Fine Art Displayed at Spring Lake Art Walk

On Saturday, Spring Lake held an art walk on Third Avenue that featured the work of over 10 fine artists. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., locals and tourists enjoyed the exhibit as they strolled through the business district.

Toms River artist Carol Stauffer exhibited her photography -- a collection that consisted mainly of nature photos. She gets her inspiration from the scenery around her which is especially evident in her piece ‘Cocktails by the Bay.’

“I was at a friends house having a girls night when I shot this,” said Stauffer of ‘Cocktails by the Bay’ -- a photograph that she took of food and wine set up on a table in Silver Bay with Cattus Island in the background.

This piece and many others of Stauffer’s art is displayed as a photo on canvas.

“It’s a processing technique that looks like a real gallery art piece,” she said.

“There is so much beauty around us and everyone is always so busy on their cellphones that I try to bring nature to the forefront so that they can appreciate it,” said Stauffer.

Lisa Budd of West Creek had several watercolors on display of children -- a few of which are paintings of her own children when they were younger.

“I grew up going to Belmar. When my kids were younger I always took pictures of them at the beach then started painting them,” Budd said.

Budd went to college for interior design where she was exposed to water colors.

“I had to do renderings in watercolors. Through a local art group I learned how to draw people,” Budd added.

Rebecca Lapera, 20, of Wall, an artist herself who attended the event to browse, admired Budd’s work.

“It’s really precise which is hard to do with watercolors. I love the kids,” said Lapera. “It’s a great show. I’ve never seen this here before -- it exposes local artists.”

Also exhibiting her artwork was Township artist Linda Pandolfe with her wide variety of pottery. From plain solid pieces to work pressed with shells and stones to create decorative patterns and designs, attendees enjoyed Pandolfe’s work.

“I like the pottery designs. They are unique,” said Alicia Burd of Mullica Hill.

Hill especially admired the texture of many of Pandolfe’s pieces as she pointed out a white, blue, and brown oval vase that was pressed with shells to create a pattern.

“When I was doing this I was thinking of water going over shells,” Pandolfe said about the piece.

Pandolfe makes designs on her pottery by carving out pieces. She likes to stick with patterns vs. things that are plain. Her best sellers are mugs and bowls -- things that are functional, she said. Having attended college years ago for art in Ohio and Miami, she continues to take classes to improve her work, now in New Jersey.

“I’m always learning,” said the artist who has been doing pottery on and off for over 30 years.

There will be another art walk next month. Visit www.springlake.org for more information.