Guest Artist for October 2026: Susan Hartman
SUSAN HARTMAN ARTIST STATEMENT
Instagram: @skhartman26
Facebook: #skhartman26
E-mail: skhartman26@msn.com
My journey as an artist began in Minnesota, where I earned my MFA from the University of Minnesota, and has continued through Arizona and ultimately California. Each of these landscapes, communities and their diverse population has deeply influenced my development as an abstract painter.
A quote by the abstract painter Joan Mitchell resonates strongly with my approach: “I do not mirror nature; I paint what it leaves me.” Like Mitchell, I am less interested in representation than in response — in translating what lingers emotionally and intuitively after an experience.
For me, abstract painting is the most authentic and expansive form of expression. It allows for the exploration of thought, feeling, intuition, and playfulness without constraint. Color is central to my work — it carries emotion, establishes rhythm, and shapes atmosphere. Texture, line, and form further build layers of movement and energy, inviting the viewer into a dynamic and personal encounter with the canvas.
Through abstraction, I seek not to describe the visible world, but to evoke what is felt beneath its surface.
I have participated in gallery shows in Long Beach, Huntington Beach, Oceanside, Los Angeles and Arizona.
Guest Artist for September 2026, Peggy Minger-McCants
Guest Artist for August 2026, Eldridge Sims
The Art Gallery for Better Lives is pleased to introduce our guest artist for this August, Eldridge Sims!
El paints on silk with dyes and batik techniques to create luminous pictures.
Below is a photograph of his exhibition on the back wall of the Gallery, but come in and see it in person.
Summer Exhibition and Open House
Everyone is invited to our Summer Exhibition, which has a wide variety of new original art for every budget. There will be an Open House with light refreshments on Saturday, July 18, 2026, from 5 to 7 pm, to introduce our 12”x12'“ original artworks that are sized to be convenient for travel. Many of our artists will be there, and we would love to see you.
Nationally exhibited local artists show and sell their work at the Art Gallery for Better Lives, in order to assist children living in disadvantaged communities to lead sustainable lives, by donating 10% of sales revenue to BetterLives.org
The original artworks in the Summer Exhibition include local scenes, beautiful landscapes, still life, and interesting abstracts in a variety of styles media, and sizes. Our goal is that everyone can find art that inspires them, excites memories, or stirs their imagination.
Artist Gino Nardo works on the hanging on the 12”×12” artworks
Guest Artist for June 2026: Judy Schroeder
After falling in love with watercolors at age 8, Judy Schroeder had found her future. After earning an art degree and teaching credential in college, she taught in school and later in her children’s classes when needed. At the same time she studied with the notable painters of the California School. In 1998, Schroeder Studio Gallery was established in Old Town Orange where watercolors, art glass and American Craft were offered as well as painting classes taught by the painters represented in the gallery. After 17 years the gallery closed and the studio portion was relocated until 2020.
Schroeder was one of 17 artists selected worldwide to pen a chapter for Work Small, Learn Big: Sketching with Pen & Watercolor, a book published by International Artist Magazine in 2003. In 2006, at the invitation of the Orange Public Library Foundation, she created 13 paintings for the new main library history walk. Schroeder served on the National Watercolor Society Board for several years and is currently the Newsletter Editor for Watercolor West.
We are happy and pleased that Judy Schroeder is our guest artist for June. Come in during the month to see her gorgeous watercolors.
May 2026 Events:
May Guest Artist Beatriz Tamo drew quite a crowd with her painting of a local dog walker!
Bea’s painting has been displayed in the window of the Art Gallery for Better Lives in Seal Beach all during the month of May. The dog walker heard about her painting and brought his friends to see it. Thanks for the inspiration, Bea!
(There are 11 dogs there — can you find them all?)
