Rick Monzon, Recent Works

RICK MONZON
Recent Works

March 5 to April 4, 2015

Artist's Reception

March 7, 5 to 8pm
with Live Music

When Artist Rick Monzon first turned his focus to painting, the classic homes of suburbia that he grew up with in the San Gabriel Valley called to him as subjects. Capturing the familiar forms of such houses in the bright light of the Southern California sun beckoned, as did exploring in paint the potent symbol of the American dream, the Southern California suburban tract home.

This Rick Monzon articulates in his works so well. His deft hand employs oil paint seamlessly and creates something that appears on first glance photo-real, yet upon further scrutiny takes us beyond real into a surreal dream place. His surburban homes are rendered in rich colors reflecting light and shadow in subtle, sensual shifts of the palette, yet there is always a ripple in his image. This not only adds a dynamic quality to the painting, taking it away from what could be a staid and static art piece, but informs us that things are not what they seem and the proverbial rug just might be pulled out at any time. In fact, there is

much storytelling going on in Mr. Monzon’s paintings and the more one looks the more one sees. Foreboding clouds, the next door neighbor’s car and other elements clue us in to what might be really going on in paradise.

Since landing in Shangri-la (Ojai), Rick Monzon has taken his painting subjects beyond houses into landscapes and skyscapes. In these paintings, there is the same palpable sense of yearning for utopia and with it the subtext of what lies beneath the surface of light and dark. His sensitive renderings of mid-day clouds, moody sunsets, trees and more are masterly painted in vibrant and muted oil color tones.

All are invited to enjoy his paintings. Rick Monzon, Recent Works, runs from March 5 to April 4, 2015. The Artist’s Reception is to be held on Saturday, March 7 from 5pm to 8pm with Live Music.