In June 2009, I showed my work at the La Jolla Festival of the Arts for the first time. The festival organizers (the Torrey Pines Kiwanis) seemed to like my work. A few months later, they invited me to submit a concept for the 2010 festival poster. I was thrilled!

To find inspiration, I flew down for the day and had lunch at the La Valencia Hotel with Ronn Rohe, the festival chairman, and Chris Palmquist, a lovely friend I’d met at Sausalito. It was the perfect setting—lobster salad on the balcony, ocean views, and the kindest staff accommodating my every photo shoot whim.

The theme needed to say “La Jolla” yet still feel like my work— intimate. After rounds of composition changes with the festival committee, including swapping in my brother Matt’s pinot noir label on the wine bottle, I got to painting.

That painting put me through it: three drawings, nearly two full paintings, countless Photoshop tweaks. The original was auctioned for charity, with no prints made—only posters. My hope is that it reminds people of vacation days, and the joy of slowing down to enjoy life’s richness.

February 2010 – 22″x30″ – Watercolor on paper

More from the Places Gallery