Looking Downriver

A new piece in my L.A. River series, looking south from the Arroyo Seco confluence near Elysian Park. In the distance is the new Metro Gold Line Bridge framing the century-old North Broadway and Spring Street bridges.

L.A. River XVI; Three Bridges
oil on linen, 48" X 48"  2014
Available*

*For price or other information about pieces marked Available, please contact me:

JosephCorsoArt@gmail.com

Redondo Beach

This summer view of the beach was done for my sister Anne, who lives nearby.

Redondo Beach, 2009
oil on linen, 26" x 32"
Collection: Anne and Scott Salisbury

Ready for my Close Up!

I have completed two small LA River pieces for a group show at Stone Rose Gallery in Long Beach. Varnished, framed and labeled. Over 60 artists will be featured, each with two small pieces. I'm really excited to be part of this exhibit and I can't wait to see what everyone else has come up with. Join us Saturday for the opening reception!

LA River XIII and LA River XII

LONG BEACH SUMMER III

A grop exhibition of small works

Stone Rose Gallery

342 East 4th St.

Long Beach, CA 90802

July 26th through August 16th

Opening Reception

Saturday, July 26th, 7-9 p.m.

Gallery Hours, Wednesday and Thursday, 12-6 p.m.

Friday and Saturday, 12-7 p.m.

A Day at the Beach

This view is of Pfeiffer Beach in Big Sur, where Jacques and I spent an afternoon last fall. I was drawn to the groupings of people in different stages of interaction, and the bright pops of man-made color against the greys of the landscape.

Pfeiffer Beach   2014
Oil on linen, 36" x 54"
Collection of John and Debi Corso

Funny, this beach is also the setting for the 1965 film The Sandpiper in which Elizabeth Taylor plays a painter. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRwbOv0NG4Q

The Source

This small painting is of Glendale Narrows, one spot on the LA River that has never been completely paved.

LA River 11: Glendale Narrows, 2014
Oil on linen, 18" x 24"
Available

Ground water from the San Fernando Valley bubbles up to the surface here, creating the year-round source of water that was vital for indigenous people and later for Spanish colonists. The city of Los Angeles began as a small agricultural colony to supply nearby missions, taking advantage of this one reliable water supply. Because this section never goes dry, it still has a permeable base, allowing groundwater to percolate down. Despite being hemmed in by concrete banks, Griffith Park, and the 5 freeway, it is a tranquil spot.

The history of Los Angeles is so intertwined with its river, yet few of us ever see it now. I'm really enjoying the discoveries I have made while painting this series.

Confluence

This view is looking south toward the confluence of the LA River and the Arroyo Seco, the spot where the Los Angeles Pueblo was first founded.

LA River 10: Confluence,   2013
oil on linen, 20" x 24"
Available

Today the site is also the confluence of the 5 Freeway that parallels the river, the 110 Freeway that runs along the Arroyo and a busy freightcar line.

A New LA River Piece

Next in the series:

LA River 9,  2013
oil on linen, 36" x 48"
Available