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OCEAN PARK The forces of Mother Nature have had plenty to say on the Peninsula over the last several months, but even the harangue of gale force winds, snow, hail and rain have failed to stop a talented and diverse group of artists from preparing an exciting art exhibition. Peninsula Arts Associations 21st Spring Art Show opens March 30, at the World Kite Museum in Long Beach. The three-day show is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and closes on April 1. As always, admission is free.

We have seen an increase in new members and done very well with renewed memberships, said PAA Vice President Michael Cox. The Spring Show contains work from artists in almost all categories with many, varied points of view. The Inspired Creations section is shaping up to contain work from several of our newer members.

Specifically, those new members are: (Irma) Jean Lawrence of South Bend, an artist with an itchy foot. Traveling country roads, she delights in painting old barns and forgotten country landscapes. Another barn devotee is Dixie Black from Warrenton. Her three oil painting entries all feature barns and their environs. Dee Reis is a photographer from Ocean Park with a calla lily entry and mosaic artist Ann Thoreson, also of Ocean Park, continues the garden theme with her beautifully worked mosaic bench. The last newcomer to the group is Debra L. Kirk, an Ilwaco artist that has entries in textiles, clay and collage categories.

The shows Featured Artist is photographer Peggy Bleckov. Bleckov won the top ribbon, Judges Choice ~ Best in Show, for the 2011 Fall Art Show. A self-taught photographer, Bleckovs choice of subject, sense of balance and design reflect the strong sense of style she brings to her home and gardens. Her love of animals is represented in her work as well.

I shoot anything that catches my eye, I love to experiment, said Bleckov. Simple compositions are most beautiful to me and goats are great fun to shoot. Their curiosity and unique eyes gets me every time.

Her winning photograph from 2011, The Bond, was of a goat and a small 4-H farmer. Away during the time of the Fall Show, Bleckovs husband Jim proudly read the email containing the news of her award to the artist and friends.

Even though it was breakfast time, champagne did get poured, laughed Bleckov of the announcement.

As with many photographers, Bleckov cites the golden glow of late afternoon as her favorite time to shoot. Although claiming a love-hate relationship with the technical end of photography, the surprise element of discovering the unexpected perfect shot while in pursuit of another subject entirely is what keeps her passion for the art form stoked.

The thing that attracts me most to photography is just being in that moment when you are really looking closely through the lens setting up the shot. Its a kind of Zen moment for me, explained Bleckov.

Finding the right color combination is what catches the eye of fellow photographer Nancy Meyrick. Color is what excites me about taking a photo, says Meyrick.

Brigid Byrne finds the environment a catalyst for her work. I am inspired from the local scenes I see most everyday, she explains. Her three paintings in the oil category reflect that local interest. The ocean, ever present and ever changing, took hold of glass and jewelry artist Vickie Branch. Her entry, a perfect wave, took a total of 10 tries to be completed.

The wave is very thick, needing layers upon layers of glass to get the right look, said Branch. Each layer is fired at a slower speed and lower temperature and several times it just exploded. I was determined to make the wave I had pictured in my mind so I just kept at it. Once it was done it stayed in the kiln for two days then went directly into a box. It wont be touched until the show.

Looking for a different view spurred Marion Ogles jewelry entry, Fishie Fishie. Instead of the usual side view, this little fishie hangs in such a way that he is looking directly up and into the wearers face. Her husband, Patrick Ogles glass piece, Sea Turtle was made to honor the beauty and remind viewers of the endangered status this sea creature faces. Both are made in the flame works. Naturalist Bette Lu Krause explored a further connection between people and nature with her acrylic painting titled Calm Seas.

The painting is of a lone dolphin in the big ocean, said Krause. It incorporates some broken glass for sparkle and to remind us of our own brokenness, and our responsibility to our planets broken parts.

Along with the work of Peggy Bleckov and the artists mentioned above, the Spring Art Show will exhibit work from 34 more artists in 22 categories. Judging the show are artists Wally Mann, Mary Ann Gantenbein and Roger Dorband.

Inspired Creations features art inspired work, prints, art cards, jewelry, photography, textiles and more from several of the exhibiting artists. A raffle of donated art benefits PAAs High School Graduate Scholarship Fund and the Art Enrichment Program. PAA is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization.

Admission is free and parking is plentiful. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., daily. For more information about Peninsula Arts Association visit www.beachartist.org or call 665-6041. For information about the World Kite Museum, (located at 303 Sid Snyder Drive, Long Beach), visit www.worldkitemuseum.com.