An artist’s vision

With her nose inches from the paper, Allison Keagy, 16, draws a cartoon hamburger while at her Lodi home on March 21. Keagy suffers from optic nerve coloboma, a defect that severely restricts her vision. (Camera: Nikon D3s. Lens: Nikkor 17-35mm at 35mm. Exposure: 1/15th sec. at f/2.8. ISO: 800)

Photographer’s note: This was one of my favorite stories and photo series of the year. Watching Allison create works of art while only being able to see a few inches beyond her nose was incredible. I like this photo because it demonstrates how she goes about drawing while so close to the paper, and her concentration.

Open for artists

Rich Allen paints the Woodbridge Grange Hall with a palette knife at the Lodi Community Arts Center during the third annual Open Studios Tour on Saturday. (Dan Evans/News-Sentinel)

An artist's touch

Josh Palmer uses his gun to shade in different colors of a floral tattoo during work at the Hard Luck tattoo studio in downtown Lodi, Monday night. (Angelina Gervasi/News-Sentinel)

The artistic touch

Mario Taracena of Mario's Signs adds his artistic touch to the appearance of Novedades el Nayarita on Lodi Avenue and Central Street in Lodi. The shop carries clothing and accessories. (Angelina Gervasi/News-Sentinel)

Artistic expression

Artistically expressing herself during third period, Tokay High School senior Ashley Cole has been painting this mural for close to two months in the hallway of the Industrial Arts building. Cole is creating the mural as part of her independent art class. (Jennifer M. Howell/News-Sentinel)

Artist’s palette cafe to open soon

The interior of the Artist's Palette Cafe is seen Thursday morning in Lodi. The cafe, located at Bella Terra Plaza on Kettleman Lane, should be open in the coming weeks, according to owner Jan Bielski. Bielski, who was born in Stockton and raised in the Bay Area, said Bella Terra Plaza appealed to her because it provides a relaxing setting for customers. "It's comfortable and it's a nice environment," she said. The Artist's Palette Cafe will serve sandwiches, salads, coffee, beer and wine.

How Artists Think

The artistic side of Stockton

The Empire Theater on Pacific Avenue offers local entertainment.

From musician to fine artist

Ron and Suzanne Houck are the owners of Lodi's newest art gallery, Studio 20, on Elm Street in Downtown. Ron Houck is the resident artist, though the gallery will feature Northern California artists regularly. (Jennifer M. Howell/News-Sentinel)

From musician to fine artist

Ron Houck is the resident artist and owner of Studio 20, a fine art studio on Elm Street. (Jennifer M. Howell/News-Sentinel)

From musician to fine artist

Ron Houck's paintings lines the walls of Studio 20. (Jennifer M. Howell/News-Sentinel)

Little artists, big projects

From left, Miranda Olagaray, 8, Kara Sanderson, 7, Linda Ramos, Zachary Ramos, 11, and Tyler Brodie, 6, stand in front of a mural they helped make through the "Let's Paint a Mural" program offered through Hutchins Street Square. Sammy Hohn, not pictured, also helped paint the mural, which was donated to George Washington Elementary School in Lodi. (Brian Feulner/News-Sentinel)

Local artists on display

Employees with Segale Signs and Case Construction install a mural, painted by Suzanne Kennedy and students at Liberty High School, on Wednesday afternoon in Downtown Lodi. (Whitney Ramirez/News-Sentinel)