Backcountry Art Show & Reception to Benefit Los Padres ForestWatch
The popular restaurant will feature nearly three dozen of Wassell’s textured paintings. Half of all art sales will be donated to support Los Padres ForestWatch and its efforts to protect the Los Padres National Forest.
An artist’s reception will take place on Thursday, June 7th from 5-8 p.m.. This free event is open to the public in conjunction with the Downtown Organization’s 1st Thursday evening of art and culture. The exhibit runs through June 9th.
An avid hiker for 30 years, Wassell has been called the backpacker’s artist. Hiking anywhere from yards off the road to 8 or 9 miles up the trail, carrying his sketch pad in his pack, Wassell has captured a totally wild Southern California and inspires many to hike to the same spot viewed in a painting.
From Leo Carrillo State Park to Gaviota, inland from Sespe Creek to the Sierra Madre Mountains in northern Santa Barbara County, Wassell’s art is a cross between realistic representation and the abstract. Wassell learned long ago that it was impossible to reproduce what he has seen on the trail, so he had to abstract what he saw in order to give a clear image of his vision of the wilderness. For more information about Robert Wassell and his work, visit his web site at www.wassellart.com.
Los Padres ForestWatch is a local nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting the Los Padres National Forest and other public lands along California’s Central Coast. Visit www.LPFW.org for details.
The Sojourner Restaurant & Café is open 11-10 Sunday through Wednesday, and 11-11 Thursday through Saturday at 134 E Canon Perdido St, downtown Santa Barbara across from The Presidio. For more information call 805-965-7922.
