I am so excited to open the doors to the new Clara Berta Studio, a space that represents my growth and passion for art. There are moments in an artist’s journey that feel like the perfect convergence of timing, location, and creative evolution. For me, that moment has finally arrived in the heart of downtown. It is with a heart full of gratitude and a soul filled with excitement that I officially invite you into my new creative sanctuary: Clara Berta Studio.
This isn’t just an announcement about a new address; it is a celebration of the “win-win” synergies that happen when a community of friends and creators comes together. It is a story about a building with a soul, a partnership that feels like home, and the next evolution of my work as a Laguna Beach artist.
The Power of Patience and Manifestation
For a long time, I have carried a vision in my mind. I have dreamt of a space that didn’t just house my finished pieces, but one that breathed with the energy of the work itself. As many of you know, the path of a creator is rarely a straight line. It is filled with seasons of searching, of waiting, and of quiet reflection. I have learned that manifesting a dream isn’t about forcing a door open; it is about the patient work of preparation and the belief that the right space will find you when the timing is perfect.
This studio is the result of that patience. It is a reminder that in everything we do—whether we are pouring paint or building a business—it is all about connecting and building relationships. This dream didn’t come to fruition in isolation; it blossomed through the kindness of friends and the strength of the bonds we nurture every day. I’ve realized that when we align our intentions with a genuine desire to serve our community, the universe has a beautiful way of clearing the path.
A Special Connection: Sharing the Vision with JW Consulting
This new chapter became a reality because of one such bond. I want to express my deepest, most heartfelt thanks to my lovely friend, Jeff, for his incredible invitation to share this amazing studio space with him.
Jeff is the founder of JW Consulting, and he has established a sophisticated, high-level office space within this historic building. In a move of true friendship and creative synergy, he invited me to build Clara Berta Studio alongside his firm. It is, in every sense, a win-win.
JW Consulting operates from a professional sanctuary now infused with the vibrant, high-frequency energy of a working art studio. For me, I gain a professional home in a prime downtown location that allows me to connect with my community in a way I never have before. This partnership proves that when we lead with kindness and a spirit of collaboration, we create environments where everyone can thrive. Sharing this space with Jeff and the team at JW Consulting adds a layer of warmth and intellect to the workspace that you won’t find in a traditional setting. It is a place where strategy meets soul, and where business and art can flourish under the same roof.
The History of the Space: 1973 and the Laguna Legacy
Our new location is part of the architectural fabric of our town. The building dates back to 1973, a pivotal era for our coastal community. To look back at Laguna in the early 70s is to see a village firmly rooting itself as a world-class art colony. It was the era when the Sawdust Art Festival was finding its permanent footing and the Pageant of the Masters was becoming a global phenomenon.
The architecture of 1973 carries a specific “vibe”—a blend of coastal organicism and structural confidence. For a Laguna Beach artist, the studio environment is everything. The building’s clean lines and open feel provide the perfect structural “anchor” for the fluid, ethereal nature of my paintings. There is something profoundly poetic about bringing contemporary high-flow art into a space that has witnessed over 50 years of our local artistic evolution.
When you walk through the doors, you can feel that history. The walls have a sturdy, grounded quality that creates a beautiful dialogue with the lightness and movement of the paint on my canvases. We aren’t just moving into a building; we are joining a legacy.
Healing Art at Clara Berta Studio
The Architecture of Light
What truly sets Suite 16 apart is the way it interacts with the California sun. The building’s high ceilings create a sense of infinite space, allowing my large-scale canvases to “breathe.” But the crown jewel of the studio is the skylight. As the sun moves over downtown Laguna Beach, the natural light shifts, casting new shadows and bringing out hidden depths in my fluid acrylics. Working under this celestial light keeps me connected to the rhythm of the day. It transforms the studio from a mere workspace into a living, breathing sanctuary of light and color.
The Psychology of Blue: Calm, Energy, and Joy
In my practice and my art, blue is more than just a color; it is a biological necessity. Psychologically, blue is connected to the parasympathetic nervous system. It naturally slows the heart rate and lowers blood pressure. To me, blue represents a state of calm energy. It is the color of “inner truth” and authentic communication. When I use blue in my large-scale fluid acrylics, I am tapping into the expansive feeling of the sky and the sea. This color allows the mind to step away from daily stress and enter a meditative state of healing.
Healing Through the Ocean’s Rhythm
Living in Laguna Beach, the ocean is my primary teacher. There is a scientific reason why we feel such immense joy and healing by the water—it’s called “Blue Mind” science. Staring at the vast blue horizon changes our brain wave frequency. It lures us into a mild meditative state that promotes creativity and emotional restoration. The ebb and flow of the tides mirror our own resilience. In my studio, I strive to capture that “ocean joy.” I want my work to give viewers the same sense of peace and perspective that we find at the water’s edge.
A Legacy of Healing: Art as Resilience
My journey as an artist is inseparable from my background in psychology. I have always believed that we don’t just “look” at art; we experience it with our entire nervous system. Healing is not a destination, but a continuous process of returning to oneself. In the studio, I use fluid acrylics to mirror this process. The paint moves, flows, and finds its own path, much like we do when we navigate life’s challenges. By focusing on minimalism and the calming energy of the ocean, I provide a visual landscape where the mind can rest, and the spirit can rebuild.
Color Therapy and the Human Spirit
Scientific data confirms that certain wavelengths of color can shift our emotional state. In my workshops, I have witnessed the transformative power of creative expression. When words are not enough to process grief, stress, or change, color steps in to fill the void. This “legacy of healing” is the heartbeat of my new studio space. Whether you are viewing a large-scale blue canvas or lighting a handcrafted candle, you are engaging in a ritual of self-care. I am honored to provide a sanctuary in Laguna Beach where art serves as a bridge to resilience and authentic connection.
The Evolution of the Work: A High Flow Studio
Many of you have followed my work through various series, but this new space is specifically designed as a working studio to showcase my latest obsession: High Flow Fluid Paintings. I have moved away from traditional oils and heavy resins to embrace the modern, crisp, and incredibly challenging world of high flow acrylics.
High flow art is a dance of physics and intuition. These paints have the consistency of ink, allowing them to glide across the canvas with a mind of their own. As a Laguna Beach artist, I am constantly inspired by the ocean’s fluidity just outside my door. My process is one of “controlled surrender.” I manipulate the pigments through movement, air, and gravity, allowing the colors to bleed and layer in ways that mimic the natural world—the way tide pools swirl, or the way the California sunset bleeds into the Pacific.
In the new Clara Berta Studio, you will see:
Large-Scale Movement: Our new downtown location allows me to work on the large-format canvases I love, giving the viewer a truly immersive experience.
Translucency and Depth: Without the weight of traditional binders, these pigments allow for a stained depth that is breathtaking in the natural light of our 1973 windows.
The Living Studio: Because I share this space with JW Consulting, it is a living environment. This is not a static gallery; it is a place of creation. You may see paintings in their “drying phase,” where the pigments are still subtly shifting as they find their final form.
A Sanctuary for Healing: Art4Healing Classes
Beyond my own personal practice, I have envisioned this studio as a place of profound human connection. I am thrilled to announce that Clara Berta Studio will also be a dedicated space where I will be inviting students for Art4Healing classes.
My recent workshops have shown me the power of color. Art processes emotions where words fail. It is clear that we all desire a deep, authentic connection with one another.
We live in a world that can often feel fragmented, and I believe that coming together in a studio environment to create is one of the most powerful ways we can heal.
I can’t wait to facilitate these classes in our new downtown home. I want this studio to be a safe harbor where community members can come to express their “inner landscape.” Whether you are an experienced artist or someone who hasn’t picked up a brush since childhood, these classes are about the process, not the product. It is about the community coming together to realize that we are not alone in our experiences.
The Heartbeat of Summer: A Community in Bloom
Opening this studio in May feels like I am on the verge of something magical.
As the weather warms, Laguna Beach transforms. The town begins to hum with the collective creative energy of thousands of artists and art-lovers.
I feel the season’s anticipation. It moves me to have Clara Berta Studio right in the middle of this heartbeat.
As a Laguna Beach artist, I live for the summer months. It is the season of our world-renowned festivals—a time when the very air feels charged with inspiration. We are just a few weeks away from the town coming alive with these iconic events:
The Sawdust Art Festival: Opening Friday, June 26th, 2026. This is where the magic of “handmade” happens. I love the rustic, creative energy of the Sawdust; it’s a place where you can see the soul of Laguna’s craft community.
The Festival of Arts & Pageant of the Masters: Opening July 1st, 2026. This is a masterclass in fine art and the incredible “living pictures” that make our town famous across the globe.
Laguna is full of festivals and beauty. I want Clara Berta Studio to be your “quiet moment” this season. Step away from the crowds into this intimate sanctuary. Here, you can find a serene connection with art and healing
Connecting with the Heart of Laguna
Laguna Beach is a town that walks. I love the idea that someone can grab a coffee on Forest Avenue, wander toward the sound of the ocean, and stumble upon a vibrant world of color at Clara Berta Studio. I want this to be a place of conversation—a place where we can discuss the emotional impact of color and the joy of creative partnership.
Art is meant to be shared. It is meant to be a bridge between the artist’s internal world and the viewer’s experience. In this new studio space, that bridge is shorter than ever. I look forward to the impromptu visits and the deep connections that only a downtown location can provide.
You’re Invited: The Soft Opening Celebration
Jeff and I cannot wait to welcome you into our new shared home. We are currently “hanging the soul” of the building—carefully placing each work to ensure the light and the 1973 architecture are in perfect harmony. Every Laguna Beach artist knows that the first moments in a new studio set the tone for years to come.
Save the Date:
Art, Community & Collaboration
Open Studio in Laguna Beach
Wednesday, May 20th | 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Clara Berta Studio
332 Forest Avenue, Suite 16
Downtown Laguna Beach, CA
Music – Wax Candles and a lovely surprise may be coming
I am thrilled to invite you to an intimate Soft Opening Reception at my new studio.
This studio is a place for our community to connect, be inspired, and grow. To celebrate this new chapter, I am hosting an event with JW Consulting. We look forward to blending creative expression with community building.
A Warm Creative Community
Clara’s abstract art studio is nestled in a central, historic building in Laguna Beach. The space is beautifully modernized but still rich with character. It is home to a vibrant mix of creatives and professionals. From the moment we met the other tenants, we felt warmly welcomed. Stepping into the studio is instantly uplifting. Clara’s ocean-inspired art captures the movement and spirit of sea life in a way that draws you in.
Elevating the Atmosphere
As a candle stylist, I experience spaces through light. The moment I entered this art space, I envisioned candle placements everywhere. Every shelf and corner has the potential to be elevated. My designs blend the beauty of real wax with modern LED technology. This creates an ambiance that feels both classic and contemporary. Most importantly, it preserves the integrity of the art while filling the room with an inviting glow.
The Evening Features:
Fresh, Flowing Color: Explore the latest collection of my abstract paintings right where they are created.
Sculptural Light: I am honored to host my friend Anya, who will be showcasing her exquisite handcrafted Amuvida wax candle sculptures.
Community & Connection: Enjoy refreshments and wonderful company in a space designed for collaboration.
When: Wednesday, May 20th, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Where: Clara Berta Studio, Downtown Laguna Beach
Details: Please stay tuned to your email and social media for the RSVP link.
“Building a creative community begins with a single spark. I can’t wait to share this spark with you, Anya, and the team at JW Consulting.”
Final Thoughts on This Journey
This opening process shows me the vital importance of ‘place’ for every artist.
The energy of this 1973 building has renewed my purpose. Thanks to Jeff and JW Consulting, my work is entering its most authentic phase. It is fluid, open, and connected to the world around me.
Being a Laguna Beach artist is a gift I never take for granted. This town has a way of pushing you to find new ways to express the inexpressible.
This new studio is the physical manifestation of our growth. It’s a dream built on patience, friendship, and healing through art.
Thank you for joining this journey. Your support for Clara Berta Studio means everything. I truly believe abstract art can change how we see the world. I’m so lucky to share this dream with friends like Jeff and supporters like you.
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” — Maya Angelou