Metal art – suitable for indoors or out – by Don Perry of Ocean Park, will be among items featured at the peninsula studio tour. Perry's studio will be one of 11 locations open Friday and Saturday.

Gloria Martin’s mother painted in oils. So she admits it was almost inevitable that she became an artist.

After her introduction to art at an early age, she started toying with acrylic painting some years ago. Watercolors were a challenge she embraced later. “You can correct over with acrylics, but watercolor you can’t – you had better know where you are going,” she said, laughing.

Martin is among artists who will be sharing her work at the Peninsula Arts Association Artisan Studio Tour on Friday and Saturday, spread across 11 locations on the Long Beach Peninsula.

Martin, originally from California, moved to the peninsula about 14 years ago. She enjoys interacting with artists and art lovers. At shows, she tells visitors, “It’s an original. I don’t make copies. So it’s one of a kind. I pride myself that I never paint the same thing again.”

Variety

Galleries taking part in the tour include Bay Avenue Gallery and Wiegardt Studio Gallery in Ocean Park and BOLD Coffee, Art and Framing in Long Beach.

The busiest location will be the Ocean Park Retreat Center and Methodist Camp in Ocean Park, hosting seven artists. In addition to Martin, art at the center will include cards by Judy Cox, mosaics from Diedre Duewell, watercolors by Janette Hampton, icons by Lori McDonald, mixed media works and ornaments from Brenda Sharkey and miniatures by JoAnne Webster.

Also in Ocean Park, Harmony Soapworks will display handcrafted products, Don Perry will show interior and exterior metal art and Patricia Fey will have glass bead mosaic art on view.

Long Beach has four locations. In addition to BOLD, Jim Unwin will show off fine art created from wood, while Stephanie Simmons will feature beaded jewelry and mixed media art. Beachgirl Pottery and Woodcraft will also take part.

Reward

Bette Lu Krause, one of the organizers, is enthused to offer an opportunity for Peninsula residents and visitors to savor a variety of artworks during the two days after Thanksgiving.

She will display painted landscapes at her Ocean Park studio.

“The Thanksgiving weekend studio and artisan tours on the Peninsula started in 2007, as this is a place where friends and families gather at the beach to celebrate Thanksgiving and spend some time together,” Krause said. “Fifteen years later, we have many regular visitors and friends that look forward to the tour and seeing what’s new among the (association) artists and crafters.”

Like Krause, Martin is gearing up to display her work. She isn’t surprised to be asked about her joy in creating. “The reward is when you finish something and like it,” Martin said. “It feels good. It’s my pastime. It calms my nerves.”

But she will only show off her art if what she has envisioned works out. “I have a burn pile,” she added, with a degree of pride. “If I don’t like something, it still goes on my burn pile.”

Peninsula Arts Association Artisan Studio Tour

Friday and Saturday

Various Locations, Long Beach Peninsula; includes studios, galleries, Ocean Park Retreat Center and Methodist Camp, 28511 Vernon Ave., Ocean Park

www.beachartist.org