Pasadena Show

Had fun last night at the Contemporary Masters: Artistic Eden III show in Pasadena. Linda and I had a few family guests show up which was great but there was some confusion regarding guests. This is the first artist reception I've ever been to that didn't seem to want a large turn out so we didn't really put out the word. Apparently they wanted only the artists and maybe just a couple of their guests. Couple?!? The show runs for 5 months so if you live nearby do go and see it! It is totally worth it.   
The show is very impressive and held at the beautiful Pasadena Museum of History on the grounds of the Fenyes Mansion in Pasadena. I was really honored to just get into this show and can't thank whoever the judge was enough for that. There was some incredible work there and the subject matter, anything painted of the San Gabriel Valley, was something I loved seeing since I grew up there.

Rich Gallego on left and myself next to my painting of the Colorado Street bridge.

  

When I was growing up in Pasadena I used to think how cool it would be to actually be an artist painting all of these parts of Pasadena that I liked...historical stuff, cool spots I knew about and the places that were a part of my life growing up there. Walking around enjoying all of this work of scenes from the valley was like finally seeing that happen even though I only painted 3 of them myself. There were a lot of artists there who live in Pasadena and the valley so it was neat to be connected to them in that respect.

My painting of Eaton Canyon which was in a prime location at the show....right as you walk in. The gods of art were on my side there, haha. 

My painter friend Rich Gallego and his wife Ludelle were both there and Rich and I have the same sense of humor, we get along great. Rich had a good painting of a sycamore in Fall in there too. New to this show was artist Joe Millazo. Joe is from Arcadia and he works in pen & ink so I've seen his work around for a while now. Joe and I have been in the Los Olivos Quick Draw together. I dig his work...was fun to say hi to him last night.
Also ran into painter friend Laura Wamsgans and it was fun to chat with her. Laura has a great sense of humor and had a really nice interior scene she painted in the show. My gallery owner Jasminka Gabrie and her hubby Jimmy were both there too. We almost went out with them after the show but we had a 16 year old at home alone and I always worry about fire! hahaha. In fact, right before we arrived at the show he called us to let us know the house still hadn't burned down...good kid.