CHRISTLER, ALISON RING North County Loses Treasured Artist "Paint without fear!" Alison said. Those of us who knew her and loved her will remember that Alison lived her life that way, "without fear." She was the epitome of generosity. She deeply affected each life she touched with her humor, kindness, and humility. She was an extraordinary artist and a magnificent friend. She left us the treasure of her art. We will always treasure her in our hearts. Alison Ring Christler was born on March 13, 1944 in Orange, California to Harold and Julia Christler. Her parents owned and operated The Islanders, a fine furniture and interior design store in Newport Beach where the family lived. A natural athlete, Alison excelled in water sports including surfing and 50-meter sailboat racing. From the age of four, Alison trained to be a concert pianist, but after graduating from UCLA with a BS in psychology, she spent seventeen years working in the family design business. During this time, Alison studied art of all kinds. Alison was one of the most distinguished and honored artists of Encinitas, regularly winning the highest awards in southern California shows such as San Diego Watercolor Society's International Exhibit and Watercolor West. She was a member of the San Diego Watercolor Society, San Dieguito and Rancho Santa Fe Art Guilds, La Jolla Art Association, Carlsbad/Oceanside Art League, Fallbrook Art Association, and Southern California Plein Air Painters Association. She served on their boards and was a judge and juror for their shows. Believing in the theory that a truly good artist needs to have a strong ongoing education, Alison participated in dozens of workshops and courses by the best artists she could find. That experience and education made her an excellent teacher and a good communicator in the subject she loved so much. Many of us were fortunate to attend her courses at the Rikki Reinholz Studio of Art and Design in Solana Beach. So great was her courage, so deep her dedication, that she continued teaching for a while, even after she had learned of her terminal diagnosis. The Christler family, brother Bart, wife Sandy, and brother Chuck plan a simple memorial gathering at Grandview Beach in Encinitas, November 1st, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Published in San Diego Union-Tribune on October 28, 2009