welcome to wilbanks studio

wilbanks studio

wilbanks studio is located within the california central coast midway between los angles and san francisco. the region has garnered a growing awareness around the globe for the exceptional quality of its rhone wines, almonds, walnuts and olive oil in part because it enjoys an overall similarity of weather to the tuscany region of italy. the historically rich agricultural heritage holds tenaciously to its rural community roots. there is both a visceral connection and appreciation for these natural lands. it is as wonderful a place for artists to congregate as it is to call home. the good fortune of living here is appreciated by those who do so every single day. the background photo displays the inspirational natural beauty that draws so many to break existing ties and move to the area.

two artists

the studio is home to two artists. partners in life who became partners in wilbanks inc., an award winning advertising/marketing consultancy active in arizona for over 3 decades. stephanie wilbanks concentrates in kilnformed art glass inspired by her lifelong love of music, rhythm, pattern and texture. stephanie’s work has garnered recognition and awards throughout the central coast and points beyond. ken wilbanks works with baltic birch plywood, the rather humble material commonly used for high-end cabinet interiors. he laminates multiple layers to achieve substantial thickness and shapes it by carving and sanding. the abstract curvilinear sculptures wrought from man made materials echo the organic contours and patterns commonly found in nature. projects featuring vivid colorways employ plywood constructed from multiple layers of dyed laminations.

stephanie wilbanks kilnformed glass gallery

kilnformed glass

ken wilbanks sculpture gallery

laminated plywood and integrally colored laminates

great local experiences

favorite local experiences + venues

kilnformed glass

the art of stephanie wilbanks

laminated plywood sculpture

the art of ken wilbanks

about stephanie wilbanks

from the corporate world to the sphere of fine arts

while still working in the hectic environment of marketing and advertising, stephanie, longing for a reconnection to the fine arts, began to take classes in kiln formed glass. classes turned into more classes followed by expos, seminars and exhibitions. she began absorbing the technical craft of fusing glass with all of its requisite restrictions while acquiring an extensive inventory of inspiringly beautiful glass. kiln glass is cut cold on a table, then heated and slowly cooled in a kiln for several hours to a full day. the glasses soften, fuse together and assume the shape of whatever surface they're resting upon or within, such as a flat kiln shelf, curved mold or casting mold. many designs require two or more sessions in the kiln to obtain the final desired effects, making each a unique piece of art. the art aspect has been realized through countless hours of studio time. as an undergraduate voice major, her background in music has provided her with a keen sense of rhythm and pattern and tone which is reflected in her work. her fine art pieces show brilliant color, texture and pattern when backlit. every day in the studio brings a new opportunity to explore new ideas in an endlessly interesting journey.

stephanie was interviewed by one of the central coast’s most popular NPR shows broadcast on ksby “ears on art” with artists/interviewers crissa hewitt and steven deluque in her studio. click the button below to hear the segment.

hear interview

about ken wilbanks

from building brands to working with his hands

after spending many decades in hot pursuit of results building the images and brands of his clients in advertising — ken felt it was a perfect time for a new challenge. or should that be an old challenge? as sculpture was an important emphasis in undergraduate school while majoring in advertising design — it was never completely left behind, but it definitely was placed on a shelf. at last, the interest grew beyond the restraint to subdue it and happily for ken sculpture is now a full time privilege. he draws his influence from the creators of the built environment (a later concentration of the advertising consultancy) and the organic shapes that occur in nature. ken works exclusively with wood. not the refined and rare woods that have become so precious in recent years but humble ordinary plywood used in cabinet construction. sometimes he combines it with dyed laminates introducing vivid color to the process. he remarked "the sheer joy of taking a grinder to laminated plywood to explore the hidden contours has to be experienced to be fully appreciated. what is revealed is frequently quite surprising. the key element to ending up with something lasting is simply learning when to stop.”

studios on the park

stephanie’s work is perpetually on display in the up front gallery at studios on the park in paso robles, california. a selection of contemporary pieces rotate through the gallery changing seasonally. some of her current work on exhibition can be seen seven days a week beginning at noon.

studios on the park upfront gallery website

"visual rhetoric"

ken had two pieces selected by the central coast sculptors group show called “visual rhetroic“ in the mcmeen gallery at the san luis obispo museum of art. the mcmeen gallery is upstairs from the main floor and is a wonderfully intimate environment with close proximity for viewing works of art. check it out next time you visit sloma.

san luis obispo museum of art

phantom popup gallery •

works by stephanie and ken have been accepted for several “phantom project” gallery exhibitions in downtown san luis obispo, california.

play phantom3 popupvideo central coast sculptors website

praa part of studios

themed shows are offered on a continuing basis through the paso robles art association. stephanie is an active member of the group. paso robles art association encourages artists and art lovers to interact and grow in a creative, supportive community.

paso robles art association website contact praa

stephanie in the central coast craft makers show

the show theme was “earth fire water” in the mcmeen gallery

this event showcased hand made art and crafts from a wide variety of california central coast artists. “spring vinyard” sold during the show.

stephanie’s “textura” in the phantom gallery

ken’s piece “splashdown” in the phantom gallery

phantom 15 seen from the back of the gallery

night+day selected for phantom16 in SLO

stephanie’s night+day sold opening night of the phantom16 show at art after dark. the unusual, highly textured, monochromatic, rectangular piece is a departure for the artist who loves utilizing bright color in her work.

artistic couples inspired show at studios

stephanie suggested a theme for creative couples who do art show for studios on the park and guest curated the show with sasha irving, the executive director. many artist couples participated in showing their work in the atrium gallery.

twirl•ply twins selected for phantom16

twirlply twins was selected for display in the phantom16 gallery in san luis obispo. this juried show is one of the best of the phantom series and includes a wide variety of work by some of the central coasts best known artists.

opening night at sola gallery in los angeles with “bifurcated ply” wood sculpture

sola gallery los angeles show theme "interplay: craft, art & design”

central coast sculptor’s group phantom16 exhibit at the popup gallery in san luis obispo

pARTners at studios on the park

the pARTners show at studios on the park featured many couples from the central coast area. the opening coincided wtih art after dark, a monthly occurance of paso robles growing art scene. many of the creative couples were in attendence despite the stormy weather.

new times article on “pARTners”

ryah cooley; music, art and culture writer of the new times slo penned an article on the pARTners show. here is a link to the article she captured the essence of pARTners beautifully.

artist statements next to work

creative couples put together a statement explaining how they work for display with thier piece. the variety of disciplines that they are involved in and the diversity of those creative relationships are fascinating stories. stephanie’s piece in the show “scarlet ways” sold opening night.