A Santa Barbara Artist and Dear Friend
Lynn Richardson stepped off the planet (to borrow a phrase from her late husband and partner in art and life, Armin Arnie Muller), during the morning of June 27, 2024. She was 81 years old.
Born in Los Angeles and raised in Hermosa Beach, she was a true Southern California beach girl of the 1950s. Even in childhood her creative spirit was evident in her drawings and other art projects. She graduated from San Jose State College in 1965 with a degree in Art Education. Lynn taught high school art for two years but then decided to follow her dream of becoming a professional artist.
During the late 1960-1970s Lynn was often seen on the streets of Santa Barbara sitting on her camp stool drawing homes, street scenes, restaurants, and her whimsical animals as commissioned by friends and local businesses. Her pen and ink drawings were part of the Yes Store, the Mission 4th. of July Sale, and the Sunday Cabrillo Blvd. Art Show for many years.
In 1998 a compilation of Lynn’s intricate pen and ink drawings was published in a delightful book, “Mostly Santa Barbara”. She was a rubber stamp designer and her works were popular items at the Stampa Barbara shop in El Paseo in the 1980s. Lynn was also known for her lovely hand-tinted photographs. Her “Un Ange Passe” was the centerpiece of a Westmont College exhibition in 1999.
Lynn was a regular folk dancer at Oak Park, Chase Palm Park and the Plaka Greek restaurant.
During the 1990s Lynn expanded her artistic reach and under the tutelage of her husband Armin she learned the art of Japanese netsuke carving in porcelain clay. (Armin Muller was a renowned ceramic netsuke carver.) Lynn and Armin were honored together by The Santa Barbara Independent as “Local Heroes” in the 1990s.
After Armin’s sudden death in 2000, Lynn continued to hone her skills and also became well known in netsuke collector circles in the U.S. and abroad.
Lynn always said that “fortune smiled” on her. As the years progressed she felt very lucky when she met Joe McGowan. Together they shared many adventures in the later years of their lives.
Lynn died in San Diego at the home of her devoted nephew Kerry O’Shea. He and Lynn’s ancient cat Hattie were with her at the time of her death.
Please have a toast in Lynn’s honor for a life well lived. She did enjoy a good gin and tonic.
