Lyn Semeta Excels in Art

By Chris MacDonald

Huntington Beach City Councilperson Lyn Semeta recently won the "Best of Show" at the Sunset Beach Art Festival for her mixed media creation of a woman. She also won First Place at the HB Art League Juried Show for a different piece, featuring two women.

The busy, talented lady, a mother of two daughters and an attorney, uses art as an escape. "When I’m painting, I’m totally focused on my work—being creative," she said outside the HB Central Library’s Corner Gallery, where her work was on display.

She took Art History classes at UCLA and saw some of the top painter’s work in museums during a Summer trip to Europe but she really didn’t take up art until 8 years ago. Her mother, JoAnn Rossi, a very creative artist whose work also has been featured at the Sunset Beach festival and library’s Corner Gallery, encouraged her to take an art class.

"I didn’t think I had art talent but I made time to take a class at Coastline Community College from Chris Sullivan. The first thing I tried painting was a gondola scene from Venice," she said. "I started in watercolor and have been doing more in mixed media. It’s all about the design and creation."

"I recommend you take an art class. You might really surprise yourself with your creativity!"

Internationally-Acclaimed Artist Bill Anderson of Anderson Art Gallery in Sunset Beach said, "Lyn has acquired a great deal of skill in art but more important is her creative approach using the female figure to inspire a more abstract design."

"I’m going to help her create a limited edition, original linoleum block print, using the design from her award-winning piece she had in the Sunset Beach Art Festival."

Lyn is also taking a weekly class at the HB Art Center from Nancy Caldwell and is active in The HB Art League, which supports and promotes the arts and artists through art education, juried competitions and exhibitions. (More info is available at huntingtonbeachartleague.org)

The former HB Planning Commissioner definitely enjoys expressing herself through art and its catching on in her family. "My daughter, Lauren, has fun painting with me. We draw dogs and animals. She really loves to create zebras."

Lyn also sees similarities between practicing law and being an artist. "Both involve thinking things through, being creative, having an eye for details and planning." The busy, budding art star is developing a website. She can be contacted at lrsemeta@gmail.com.

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