PORTRAITS of the FALLEN MEMORIAL at the Richard Nixon Library  and Museum closes this Sunday July 6th.

Three years ago curator Sherry Moore contacted me to participate in this amazing project to commemorate and remember our fallen soldiers from the Iraq  or Afghanistan War.  This project is near and dear to Sherry’s heart, as she too is a veteran. There are 158 portraits of the California fallen completed to date, with an ultimate goal to depict each of the over 6,500 fallen U.S. heroes.  This exhibit demonstrates the importance of serving our country, but is also a reminder of the sacrifices of our fallen heroes and the impact their service has had upon their families and communities.

My contribution to this memorial project was the portrait of Christopher G. Nason, bottom photo, second from the left. My research indicated that Mr. Nason had a tremendous affect on those he came in contact with, leaving them with a big smile. Therefore, I chose brightly colored stars for his background, to imbue his patriotism with his lively spirit. I also used gold leaf on the sides of the 5×5 painting to create a little extra glow around him.

I myself am from a long line of military personnel, however, I knew the military experience wasn’t for me. Both my birth father and step father served in the military, and I have a nephew currently serving as an officer, as well as a nephew-in-law serving.  Therefore, giving back in this very small yet personal way by painting Christopher G. Nason, was the very least that I could do. Having suffered a tremendous loss myself this year, brings home to me the very painful reality of losing anyone we love, whether it be a parent,  a child or a significant other… loss is loss. I wish I’d started my blog sooner to get the word out during the beginning of this very  important and touching exhibit. However, If you aren’t able to see it before it closes, I’m confident there will be other opportunities to view it here in southern California.

www.PortraitsoftheFallenMemorial.org or on Facebook

It’s been very exciting to observe the Evolution of Artist Alberto Murillo during the last couple of years. I fist became of aware of his work at the JoAnne Artman Gallery in Laguna Beach. I’d wandered into her gallery after  having lunch with a friend, and she greeted us with such enthusiasm.  New to the neighborhood in 2008, her gallery is part of ‘Gallery Row’ at 326 North Coast Highway. She gladly gave us a tour and began educating us about her roster of artists.

At that time, Alberto’s work was very horizontal, or vertical depending on how you hung it, with thin lines of acrylic/resin on board. I thought it was unique, but it didn’t resonate with me. Cut to a gallery opening a year later with pieces like ‘Nassau‘ and ‘Taormina‘ and I was very intrigued. Murillo explained that he’d observed the resin on the floor after creating the vertical pieces and loved how the colors over lapped and melded together. He refers to this as his ‘Therapy Series‘ that helped pull him out of a very dark place.  The latest twist to his work is sandblasting away part of the resin to create an image, such as ‘Chanel No. 5′. Matte against shiny. It’s absolutely stunning in person. If it’s good enough for the Givenchy Family in NYC, then it’s good enough for me… adding it to my ‘must have’ list.