5 minute read
Featured Pros: Amy Lynn & Jessi May
“Cubicle” in downtown L.A., directed by friend, actorwriter-director, Richard Kuhlman, whom she had met at the John Steinbeck Festival in Salinas, California while in graduate school. She appeared in independent films,
and was featured in various commercials, such as ones for Stolichnaya and Ameritrade, and was in a film promotion for the movie “Chocolat.”
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She also did music videos, including ones for the Pussy Cat Dolls and Timbaland, and found herself on the set for a bit part in the sitcom, “Cougar Town.”
Whenever Jessi appeared in a play, Amy Lynn flew in from Minneapolis to see her perform. And, Jessi would fly into Minneapolis to see Amy Lynn’s exhibits. Eventually, after 10 years in wintery Minnesota, Amy Lynn relocated to sunny L.A. Upon her arrival, Jessi asked Richard to show her sister around. It wasn’t long before Amy Lynn and Richard fell in love and became a couple.
The sisters became roommates as they built their careers in Tinseltown. Amy Lynn was soon touted as “one to watch” and was a Featured Artist of Disney. Her paintings began to appear in publications such as Art Collectors Magazine and Elle Décor and her work was featured on TV’s “Hell’s Kitchen,” and in the gallery aboard the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line to Alaska. Her work also hangs permanently in the Kyoto Grand Hotel in LA.
As Amy Lynn and Richard’s relationship grew, they decided they wanted to put down roots and buy a house. Richard had directed at Theater 150 in Ojai for some time. They loved Ojai and its thriving artistic community, which also allowed them to commute to Los Angeles when opportunities arose. They found a lovely cottage and moved to Meiners Oaks in January, 2012. Two years later, they made it “legal” and married. Jessi visited often and first saw Ron Feltner on stage in “The Skin of Our Teeth,” directed by Richard. She ‘visited’ that play four more times. Soon after, Jessi and Ron starred in Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” at the Ojai Art Center Theater and quickly became a couple. In 2013, she
moved to Ojai. (They now have appeared in eleven plays together and Jessi has directed him once in Sam Shepard’s “True West.”)
Amy Lynn became a member of OVA Gallery and is a long-time member of Ojai Studio Artists. While continuing to exhibit her paintings in Ojai and elsewhere (her works now hang in galleries and private collections worldwide), Amy Lynn created her own signature-style jigsaw puzzles and coloring books, and completed her third book, “Sera Toujours” (available through Barnes & Noble). In 2018 she won first prize in the “Art of the Egg” Competition, hosted by the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa. (To see her work, check out amylynnstevenson.com). She’s also taught a children’s art class at the Beatrice Woods Center and was the art instructor at the Besant Hill School of Happy Valley’s international summer program, and hosts fundraiser paint parties that raise money for local schools.
While working as a bartender at The Vine, Jessi continued to appear on stage at the Ojai Art Center Theater (OACT) and Santa Paula Theater Center, where she’s also a resident director. Among her many acting roles are “Curly’s Wife” in “Of Mice & Men,” “Marianne” in “The Miser” and “May” in “Fool For Love,” co-starring Ron. She appeared as “Honey” in “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf,” and was riveting as “Lady Macbeth” in OACT/OPAT’s production, and “Bella” in Neil Simon’s “Lost in Yonkers.” Among the various plays she’s directed are “The Humans” and “The Revolutionists.” Jessi has won five Four Star Alliance Awards (Ventura County’s Tony Award) for acting, directing and one for sound design. She’s also been an instructor/director for Muse of Fire-Teen Acting Conservatory.
Nebraska, Minneapolis, Los Angeles and Ojai — these talented sisters and best friends, who’ve been devoted and supportive of each other since childhood, have enriched every community in which they’ve lived. Ojai is proud that they’ve not only put down roots, but blossomed beautifully in our artistically vibrant valley.
Donna Sallen
Fabulous and charmingly inviting, this two-story Victorian estate is nestled in the magical East End of Ojai. Surrounded by organic orchards and meticulous landscaping, this home is filled with Southern Charm. The wrap-around porch looks out to the gardens, as the country kitchen and breakfast nook looks out to the pool and tennis court. Perfectly situated nearby are the spacious guesthouse, separate cottages, and a writer’s studio creating plenty of living space for friends and family. This relaxing and inviting estate is truly elegant.
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This cute charmer is just waiting for you. There is a nice, tiled entry which leads you into the spacious, light-filled living room, with a fireplace. There are four bedrooms and two recently remodeled bathrooms.
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