Paul Gardner

I just would like to thank you, Paul, for guiding me to create my first painting, which is beautiful, thanks to your wonderful advice. Thank you for your wonderful teaching of so many years, inspiring so many of us in creative adventures. You will be missed. Much love and gratitude to you, Paul.

I´ve been thinking about Paul a lot lately. I really miss him. He inspired me to start painting and exploring art. I would go to his studio with a small group of people and work on whatever I felt like working on. He would play nice music (usually jazz) that I liked, and he´d help me when I needed it. We´d talk about composition, color, space, and a lot about music. It was so much fun, and the time would fly by.
I´m also thinking about all the times we all (Paula, Paul, my husband David, and myself) went to concerts and dinners together. Paul was a real music lover. We all had that in common, but Paul would instigate us all getting together to go hear music, and it was always fun. We all got along so nicely together.
Early on when I was taking Paul´s classes at the Irvine Fine Art Center, Paul and Paula came to one of my gigs at Bistango´s restaurant back when I was playing drums more frequently. I thought that was so nice of them to take an interest in checking out the music I was playing, and just an interest in my life and my own creative journey. I think that was the moment that separated us from just student/teacher to friends. Also, I got to know Paula, who I now know and love like family.
I will always remember Paul and fondly look back on the time I had the opportunity and great pleasure to know him. He was a truly creative soul and an inspiration to me.

I am so sorry Paul is gone. I was leaving for a trip to Laguna to visit Paul and Paula when I saw the news on the internet. He was my mentor and my art has flourished since his guided instruction. He was patient and compassionate for anyone he came into contact. I will send prayers to the family.