THIS PAGE : COURTESY OF THE RANCH AT LAGUNA BEACH |
in Dana Point . The hands-on shaping process ( which includes outlining and cutting out their board , using the planer to adjust thickness and rails , and final sanding and screening touches ) is easily the most engaging part of the entire experience . “ Surfers view their surfboard as their connection to the wave ,” Larson explains . “ Clients will be able to fully immerse themselves in the shaping world through learning about board design and how intricacies like rocker , foil and concave affect the performance of the board sliding over the water .”
By the end of the day , the board should be ready for colors , graphics and glassing , which Larson will finalize in the shop . A few months later , the finished one-of-a-kind beauty arrives at your door ( anywhere in the continental United States ).
When asked what excites him most about this collaboration with The Ranch , he says , “ Ultimately , I would like to leave clients with some knowledge and material for their stories of The Ranch to tell for years to come .”
THE PAINTER John Cosby hails from Hollywood , and found inspiration in the oil paintings of his grandmother at a very young age . He ’ s run the gamut of life experiences : working a government job as an advance man in the executive branch before rebuilding and then sailing a classic sloop up and down the Eastern Seaboard for three years , returning to Southern California in order to launch his painting career .
The longtime south Orange County native is a founding board member of the Laguna Plein Air Painters Association , has held signature memberships in both the Plein Air Painters of America and the California Art Club , and is represented by galleries around the world .
Given this world renown and spirit of adventure , clients of the Painter Experience would be hard-pressed to find a more qualified guide to plein air painting than Cosby .
As with The Shaper , the experience starts with a private phone ( or Zoom ) conversation with Cosby to discuss goals for the day . Then , on the selected date , clients will start at Cosby ’ s San Clemente studio with coffee and more conversation , what he calls “ just like any other day in the life of a professional artist .” In the studio , clients will be guided
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through the process of creating a completed painting from beginning to end . “ And not to worry ,” Cosby clarifies , “ we ’ ll tailor the subject to the guest ’ s area of interest , so they ’ ll be able to capture the essence of an image that speaks to them .”
Next , guests will hit the beach — most likely in the form of an awe-inspiring coastal bluff — to plan , sketch and paint . When the day ’ s work is done , guests will take home one of the sketches created together with Cosby . The final painting will follow two to three weeks later , once it ’ s had a chance to properly dry in Cosby ’ s studio , along with a note from Cosby and some photos from your time together . Lunch is also included in the experience .
“ This promises to be a very unique experience for … [ anyone who ] decides to invest their time and energy into this opportunity ,” Cosby says . “ Typically , I reserve this kind of knowledge sharing for my fellow artists and peers , so this is a rare chance for someone to gain some insight into the inner workings of a professional painter . So come ready to paint , explore and create something truly beautiful .”
“ The Shaper ” and “ The Painter ” packages each start at $ 2,500 plus applicable taxes , and include a pre-arrival call , lunch with the creator , transportation to and from the studio , the crafting and the final product delivery anywhere in the continental U . S . Available exclusively to resort guests ; must be booked at least three weeks in advance . g
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Plein air painter John Cosby ( top and above , at right ) will work with guests of The Ranch at Laguna Beach who sign up for The Painter experience to create their own pieces of art . |
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LAGUNA BEACH MAGAZINE 47 |