ARTFUL ABODES: For this week’s cover story, Independent Arts Editor Charles Donelan spent hours touring through and poking around the homes of Santa Barbara’s most avid contemporary art enthusiasts. In turn, he was rewarded with an intimate look at new works from some of L.A.’s fastest rising contemporary art stars. “It was amazing to see all the great homes, and to have a chance to travel across the map of Santa Barbara in search of artistic treasure,” Donelan enthused. “The conversations that developed as people came and observed the various sites were all really interesting. Finally, the way that the Home Show, Revisited energized the community and brought together all these artists with the residents of the homes and the people who turned out to see the show was inspiring.” The cover image of Nancy Gifford in her Sycamore Canyon home, where artist Jennifer Rochlin installed her “Garden Party” outdoor sculptures, is by Paul Wellman.