2012 White Rock Lake Studio Tour

We visited the “White Rock Lake Artists’ Studio Tour” and had a marvelous time.  It was the 20^th year for this event and our first time attending.  First impressions were not great.  The map that located the participating studios was printed lavender on white.  Now it was a pretty map but when reduced to fit the web page, it became nearly impossible to read or follow.  Also, this beautiful little neighborhood is located adjacent to the Dallas Arboretum and with the parking issues associated with living close to a popular destination, the signage was foreboding and confusing.

Once you get past these initial hurdles, you are in for a treat.  This is a fantastic neighborhood of older homes or cottages, lovingly updated and maintained.  The studios were to die for and nirvana for creative persons.

As mentioned before, the studios and creative spaces were some of the finest we have ever seen.  Without exception, we felt a sense of tranquility, a sense of creativity and most importantly, a sense of joy that translates into the diverse forms of art created.

The artists in residence, as a group, are wonderful ambassadors of the creative process.  They delighted in answering questions, demonstrating processes and just talking art as if we were neighbors “over for a cup of coffee.”  As an individual often accused of having, “a gift of gab,” I was in “hog heaven” talking to the artists, other visitors and even had a conversation with a cat.

Let’s talk about the cat.  Walking the neighborhood, we spotted a home with two giant dragonflies decorating an exterior wall.  In the yard, a black cat was sitting observing with typical feline bemusement, my machinations to get a camera angle.  When I noticed the cat, I meowed to it for no other reason than it seemed “the right thing to do.”  To my surprise, every time I meowed, the cat responded in kind. 

The AB Rockin Studio specializes in the mosaics.  Here we found mosaics and glass fusion pieces that were unique and very original.  Sissy & Lynn teach and have an open night class most every Thursday evening.  We plan on stopping by with a bottle of wine plus our own bits & pieces to try our hand at being creative some future Thursday.

Sissy and Lynn: www.rockinartists.com

Another fun location was the studio of Laurie McClurg.  Laurie specializes in the creation of cards and assemblage boxes.  Her creations are inventive, nostalgic and beautiful.  I enjoyed our conversation about images from the past being repurposed into art.  We also shared recollections and Mark Twain quotes about living in San Francisco.

Laurie McClurg

All the previous studio visits were within walking distance of a single parking space.  Then we drove a short distance to our final destination, the Whimsical Metal Sculpture studio.   There are at least six other studios are within walking distance of this studio.  We visited the studio of a print maker and another of a photographer.  We finished at the Whimsical Metal Sculptures of Cynthia Daniel.  Talk about a wonderful space to be creative…this would be one of the ultimate spots.  Cynthia repurposes familiar metal objects into delightful art pieces.

Cynthia M. Daniel: www.cmdaniel.com

We look forward to next year’s 21^st annual event.