Paintings by local artist Sally Vaughn on display at Cafe Ella

Sally Vaughn observes her paintings on display at Cafe Ella on East Lake Avenue Monday morning. From left: “Solid,” “Soulfire!,” “Raining Chocolate Sundae Nights” and “Oxygen.” (Photo by Erik Chalhoub).

WATSONVILLE — Local artist Sally Vaughn currently has her colorful paintings on display at Cafe Ella on 734 East Lake Ave. in Watsonville.

Twenty-one of Vaughn’s tempera on paper paintings cover the walls of the cozy cafe and greet customers as they walk in.

With pieces named “Soulfire!” and “Raining Chocolate Sundae Nights,” Vaughn’s titles are as spontaneous as the subject matter.

“The titles just pop up,” Vaughn said. “I never know where the titles come from.”

A specific theme of her work is tricky to nail down.

“’Eclectic’ comes to mind, as I never know what will come from the brush,” Vaughn said. “Flowers, rocks, tools, insects ... words, ideas and objects juxtaposition themselves as they flow onto the blank paper.”

“Soulfire!,” for instance, is Vaughn’s “all-time favorite” piece, she said, representing “the fire of my soul.”

Vaughn’s pieces are full of color, and have been described by viewers as “whimsical” and “happy,” terms that she embraces.

Two pieces on display, “Autumn” and “Crescent,” are fused onto curved pieces of metal, adding another dimension to the work.

“It brings them to life,” Vaughn said.

Vaughn said her work is influenced by the late American artist Georgia O’Keeffe’s paintings.

“Her paintings are stunning,” she said.

The exhibit will be on display for about another five weeks. Vaughn said she is working with other local businesses to determine the next venue to feature her work. She previously had her work on display at Seagreaves Insurance in Capitola and Laser Light Printmaking in Aptos.

“I invite people to come and enjoy my work, feel whatever it is the paintings evoke for them as individuals,” Vaughn said.

•••

Vaughn is open to displaying her work at other venues. Contact her by email at salvaughn@comcast.net, or visit her website at www.sallysgallery.com.

Share on Facebook