By Jessica Hudgins
SDUN Reporter

San Diego’s beautiful terrain – whether it’s the coastal views, the luscious greenery, blue skies or unique architecture – is just a taste of what inspires local plein air painter Joli Beal.

“I try to capture a moment in time from nature,” she said. “Nature has forever been of interest to me, and it’s something I’d like to give to the viewer. My goal is to give the feeling of being there.”

Her paintings feature scenes of everything from the waterfront cliffs in La Jolla to the pink skies of Sunset Cliffs and the desert mountains at Indian Head. Beal’s passion for nature is at the heart of her work.

“[My inspiration] has a lot to do with the sheer pleasure of being outdoors and wanting to bring that pleasure to the viewer,” she said.

The Southern California native is bringing that “pleasure” to Uptown viewers – her artwork is on display at Café Bassam in Bankers Hill. Beal and three other artists (Marileigh Schulte, Patricia McGeeney and Toni Williams) will be showcased at Café Bassam’s Heart for Art benefit on Sunday, June 27.

“Café Bassam looks great with all 33 paintings hanging in the window,” said Maria Platis, marketing director for the benefit. “Eight of those paintings are Joli’s.”

All four women are local artists who often see each other as they work on various plein air projects across the county.

“We’ve all enjoyed each other’s company,” Beal said.

Platis hopes the benefit will provide a means for people to give back to the community while also enjoying a night away from it all.

“People are looking to help and also looking to relax, sit back and enjoy themselves too because there is so much going on right now,” she said.

The Heart for Art benefit is a fundraiser for the Children’s Heart Institute Fund.

“There’s a lot more cardiac kids out there than people realize,” she said. “The group does tremendous things for the kids locally.”

For a $5 raffle ticket, art lovers get a chance to win one of the original paintings, valued anywhere from $500 to $1500. All proceeds go straight to the Fund.

“The evening is about great art, great wine, great food and a great cause,” Platis said.

The event’s location is part of that fun.

“Café Bassam is very eclectic,” Platis said. “Last time I was there, there was a guy reading a library book, a guy on his laptop, two young girls looking for love, and a guy playing the piano.”

Beal is also a fan of the venue.

“The restaurant is charming, the food is delicious, everything is as wonderful as it could be,” Beal said. “I hope people enjoy themselves.”

For more information about the benefit, go to chifund.org/events. Café Bassam is at 3088 Fifth Ave. in Hillcrest.