Painting is easy when you don’t know how but very difficult when you do.
Edgar Degas
Happy New Year!
The quote above, I believe, perfectly encapsulates the artist’s complex relationship with their craft. In the beginning, creativity is free, guided only by impulse; there is a pure, easy joy in the act of creation and unburdened by the rules of technique or perspective. However, as the artist matures and acquires mastery, the initial ease vanishes and they become acutely aware of every subtle nuance – the precise quality of light, the physics of a pose, or the historical weight of their chosen medium. This knowledge transforms the act into a profound struggle; every brush stroke is now a deliberate and difficult choice in the pursuit of perfection. When we look at the work of a professional artist, we are not seeing effortless genius, but the result of disciplined difficulty which deserves our deepest admiration.
As we enter a new year, I send the warmest of wishes to the creative artists of the Campbell Artists’ Guild. May your palettes be rich and your inspiration boundless, and may you find both the quiet joy of creating and the triumph of sharing your art.
Here’s to forging new paths and making this your most creative year yet. Best of luck to everyone in all your future endeavors in 2026!
Smruti Kurse – Vice President
Artist of the Month and Blue Ribbon Gallery
Thank you to our talented artists who participated in the December competitions for Artist of the Month and Blue Ribbon Gallery. The first place ribbon recipient in Artist of the Month is now eligible to enter into the Blue Ribbon Gallery in February 2024.
Group Art Projects
The 2026 Spring Group Project will start January 24 where artists will have three months to create one (or all) of the three randomly selected themes to be presented at the April 25 Membership Meeting.
Special Announcements
Congratulations are in order as Jude Tolley made a concerted effort to get her work out there by entering her art in some online shows. She received a Merit Award in Light Space Time’s 15th Annual Nature Exhibition for Half Moon Bay (right) and a Special Recognition Award for Toulouse Bridge. Whoo-who!
From Wood-burn to Glossy Pages – A well-deserved recognition. Two of Smruti Kurse’s pyrography pieces were selected for the latest issue of Monochromica magazine (Issue 006). Smruti loves how pyrography creates such rich, natural tones without using a drop of paint and she is honored to be featured on page 132 alongside so many talent artists. Congratulations Smruti!
Special Announcements & Events
An Exhibition of Thanks
Barb Overholt’s painting,Unrest, was among the 18 artists’ works on exhibit in Triton’s Supporting Artists Exhibition from December 12–January 4, 2026. The exhibition was a thank you for the artists’ generosity in donating art pieces to the museum’s 60th Anniversary Gala silent auction.
Triton’s Member Appreciation Night, Friday 12/9
We’ve been missing Guild member FAranik Sinaiat our membership meetings for some months and Barb Overholt was very pleased to have an unexpected meet-up with her at Triton’s enjoyable membership event.
Coastal Arts League Annual Members Show – Half Moon Bay
Talented Guild member, Jude Tolley, who is also a member of the Coastal Arts League, was among other artists on exhibit on Saturday, December 13. Barb Overholt was on hand to support Jude’s new art pieces (two upper left) at the opening reception. We had a great time catching up and I met all kinds of interesting and talented artists!
Festive Annual Holiday Potluck Meeting
Twenty-five members enjoyed our year-end meeting on Saturday, December 6. We presented our monthly competitions, confirmed the reelection of our Board and Officers, exchanged Artist Trading Cards, and feasted on members’ fabulous potluck dishes while listening to holiday music. Thank you to our Hospitality Chairs Serena Murray and Smruti Kurse for their dedicated work in adorning the tables with such flair, style, and whimsy! A fun time was had by all.