Look, Up in the Sky!! Questing Fante's Inferno Trail

On the trail of writer/novelist John Fante', I took a trip down to the Bunker Hill Area with writer/novelist/spy master Robert Eringer. It was a splendid day in Downtown L.A.
Skid Row never looked better. The Sun was shining, the bums were wining. Everyone was out and about, seemingly care free!

There were many facades to gaze upon.

When Eringer and I do our Zeitgeist Safari's for our Surreal Bounce T.V. show, we are on edge, in motion; to pick up the subtle clues and ironies which seem to "find" us. We do our best to capture things on film (especially the surreal), and share them with you.
Eringer, the writer with satirical rye; and me, the artist with a critical eye.

Our quest this particular jaunt was to visit the old haunts of American Writer, John Fante'. Bunker Hill; the area which John Fante frequented when he was struggling in the 1930's; places like Clifton's Restaurant, and King Eddie's Bar, to get a feel for him, (and Bukowski's inspiration, for that matter). Angel's Flight; near the place where his apartment building was, is up and running as the shortest Rail Line in America.

It was a quick adventure of merely a few hours, but rich beyond imagination. If you want to get a taste of the show, which will have Dan Fante as a guest, it will air live on Public Access, Channel 17, on Tuesday February 22, at 6 pm. It will also stream live over the Internet after that.

Now, this particular photographic image I took on a spontaneous whim. It looks sort of like a sun dial; artistically sculpted, in it's configuration adorning the top of an old Art Deco Building, on 7th and Grand. This photo captures an example of the subtle charms and miracles that life offers to us every day, if we only take notice.

What works for me are the following creeds: You will know what you need to know when you need to know it. You are always in the right place at the right time, (and never not). Life doesn't happen to you, it happens for you. Observe it's unfoldment, because no matter where you find yourself, there you are.

Enjoy the Surreality.

Plein Air Class Visits Sullivan Goss. Feb 9, 2011

Took my Wednesday Plein Air Painting class to visit Sullivan Goss fine art gallery in Santa Barbara. There we viewed the exhibition: 40 days and 40 nights: 80 Paintings on exhibit by the extraordinary landscape painter, Lockwood De Forest. These were brought over from Europe. They were part of close to 800 sketches or studies of the landscape as Lockwood saw it.

It was especially great to see the almost pre-historic views of the Santa Barbara

which he documented; showing his visual perceptions of Santa Barbara before the hoards of Americans flocked to the "American Riviera". Especially appealing were the nocturnes, some painted in the moonlight without the aid of any other source of light to illuminate his canvas.

It was a great day, being amongst the masterworks of this late 19th early 20th Century Artist.

Photo

Ed Rincon Explains the content of paintings to my "Light and Shadow in Art" painting class.

Moon Fest, Sullivan Goss Gallery Jan 19, 2011

I was invited to set up and paint the Winter Moon rising over the Santa Barbara Courthouse, from the balcony of Sullivan Goss Fine Art.

The evening was a "MOON FEST", the celebration of the winter moon, rising to the back drop of eighty original oil paintings by Lockwood De Forest. Many of his paintings were nocturnes of the Santa Barbara area in the late 19th, early 20th Century. Pure, prehistoric views of Santa Barbara before development.

I was fortunate to be a part of the celebration of Live Jazz, Poetry, and celebrants of the Moon. Also present were descendants of Lockwood De Forest who came from as far away as Europe, for this event. Mr. Goss also allowed me to exhibit a couple of my original oil paintings that evening. I am happy to announce I have a new collector!

Right on time the moon rose over the Court House Tower. I quickly sketched it in and applied the paint in an avaunt guard composition. Something I hadn't done since I painted the Mad House in 15 degree weather in Iceland.

It was a night to remember!

Winter Moon Rise, SB Court House
12x10 oil Collection of the Artist

Full Moon Over Auschwitz. Jan 27, 2011

66 years ago today, the Russians liberated Auschwitz.

It's still a dark place; occupying a dark space in many a memory.

I often wonder about transcending the history of mankind; his trials and tribulations, His momentary and fleeting life spans.

The Moon is a constant; a portal. It is the same orb that transcends time throughout the ages.

Its a link between the past, present, and future. It was present then, as it is now, and will be around, looking over our shoulders, long after we are gone.

Nothing is new under the sun, yet everything is old under the Moon.

When will it sink in that we are always being watched?

Full Moon Over Auschwitz
10x20 oil/canvas 2010

Collection of the Artist

Mamatus Over Carpinteria Jan. 14, 2011

Never have I seen Cumulus Mamatus this profound. I know it's a stretch, but it reminded me of early Roman Antiquity; specifically the statue depicting the story of Romulus and Remus.

The skies this day were full of hope, in the form of sustenance. I yelled out, "MAMMY!!"

Hunter's Moon Rise, Butterfly Beach Jan. 9, 2011

Fall Evenings in Santa Barbara: not too cool, not too warm, but just right! Perfect ambiance to stroll in moonlight.

It was well worth painting for.

Hunter's Moonrise
12"x12" oil/canvas 2010

Private Collection

New Year's Eve. Dec. 31, 2010

What a way to end the Year; go out a paintin'.

New year's Eve, Butterfly Beach
6"x8" Oil/board
Pvt. Collection