I was born in Lake Arrowhead and have lived in San Bernardino, Riverside, Los Angeles, and San Diego counties. I love California, and as a landscape painter, I feel so lucky to be surrounded by infinite sources of inspiration. Being so close to mountains, cities, beaches, deserts, gardens, beautiful architecture, and more is a real blessing and makes our area unique. I feel very lucky to call Southern California my home.
About Rebecca Noelle
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I come from a family of artists, writers, musicians, and teachers. I grew up in my mom’s flower shop and accompanied my dad to his band and orchestra gigs on the weekends. There is a strong love of nature, gardening, and horticulture in our family, from my great-grandfather, who was the landscaper at the Palace in Berlin, to my youngest child, who is currently studying horticulture in college. My other two children are adults, as well. One is a tattoo artist, and the other is studying to be a special education teacher. I have two grandkids, ages 1 and 6, who I adore. My husband is a concert pianist who teaches people how to use music as a tool to improve their lives.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
My first career was in dance-ballroom, Argentine tango, and musical theatre. After retiring from dance at age 30, I started painting regularly as well as teaching art, and that’s what I’ve done ever since. I paint abstracts, spiritual expressionism, illustration, and animals – primarily in oils. Plein air (outdoor painting) is an ongoing obsession for me as well. My life is never better than when I wake up knowing I will spend the day outside painting beautiful sites.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
I can’t say it better, so I’ll use my favorite quote from psychologist and author John Welwood. “Forget about enlightenment. Sit down wherever you are. And listen to the wind singing in your veins.”
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
Painting beautiful places, taking in the sights, sounds, and smells, meeting new people, learning new languages and cultures, studying and teaching art.
Rebecca Noelle & Our Community
Q: What are a few of your favorite restaurants in our community?
From the neighborhoods where I’ve actually lived: North Park: Pomegranate, TapRoom, Olympic Cafe. Hillcrest: Tavola Nostra, Prager Brothers, Oscars Mexican Seafood. Kensington: Clem’s Tap House, Ponce’s, The Haven, Tanuki Sushi. Normal Heights: Thai Joint on Adams, The Rabbit Hole, Fortunate Son. University Heights: Plumeria, Bahn Thai, Pop Pie. Little Italy: Bencotto, Buon Appetito, Extraordinary Desserts.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I moved from Idyllwild to Little Italy in 2010.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
I would have to say my friend Kim Emerson, a brilliant mosaic artist whom I met through Normal Heights Urban Arts. She is so kind, humble, and generous when you meet her, and then you discover she’s a world traveler and an artistic genius. I love artists who are kind, generous, and stellar in their craft.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
I really miss Circa, a little cozy restaurant that was on Adams in University Heights. Their food was incredible, and the vibe was so chill, with old jazz records playing on the turntable.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
I absolutely love our diversity and acceptance. As the parent of two trans kids, I have been able to rest easy at night knowing that my kids have all the resources and support they could possibly need, from The Center to Rady Children’s Hospital.
Q: If you could choose anyone alive today and not a relative, with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would you meet for this lunch?
My choice would be author and watercolorist Susan Branch. Her handwritten and illustrated cookbooks have been a part of my life since childhood. She’s such a lovely, joyous person, and I would love to spend time with her and soak in her energy. I would take her to Pomegranate for Georgian cheese bread and basil martinis…yum!
For Fun
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
I’m a lifelong Fred Astaire fanatic, so I’ll go with Top Hat, 1935. I am also a huge fan of British comedy, and one of my all-time favorites is The Vicar of Dibley.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I have kept a dream journal for 20 years. I have dozens of notebooks full of almost every dream I’ve had.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
Wandering through the Balboa Park Sculpture Garden with a lovely cocktail from Panama 66.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My favorite artists…Hilma Af Klint, Emily Carr, Tom Thompson, The Group of Seven, Jeremy Miranda, Jan de Vliegher, Georgia O’Keefe, Joaquin Sorolla, the Wyeths…all people with incredible, unique passion and vision.
Q: What community organizations and/or local nonprofits do you admire/support?
My family has benefited greatly from the support and resources at The Center in Hillcrest. I’m also very grateful for volunteering at San Diego Rescue Mission, an amazing organization that saves lives.
Q: What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
When I was lost and worried about what to do next after retiring from dance, my mom told me to get my paints out again and have fun. This started a passion that will last for the rest of my life.
Q: What Neighborhood do you live in?
I’m in Oceanside now while my kid attends college, but I’d like to end up back in University Heights or Normal Heights in a few years.
What I love about my Neighborhood:
I love the trails, wildflowers, grasses, big old trees, and coastal breezes. Walking is one of my favorite things to do here.
Please describe your ideal San Diego weekend:
I would stay at the Lafayette Hotel, wake up early to swim in their pool, and then walk to brunch at TapRoom. Then I’d take a Lyft to Balboa Park, where I’d walk through the aviaries at the Zoo with a cold beer, wander through Spanish Village, and have lunch at the Prado. After lunch, I would visit the Museum of Art and the Japanese Friendship Garden, then head down to Little Italy for dinner at Bencotto. The next day, I would wander around Old Town, have lunch at Casa de Reyes, and then take the ferry to Coronado and take Lyft to the Hotel Del for a beach walk. After sunset, I’d return to Little Italy for dinner and dessert at Extraordinary Desserts. Then off to a concert at the Rady Shell, of course.
Q: Finally, what three words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Culture, beauty, community
