On view through May 3 at the California Art Club Gallery at the Old Mill in San Marino, California, “Unrivaled Grandeur: California’s National Parks” showcases 40 pieces by 26 artists. One of the participants, John Budicin, explains his motivation to participate.
“The parks maintain nature in its undeveloped state,” says Budicin. “National or state parks are vital not only to the artist, but to the general public. If it were not for the parks preserving the land, we would be denied seeing the beauty and majesty nature created. The importance of the show, in my opinion, is to make the public aware of the beauty of nature.
“Sequoia Redwoods,” by Debra Holladay, oil, 24 x 18 in.
“As an artist I want to portray the beauty of nature and how light plays a vital role in the way I see and feel toward the subject — a very mundane scene is transformed to grandeur by the right light effect. I feel the show has an integral role showing the beauty that should never be exploited. It should be kept in its original creation.”
“A Quiet Morning, Yosemite,” by W. Jason Situ, oil, 9 x 12 in.
The California Art Club (CAC) refers to the exhibition as a “road trip,” as the artists traveled all across California to paint the parks en plein air. The show was inspired in part by the 125th anniversary of Yosemite National Park.
“Royal Arches and Half Dome,” by Michael Obermeyer, oil, 10 x 18 in.
All of the participating artists in the exhibition are juried members of the California Art Club and include John Budicin, Alfonso Colocho, Donald Crocker, Linda DuPas, Esther Engelman, Reif Erickson, Terri Ford, David C. Gallup, Carolyn Hesse-Low, Debra Holladay, Sibyl Johnson, Anna Kelly, Chuck Kovacic, Frank Lennartz, Elaine Mathews, Sherrill Miller, Michael Obermeyer, Richard Probert, Rodolfo Rivademar, Junn Roca, Linda Rogers, Michael Situ, W. Jason Situ, Robert Steele, Milly Tsai, and Karen Winters. The pieces are for sale, and on view at the CAC’s website.
