The day was perfect, the setting sublime, the people joyful. What a day!

Wine tasting was provided by wineries from throughout the region, and I think every Big Sur restaurant was represented in the incredible appetizers served, and they were unbelievable. At the risk of forgetting anyone, I won’t list them. But it was a delightful treat.

To Arvil, Nadine, and Patte who coordinated an unforgettable event. We (Rock Knocker and I) so enjoyed the event, we are planning on making it an annual tradition!

Met with old friends and new friends and soon-to-be friends in the spirit of the close community we are. It was so nice to meet some people I had come to know first through reputation, and then through this blog – but to come face-to-face and get one of those famous Big Sur hugs, made my day! Thank you, Soaring, you are indeed a gem and a legend to our Coast. I would love to read of your experiences as fire look-out for so many years up on Cone Peak. Maybe a guest column several times a year? Whaddya think? Would y’all love to read her stories?

Photos of the event might be posted tomorrow, if technology cooperation achieved and time allows!

I will not have the photo contest up for at least a week, I am guessing. I was flooded with entries on Friday, and am still downloading (large files are hard for my system) sorting, filing, etc. before I can even begin to pick the top 10 choices. It will be really difficult, as there are some great entries. One major priority will be looking at how the photo will fit into the mandated heading size.

Art, Food, Wine & Live Music…
Sunday, September 12
3pm-6pm
The Terrace At The Restaurant At Ventana
Big Sur, CA
Silent and Live Auction (at 4:30 pm)
Tickets: $75.00 per person
http://www.bigsurhealthcenter.org
Call: 831-626-3485
Or Purchase at Event

Live Auction Items:
#1 – ‘Art of Land and Water‘
Belgian Artist Mi Desmedt creates works ranging from the abstract to the figurative. Her inspiration often comes from nature as is shown in this Triptych which is from her collection entitled: “Land and Water” – land and seascapes inspired by the Big Sur area. Each framed piece is 26″ x 33″. Mi Desmedt has exhibited in galleries and cultural centers all over the world.
Donor: Victor and Laura Pavloff
Value: $3,000

#2 – ‘Doe’ #25/50 Limited Edition Bronze Sculpture (13″ x 10″)
Lygia Chappellet is an incredible painter and sculptor who is intrigued by the animals and landscape she observes daily on her family’s ranch in Big Sur. Lygia says, “Intuitively, we are all drawn toward certain elements. These may be visions, weeds, animals, ideas, loved ones, etc…They are all symbolic keys of our greatest revelations and our deepest feelings; subjects worth recording as ‘artwork’.” Lygia has shown extensively in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Oakland, Napa Valley, Big Sur, Carmel and Ketchum, Idaho.
Donor: Lygia Chappellet
Value: $1,500

#3 – ‘Art Times Three’
Three incredible pieces of Art that will transform your home…
* Patricia’s acrylic on canvas ‘Luminosity’ 10″ x 30″. Patricia views art as a blessing. Her work is in many private collections and galleries.
* John’s “Ancient Column” Lamp- John has an affinity for natural materials that is apparent in all his works of stone, steel and cement lamps and tables.
* Bob & Sandy’s Ceramic Pond – Their work is often a collaboration of Bob’s wheel-generated textured slabs and Sandy’s hand building of teapots and vases. Their work is in both museums and private collections.
Donor: Patricia Qualls Value: $1,500
Donor: John Chappell Design Value: $595
Donor: Bob & Sandy Kinzie Value: $300

#4 – ‘The Art of Wine’
Love Art and Wine… This special package for two to the 27th Annual Central Coast Wine Classic, July 7th-11, 2011 is what you want! It will include a full weekend of incredible wine and food:
Thursday afternoon Barrel Tasting, in the evening Dinner at Hearst Castle – an unforgettable evening surrounded by Art!
Friday Varietal Symposium, Cooking Demo & Luncheon by Narsai David, Celebrity Chef and much, much more to complete this weekend. Please go to the Live Auction display area for the entire list of events.
This package does not include transportation and accommodations.
Donor: Archie McLaren
Value: $3,350

#5 – ‘Big Sur Tapestry’
Acrylic on paper by Celia Sanborn (22” x 28.5”). Born and raised in Big Sur, Celia creates her paintings as though she is in them. For her, painting is a way of touching the land in a way you cannot touch…a painting becomes a condensed image of what she sees…an essence. Celia’s parents moved here in the 1940’s seeking solitude and land and fell in love with this magnificent place. Artists themselves, they created a backdrop where Celia and her siblings could participate in a world of creativity. Celia continues the tradition by living in the place that ‘stirs’ the art within her, weaving art into all of life’s other callings.
Donor: Celia Sanborn
Value: $2,500

# 6 – ‘Art and Nature’
Four lucky individuals will get to enjoy Condors all day up close and personal with Kelly Sorenson, Executive Director of VWS. You will travel high into the Big Sur wilderness on a private dirt road, stopping for views and to track the birds. Enjoy a picnic lunch by the Big Sur Bakery crew on the way. You will feel as though you are soaring with the birds at 2800 feet. You will leave with a photo by Daniel Bianchetta – ‘Condors over Big Sur’.
Donor: Ventana Wildlife Society, D. Bianchetta and The Big Sur Bakery
Value: $1,425

#7 – ‘Violet Madrones’
Oil on canvas (48” x 36”) by Melissa Lofton. Having lived in Big Sur most of her life, she is constantly surprised and delighted at how rich and varied the coast and mountains are. Melissa paints people and everyday objects in her world and in her travels. Chairs, water, oak and madrone trees are also ongoing subjects of fascination for her and are painted in many permutations. Her work is in many private collections and local galleries.
Donor: Melissa Lofton
Value: $3,800

#8 – ‘Art & Food in a Garden’
Six of you will enjoy a one-of-a-kind Big Sur experience… John Batz and Gabriel Hyppolite will share their private home and Sculpture Garden with a 3-course lunch created especially for you by Executive Chef Domingo Santamaria of Deetjens. Wines will be paired with each course as you take in your surroundings. Choose a date in April 2011 for this immersion of 85 Sculptures, a lunch you will not forget, and the company of two well travelled and entertaining gentlemen… you will not want the day to end.
Donors: John Batz & Gabriel Hyppolite and Domingo Santamaria & Deetjens Big Sur Inn
Value: Priceless

#9 – ‘A Spirit Nest’
Your own personal Nest for dreaming and creating! Not only will your kids love it… you will love it! Each nest is a one of a kind interactive & functional art sculpture that is intended for people of all ages. Jayson will custom build an 8-person Nest and install in Monterey County. Jayson’s Nests can be found on many private properties in Big Sur; Esalen; the Spirit Garden; Treebones Resort; Pacific Grove Natural History Museum; movie set of ‘Wanderlust’ being filmed in Atlanta, Georgia, starring Jennifer Anniston and throughout the US.
Installation outside Monterey County, bidder to work out expense for time, travel, accommodations and transport of Nest with Jayson separate from the Health Center benefit. Cushions not included.
Donor: Jayson Fann, Big Sur Spirit Garden
Value: $10,000

#10 – ‘Body Language’
A private photo shoot with Greg and Susan Hawthorne at their Gallery starts off this amazing art piece of You!! Greg starts off with a Photo Mono Print and then adds his abstract touch of color on you and the background. Body Art with the Hawthorne touch. Greg’s diverse work incorporates painting, sculpture and design. His work is represented in hundreds of private, public, and corporate collections.
Donor: Gregory Hawthorne, Hawthorne Gallery
Value: $10,000

I try to post almost every day about what is going on here in the Wilds of Big Sur, whether it be weather, road, fire conditions- or sometimes just photographs, and I usually succeed. Sometimes I cannot. Life is just too busy. My time is not my own. I am juggling too many objects, some of them sharp. Right now is one of those times. I hope to be able to post something of interest in the next few days, as I did promise you Part 3 of my Keeping Big Sur safe from wildfires series. That would be Saturday, if I am lucky. In the mean time, enjoy this beautiful weather we are having. I am!
Namasté

Oh, and don’t forget the “Art from Here to There” on Sunday at 3 pm at the Ventana Terrace to benefit the Big Sur Health Clinic. Will see you there!

Just a reminder of an important upcoming event –

ART FROM HERE AND THERE
A charity event to benefit the Big Sur Health Center

BIG SUR, Calif. — (July 28, 2010) … The Big Sur Health Center will hold its Annual Art Auction Sunday, September 12, 2010 on the terrace at The Restaurant at Ventana. This event focuses community attention on talented local artists and provides the means to fulfill the vision of the Big Sur Health Center.
Over 30 local artists have donated generously to benefit the health center. This years auction items include paintings, jewelry, sculptures and crafts with many of the artists on hand. The event will include silent and live auctions. Greg Hawthorne, local gallery owner and artist will serve as auctioneer. Area Big Sur restaurants including Deetjens, Nepenthe, Sierra Mar, and Ventana will be joining forces to provide some wonderful food to nibble on while browsing the art. The food will be accompanied by Monterey County wines and Rodrigo Teague will provide music.
The Health Center is a not-for-profit health care facility dedicated to the health and well-being of all who reside or work in Big Sur, as well as those who visit the community. The health center provides primary medical care services, with an emphasis on prevention, and is available to handle urgent care needs.
Art Auction schedule is as follows:
3:00-4:30 p.m. – Music, Food & Wine; Silent Auction and View Live Auction Items
4:30 p.m. – Live Auction
Tickets are $75 per person and can be purchased online at HYPERLINK “http://www.bigsurhealthcenter.org” http://www.bigsurhealthcenter.org or by calling (831) 626-3485. All proceeds benefit the Big Sur Health Center.
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PR Contact:
Avril Ekstrand, Big Sur Health Center Board
831-626-3485
Avrilekstrand@yahoo.com