Leslie A. Brown - Fine Artist
"The most beautiful people in my life are women," says Brown, whose paintings and prints often feature strong female archetypes. "My work stems from this idea of when women are empowered, that's when the world will change. Mostly women buy my art. They always comment on how it makes them feel. And as an artist, if you don't hear your voice, you can't do it."
Brown is building a new fine art studio and gallery space in Old Town Temecula. "I think we really need that here. Art is a luxury and also a necessity." A tenured professor of Art at Riverside City College, Brown loves teaching art. "I'll never be able to retire. It's a beautiful experience being a teacher."
Kym De Los Reyes - Landscape Painter
Known for her colorful landscapes, De Los Reyes' new January collection is "a bit moody. I wanted to create a moody, sophisticated landscape," she says. "The earth and my faith are a big driving force of what I do. I am always so inspired by the sky and the color of the landscape surrounding us - how nature makes me feel."
"While I have collectors here, I'm more well known in the South. They really embrace original artistry over having a print from Home Goods." De Los Reyes, who is always seeking Divine Inspiration, is about to begin a new beachy Summer Collection and is currently at work on a new line of linens, fabrics and wallpaper.
Tammy Greenwood - Poet & Printmaker
"I've been an artist my whole life," says Greenwood. "I've always felt it was important to create something from nothing. Never having had children, art has been a way for me to fill that void...it has been very cathartic."
Louisiana-born Greenwood draws upon her roots for inspiration. "When you're raised Catholic in the South, there's a lot of imagery that floats around. In my work, you'll see fertility symbols like bees and rabbits, but also symbols of life and death." Greenwood also spends time writing. "I've been making art for some time...I can take it a little further with writing." She is currently at work on her first book of poetry due at the end of 2024.
Isabel Lemus - Cork Artist
"I've always been attracted to corks,” says the Cuban artist. “It already has a shape, a color, different tones." Lemus began working on her colorful Caribbean-inspired "AphroVines" during the pandemic after her mother's passing. "I had the idea for a year...but it was my way to find peace. The Afro Latino community is not that big here, so it was a way to bring my culture to me."
Lemus, who had her first solo show at the Temecula Valley Museum in March and exhibits annually at Pechanga's Wine & Chocolate event, has collectors around the country. "Most of my buyers are African American women and I have some clients in the LGBTQ community. I am really proud to be an emerging artist."
Alex Spector - Ceramicist
"I call my work 'art with a purpose,'" says Spector. "I love to do dishes and pieces that people can use." The Guadalajara-born artist, who trained in Paris and Barcelona, discovered the joys of working with clay 10 years ago. "I've been doing all kinds of art since I can remember. But I have a love affair with clay and it took over everything else!"
Spector's handmade pieces take many forms. "I do mostly kitchen items - mugs, platters, full sets of dishes, spoon holders - and all are dishwasher, microwave and oven safe." Spector is looking to add her creations to the boutiques at a few local wineries. "There's no limit to what you can do with clay."
Desiree Wetz - Author of Sitting Rock and the Rock that Became a Mountain
Wetz knew in 3rd grade that she wanted to write. "All we had was Island of the Blue Dolphins - I knew that we were missing some vital storytelling," she says. "I'm pretty heavily involved in my culture and the traditions of our people...it would be irresponsible not to share it. Sitting Rock is about finding your path. If you listen, you’ll find it."
Wetz, who also makes woven jewelry and handmade baskets, is Acjachemen, who are closely related to the Pechanga people. "We speak the same language," she says. The second installment of Sitting Rock is scheduled for late 2024. She is currently working on a book of poetry.
"Art is a luxury and also a necessity." -Leslie A. Brown
"I've always been attracted to corks." -Isabel Lemus
