American Art Collector feature article

I just got the May issue of American Art Collector, where I am featured on pages 126 and 126. 

 The article features three of my paintings, "The Fall", "Buick Convertible, San Diego Freeway", and "Graffiti Bridge".

It is promoting my upcoming exhibition at K. Nathan Gallery in La Jolla, the show opens on May 14th, 2011.

The Gallery Says... "Tony has joined an elite group of American artists painting impressions of our urban environment. Southern California is an especially fertile ground for harvesting psychological reflections of city life."

- Keith N. Kelman, Owner, K. Nathan Gallery



The Fall

"The Fall" oil on canvas, 36 x 54 inches. I started this large piece nearly two years ago, and I posted preliminary drawings here. Meanwhile, I've finished several other paintings, while I picked away at this one as a long-term project. When I initially came up with my idea for "The Fall", I wanted to include two figures in a landscape, and I had been looking at a lot of Rennaissance painting.

I actually enjoyed painting all the leaves both on the bush and the ground. The underlying theme of the piece is in part about leaving civilization and going off into nature... somewhat of a departure for me, because I'm mostly known for my urban landscapes. But painting the figure has an organic quality to it, and studying nature has been rewarding to me.

The snake on the ground is supposed to be somewhat hidden from the viewer, as it is un-noticed by the couple in the painting as well.