Tucked away in La Jolla Shores at 8100 Paseo del Ocaso is a cute little, two-roomed gallery in a white brick building with blue trim where you can still find some quality art for a reasonable price. It’s the gallery of the La Jolla Art Association — which is the oldest art organization in San Diego. It was founded by Ellen Browning Scripps in 1918 at her home in conjunction with the artists and art lovers who attended her tea parties. The first official art gallery show was held in 1919 at the La Jolla Women’s Club and it has been going strong ever since. Many important San Diego artists have been affiliated with the La Jolla Art Association, including the well-known plein-aire master Alfred Mitchell, who held his last show ever at the gallery in 1966. Today, there are more than 100 artists who are members of the association, which is run as a nonprofit co-op with members volunteering their time and energy to keep things running. In turn, they have the opportunity to display their work in the gallery on a rotating basis. Other noteworthy San Diego artists may also show their work through the gallery once they have passed the juried process. On May 17, the show on exhibit at the gallery was twofold. In the front room was a show titled Feminine Energy, described as an “energized artistic expression,” featuring the colorful art work of Tamara Straitland, Kris deYoung, Judi Sin and Aimee Jo. The back room was devoted to the work of members of the Clairemont Art Guild. One of the Feminine Energy artists, Aimee Jo, was on hand at the gallery accompanied by her playful poodle puppy, Gabriel. Jo, who has been a member of the La Jolla Art Association for the past two years, said that she is an expressionist figurative artist who likes to work with the female form. She has been painting since she was 3 years old. “I paint part by imagination and part by life experience,” she said. Jo has a high regard for the Association. “Everyone involved puts their hearts into it,” she said. “All the members are living and painting from the heart — and show much humility.” Jo thinks the association is a great context for work. “This is a very supportive place to work. I feel connected to the other artists,” she said. “It’s not competitive. We all cooperate and encourage each other. It’s inspiring and comforting to think you are not alone on the sometimes difficult path of the artist. There is a lot of dedication from all concerned.” Ransome Carnes of the Clairemont Art Guild and his wife stopped by to check on the two paintings he had hanging in the back room, hoping they had sold. Carnes is a representational water color artist who has a painting of a cowboy and an outdoor porch on display. Carnes, who is quite a personable comedian, joked “I have sold more paintings than Van Gogh did!” (Van Gogh only sold one painting in his lifetime.) The next show at the gallery is called Visual Variations and will run through June 6. It features the work of Jeff Brosby, Dana Levine, Caroline Morse, Gwen Nobil and John Valois. There will be a reception to meet the artists on Saturday, May 29 from 4 to 7 p.m.
