LA River: Exploring the Downtown Bridges

A new painting: This iconic view is from the floor of the river looking north to the 1931 Fourth Street bridge, with the 1929 First Street bridge in the background. Both were designed by the great city engineer Merrill Butler.





LA River XVII
oil on linen, 36" x 60", 2015
Private collection.

Small Paintings for an L.A. Show

I'm excited to have these four small L.A. River pieces accepted by Couturier Gallery in Los Angeles for their annual group exhibit "Present Art," a collection of smaller, affordable works by 24 artists.

L.A. River XII: Field Trip
oil on linen, 12" x 9', 2014
Available*

L.A. River XIII: The Source
oil on panel, 10' x 14", 2014
Available*



L.A. River XIV: Widening
oil on linen on panel, 6" x 12", 2014
Available*

L.A. River XV: Recreation Center
oil on linen, 9" x 12", 2014
Available*

The opening reception is this Saturday, December 6th, from 6:00 to 8:00 and the show runs through January 3rd. More info:  http://www.couturiergallery.com/showdetail.asp?ShowID=173

*For price or other information about pieces marked Available, please contact me: JosephCorsoArt@gmail.com

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.