10:45am | The Long Beach Open Studio Tour, a biennial treat, is back this weekend. Artists, mostly professionals who typically show their work in Los Angeles, open their homes and share their work with members of the community. One such artists is David Early.

David’s work is collected and shown all over the world. He was the subject of a recent documentary short titled “And So The Story Goes” after one of his paintings, and regularly works with corporate designers. [Note: Read an interview I did with David in May to learn more about his career.] I asked him why he was participating in the tour.

David: I felt it important to participate this year because in fact I am an artist who lives in Long Beach. I had spent 8 years living in the downtown area and just recently moved into the Wrigley area where a real sense of community is present. I was immediately wanting to join once I met a few artists that are living within a few blocks of me, one of which is Lisa Wibroe, the main organizer of the event.

Living in the downtown area was certainly a fun, fast paced area to live however, in the Wrigley area, I feel compelled to make a difference and represent the community. It is beautiful community with tree lined streets, artists at every corner, and I get a true sense that my neighbors are trying to make their immediate surroundings a better place to live. To be active in a community is something that I thought I would never want to spend my extra time on, nevertheless, here I am enjoying every moment in pro-active decision.

Sander: What was your role in the organization of the event?

David: Tina Burnight and I helped out with pulling in sponsors, and I worked with artists, as well as helping to construct the website: www.LBOpenStudioTour.com. In addition to this I also designed the graphics and marketing materials.

Sander: Who were some of the sponsors you connected with?

David: Magnolia and Willow Antiques, Cofffee Caliente, Buonos. Also, we had help with promotion through the Arts Council for Long Beach, and GLOBAL.

Still, I was the Robin to Batman, or should I say Batwoman, that being Lisa Wibroe. I followed her lead. She deserves most all of the credit.

Sander: I just happen to have Lisa here, so I’m going to ask her about the origins of the Tour.

Lisa: I started the LB Open Studio Tour because of a conversation I had with the now ex-Director of Arts Council for Long Beach, Craig Watson. After asking for his feedback on the Mid City Studio Tour which I had participated in, Craig suggested that we hold the Studio Tour every year in October during GLOBAL and “October is National Arts and Humanities Month.” The Mid City Tour decided they wanted to keep their biennial schedule, so I asked if I could put the tour together on their “off” year.

Sander: David, as you reached out to artists, what were some of the exciting discoveries you made?

David: We handpicked approximately 30 artists living in four areas within Long Beach: The Wrigley area, California Heights/Bixby, 10th/Temple as well as a few studios in the downtown area. Each artist is very distinct and it was a pleasure to discover these talented artists living in Long Beach.

I have shown many times in Los Angeles and basically worked in Long Beach, never really focusing my attention on what surrounds me here. Nice discovery!

Sander: What is the benefit of opening up your home, or your studio, to the public?

David: My immediate response would have to be “curiosity”. If I was not an artist I would find it exciting to visit an artist’s work place. I’m a painter and for me to visit a sculptor friend’s studio is always a kick. I feel like I am on a field trip into the unknown. My feeling is that I am not the only one that feels this way thus, let’s open the doors and share with the public different ways in which artists live an work.

Sander: Speaking of field trips into the unknown, you were recently the subject of a short film. How did that get started?

David: I was working on a commissioned project in downtown at 26 Alamitos (Davis Apartments) where I was helping to restore a 1920’s apartment by painting scenes of good ol’ Long Beach on windows at the base of each landing. As I was painting one day a tenant passed by and commented on the work. He began to ask questions on my technique when I asked him weather or not he was an artist. He in fact turned out to be a film maker who recently graduated from Long Beach State. He asked if I had ever considered making a documentary. I agreed and the next two months I was collaborating with three filmmakers, each of them recent grads and all from Tokyo. It was an experience to remember. All the filming was done at my home and I thought – I guess this was the start of ‘letting those into my private workspace’. I could not be prouder of the film, all well worth the time and effort.

Sander: How did it feel to suddenly be the focus of so much attention?

David: Overwhelming! I can’t really explain the feeling, as it is both hard work and an honor. To have someone interested in collecting a painting is rewarding, that is for sure, but to have a documentary thrown into the mix is crazy.

I’m hoping the film sends a good message and that not much attention is on me. I asked if the director if he could create a documentary about the day, and the life, of David Early without me being on camera. The answer was no, and there you have it. The film name is “And so the Story Goes,” taken after a painting from the BEAUTIFUL series. It will be part of the Open Studio Tour.

And So The Story Goes from David Early on Vimeo.

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For more information about the tour, visit www.LBOpenStudioTour.com.

To learn more about David, visit DavidEarlyStudio.com.