finishing touch to handmade work,” she

said.

Costa Mesa resident Jan Lowe is featuring her wood paintings at the

walk. Her husband, Barry, carves the frames for her works. She discovered

the medium while searching for her own style years ago. She prefers the

look of a wooden surface because it adds a sentimental, aged dimension.

“The wood grain shows through it so it gives our paintings an old-time

look, the antique look that we get after varnishing,” she said. “A

nostalgic look.”

FYI

* What: Balboa Island Artwalk

* When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today

* Where: South Bayfront promenade on Balboa Island

* Cost: Free

* Call: (714) 848-5697