Artist Creates 4 Versions for Perfect Picture

Painting one picture at a time is enough for most artists, but when Ojai artist Gayel Childress received a commission from a Newport Beach businessman, she decided to paint four versions of the same piece.

“Rather than be bogged down by the pressure of one excellent painting . . . I suggested I would paint four,” she said. “I don’t paint the same way all the time, so there’s four separate styles.”

Since the end of January, passersby have had a close-up view of Childress as she works on the Ojai Valley landscapes in the front window of her gallery at 319 E. El Roblar Drive. Childress has almost completed the large, red, impressionistic pieces, with one painting left to finish.

Childress, 55, is grappling with the visual artist’s equivalent of writer’s block as she strives to complete the works, although that’s because of a surfeit, rather than a lack, of ideas.

“One painting leads to an element in another painting,” she said. “You see something you want to develop more and you have a chance to do that because you have a new canvas. It’s kind of like a springboard. In fact, I have more ideas than I can use. I wish I had said I would paint six, which I may end up doing anyway.”

The 19-year Ojai resident must hurry though. The painting was originally due to be completed by Christmas. Childress plans to finish the $1,500 to $2,000 paintings by Saturday, so her unidentified customer can select the one he wants as soon as possible.

“He has an empty spot on his wall, he’s redecorated and he’s anxious to hang it,” she said.