Each year Hollister Ranch stages a Hoedown to benefit a different aspect of their community. It’s one of my favourite events of the year – the setting; one of the most magical coastlines in North America. This year’s theme was environmental sustainability, something The Ranch has been at forefront of for many years. The residents are proud stewards of the land, balancing ecological preservation with agriculture and residential development.
“Sunrise Solitude” Hollister Ranch
I’ve been fortunate enough to be painting The Ranch for years and always marvel at the changing light and coloring of the seasons. A sacred place indeed, it’s no wonder the Chumash flourished here for millennia.
Hollister Hoedown 2012
Though not open to the general public, residents and their guests turn out in large numbers to support the Hoedown organised by more than 50 volunteers.
A beautifully restored Steamer on display as part of Fire Department benefit
This year fifty percent of the proceeds from the Art Sale benefited the Hollister Ranch Fire Department.
Bulito Beach
The Ranch is 14,400 acres of grazing lands, beach bluffs, and open meadows backing up to remote mountains and valleys north of Santa Barbara, and is home to some of the best surf breaks in the world. For many years the surf was only accessible by boat… surfing at the Ranch became the stuff of myth and legend….
“Low Tide” Hollister ranch
Renzo chasing down some Spaniel skank
For Renzo it’s a chance to run free on the beach, cool off in the ocean and then kick back on a hay bale and listen to some great music…
Jackson Browne
Hollister Ranch resident Jackson Browne once again headlined the concert line-up this year which always features a surprise guest…
This year the crowd was treated to a ninety minute set by surprise guest Jeff Bridges performing songs and embracing his character from Crazy Heart.
“West of the Gate” Hollister Ranch
I’m honoured to be included in the Hoedown – it’s my opportunity to give something back to this special part of California and the people who live there.
Photos by John Charles Jopson
Come to my next exhibition “No Bad Paintings, No Bad Waves” in Laguna Beach, August 25, 2012. Mickey Muñoz will be signing his new Patagonia-published book “No Bad Waves: Talking Story with Mickey Muñoz” and showing some of his unique photographs, and we’ll be celebrating his 75th birthday!
View more Hollister Ranch paintings.
Related: Last year’s Hollister Ranch Hoedown (2011)
Comments are welcome and encouraged. Your email address is not required in order to comment.
Your Blog is refreshing!. I follow a lot of artists blogs and websites they are sooo boring because they don’t show process or anything about their lives. Very few people get to travel the way you do, so its nice to see the world and live vicariously through your creative eyes. Thanks for sharing.
Goodbye for now,
Sissy
You seem like a really genuine person not all stuck up like most celebrities. And for that I appreciate your grace.
I hope to see your paintings in person some day.
Yup, the Ranch is cool and so are you.
I just love your moody seascapes!
You really come with wonderful posts. Cheers for sharing your blog. I’m bookmarking it!
Hollister Ranch is a legendary place I will never see, so it was pleasure to view it through your eyes, and even more so through your loverly paintings.
Lovely paintings!
I saw Jeff Bridges play when he was preparing for the Crazy Heart role. I’m happy to see he’s still playing those great songs and nice to see his daughter Jessie on stage. She’s talented too. Great setting for a concert. Thanks for those nice pictures.
It’s how I imagine California must have been like before whitey and Jeff Bridges came. I had no idea such a place existed.
I would like to point out my affection for your work and your support of fire fighters. Also thanks for the insightful information which indicates your passion for your work and the locations where you paint. Thanks a lot!
Love Jeff Bridges, love your paintings. Long live The Dude!
Incredible! I’ve never been to the Ranch but it’s a legendary place and your paintings give a feel of what it must be like there. I especially appreciate “Sunrise Solitude”.