Favoring a bright, warm palette Billings incorporates a range of mediums in her work. Watercolors are painted onto japanese rice papers to create an underlying image. Then pastels, ink and gold leaf are applied to develop depth and create transparent layers. Billings’ final images are ultimately simple, yet complex compositions. “Billings uses color to create a subtle yet definite spirit. Her paintings leave viewers with a sense of optimism about life.” A graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design, Billings currently splits her time between Ventura California and southern Baja—teaching classes and workshops, painting and journeying in search of new and inspired landscapes.

Liz Buis works in several media: acrylic, pen and ink, assemblage, pastels, but her favorite medium is watercolor. These techniques use fresh light or dark colors to create vivid images very quickly. She also adds collages in many of her watercolors. She earned a BA in Art and has taken many art classes at Ventura College and UC extension classes. She enjoys working at BAF where artists are weavers, photographers, sculptors, and make ceramics, jewelry, stained glass, wreaths, printings and share interesting tea information. She participates at Ventura's Art Walks and First Friday events.

Linda Carson's involvement with ceramics dates back to workshops with celebrated ceramists Gertrude and Otto Natzler. She also studied sculpture, but put aside her artistic pursuits to pursue a twenty-six year career in psychotherapy. Fortunately she rediscovered her passion for clay, and her artistic life now consists primarily of sculpture and ceramics. A resident of Ventura and an award-winning ceramist, her work has been represented in many galleries throughout California, and has been included in many private collections, including that of the late renowned ceramist Beatrice Wood.

Art Advisory Services from an experienced professional. Born in Romania, raised in France, Anca Colbert has a classical European education in the arts, literature, and languages. She studied at L’Ecole du Louvre and at L’Ecole des Arts Décoratifs, and holds a License ès lettres from the Sorbonne, in Paris. In her 35 year career, Anca owned two art galleries in Los Angeles, designed and promoted international publications, organized cultural and educational events, and curated fine art exhibitions. Anca is experienced in documenting and appraising modern art. She provides informed guidance and practical solutions to collectors, artists, organizations and professionals in need of managing and marketing their works of art.

Kara continues her lifelong education in arts and crafts, experimenting with numerous media including ceramics, photography, silversmithing, painting and textiles. Several local art venues have featured her work. Graduating from the University of NC-Charlotte with an emphasis on architecture as mainly a creative art, she currently works at Mainstreet Architects+Planners, Inc. Kara enjoys teaching at the collegiate level, an architecture class, and primary school level, 'Funk Art from Junk', the art of recycle and reuse. Other community involvement includes being a founding board member of the local Green Building Council, and Ventura's Public Art Commission.

Michele Foster has been an artist since childhood. She has always enjoyed expressing herself through her art and was one of the founding artists at Santa Barbara Ceramic Design. She works in clay, mosaics, airbrush, paint, computer graphics, and mixed media. Michele is also a passionate domestic violence activist in the community and has incorporated her art to use as a healing tool. Recently, she has become the director and visionary for the non-profit ARTestia, which holds art workshops in the community. Currently, Michele is also the director and lead teacher of the Bell Arts Factory Youth Arts Program.

Bobbi Jo Free began working in textiles as an apparel designer and became a fiber artist when she began to create dolls from remnants. For over 30 years she has been making dolls for collectors with her work showing in national shops and galleries. Her designs have been translated into juvenile apparel, toys, plush knitwear, and sewing kits for leading home publications. Bobbi Jo lives in Ventura and is actively involved in her art by creating custom, innovative dolls that are given breath with every stitch. They are a special gift that can comfort, share joy, and celebrate love and friendship over a lifetime.

I am grateful to be an Artist at Bell Arts Factory and I have chosen to give back to Ventura County by devoting time to community Art. I am committed to expanding people's minds to embrace the world beyond our personal spheres. In addition to photography, sculpture and mixed media, I believe I was born to paint murals. The work speaks for those not generally heard: children, incarcerated youth, common people of lower-income. By creating public art projects with youth, I work with their ideas, often involving them in the actual production. Sometimes I teach mural painting at college level. It is a privilege to be trusted with a wall or public space and to use one's talents for the benefit of young people.

Born in Michoacan, México, Maribel came to California at 18 years of age. Maribel did not begin drawing and painting on canvas until she arrived in California. Her love for drawing was evident even as a child. When she was four, she expressed her passion for artistic creation. On rainy days she used a stick or stone to draw on the ground. The urge of a child to have color is evident in her current expressions in vivid and unforgettable colors. Today, she continues to be inspired to share the pasión y amor of her native culture. Throughout the years Maribel has been exposed painting, ceramics, photography, graphic design interior design and jewelry design. She works at her studio at Bell Arts Factory in Ventura.

Ionia Design Studio is a forward-thinking, environmentally conscious interactive and graphic design firm that specializes in custom marketing solutions that deliver effective and compelling messages socially and ecologically responsible ways. We provide our clients with creative, professional and, above all, approachable graphic design service. By working collaboratively, we can help you clients develop valuable communication approaches that achieve your business and environmental goals. From engaging websites and interactive experiences to unique logos and identity systems, we can help you develop effective design options that are less straining on the environment. Contact us to learn how we can help your business grow.

Entirely self-taught, Beglar Merlich began what would be a life-changing journey into the world of stained glass art in New Mexico in the 1980's. Because of his commitment to the tiniest details and his extraordinary designs, Beglar became known as one of the premiere stained glass artisans in the Southwest. His art can be found in homes, schools, galleries and businesses around the world. Upon relocating to California in 2001, Beglar began teaching stained glass to teens and adults in various locations around Ventura County. His artwork spans themes ranging from unconventional Southwestern designs, to California Coastal-inspired seascapes. His windows tell a story, and each one is a unique, one-of-a-kind masterpiece.

Jennifer Merlich has been creating glass art with her father Beglar for the last 20 years. She is currently focusing on hot glass techniques for fusing or "cooking" glass in a kiln to produce vibrant colorful bowls, plates, fountains, jewelry and more. Jennifer also is an accomplished musician, teaching and performing with her African drumming ensemble, the One World Drummers, throughout the Central Coast of California.

Recently, I went to Italy and was privileged to see Michelangelo's David. It moved me spiritually, and renewed my passion for the great art of the masters. I believe, when we observe an artist's original work, we are viewing the energy of that person. My art is an evolution of many artistic interests and careers, including: computer graphics; digital multimedia; master workshops with Zig Jankowski, Nancy del Pesco, Stephanie Elise and Karen McLean; theater at Alacama, and Video for Paradise Film and Video. I've taught and created murals in Goleta, Ventura, and Ojai. My paintings have exhibited in Santa Barbara, Montecito and Ventura, where they received honorable mention and two first place awards.

Sue Pollack grew up in New York where she studied art at an early age. She was educated at The Cranbrook School in Michigan, The Boston Museum School of Art, and the Art Institute of Boston before moving to Los Angeles. Difficulty supporting herself in art, Susan entered nursing school and became a Registered Nurse. Missing her creativity Sue enrolled in an Environmental Design program at San Diego State University and completed it at UCSB. With this degree she was able to combine her artistic talent and her medical knowledge as a nurse to become a Medical Facility Interior Designer. In 1987, Sue opened Perennial Designs, a commercial interior design firm based in Ventura, where today she continues a successful design practice.

Len Poteshman, painter, sculptor, educator and Art Crimes Consultant, is a non-conceptual artist whose work bridges illusion and reality. Len studied at the Chicago Art Institute, the American Academy of the Arts, the Los Angeles Art Center, and the Chouinard Institute, and is a graduate of the University of Guadalajara with a Master of Arts degree. Len's work has been exhibited in the Los Angeles County Museum and the Riverside Museum, as well as in galleries in Spain, Washington, and California. Now living in Ventura, he is a member of the Buenaventura Artists' Union, an artist participant of the Ventura Music Festival, and an original tenant of Bell Arts Factory where he maintains his studio/gallery.

As an accomplished painter, Beatrix is known for her visionary style using watercolor, tempera, acrylic and oils. "I am inspired by nature as well as by my life's journey and was mesmerized by colors in nature at a young age." In 1963, her first painting titled Jungle was sold at her school art exhibit in Hamburg, Germany. "What I like most about painting is that a brush stroke can change anything in a magical way - there is no need to hold back. When I see something I don't like, I can paint over it. It is still beneath, and therefore always a part of the painting, though the painting has changed significantly."

Jill Sattler is a photodramatist, painter, jewelry designer and an honor graduate of Chouinard Art Institute in Los Angeles. She has exhibited at the Carnegie Art Museum, Contemporary Arts Forum, Art Museum of Santa Cruz, Karpeles Manuscript Museum, and UCLA. She has created photographic portraits for Beatrice Wood, Chantal of Good Morning America, Sandy Duncan, Betty White, Susan and Jeff Bridges, and Christopher Reeve. Jill's earrings were worn by Cher for her Oscar in Moonstruck. Diane English of Murphy Brown, was featured in Elle Magazine wearing necklaces designed by Jill. Her work has been featured in numerous magazines and she has photographs on permanent exhibit at UCLA.

Cast off salvages, new yet unused… not an end… a beginning. White cotton fabric strips, cut from bolts of fabric, were to be thrown away. Instead they become the fiber that I space dye to form a new pallet of weft materials. I hope to carry the folk arts of the past into my expression of today’s handwoven rugs. Some are graphic, some are almost abstractions of another reality. I like color, bright and vibrant, designed to add light and form into interior spaces.

Award winning, Sherron Sheppard, began her career in photography 13 years ago after years as a traditional artist. Sherron taught watercolor techniques and was a seasonal instructor teaching watercolor painting at Yosemite National Park. She is a PPA Certified Photographer and holds Master of Photography, Master of Electronic Imaging and Photographic Craftsman degrees. Sherron earned PPC's 2003, 2005 and 2006 Photographer of the Year. She also received PPC's 2006 Photographer of the Year-highest case, Best of Show, "Peoples Choice Award", and PPA Platinum Photographer of the Year. Sherron teaches classes at photography conventions, California Professional Photographer's West Coast School.

Gary and Pierre Silva, a husband and wife photography team, have worked as professional photographers in LA in the entertainment industry. Gary and Pierre won three of the VC Reporter's 2007 Photo Contest Categories: 1st Place - Pro Color, 3rd Place - Pro Color and 1st Place - Black & White. The Silvas are also the cover photographers for Ventura's Ventana Monthly. Gary and Pierre have standing exhibits in Barcelona and Geneva and have been published by Carlton Books of London. The Silvas are now located at Studio 35 in the Bell Arts Factory and are bringing their photography expertise to the community of Ventura. Their work includes: portrait, glamour, wedding, architectural and fine art.

Under the Sun Gallery, owned and operated by husband and wife, Luis Rodriguez and Veronica Valadez is dedicated to promoting cultural appreciation by offering a variety of fine paintings, international folk-art, world music, ethnic clothing, hand-made jewelry, and culturally diverse books for all ages. Both are artists who cultivate public awareness and appreciation of world cultures through the arts by having a venue where people can find unique gifts and become captivated by the beauty of various art forms representing diverse traditions.

The Vita Art Center provides diverse art experiences for individuals and the community through classes, exhibitions, special events and community outreach programs. Vita's art gallery exhibits contemporary fine art in all mediums with a new opening the first Friday of every month.

I create original handwoven rugs and tapestries that integrate a strong sense of color and design with weaving to make bold visual statements. Working with hand dyed wools, I explore how the fiber reflects light and color in a unique way. I weave in a painterly fashion discovering how shape, color and form unite best for each piece. A graphic designer, intrigued by the craft of weaving, I combine my graphic vision and weaving skills to create pieces that are very graphic in nature. Each piece is a one-of-a-kind expression using themes of nature or visual play of color.

Lynne Woods, Fiber artist and Certified Sewing instructor, believes that fabric is art. Our lives are filled with fabrics' textures, prints, and colors. What we choose to wear and use in our homes expresses who we are. Why let some marketing executive at a generic store make that decision? At the sewing center, you can use our sewing equipment to learn or re-learn to sew. We have special fabrics, threads and notions, including natural fibers like soysilk, bamboo, and organics. Lynne creates fiber art by sewing, quilting, repurposing, handweaving, knitting, spinning and dyeing. She will inspire you to do the same!

Cynthia was born and raised in Los Angeles. She currently lives in Port Hueneme with her husband Jerry. Cynthia received her Certification in Tea by the Specialty Tea Institute in New York in 2005. She has a Bachelor and Masters of Arts degrees from Arizona State University. She has spent most of her professional life as a Human Relations Consultant, Student Services Administrator and Campus Minister at various Colleges, Universities and High Schools in Southern California and Arizona. Cynthia hopes you'll enjoy the tea selection and information she offers at Tea by the Sea - An International Tea Experience, located at Bell Arts Factory.

Jerry Yoshitomi is Chief Knowledge Officer of MeaningMatters, LLC. MeaningMatters is engaged by foundations, public arts agencies, organizations and artists to research and provoke innovative new practices providing just in time knowledge to increase: participation in the arts, personal benefits/public value of the arts, adaptability, creativity and leadership in changing environments and earned and contributed income. Methods from his writings/workshops have been successfully implemented by thousands of artists and organizations in the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, increasing attendance and earned/contributed income.