Thank you to everyone who
attended "Shutter & Stroke-II"
at Live Worms Gallery in
North Beach.
A funkier gallery space,
in a funkier neighborhood,
you will not find.
I think we were the only
business a (4) block zone
that didn't have a liquor
license...
Photo credit Jacqui Fiels
A big thank you to everyone who
attended the Los Gatos Plein
Air Auction. Thank you to the
Los Gatos Rotary and Carol Waitte
for putting on the event.
And a special thank to
my host family Ken & Jackie
Cannizzaro for putting up with
me.
...and the survey says:
5 Pieces created Los Gatos Plaza
4 Pieces sold
0 Ribbons
Dateline Los Angeles:
Richard Dawson
("Hogan's Heros" Newkirk)
Dies at age 79.
"In The Wee Small Hours"
was awarded JURY'S TOP 50 in
the Salon International 2012,
International Museum of
Contemporary Masters of
Fine Art, Detail from "In the Wee Small Hours"
Greenhouse Gallery,
San Antonio, Texas.
...and the survey says:
1,111 pieces were submitted to the Salon.
434 pieces were accepted into the Salon.
3 (of 3) pieces of mine were accepted.
1 piece of mine made the "Jury's Top Fifty".
The Disney/Allen influence shows
up in my work often. Swiss Family
Robinson themes run though
my "Woods, Waves & Waterfalls
Series". My wave paintings
frequently will incorporate a
shipwreck. My woods paintings
have rickety pathways. It is
incorporating the visual details
from this story, that keeps
landscape painting fresh
for me. When I went back to
my inner child passions, the
subject matter I wanted to
focus on became clear.
Detail from "The Redwood Stairs"
It is my love of architecture
and great spaces, mingled with
a touch of Main street U.S.A.,
that inspires my "Great
American Homes Series".
When I moved from Boston
to California, I was headed for
LA. That was until I visited
friend's in San Francisco,
and saw the "Painted Ladies".
After that weekend I realized,
the closest I could come to
residing in Disneyland would be
living in San Francisco.
San Francisco ~ Disney World
When it came to subject
matter, Disney & Allen had
a lot in common.
Ironically they shared a love
for all things Jules Verne,
Swiss Family Robinson and
the circus. I guess they had
a nose for the good stuff.
There were other similar
career arcs as well.
Producer/Director Allen,
in partnership with 20th
Century Fox, even designed
a theme park to be built in
Long Beach.
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea/Swiss Family Robinson
There are many painters that
inspire me stylistically.
When it comes to subject
matter however, I have
learned to defer to the
things in life that I am
passionate about.
To accomplish this I go
to my inner child.
Growing up there were
two people who time
and again created
entertainment and images
that always captivated me.
They were Walt Disney and
Irwin Allen. Both of whom
made the films, television Walt Disney/Irwin Allen
shows and theme parks that
were right out of my dreams.
Dateline Billings Montana:
The last surviving flag from
Custer's Last Stand
(the "Battle of Little Bighorn")
sold for $2.2 million.
The flag was purchased in 1895 for $5
by the Detroit Institute of Arts.
Proceeds of the sale will be used to
acquire more native American Art.
Can you say ironic.
Hyatt Regency "Light Curtain"
Great Spaces
One of my favorite spaces in
San Francisco, is the atrium in the
Hyatt Regency Embarcadero.
At Xmas when they hang
the "Light Cutain",
the room is transformed into
a sort of surreal movie set.
Unfortunately this year they did
not include the massive model train
installation under the "Sphere".
Hyatt Regency 'Sphere"
The space was used as the lobby
for Irwin Allen's 1974 film
"The Towering Inferno".
The story of the worlds tallest
building catching fire the
night of it's grand opening.
A "Titanic" on land story.
If you are familiar with the
movie, you might recognize
the elevators in the
background. Hyatt Regency Lobby ~ Towering Inferno
They played a pivotal
part in the film.
Imagine having Steve McQueen as your
city's Fire Chief...way cool.
