TheStudio61, which is the hillside workplace of artist Jennifer Epperson, is open to the public on March 29 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The gallery will feature paintings, studies and prints created from 2018 to the present. The studio will show work in progress to demonstrate the artist’s process, materials and tools.
The artist’s studio and home are located at 109 Rogers Ridge Street above Spring Lake and adjacent to the Spring Lake Natural Area.
The Studio Tour will exhibit studies, original art, fine art prints and Epperson’s recent work on a graphic memoir. An Artist Guided Tour is at 2 p.m. Selected works will be for sale. There will be a silent auction of three artworks. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Hays Caldwell Women’s Center, a nonprofit that the artist admires and supports.
“I had the good fortune to create art in three very different places in 2018 to [20]19: Sedona, Arizona, Whakatani, New Zealand and San Marcos, Texas,” Epperson said. “I was struck by how place — the landscape, the light and the vibe — changes the work I do.”
In 2019, just after relocating to San Marcos in 2018, Epperson was awarded a six-week artist residency in Whakatani, New Zealand. The Volcanic Artist Residency provided artists lodging and workspace, and opportunity to connect with the local culture. Each resident artist uses the time to experience the place and create a work of art or presentation to enrich the community. The goal of an artist residency is to develop the artist’s practice and to enhance the sponsoring community.
Upon returning to San Marcos, Epperson utilized the residency experience to create new work. She has found her time here amazingly productive.
“I have a wonderful studio here and space to show work,” Epperson said. “When the Covid lockdown came, I had plenty of time for inspiration and creativity. For six years, I have continued to gain confidence in my practice and think now is a good time to share my work with others. The Studio Tour will exhibit work from what I think of as the COVID timeline — work done before the epidemic, during the lockdown and after we returned to normal.”
Epperson has a threemonth artist residency on her calendar later this year, this time in a small village in the Provence region of France.
“I am beyond excited about both of these events, my first Studio Tour in San Marcos, and the residency in France,” Epperson said. “I’ll have a great place to live and work in Provence, and I’ll be there during truffle season and la vendage; Let the inspiration flow!”
