Fall 2025

136 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • F A L L 2 0 2 5 excellent teacher and had a lot of patience when I was learning from him. I love painting ocean and river scenes and am influenced by when I used to scuba dive, especially at Point Lobos. It was mesmerizing being 30 feet under- water and I felt all my senses were activated. The colors changed with the lighting and the movements were surreal, with all the plants and little fish and sea lions moving.” Schaefer retired from scuba diving after encountering a large hammerhead shark when diving in Mexico, but the memories are still vivid. She draws on her time in nature when starting sketches on a blank canvas before painting. “I don’t want my art to be just a wall deco- ration, but I want to transmit an experience,” “Wildflowers, Point Lobos,” by Schaefer. The artist shares that hiking along the coastline is especially delightful during the spring and summer months. “Abstract Carmel River,” a painting by Schaefer, who is fascinated by the Carmel River as it carves its way to the sea.