Jeanne Bellezzo

From the synopsis of my new book, Rantings of a Bitter Childless Woman:

Kids sucking on restaurant salt shakers—and parents nonchalantly putting them back on the table. Pregnant women driving alone in the carpool lane. Overtly sexy Halloween costumes for third-graders. Random strangers making unsolicited judgements about her reproductive status. These are just a handful of the situations Chicago native Jeanne Bellezzo comically explores in Rantings of a Bitter Childless Woman. Written from the witty, unapologetic perspective of a childless (and far from bitter) woman in a fiercely child-centric society, this collection of entertaining essays will have readers with and without children laughing, nodding, cringing — or throwing a tantrum.

Jeanne Bellezzo began writing Rantings of a Bitter Childless Woman as a blog and was surprised to find many like-minded fans across the country, including numerous parents. A Chicago native who relocated to Southern California because she was cold, Jeanne is a successful writer and editor who has co-authored several non-fiction books. She lives in northern San Diego County . When she is not writing, Jeanne can be found in or near the ocean with friends (and sometimes even with their children).

And please keep your kids off her lawn.

Check out more on her website rantingsofabitterchildlesswoman.com,  Facebook,  and Goodreads.

Tom Morrow

I have authored nine (9) books, mostly with a historical slant -- four of them are novels. All of these are published works with most available on Amazon.com and on my own web site.

Check out more on the artist website GetMorrowsNovels.com, Amazon.com and Goodreads.com

June 2016

cover art by Hollie Newton Curated by Cynthia Melfi

[slideshow_deploy id='2574'] photos by Cynthia Melfi

Click here to see profiles of many of the artists.

Below are the venues that participated in First Friday: Oceanside Art Walk for June 2016.

#	Venue	Artists and Events
1	OCEANSIDE MUSEUM OF ART 704 Pier View Way (760) 435-3720	Teeny Tiny Art fundraiser for the Education Department of OMA. Purchase 4"x6" pieces of art, some from well known artists, for only $20 for adult work, $10 for children's art food trucks, beer and wine for purchase Michael Striler (live music) free exhibitions: Marjorie Nodelman: San Diego Artist ; Bill Rastetter: Street Art Reinterpreted ; Laddie John Dill: Light Sentences And Light Traps ; Robin Bright/Tom Driscoll: A Dual Retrospective
2	OCEANSIDE PUBLIC LIBRARY 330 N Coast Hwy (760) 435-5600	inside: Linda DiRosa inside: celebrate National Donut Day #donutday with a Create your Donut Masterpiece edible craft outside: Oceanside School of Rock outside, at sunset: The Firelight Ladies (fire dancing)
3	THE GALLERY AT THE BROOKS 217 N Coast Hwy (760) 433-8900	Artist retrospective including 11 artists with works ranging from watercolor to stone, realism to abstraction. Big Boss Bubeleh featuring Yael Gamach (live music)
4	last minute cancellation
5	OCEANSIDE JEWELERS 222 N Coast Hwy (760) 722-4950	Kellan Shanahan (drawings)
6	PHANTOM GALLERY OCEANSIDE 212 N Coast Hwy	Julia S Rasor (sculpture) Mohammed Al Hamadani (mixed media)
-	ARTIST ALLEY	Mario Torero, local, national and international master muralist will bring his “Eyes of Picasso” mural to Artist Alley. During the Art Walk, Torero will project his design onto the wall on Pier View Way/Artist Alley. Actual painting of the mural will commence at 1000 a.m. on Saturday! Sunshine Deli will be serving up some culinary creations!
7	SEASIDE FLOWERS 212-C Artist Alley (760) 722-5602	outside: Kelly Halloran (live music)
8	STEPHEN M JACKSON STUDIO 212-D Artist Alley	Stephen M Jackson (paintings)
9	last minute cancellation
10	MURAMID MURAL MUSEUM 212-F Artist Alley	No Limbs - No Limits: Colombian artist and motivational speaker Zuly Sanguino and family, and documentary filming of Finding Baby Blanca - The Zuly Sanguino Story (password="aloha" to see promo) Murals from the Art Miles Mural Project PCH Jazz (live music)
11	CENTURY 21 MISSION 501 Mission Ave (760) 966-7436	Kathleen Churchill (paintings)
12	WHITLOCK INK 605 Mission Ave (858) 994-0506	Joe Vickers (graphic works)
13	MAINSTREET OCEANSIDE 701 Mission Ave (760) 754-451	outside: El Camino High School musicians (live music) inside: Center for the Arts at TERI, Inc (paintings, sculpture) inside: Hollie Newton (paintings)
14	MISSION AVE BAR & GRILL 711 Mission Ave (760) 637-2222	BB Bastidas (paintings) Cory Patterson (photography) Jen Reyes Photography (photography)
15	PIPELINE PHYSICAL THERAPY 713 Mission Ave (760) 453-7072	Chris Myers (paintings) John Adrian Tomlin (author)

Chris Myers

I have always though of art as a hobby growing up and never really had a desire to show it off to large crowds before, but after going to the art walk, I feel motivated to start off in Oceanside and see how my talent can be perceived by others. I have lived in Oceanside since the early 2000's, before that it was Carlsbad and before that, it Cape Elizabeth, Maine. I sure miss the east coast, but they had no beaches to really go to. I like forests and landscapes.

Check out more at the artist Deviant Art website.

Hollie Newton

As a San Diego native I am currently documenting Southern CA after dark. I work with Galkyd, a form of oil paint and medium made with plant resin generally on canvas - frequently used in tandem with resin.

I'm grateful to report that my work has been in four Balboa Park shows. Each show has "sold out" completely. And, thanks to a preview of each show, every event resulted in a line of people waiting to buy my art several hours prior to the event!

In addition to making art I have taught for many years. I attended San Francisco Art Institute (BFA) in the early 90's.

Check out more at the artist website HollieNewtonArt.com and Facebook Hollie Newton.

Kathleen Churchill

I'm a self taught painter that usually paints in Acrylic paints. I call my style a "free Flow" style. I am inspired by the sea, my family, surfers and nature. I feel blessed to have this time to devote to painting from my So. "O" cottage. Each piece is a unique work of Love. 

Check out more at the artist website KHelenSeaArt.com, Instagram @KhelenSeaArt and Facebook Kathleen Churchill.

Kellan Shanahan

Drawing from a broad field of philosophy, abstract mathematics, logic, science, and myth, the works explore the underlying patterns and recursions in reality that scale throughout time and space.

My aim is to create artworks that are beautiful but not naive, critical but not ironic, and that bring metaphysics and aesthetic contemplation back into the fold of contemporary art. 

Check out more at the artist website kellanshanahan.com.

Linda DiRosa

Capturing a moment in time and preserving it for "always" is my goal. I have chosen photography and painting as a way of doing this. My hopes are that others, too, will see value, beauty and appreciation of this moment.

Check out more on the artist COAL website

John Sisley

Check out more at Facebook John Sisley's Art

K. R. Sexton

I'm an illustrator + designer specializing in pen & ink as well as digital art. I'm originally from the San Francisco Bay Area but moved to Carlsbad last month to expand my small art business.

Check out more on the artist website krsexton.com, Etsy k.r. sexton art, Facebook K.R. Sexton Art, Instagram @krsextonart and Twitter @krsextonart

May 2016: Celebrate Mom

cover art by Mariana Lopez Curated by Cynthia Melfi

[slideshow_deploy id='2559']

photos by Brigid Parsons

Click here to see profiles of many of the artists.

Below are the venues that participated in First Friday: Oceanside Art Walk for May 2016 - Celebrate Mom.

#	Venue	Artists and Events
1	OCEANSIDE MUSEUM OF ART 704 Pier View Way (760) 435-3720	create your own Teeny Tiny Art to be sold at next month's Art Walk as a fundraiser for the Education Department of OMA! Foodies by Sonia free exhibitions: Marjorie Nodelman: San Diego Artist ; Bill Rastetter: Street Art Reinterpreted ; Laddie John Dill: Light Sentences And Light Traps ; Robin Bright/Tom Driscoll: A Dual Retrospective
2	OCEANSIDE PUBLIC LIBRARY 330 N Coast Hwy (760) 435-5600	inside: unveiling of Nuestra Historia Revelada/Our History Revealed: Reexamining the Latino Social and Cultural Experience through a New Lens outside: The Firelight Ladies (fire dancing) with with Maggie Neuman, and Cassanna Atyim
3	RE/MAX SEAGAZE REALTY 401A N Coast Hwy (760) 310-5924	Tonia Senoo Troy Brajkovich
4	THE GALLERY AT THE BROOKS 217 N Coast Hwy (760) 433-8900	Artist retrospective including 11 artists with works ranging from watercolor to stone, realism to abstraction.
5	COAST JEWELRY AND MORE 205 N Coast Hwy (760) 439-2274	K.R. Sexton (drawings) Eric Anthony Crew (photography)
6	PHANTOM GALLERY OCEANSIDE 212 N Coast Hwy	Julia S Rasor (sculpture) Mohammed Al Hamadani (mixed media)
7	SEASIDE FLOWERS 212-C Artist Alley (760) 722-5602	outside: Kelly Halloran (live music)
8	STEPHEN M JACKSON STUDIO 212-D Artist Alley	Stephen M Jackson (paintings)
9	9M PHOTO 212-E Artist Alley	Myles McGuinness (photography)
10	MURAMID MURAL MUSEUM 212-F Artist Alley	Murals from the Art Miles Mural Project PCH Jazz (live music) projections of thousands of murals!
11	VACANT SPACE 206-A Artist Alley	Wahine Kai Women including Kathleen Ossiander (paintings) live ukelele music
12	CENTURY 21 MISSION 501 Mission Ave (760) 966-7436	BJ Witz (paintings) Mariana Lopez (paintings)
-	WHITLOCK SURF EXPERIENCE 605 Mission Ave (858) 994-0506	Center for the Arts at TERI, Inc (paintings, sculpture)
13	WHITLOCK INK 605 Mission Ave (858) 994-0506	Joe Vickers (graphic works)
14	MAINSTREET OCEANSIDE 701 Mission Ave (760) 754-451	outside: Jeff Johnson (live music) inside: Hooshang Yashar (paintings) inside: Amber Iniguez (paintings) inside: Squidz (drawings)
15	MISSION AVE BAR & GRILL 711 Mission Ave (760) 637-2222	BB Bastidas (paintings) Cory Patterson (photography) Jen Reyes Photography (photography)
16	PIPELINE PHYSICAL THERAPY 713 Mission Ave (760) 453-7072	Angela Kiyono (photography) and her mom Ramona Taylor (paintings) John Adrian Tomlin (author)

Jen Reyes

Jen Reyes is a San Diego photographer specializing in beach, wave, surf & coastal lifestyle photography.

Check out more on the artist website jenreyes.com, Facebook Jen Reyes Photography and Twitter @iamphotoJENic

BJ Witz

I have been painting for 25+ years starting with acrylics, but moving to watercolors a few years ago. I have been a docent and patron of Oceanside Museum of Art for many years. When I lived in Oceanside I was Chair of the Oceanside Art Commission and helped bring many public works of art to different locations in the city. A few years ago I painted a number of wooden chairs with colorful animals and scenes and sold them in a one-woman show called "Chairs for Charity" at my husband's office, Century 21 Mission which is now participating in Artwalk! The proceeds all went to the buyer's choice of charity!

Cory Patterson

Cory Patterson is a photographer at heart, who is absolutely and completely enthusiastic about his work. He lives in Ca. and thrives in capturing the artistic beauty of life and landscapes, and also brilliantly photographs high-fashion. Shooting 35mm, medium format and digital, he certainly has the knack for taking a perfect picture. 

Practicing photography for 16 years, Cory is always brainstorming and dreaming of what’s next. He does not compromise his ability to get the best shot. The camera is his tool and he wants nothing more than to capture life-as-it-happens photographs that are more than pleasing to the eye, but also fiercely expressive, creative, sublime.

Feel free to contact him for booking info at corypattersonphoto@gmail.com

Check out more on the artist website corypphotography.com, Facebook Cory Patterson Photography and Instagram @corypatterson

Mariana Lopez

Check out more on the artist Instagram @artofarilopez.

Janine Jacques

I am a jewelry artist with a diverse cultural motif; as well as pursuing my art degree.

Check out more on the artist website j405405b.etsy.com

Tonia Senoo

I am a local, Oceanside, artist. I mostly work with oils on canvas. Currently I have a good number of waves framed and for sale. The waves I have available to show/sell can be found on my website on the Gallery page. Thank you!

Check out more on the artist website HAFUDesigns.com, Instagram @HafuMoo and Facebook HAFUDesigns.

April 2016: April Foolishness

cover art by Laura Cunningham Curated by Cynthia Melfi

[slideshow_deploy id='2543']

photos by Brigid Parsons

Click here to see profiles of many of the artists.

Below are the venues that participated in First Friday: Oceanside Art Walk for April 2016 - April Foolishness

#	Venue	Artists and Events
1	OCEANSIDE MUSEUM OF ART 704 Pier View Way (760) 435-3720	Artist Alliance : Jeannie Marshall Ortiz (sculpture), Sequoia Redbird (painting) Foodies by Sonia - It's a fun sweet night, with cupcakes, cake pops, rum balls and more! 1960's crafts to celebrate our Club O event that will be on Saturday, April 2! Make a macrame choker or a love bead necklace or color in some 60s themed coloring books. It will be groovy! free exhibitions: Marjorie Nodelman: San Diego Artist ; Bill Rastetter: Street Art Reinterpreted ; Deanne Sabeck: Luminous ; Laddie John Dill: Light Sentences And Light Traps ; Robin Bright/Tom Driscoll: A Dual Retrospective
2	OCEANSIDE PUBLIC LIBRARY 330 N Coast Hwy (760) 435-5600	inside: Todd Hummel (photography) outside: The Firelight Ladies (fire dancing) with Amalia McCann, Maggie Neuman, and Cassanna Atyim
3	THE GALLERY AT THE BROOKS 217 N Coast Hwy (760) 433-8900	inside: Lisa Bebi, interpretations of  The Elephant Man (paintings) outside: El Camino High School (live music)
4	COAST JEWELRY AND MORE 205 N Coast Hwy (760) 439-2274	Laura Cunningham (mixed media)
5	PHANTOM GALLERY OCEANSIDE 212 N Coast Hwy	Scott Bruckner, Blake Kern, Mark Jesinoski, Kurt Lightfoot, Michael Rosenblatt, Ruth Jameson (paintings, multi media)
6	SEASIDE FLOWERS 212-C Artist Alley (760) 722-5602	inside: Center for the Arts at TERI, Inc (paintings, sculpture) outside: Oceanside School of Rock (live music)
7	STEPHEN M JACKSON STUDIO 212-D Artist Alley	Stephen M Jackson (paintings)
8	9M PHOTO 212-E Artist Alley	Myles McGuinness (photography)
9	MURAMID MURAL MUSEUM 212-F Artist Alley	Murals from the Art Miles Mural Project PCH Jazz (live music) projections of thousands of murals!
10	CENTURY 21 MISSION 501 Mission Ave (760) 966-7436	Susan Owens (jewelry) Angela Moriarity (photography)
11	WHITLOCK SURF EXPERIENCE 605 Mission Ave (858) 994-0506	surfboard art
12	WHITLOCK INK 605 Mission Ave (858) 994-0506	Joe Vickers (graphic works)
13	MAINSTREET OCEANSIDE 701 Mission Ave (760) 754-451	inside: Eric Anthony Crew, Golden Spiral Photography (photography) outside: Kelly Halloran (live music)
14	MISSION AVE BAR & GRILL 711 Mission Ave (760) 637-2222	BB Bastidas (paintings) Cory Patterson (photography) Jen Reyes Photography (photography)
15	PIPELINE PHYSICAL THERAPY 713 Mission Ave (760) 453-7072	Elizabeth Snyder (photography) John Adrian Tomlin (author)

March 2016: Spring Forward

cover art by The Center for the Arts at TERI, Inc Curated by Cynthia Melfi

[slideshow_deploy id='2528'] photos by Brigid Parsons

Click here to see profiles of many of the artists.

Below are the venues that participated in First Friday: Oceanside Art Walk for March 2016 - Spring Forward in Oceanside!

#	Venue	Artists and Events
1	OCEANSIDE MUSEUM OF ART 704 Pier View Way (760) 435-3720	Celebrate Dr Seuss! Join OMA as we celebrate Dr. Seuss's March 2 birthday with official activities from seussville.com! Scott Paulson will be there to help out. Artist Alliance : Jeannie Marshall Ortiz (sculpture), Sequoia Redbird (painting) FoodiesBySonia - empanadas $4 - chicken, beef or veggie free exhibitions: Marjorie Nodelman: San Diego Artist ; Bill Rastetter: Street Art Reinterpreted ; Deanne Sabeck: Luminous ; Laddie John Dill: Light Sentences And Light Traps ; Robin Bright/Tom Driscoll: A Dual Retrospective
2	OCEANSIDE PUBLIC LIBRARY 330 N Coast Hwy (760) 435-5600	Tom Wade - Life on a Surfboard (photography)
3	THE GALLERY AT THE BROOKS 217 N Coast Hwy (760) 433-8900	Jesse Kerr (graphic works)
4	COAST JEWELRY AND MORE 205 N Coast Hwy (760) 439-2274	Neil Brooks
5	SEASIDE FLOWERS 212-C Artist Alley (760) 722-5602	inside: Jennifer Magallon (photography) outside: Kelly Halloran (live music)
6	STEPHEN M JACKSON STUDIO 212-D Artist Alley	Stephen M Jackson (paintings) *Now Open*
7	9M PHOTO 212-E Artist Alley	Myles McGuinness (photography)
8	MURAMID MURAL MUSEUM 212-F Artist Alley	"Bad AS* Women":  preview of March 8 International Women's Day Expo, including Murals from the Art Miles Mural Project PCH Jazz (live music) projections of thousands of murals!
9	GALLERY 206 206-A Artist Alley	SAG (Sargent Art Group)
10	CENTURY 21 MISSION 501 Mission Ave (760) 966-7436	Center for the Arts at TERI, Inc (paintings, sculpture) Pete Harwood (photography)
11	WHITLOCK SURF EXPERIENCE 605 Mission Ave (858) 994-0506	surfboard art
12	WHITLOCK INK 605 Mission Ave (858) 994-0506	Joe Vickers (graphic works)
13	MAINSTREET OCEANSIDE 701 Mission Ave (760) 754-451	inside: Todd Hummel (photography) outside: Steelin' Tin (live music)
14	MISSION AVE BAR & GRILL 711 Mission Ave (760) 637-2222	BB Bastidas (paintings) Cory Patterson (photography)

PCH Jazz

Check out more on the artist website PCHJazz.com and Facebook PCH Jazz.