

Oakleigh is home to several astounding artists, representing many mediums. Painters, like Karin Shelton or Allie Cole, dazzle onlookers with stunning mountain-scapes, realistic recreations of scrubjays and delicious fig figures. These artisans take inspiration from the beautiful flora and fauna surrounding them and infusing them with creative ability. Cole is an aspiring artist, only just recently releasing her art unto the world. Shelton, on the other hand, is a full fledged career artist, who has successfully been selling her art around Santa Barbara and the Los Angeles area. Both have left their mark on the world.

Zyrka Landwijt Metcalfe represents another side of the creative spectrum. While she does not paint, she hand sews beautiful blanket wraps. Originally wanting to make something for herself, she has turned that desire into an art form. Made of Pendleton wool, Zyrka customizes each one with an array of colors and designs, while also decorating them with ribbons, pendants, buckskin lace, assorted trade beads and holy medals, as well as antler and bone. Individual wraps take up to 12 hours to create, and Zyrka has made over 30. She sells the wraps through her Instagram, which can be found Here.


Our last artist’s instrument is not a paintbrush nor sewing needle, but a welding torch. Mattie Shelton, a young entrepreneur, designs and builds tiny, livable houses. She runs her own business, where she has made it possible to do what she loves, and make a profit. Shelton grew up among a family of artists, like her mother Karin Shelton, and her father Jeff, who is an architect. Having a supportive, creative atmosphere has pushed her to pursue a career in Hut building. Shelton welds the frames of said huts, and puts them together herself. Her metal shop, which she shares with her uncle David, also a welder, is located in downtown Santa Barbara, and is teeming with odd bits of scrap metal and tools, used for all kinds of jobs and installations.

Thank you for reading. Please comment and like! Ill be back next week with another interesting post.
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