"MY L.A."

There is just something that pulls me back to L.A. otherwise known as Los Angeles.  I grew up in LA with those towering palm trees, blue skies and all that it had to offer at that time in the late 40s, that's right I said late 40s, it even sounds strange to me, but that be the truth and now its 2013 so you do the math.  At that time the streets were field with so many electric and telephone poles with crisscrossing wires so as a kid looking up it seemed crowded.  Now as we travel around there is virtually none, especially with all our iPhone.  I don't even have a house phone, who needs one, we have cable and all those satellites that crowd the skies, we just cant see them now so its all good... Isn't it?   

This painting is an original oil, 6x6" on a wood 1.5" deep varnished box: "Available At"schwartzart@earthlink.net

  

"FOREVER"

I was walking along the soft marsh grounds taking pictures of the wet grasses, pools of water, shadows of sticks and their reflections, a butterfly taking its last drink before it gets to dark.   It was at that point that I looked up and turned just in time to see the sun making its way down to kiss the horizon.

I was so taken with natures beauty I forgot to take a picture but no-mater; I will remember this gift forever.  (SOLD)

"OUR-TOWN"

Downtown USA on any given day.  When I was doing some of my road shows, traveling through small towns, stopping here and there to ether sleep or eat, I was taken by a feeling that time stood still.  It was like simplicity was alive and well, maybe even innocence prevailed amongst the youth; one can only hope and dream.   I call this painting "OUR-TOWN" seems so appropriate on this day of history making.    40x34 oil on canvas for this summers show.

"DON'T FENCE ME IN"

Driving some of the back roads I would see farms, barns and dwellings of families all quietly set back far from neighbors and prying eyes.  I would wonder, who lives there and what are they like?   So many look welcoming enough, just void of life.  No Trespassing, Keep Out and Beware of Dog signs posted all weathered and faded indicating they have been up a long, long time.   Sadly I look and think, they're fenced in but can leave and I'm fenced out and can't get in.   After a time I put my car in gear and drive back home where all the homes are neatly lined up side by side, I open my electric garage door then close it behind me; after all, I have to making sure of my privacy. 

This is an original 6x6" oil on board mounted to a 1.5" deep box:  "Sold"

 

"LATE TUESDAY"

This was in Kansas City Missouri and a trip my sister and I took to see family.   We where just about to pass over train tracks when I stopped, got out of my van to stand near the tracks and take one single shot looking toward the city lights.  This painting is 34x34 by 2" deep canvas.  This painting is slated for next 2013 summer show.

"59 CADILLAC"

                                                      
                                                       " See on YouTube"

A quick trip up North, camera at the ready, clicking away at this and that I found myself in an open field, staring at the clouds, feeling the soft breeze, listening to the buzz of insects in the tall grasses. Back in my studio I let my mind drift in and out of ideas of what to paint and after a time I knew. (Sold)

"THE APPLE"

                                               Please click on "YouTube" and see the movie.

This painting was made into a YouTube movie.  I thought long and hard what would be the steps in the filming of the painting.   After a time, I knew I had to paint four apples, then start painting the bits blending each to make it look like I was painting just one apple.... A really fun project and must say.  Each apple painting is a 6x6" square and can be purchased separately for $150+s/h or $600 and that would include shipping.  

"STILL STANDING"

The Great American Plains with its farms, barns, windmills, broken fences and miles of wide open spaces has and is a real love for this visual feast for my soul.  This painting named itself.  I know this shed was built many years ago, like so many of us, it no longer is straight, a little shaky and weathered with time, but still standing.    If you click on "YOUTUBE" there is a movie of the painting's journey. (SOLD)

"SIMPLICITY"

It was late in the day when I pulled off the road and got out of my van.  Leaning up against it I stood looking at the house across from me.   I didn't see a telephone or electric pole anywhere.   I could just make out some chickens and goats and heard a dog barking.  I held my iPhone up to make

a call but no signal.  WOW, I thought, not to be able to go on line, what would I do with my 31 passwords that I need to stay in contact with all??....   I stared at the house across from me for sometime listening to the sounds of the earth and thought, "Such Simplicity".     

This 6x6" oil painting in on archival panel mounted to a varnished wooden box requiring no framing:  (SOLD)

"THE SENTINEL"

A study of rust at first glance but there is so much more.  That is what I wanted the feeling to be about in this painting.  I wanted not just to show the age of the subject but the strength of what was.
It is something that we so many times forget to do.  To understand and respect the old as they are the sentinel's of the past and future.  This is a 36x36" oil on canvas.   

"LAGUNA MOON"

I was chatting with my good friend Susan Davis on Facebook.  Susan is the director and organizer of the fantastic music we have at the Festival of Art in Laguna Beach each summer.  This is the show I am a part of.  Well, on her Facebook page I spot this photo she had taken and I asked if I might use it for a painting, she replied, its yours!   So this is the painting of the moon rising above the beach town in south Laguna at night.  Thanks Susan.   This painting is 6x6" on archival panel mounted to a varnished box:  "Sold"    

"FIRST CLOUD"

This painting is from a road trip traveling through Kansas.   The day started off with another cloudless sky adding to the fourth month of much needed rain.  The temperature again was way above normal with hot air blowing the lands dry, making for a perfect combination to form the familiar dust devils one sees when crossing the great American Plains.  I had already been driving on the road for about 7 hours when I stopped to take some photographs for some later paintings when I  turned and looked west, there in the blue, blue sky, the first cloud in months.   Shortly after I arrived at my hotel in the early evening, I was standing outside watching a cloud covered sky when the first light rain began to fall.  This painting is a 6x6 inch on panel mounted to a varnished 1.5" deep box:  

"MORNING COMMUTE"

In trying to think just how many trains I've painted over the years, I seem to have lost count.  I know it's  a lot and I know that every time I start a new painting I get flashbacks of when I was a little boy in Brooklyn playing with my train set.  Sitting on the floor I would watch my dad set it up, It was then I would disappear into my imagination and be one with the train.   I have since forgotten that distinct smell of the oil heating on the electric motor as it went round and round the track, but the memory of it is still there.  Maybe that's why I paint so many of them.  I get to return to that moment, and if only for a moment, be a  little boy once again.   (SOLD)

"BACK HOME"

Gosh! I'm trying to remember just when I took this little photo.  It was on one of the many trips back to California from AZ as I have family and friend's there.   I must have come across this amongst hundreds of photos about 5 dozen times over the years looking for something to paint, but this time I stopped to listen.  Funny how that happens, I wonder how many other photos have asked me to stop  that I ignored.   How many people I have done the same thing to, makes me stop and wonder.  We are so quick to choose to listen to the loudest when indeed there is much in a whisper.   

This is an original 6x6"oil painting.  For interest in giving this a home send me an "Email" (Sold)

"MELROSE DRIZZLE"

It was just one of those nights, you know, drizzly kinda evening.  Actually it was a perfect time to go for a walk, meet some friends, have some good food, yes its a stop at "Lala's Argentine Grill".  LA is so crazy, got to love thought.  It is truly a melting pot of tastes...   (Sold)