L.A. River

I see this view of the L.A. River every time I take the 10 east to the 5--a quick glimpse of the concrete channel in the distance with its old 7th and 6th Street bridges looking like they are piled on top of each other. I was determined to paint it, but how?

L.A. River V, 2013
Oil on linen, 42" x 48"
Rented

Last summer while driving around the area I discovered one transition ramp where I could get a clear shot at a photo, but it was impossible to stop. I enlisted the help of a friend to drive me one morning and we went in a loop--from the 5 south to the 10 west, snapping a picture from the ramp, off on Alameda, up to 4th Street, back on the 5, over and over again. (This is starting to sound like "The Californians" on Saturday Night Live.)

I'm really happy with this piece--one of those times a painting came out like I first pictured it.

Funny, the day I started it I came in from the studio to find Jacques watching the futuristic movie In Time with Justin Timberlake and Amanda Seyfried. It was filmed right down there under the bridges. I guess I am not the only one whose eye has been caught by this view.