Artwalk, July 20 at Red Brick Gallery

Chrisman Ave, Ventura

original oil painting, 14x11, $375

Red Brick Gallery, Artwalk July 20, 1-4

  

About ten of my Southern California paintings are in a show called "Staycation" through August 13 at the Red Brick Gallery, 315 E Main St, Ventura. 

I've painted many townscapes and bungalows in Ventura and Chrisman Avenue is one of my favorite streets.  The small Spanish style bungalows in Southern California and the unique landscape plantings of palms, cycads, and cactus, always capture my attention. In this particular painting I like the shadow of the palm tree on the house and the dark underside of the queen palm tree canopy. 

 

Hope to see you on Saturday!

California Street, Ventura

California Street, Ventura

original oil painting, 11x14

$375

 

I guess every town in California has a California Street.  In Ventura, California Street runs between City Hall and the ocean.  At the end of the street is the pier and a popular surf spot called "C" Street.

Looking up California Street at City Hall you can see Cafe Fiore restaurant on the right in the foreground and three people standing on the left, getting ready to cross the street.  I've been slowly adding figures to my paintings.

In the background is City Hall, a 1912 beaux-arts style building, built by Los Angeles architect Albert C. Martin.  The terra cotta facade is decorated with 24 faces of Franciscan padres.  On the triangular shaped median in front of city hall is a large bronze statue of Father Junipero Serra.  If you know California history, you will recognize Father Serra as the founder of the California missions.

Faria Beach, Ventura

Faria Beach, Ventura

original oil painting 11x14

SOLD

We had some beautiful warm days last week, which made me think of the beach in California.  The painting above is Faria Beach in Ventura.  It shows the beach in the fall, at low tide with small waves.  The surf spot is called Mondos and it's a VERY popular surf spot for beginners.  Craig and I use to tandem surf at Mondos about fifteen years ago.  It was so much fun.

Although painting the ocean can be a study in blue, there are beautiful color variations in the sand and the water.  From a purplish color in the wet areas of the sand to warmer orange-brown tones in the totally dry sand.  Where the waves have formed, you can see a combination of ultramarine blue, viridian green and transparent red oxide.  The blue color in the wave is the reflection from the sky, the viridian is the color of the cast shadow under the lip of the wave and the transparent red oxide is the sand that is churned up in the water.  There are a lot of subtle colors and reflections from the sky and buildings on the water that create an interesting challenge for a painting.

Main Street, Ventura

 

Main Street, Ventura

original oil painting, 8x10

Buenaventura Gallery, SOLD
Reception: Friday, October 6 from 5-8 pm

 

My show is coming to a close on Saturday, Oct 6, stop by the Buenaventura Gallery this week to see the paintings. Chris Beirne and I have a reception on Friday night from 5-8, as part of the citywide First Friday art event.

 

This is the last painting I will post from my art exhibit. I picked the location because of the colorful brick building on the corner of Main Street and Chestnut. The building is a cultural landmark with Art Deco influences that has been beautifully restored and is currently a restaurant called Watermark on Main.

 

Look for a coastal painting next week!

 

  

Kalorama Street, Ventura

Kalorama Street, Ventura

original oil painting, 24x30

SOLD

The opening reception for my show at the Buenaventura Gallery was a lot of fun. We had about 200 people come through the gallery that night.  I want to thank everyone who came by to say hello and show their support. I'm also grateful for all the help from the staff and volunteers. I'm very proud of my new paintings and I think the show looks really nice in the solo room at the Buenaventura Gallery.  

The painting of Kalorama Street is in the show. We use to live in the Sea View condos off of Kalorama Street in Ventura.  I always thought the street was unique and interesting, it has Mexican Fan Palms growing out of the street. At some point the city must have widened the street and paved around the palm trees. There's an ocean view at the end of the street, a mixture of houses, churches and apartments. It has a Southern California feel to it - wide street, lots of palms trees, a fog bank and warm sunlight, colorful plants and a 1960s style apartment building.