Maria Isabel Lopez is surrounded by her mosaic art at her home and gardens, which was open during Art at the Source Open Studios. Photo by John Burgess/The Press Democrat
SAMA member (and Philippines native) Maria Isabel Lopez’ biography, prior to becoming a mosaic artist, can fill many pages. In spite of her beginnings in the poverty of Manila, she persevered to graduate from the University of the Philippines with a degree in fine art, followed by a reign as Miss Philippines and a very successful career in the film and TV industry. Maria continued to create her art—including mosaics—throughout the years and was a participant this past June in the 23rd Art at the Source annual free, self-guided open studio tour in Western Sonoma County. Founded in 1995 by the Sebastopol Center for the Arts, one of the most vibrant art organizations in Northern California, the event attracts thousands of regional art lovers and wine country tourists. Her home in Rancho Milagro in Sebastopol is the site of many of her mosaics as well as spectacular gardens. Read the entire story at http://www.pressdemocrat.com/lifestyle/7024972-181/sebastopol-garden-is-living-art?artslide=0.