A Scottish painter, in full public display

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Southern Californians have their first opportunity to see Derrick Guild’s work, through Aug. 1 at the Lux Art Institute in Encinitas, and can also get a taste of that seriocomic personality, because the artist will be in residence there through June 20.

During his three-week stay, Guild will be making a large “label” painting of a Velázquez equestrian portrait in the gallery/studio. During the three days a week that Lux is open to the public, he works in full view of visitors, surrounded by selections from 10 years of his painting and sculpture.

Lux’s unusual residency program, inaugurated in 2007 (and complementing educational outreach programming), was designed to make not just art but also the extended creative process more accessible.

“It breaks down a huge barrier for people, especially for people who aren’t of a culture where they go to museums from the time they grow up, are intimidated and don’t know how to break in,” says director Reesey Shaw. “The artists bridge that gap for people, whether they say a lot or a little or nothing at all. At Lux, there’s a beginning, middle and an end. Artists are making something happen from nothing. We in the arts often forget that some people can’t conceive of that. People here can go into the studio and see a mini-retrospective, the continuum that leads up to the work that is being done.”

Leah Ollman talked to Guild about his work; the full story is in Sunday Calendar.

“Something that can be incredibly serious can have a lot of wit or playfulness in it at the same time,” explains the 45-year-old, Edinburgh-based artist.