Llewellyn Ludlow is an artist from Mill Valley who currently lives in the wild kingdom of Bolinas. A stripped-down version of his sublimely hilarious re-imagining of Mt. Tam and Mill Valley as a Tahoe-like ski town (above) is our cover illustration this week. It’s a Marin Winter Wonderland!
Ludlow’s art is available around West Marin—prints of his Mill Valley ski mecca for sale can be found at Proof Lab, the Depot Bookstore, Two Neat and Ohana Bowls Acai Cafe in Greenbrae. LLbro.com is his website; prints can be ordered there too.
He’s led an interesting life: At an early age Llewellyn fell into a tide pool at Stinson Beach, and when his parents snatched him out of the water, he had a look in his eyes that told his father Lynn, “Neptune had claimed him, and only lent him back to us for a little while.”
A longtime surfer and artist, Llewellyn paints both familiar scenes of West Marin and of the ocean he loves. His paintings decorate many a Marin home, and his mural at Proof Lab Station in Tam Valley is a beloved iconic landmark that gives color to the area.
The depiction of Mt. Tamalpais as a snowy ski mountain was a project that took him over two years to complete. “I wanted to spark the imagination of those who, like me, look up at Mt. Tam and wonder what it would be like as a premier ski mountain.”
He sent along an artist’s statement too:
“To explore the vast world of imagination, sight and sound, and to give something back to a planet that has given so much.
“My objective is to bring awareness of the earth’s beauty through unique perspectives, color combinations and a truly direct connection with our planet.
“Art to me is as important as life; life breathes art.
“Often caught up in our daily lives, we sometimes forget how much beauty and design the earth holds. We, the product of this divine art, should never let go of this pure source.
“My art is constantly reaching for this rich mixture of earth and imagination.
“As a living embodiment of this synthesis composed of mostly water, I feel especially drawn to the ocean. I love to carve my personal signature across the waves by surfing. Painting the ocean and earth to me is no different.”
