Saturday, March 19, 2011

Alexey Steele's Demo at The Old Mill in San Marino

On Sunday afternoon, March 13th Elaine and I ventured out to the picturesque Old Mill in San Marino. Constructed in 1816 the Old Mill is the oldest commercial building in southern California and houses the California Art Club's Gallery.The amazing Russian-trained artist, Alexey Steele, was giving a painting demonstration outside the historic structure in the Old Mill's Pomegranate Courtyard. He posed a young female model against the aged plastered wall surrounded by yellow climbing roses that were all in bloom. About fifty spectators came and paid to watch Alexey work his magic from 1 to 4PM. His painting turned out very well, and I think most everyone left feeling they got a lot out of his demonstration. Afterwards, a number of us went out with Alexey and Olga for an early dinner. He still kept  lecturing us while wildy gesticulating with his hands as he devoured a chile relleno with short ribs and mash potatoes. 

By the way, today is Alexey's birthday.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALEXEY!!



Talking about the importance of considering "concept."


The audience enjoyed Alexey's performance while learning classical art skills in an 1816 California mission setting.


A classic California setting for a master contemporary artist.
.


Friday, March 18, 2011

Opening Reception at the Carnegie Art Museum

On March 12th the California Art Club enjoyed a spectacular opening reception at the Carnegie Art Museum in Oxnard. Well over a hundred attended, and all seemed enthusiastic about the collection. The artwork exhibited were all landscape and seascape paintings by current Signature Members of the CAC to celebrate the Club's Centennial in conjunction with the release of our 276-page book of California landscapes published by Rizzoli International. Elaine and I were incredibly impressed by the variety and high quality of paintings selected by the museum's director, Suzanne Bellah.

If you want to know how to get to the Carnegie -- Practice real hard. 

Banners draped in front of the Carnegie Art Museum in Oxnard, California promoting our exhibition "A Luminous Land: Selections by California Art Club Signature Artists." The exhibition is on view until May 22, 2011.

With Elaine in front of my painting, "Pools Above Sturtevant Falls, San Gabriel Mountains."

Alexey Steele, me, and Steve Mirich making a joint effort in spelling "CAC" with our hands.