Explore Local Art and Scenic Beauty: Ramona Open Studios Tour Highlights Two Homes in the San Diego Country Estates

The Ramona Chamber of Commerce presented the Annual Ramona Open Studios Tour on April 12 and 13, giving art lovers an opportunity to see artists in their private studios and/or homes while viewing their work. This self-guided tour allowed visitors to explore at their own pace between 10 am and 4 pm.

Participating artists displayed a variety of artistic expressions, including painting, ceramics, jewelry, sculptures, fused glass, and woodworking, which were available for purchase.

A total of 12 homes participated in the tour; two SDCE homes opened their doors for a unique and rare opportunity to experience the intersection of art, nature, and local culture in one of San Diego's most picturesque settings. At each stop, guests were greeted by a diverse array of artwork—from breathtaking paintings to intricate sculptures, all created by talented local artists inspired by the beauty of the surrounding countryside.

Stop #8 on Barona Mesa Road featured Jennifer Crenshaw and her watercolor paintings. Crenshaw has lived in SDCE for most of her life and paints full-time in her home. She loves to paint animals and does a lot of wildlife paintings; she also does commissions and pet portraits, such as dogs and cats. "I am drawn to painting animals," says Crenshaw. "Animals are my favorite in general."

Crenshaw has always loved art and wanted to be an artist. When she was a child, her mother was an elementary school teacher and would find teachable moments, having her in her highchair painting with watercolor and making a mess. Crenshaw says that is where it began; she would draw what she saw.

Crenshaw earned her BA in Fine Art with a concentration in printmaking from California State University Stanislaus in 1995. From there, she began using her art skills and learning more about photography while working as the head retouch artist for Bay Photo Lab in Santa Cruz, CA. She turned her hobby into a job, setting her on a path as a professional photographer. After nine years, she moved back to her hometown in Southern California and, while raising three kids, began teaching preschool, art classes, and a school-age summer program that included art and science. Between being a mom, teaching, and being a photographer, her time for personal art projects was limited. In 2022, with her kids grown, Crenshaw decided to devote more time to art. Her love of nature is still the driving force behind her paintings, with her favorite subjects being wildlife.

For years, she would create paintings to give to family and now gets to do it every day as a job and is learning a lot. Some of her artwork is displayed in the 2Create Gallery at the east end of Ramona and at the Julian Arts Guild Gallery. In addition, she has featured her work in art shows, including Art in the Village in Carlsbad and the Coronado Art & Wine Festival.

Crenshaw had raffle tickets, beverages, and treats for guests to enjoy while they toured through her home. Her dog Turbo was happy to meet the guests.

If you are interested in purchasing Crenshaw’s paintings, visit Jencrenshawfineart.com, or visit her Instagram page @Jencrenshaw.art or her Facebook page at Jencrenshawart or email her at Jencrenshawart@gmail.com.

Stop #9 on Poderio Drive highlighted Mary Decker and her acrylic paintings. Mary and her husband of 50 years, Gary, built their SDCE home and have lived there for 40 years. She enjoys painting and using a lot of color. She loves animals and likes to paint animals such as horses, bears, lions, and eagles. "I love centering on the eyes," says Decker. "It's the heart of the soul." She adds that art is very personal, and when you walk through her home, you see a lot of history.

Decker's passion for painting began when she was a little girl and loved to paint horses. Later, she attended a church service where a painter was teaching the craft, and she was inspired to take up the brush once again.

Some of Decker's artwork is on display at the La Mesa Art Studio. She was pleased to open her home to people who came to view her artwork, and she had coffee and chips for guests to enjoy while they were on the tour. Her dog Shadow was present and happily greeted guests.

If you are interested in purchasing Decker's acrylic paintings, you can contact her at 760-310-7922.

As the Ramona Open Studios Tour came to a close, visitors left with beautiful memories and a deeper appreciation for the vibrant artistic community with its stunning artwork and creative energy. The tour offered a unique glimpse into the artistic process and inspiring landscapes that influenced these local artists. It proved that Ramona's charm lies in both its natural beauty and the artistic spirit that thrives within it. Whether seasoned art collectors or simply curious explorers, many left with a new understanding of the creative landscape and perhaps even a piece of it to take home.



Here is a link to all of the stops on the tour. https://ramonachamber.com/ramona-open-studios-tour/.

Header image photos by Tiffany Pressler.