Archives

2008

• 07.27. - William Blake - Gay’s Fables
  The fine lines on the floor and walls in this humorous little work compliment the groomed texture of the busy monkeys preparing to service their haughty caprine customer. The complacent look on the goat’s face brings a smile to mine, and I hoped it would be as enduring to my prospective love as it was to me.
• 06.05. - C. W. Sharpe - The Tempest
  A wonderful rendering of the first act (Scene 2) of Shakespeare’s last play, The Tempest.
• 06.04. - Welcome to Art Collecting for Everyone!
• 05.25. - M. Brown - Untitled
  An energetic and emotional portrayal of a young man painfully struggling from the mental anguish of a love relationship gone bad, loss of a family member, sibling abuse, etc. The reasons are as varying as they are timeless.
• 04.18. - 1st - 3rd Century Gandharan Buddha Head
  A contemplative Gandharan Buddha head mounted on wood by none other than actor, art collector Vincent Price in the 1950’s.
• 03.03. - Maxime LaLanne - Nogente
  This delicate and sensitive rendering of the small French town of Nogent-sur-Marne was executed by Lalanne just three years before his death in that ancient commune situated in the eastern suburbs of Paris, France.
• 02.22. - Emigdio Vasquez - Early Morning at OVC
  This painting conveys the feeling that regardless of family problems, job difficulties or social pressures, this is a time of tranquility to be savored in the crisp morning hours of a new day. Peace shared between brothers, void of pretense. A few precious moments appreciated simply for what they were—a chance to be free.
• 01.21. - Rick Wedel - Domestic Composition No. 1
  Executed in oil on the rough side of a Masonite canvas, Wedel depicts the underlying tension and daily monotony that can erode and eventually destroy a relationship if we so carelessly allow it to happen.

2007

• 12.04. - Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec - Aristide Bruant
  At first glance the image was unmistakably Lautrec, “Just more wallpaper,” I thought. I noticed some foxing along the sun bleached margins which often indicates aging (and poor care) and prompted me to take a closer look.
• 11.20. - Milford Zornes - The Couple
  One cannot collect art in Southern California without owning a Milford Zornes–and that’s the law! A true local icon who, along with Millard Sheets and other pioneering artists, lead the California Style watercolor movement in the 1920’s.
• 10.28. - Rembrandt - Prodigal Son & Academical Figures
  I imagine everyone would like to own a Rembrandt, and this is as close to one (or two) as I may ever get (other than at a museum). But these restrikes serve as an example of how NOT to collect fine art.
• 09.21. - George Gibson - Tomasini Ranch
  I’ve always been a sucker for a good pencil or charcoal drawing. This one is by California artist George Gibson who was the director of the scene department at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios for such films as “The Wizard of Oz,” “Brigadoon” and “Oklahoma.”
• 08.14. - Salvator Rosa - Two Warriors
  I’m still awestruck whenever I view this piece, and I enjoy the simple routine of quietly removing it from its protective sleeve and holding it in my gloved fingers while looking closely at its fine detail under a bright light.
• 07.07. - Alice Beamish - Studio Corner
  Here’s a wonderful little find from a small antique store in Orange, California. It measures only 9″ x 9″ and is painted on canvas. I love the simplicity of the composition and her choice of coloring. The frame sets it off perfectly.
• 06.03. - Raymond Sipos - Sheltered Cove & California Desert
  I then brought their attention to a very realistic original landscape that I couldn’t turn away from by a local artist I’d never heard of–Raymond Sipos. His brush strokes seem to illuminate from what I thought was canvas to create a light of their own. A beautiful panorama of color and subtle highlights reminded me so much of the California coastline I had been in love with all of my life.