The Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art at Pepperdine University presents On Location in Malibu 2015: Paintings by the California Art Club from May 23 - August 2, 2015. There will be a reception to meet the artists on Saturday, May 23, from 5 to 7 p.m. There is no admission charge and the public is invited to attend.
For decades Malibu has attracted visitors with its rare blend of Hollywood glamour and natural, rustic beauty. For the past year artist members of the California Art Club, organized in 1909, have been visiting Malibu to not only capture what this unique community means to them, but also document how the diverse scenery has changed over the years. Their works-many painted on location-reveal that this oceanside paradise is a complex place with many moods and identities.
The majority of the paintings were done in the spirit of "plein-air." This French term refers to landscape paintings executed outdoors. By working on the spot and directly in front of the subject, artists can respond to nuances of light and setting that are lost in photographs. Plein-air paintings display a depth of perception and a poetry of subjective interpretation that give these works their broad appeal.
The paintings in On Location in Malibu capture Malibu's startling variety of picturesque scenery, from idyllic beaches to craggy canyons and mountains. They include busy thoroughfares such as the legendary Pacific Coast Highway as well as remote canyon hideaways. Although the technique of plein-air painting is over 100 years old, the art in this exhibition reveals that the style is flexible and resilient. Each artist has his or her own stylistic approach, creating works that seem fresh, new, vital, and personal to the artist.
More than 30 artists are represented in On Location in Malibu 2015. They live in areas throughout the state and range in experience from seasoned professionals to younger talents. All of these painters are acknowledged to be among the best representational artists working in the state today. Art in the exhibition is available for purchase. Sales benefit the exhibiting artists, California Art Club and the Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art.Videos