Barbara Renshaw specializes in watercolors of California native plants.  She lives in Los Osos and gathers most of her material by hiking with a camera and a sketch book.  Besides walking in the parks with family and friends, she leads the popular “Sketch Walks” as a docent volunteer for the State Park's Adventures with Nature program.

She paints from the photos or sketches she has taken while walking.  She also has a garden with many native plants and can paint these live.  Barb has always done art projects as a hobby.  The hobby just became more important after she retired from Peerless Systems in 1997,  where was one of six founders and a vice president.

Barbara's artwork is frequently available for purchase in the form of 6-pack gift cards in the Morro Bay Museum gift shop

Pack # 1
*Coon Creek
*Reservoir Flats Trail
 Meadows and Morros
*Shark Inlet
 Landscapes
 Alice Cushing watercolors

*These cards include flowers found at these locations.

Here is an article about Alice reproduced from the New Times (2003)

Alice Cushing: Her heart is in the art  

One of the first things Alice Cushing did when she arrived in town was join the San Luis Obispo Art Center.

Twelve years later, she is still volunteering her time. According to Karen Kile, executive director, Cushing is the heart and soul of what is a very special place for many people.

"She has a strong loyalty and love for this place. It gives the staff, the board, and other volunteers the kind of warm feeling that someone cares that much. She is here for this place."

Kile said whatever job needs to be done, Cushing does it. She helps with putting out mailings, does a multitude of tasks related to a variety of fund-raisers and festivals, closes the building at the end of the day, and is available to answer questions from artists and visitors.

"I try always to go to the openings so I know about the artist and can talk to the visitors about them," said Cushing, herself a watercolorist. "And I know a little bit about painting, so I can help if they have questions."

The San Luis Obispo resident said she originally became involved with the hope of meeting new people. "I didn’t know anyone when I first moved here, and now I have a lot of very good friends. It’s just a nice place to work and I enjoy being there. The Art Center couldn’t function if it wasn’t for the volunteers."

–Jack Beardwood

Rachael Winn Yon grew up in rural Anderson County, South Carolina.  As the fifth of six children, she was directed by her older siblings.  As she explains, they quickly learned to give her crayons or pencils and paper to keep her busy.  Rachael had a wealth of models on the family farm.  The farm had goats, pigs, horses, cows, chickens, flowers, and vegetables.  Her father also kept a fish pond with many kinds of fish, and there were riparian areas and woods where wild animals lived.  Rachael found many live models for her drawing besides the family members and the house.

 By age three or four Rachael expressed a serious and consuming interest in making art.  This vocation stays with her; she thinks and lives as an artist.  This means creating her own works, but beyond the personal it means teaching, mentoring, and encouraging many people in their personal expression and pursuit of creativity.

 Rachael believes everyone can enjoy making art.  She helps others experience the pleasure of creating art by leading “sketch walks” in the state parks and by teaching in her studio