Ocotillo art show a good time for gift hunts
By Ken Sain, Staff Writer
Chandler resident Sandy Ashbaugh says being an artist can be lonely work. You’re usually alone in your studio trying to create something great. And sometimes what’s great in your mind may not be received that well by others.
Making art is best, she said, when you have other creative minds around you, giving honest critiques and showing off their work.
That was her motivation for starting the Ocotillo Artists Group, which plans to stage its third art show from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Dec. 11 at Downtown Ocotillo. This month’s show is its Holiday Art Market.
“I felt very isolated, and wanted to have others to bounce ideas off of,” said Ashbaugh, who has been a Chandler resident for 20 years.
Ashbaugh left a community artist group about five years ago to open her own studio inside the garage of her home. She decided she needed other artists in her life so she looked to join an organization.
“The ones that are in Gilbert and Mesa and Scottsdale oftentimes focus on two-dimensional work, drawing, painting and photography,” said Ashbaugh, who specializes in ceramic works. “There wasn’t any group that I’ve known in the whole time I’ve lived here for creatives who create (three-dimensional) art.”
So she started the Ocotillo Artist Group. She said they have hundreds of followers on their social media accounts and a strong group of 40 artists who attend the monthly meetings.
This month’s art show is juried, meaning every item being offered for sale had to be approved. Ashbaugh said they have invited artists from all of the Valley to participate, so the show will include works from other groups as well.
The Ocotillo Artist Group held its first show last December.
“We got such great feedback from it, that we decided to do one last March, and that was our second one.”
She said they plan to do two shows a year with the December one geared toward gift giving, though she admitted some people are looking for some art to spruce up their homes for holiday parties.
Ashbaugh says Ocotillo Artist Group focuses on issues to help artists at their monthly meeting, such as how to sell online or how to market their work. Every third month, however, is reserved for critiques, where everyone brings in their projects so others can give feedback.
She said there will be a wide variety of art available at this month’s show, everything from ceramics to digital art.
Ashbaugh said putting together the Ocotillo Artist Group has helped her overcome the isolation she once felt and given her plenty of creative minds to offer feedback and inspiration. She said her group continues to grow.
“There are some artists who are more established, and then some who just want to be more established,” she said. “We’ve got quite the range of abilities and experience levels.”
If you go
What: Ocotillo Artist Group Holiday Art Market
When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 11
Where: Downtown Ocotillo, Dobson and Queen Creek roads.
Ocotillo art show a good time for gift hunts
Read more stories like “Ocotillo art show a good time for gift hunts” on: santansun.com
