LA River Patterns

The LA River was transformed into a concrete flood control channel in the 1930's, but it cannot be tamed completely. Silt deposits form islands on the shallow bed which breed algea and insects, attracting birds and other wildlife. Trucks add their wheel ruts to the design. Heavy rains wash it all away in winter but the process starts over again each spring. 

LA River VIII,  2013
Oil on linen, 36" x 54"
Availalbe

This is a view looking south from the Wardlow Road Bridge on an August afternoon.

The 6th Street Viaduct

This is a view from 7th Street on a drizzly summer morning, with the historic 6th Street Viaduct in the background. I recently learned that this grand old bridge is due for demolition. Inherent structural flaws make it impossible to keep it in repair. I want to spend more time photographing and painting it before this happens.

LA River VII, 2013
Oil on linen, 24" x 30'
Available

The proposed new bridge is sleek and modern and leaves me a bit cold, but that's probably what artists said about this current one when it was built in 1932.

The Beginning of the LA River.

The headwaters are somewhere in Northridge, but for me, my paintings of the river began at its end, in Long Beach. I recently had these earlier pieces photographed.

This is a view from the bike path where I often take an evening walk.

LA River 2, 2009
Oil on linen, 24" x 42"
Available

Here is the spot, just south of the Willow Blvd. bridge, where the concrete ends and the tidal marsh begins.

LA River 3, 2010
Oil on linen, 24" x 36"
Available

A New Piece

Yellow Tablecloth, 2013
Oil on linen, 24" x 36"
Available

Dirty Socks

On my way to the Sierras for a family vacation in 1984, I stopped for breakfast in Olancha and found an old postcard of a swimming pool on the Owens lakebed, with '50's-era bathing beauties in a desert oasis. I had driven this road for years and I had never heard of it. The card explained that the pool was called "Dirty Socks" because in olden days miners would wash their clothes in the hot-spring that fed it. It said it was 5 miles east of Olancha.

On my way home I made the detour and drove 5 miles toward Death Valley. The pool was indeed there, in a state of disrepair and surrounded by junk. A sulfur smell told me the story about miners doing laundry was a lie. Still, the group that was swimming seemed to be enjoying it, even though they seemed oblivious to the the beauty of the afternoon light on the Sierra backdrop.

I made this painting in San Pedro the following year from slides I took that day. My brother John bought it  before it was finished, though he let me exhibit it for a while. He sent me this photo today, and I'm happy to have it. I wish I still had the postcard too.

Greetings from Dirty Socks, 1995
Oil on canvas, 30" x 60"
Collection: John and Debi Corso

Light as Object

These paintings are of windows in my house, from the late 90's and early 2000's.  I was looking at the way glass and screen filter light, and the shapes of light and shadow.

Interior with Mixer, 1998
Oil on canvas, 60" x 48"
Available

Still LIfe with Kitty Cup, 2001
Oil on Panel, 48" x 28"
Private Collection

Blue Vase III, 2001
Oil on linen, 24" x 36"
Private Collection

Screen Shadows, 1997
Oil on canvas, 36" x 24"
Collection Anne and Scott Salisbury

Ladder Shadows, 1998
Oil on canvas, 36" x 24"
Private Collecton

Three Chairs, 2002
Oil on panel, 72" x 48"
Private Collecton

Yellow Flashlight, 2001
Oil on linen, 54" x 36"
Private Collecton

More L.A. River

Two others in the series. Both are looking north from the Wardlow Road Bridge in Long Beach.

L.A.River IV, 2013

Oil on linen, 18" x 36"

Collection: Anne and Scott Salisbury

L.A. River VI, 2013

Oil on linen, 36" x 42"

Collection: Garbrielle Lindsley