Tag Archives: Patricia Houghton Clarke

Silo118 presents BODY

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Kabuku, by Patricia Houghton Clarke, currently on view at Silo118.

Kabuku, photograph by Patricia Houghton Clarke, currently on view at Silo118.

On view through November 8, Silo118 features artists JoAnn Belson, Patricia Houghton Clarke, Steven DePinto, Max Gleason, Skye Gwilliam, Jay Peterzell and Patricia Post in a show called “BODY,” focusing on pieces working with the human form.

Located in the heart of Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone, Silo118 is a historic grain silo, now serving as an intimate gallery welcoming emerging and established contemporary artists and photographers to bring their imagination to life.

TwoBlue by JoAnn Belson, acrylic, gesso and torn paper, standing almost 7 feet tall, on view at Silo118.

TwoBlue by JoAnn Belson, acrylic, gesso and torn paper, standing almost 7 feet tall, on view at Silo118.

Silo118 Gallery is located is located at 118-B Gray Ave. in the Funk Zone, open Thursday-Sunday from noon-5 p.m.

Empyrean Dive, oil and mixed media by Max Gleason, on view at Silo118Gallery.

Empyrean Dive, oil and mixed media by Max Gleason, on view at Silo118Gallery.

—Leslie Dinaberg

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons on September 27, 2017.

Hold Hope | Obama in Santa Barbara, 2007

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HOLD HOPE: Obama in Santa Barbara, 2007, by Patricia Houghton Clarke.

HOLD HOPE: Obama in Santa Barbara, 2007, by Patricia Houghton Clarke.

International award-winning photographer (and Santa Barbara Seasons contributor) Patricia Houghton Clarke presents never-before seen black and white images from Barack Obama’s campaign stop in Santa Barbara in 2007.

She says, “The photographs embody the President’s abiding power, grace, and most importantly, HOPE.”

There will be an opening reception from 4-7 p.m. on Jan. 28 at PATRICIA CLARKE STUDIO at the Palm Lofts (410 Palm Ave., Space A 18, Carpinteria). A closing reception will also be held in that same location on Feb. 25 from 2-4 p.m.

Barack Obama, 6, 2007, photo by Patricia Houghton Clarke.

Barack Obama, 6, 2007, photo by Patricia Houghton Clarke.

Proceeds from the sales of these images will benefit the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), and may also be purchased online through February 25 at: http://patriciahoughtonclarke.com/section/334090_obama_in_santa_barbara_2007.html.

All events are free and open to the public. Studio hours are also available by appointment and groups are welcome. For more information, call 805/381-1758 or email pcphotog@gmail.com.

—Leslie Dinaberg

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons on January 24, 2017.

My Santa Barbara: Unseen Santa Barbara

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Photograph by Patricia Houghton Clarke

By Leslie Dinaberg

Photograph by Patricia Houghton Clarke.

Photograph by Patricia Houghton Clarke.

At first glance, it is unclear if you’re viewing an impressionist painting or simply a captivating reflection, which is exactly what drew Patricia Houghton Clarke to take this intriguing photograph.

Clarke was wandering along a path at Arroyo Hondo Preserve, on her way to the birthday party of Phil McKenna, a longtime friend and one of the founders of Naples Coalition and Gaviota Coast Conservancy. The reflections caught her eye as she was standing in the middle of the creek, recalling a conversation about the preservation efforts with J.J. Hollister, whose family once owned the 782-acre Arroyo Hondo—sometimes called “Jewel of the Gaviota Coast”—and later sold it to Land Trust for Santa Barbara County, which now runs the preserve.

“That was the first time I went to Arroyo Hondo, to see the homestead they have there, and J.J. (who passed away in January 2016) talked a lot about the preservation of the creek and the steelhead and what they’ve done on that…I’m sure that was part of my fascination with that creek,” says Clarke. “Then, obviously, the image was just right there. It was like a Monet painting.”

She continues, “The photograph is untouched, not Photoshopped at all…I didn’t take it with a great camera or anything—it was just one of those things, a little point-and-shoot I had with me to take pictures of Phil’s birthday. Just a moment in time.”

Incidentally, McKenna is the only person with a print of this image, part of Clarke’s “Unseen Santa Barbara” series.

One of the things I love about the photo,” she says, “is that you really can’t tell what it is unless you look into that lower right hand corner and see a little stone in the water, so there’s a little giveaway of what it is.
For more info about Arroyo Hondo Preserve and the steelhead trout preservation efforts, visit sblandtrust.org. For more information about Patricia Houghton Clarke and her work, visit patriciahoughtonclarke.com.

This story was originally published in the Spring 2016 issue of Santa Barbara Seasons Magazine.

Cocktail Corner: Viva la Cocktails at Cadiz!

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Cadiz's "Gingham and Palomino" cocktail. Photo by Taylor Micaela Davis.

Cadiz’s “Gingham and Palomino” cocktail. Photo by Taylor Micaela Davis.

A spirited toast to all things alcoholic!  By Leslie Dinaberg

Santa Barbara’s Spanish heritage is always on display at the beautiful Cadiz restaurant (509 State St.), but this month, there’s an extra injection of that Fiesta spirit with a special cocktail menu celebrating Patricia Houghton Clarke‘s Old Spanish Days photographs which are featured in the summer issue of Santa Barbara SEASONS Magazine.

“Girls Give It A Go”—inspired by Clarke’s kinetic portrayal of a trio of mechanical bull-riding pre-teen queens—combines vodka, peach liqueur, Peychauds Bitters, lemon juice and Cava for a kicky cocktail that packs a nice punch on a warm summer night.

Cadiz's "Girls Give It A Go" cocktail. Photo by Taylor Micaela Davis.

Cadiz’s “Girls Give It A Go” cocktail. Photo by Taylor Micaela Davis.

“Gingham and Palomino”—a salute to Clarke’s contemplative horse parade portrait—features a powerhouse combination of tequila, Aperol (an Italian apertif made with bitter orange, gentian flowers, rhubarb, and cinchona) and grapefruit juice.

Both are enjoyable cocktails with layers of both bitter and sweet complexity, not unlike Clarke’s photographs, many of which are on view at Cadiz. (Including all of the photos featured in our summer issue.)

Don’t worry if those aren’t to your taste, Cadiz has a fabulous menu of hand-crafted cocktails such as the “Capri,” featuring serrano-infused tequila, Luxardo Amaretto, mango puree and lime juice, with a Spanish paprika garnish; or the spicy “Sevilla” cocktail with serrano-infused tequila, muddled mint, ginger liquer, lemon juice and a jalapeño wheel; as well as a nice selection of wine.

"Capri" cocktail at Cadiz. Photo by Leslie Dinaberg.

“Capri” cocktail at Cadiz. Photo by Leslie Dinaberg.

Nibble on Prosciutto di Parma Flatbread with wild argula, fontina and black mission figs (my favorite), delicious house marinated olives, delectable diver scallops or the Mediterranean dip trio, which pairs well with just about anything.

Psst … if you’re looking to rest your weary flip flops after the Tuesday farmers’ market, look no further: Tuesday nights at Cadiz feature Happy Hour prices all night long. Perhaps we’ll see you there.

Cheers!

Click here for more cocktail corner columns.

Leslie Dinaberg

Leslie Dinaberg

When she’s not busy working as the editor of Santa Barbara SEASONS, Cocktail Corner author Leslie Dinaberg writes magazine articles, newspaper columns and grocery lists. When it comes to cocktails, Leslie considers herself a “goal-oriented drinker.”

Originally appeared in Santa Barbara SEASONS on June 14, 2013.

Santa Barbara Spotlight: Photographer Patricia Houghton Clarke

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By Leslie Dinaberg (originally appeared on the Santa Barbara SEASONS Blog)

Despite her lifelong fascination with light, shapes and colors—not to mention an impressive list of awards and exhibitions, both internationally and closer to her hometown of Santa Barbara—photographer Patricia Houghton Clarke has only been focused on photography for a short time.

"I Love You," by Patricia Houghton Clarke

“I Love You,” by Patricia Houghton Clarke

“I’ve been photographing all along, but really only started taking it seriously about ten years ago, where I was producing bodies of work and starting to show my work,” says Clarke, whose ready smile and approachable style surely does wonders to put her subjects at ease. Continue reading →