October 14, 2024 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Upper West To Host Opening Reception Sunday For New Art Exhibition:

For more than two years, Upper West in Santa Monica has put its restaurant walls to the best possible use, displaying paintings of different local artists for about four months at a time through a partnership with local company The Beach Vault.

West Los Angeles-based mixed media artist Stephanie Trachtenberg will display 39 of her paintings of varying sizes, but all on the same theme of portraits of men.

The show called “L’Homme” will also include a selection of her bronze sculptures.

The pieces will be installed this Sunday, July 20 with an opening reception later in the day from 4-7 pm, which is free and open to the public.

Trachtenberg said she was intrigued by the idea of trying to portray and interpret different shades of character and mood in the male psyche.

“It was informative and challenging and a lesson in compassion which always makes one a better person,” Trachtenberg said. “These paintings were created over quite a span of years, so the overall mosaic is quite a full and diverse rendering of the subject. Of course there is always more to discover and different ways and means of showing it, which really makes it a life-long project and an endless learning experience for me and the viewer.”

She said she didn’t have one process to create the paintings.

“Sometimes I begin with the brush and paint, sometimes charcoal drawing and sometimes light grey value study, according to the subject matter,” she said. “I try to find the space around the image to see how it exists on the canvas. I believe the most important aspect of painting is to use light and color to show the form. I think of myself as a light traveler. And what I am really seeking is to illuminate the soul.”

Trachtenberg has previously exhibited in Santa Monica at the Novel Cafe, the George Small Art Studio, and a coffee house on Main Street called Panini.

She said her philosophy of art was to share her view of the human experience and to make it available to see for as many people as possible.

“I endeavor to put life energy and movement into my paintings and sculptures so they reflect the modern genres of film and digital imagery,” she said. “Even though I use some abstraction, I try to make my work realistic enough to be recognizable. I feel I am creatively successful and fulfilled when the experience has been communicated. Shades of color and shades of meaning.”

Gino Paino, of The Beach Vault, said the Upper West partnership had seen amazing results of increased interest in art.

“The mission of my business on art is simply to promote contemporary artists within their own communities, show the hidden talent for the benefit of all, and show the work the production of the people that is transforming this great Southern California region,” Paino said.

Upper West is located at 3321 Pico Boulevard, Santa Monica. It is open for lunch from 11:30 am to 3 pm Monday through Friday and open for dinner seven days a week from 5 pm.

For more information, call 310.899.4422 or visit upperwestsantamonica.com.

Related Posts

Film Review: Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One

July 19, 2023

July 19, 2023

FILM REVIEWMISSION IMPOSSIBLE – DEAD RECKONING PART ONERated PG-13163 MinutesReleased July 11th The story in this “Mission: Impossible” chapter, “Dead...

Film Review: Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny

July 5, 2023

July 5, 2023

FILM REVIEWINDIANA JONES AND THE DIAL OF DESTINYRated PG-13154 MinutesReleased June 30th The director of Indiana Jones and the Dial...

Film Review: Past Lives

June 27, 2023

June 27, 2023

FILM REVIEWPAST LIVESRated PG-13105 MinutesLimited Releases June 2nd and June 9th, Full Release June 23rd The Korean concept of “In...

Film Review: Sanctuary

June 8, 2023

June 8, 2023

FILM REVIEWSANCTUARYRated R96 MinutesReleased May 19th In my humble estimation, this is one of the best movies of the year....

Film Review: The Little Mermaid

June 2, 2023

June 2, 2023

FILM REVIEWTHE LITTLE MERMAIDRated PG135 MinutesReleased May 26th With today’s technological developments, a live-action The Little Mermaid is not only...

A Riveting Revival of the Pulitzer Prize-Winning “A Soldier’s Play” Now Playing At The Ahmanson Theatre

May 31, 2023

May 31, 2023

On Stage With… Murder mysteries, whether cinematic or theatrical, are one of the most popular subjects. The list is quite...

Film Review: Chevalier

May 12, 2023

May 12, 2023

By Kathryn Boole  RATED PG-13107 MinutesReleased April 21, 2023 Chevalier is based on the true story of a historical figure...

Ballet at the Broad Stage Memorial Weekend – Meet the Talent!

May 10, 2023

May 10, 2023

Westside Ballet of Santa Monica returns to the Broad Stage with special guest artists kicking off Friday May 26th with...

Elizabeth McGovern Lights Up The Stage in “Ava – The Secret Conversations”

April 26, 2023

April 26, 2023

Play About Legendary Screen Star Runs Until May 14 At The Geffen Playhouse By Beverly Cohn Ava Gardner, born Ava...

Unconventional Art Festival “The Other Art Fair” Returns to Santa Monica This Weekend

March 31, 2023

March 31, 2023

140 independent artists, immersive installations, performances, DJs, and a fully stocked bar await visitors at Barker Hangar The Other Art...

Samohi Theatre’s “The Drowsy Chaperone” Takes the Stage in Santa Monica

March 1, 2023

March 1, 2023

Shows will take place at Barnum Hall on March 3 and 4 at 7 p.m. and March 5 at 3...

Film Review: “Marlow”

February 23, 2023

February 23, 2023

FILM REVIEW“MARLOWE”Rated R109 MinutesReleased February 15th “Marlowe” is a beautifully shot period piece that takes place in the late 1930’s....

Film Review: All Quite on the Western Front

February 22, 2023

February 22, 2023

I have never been a soldier at war, although I have close friends and relatives who have been. Universally they...

SMC Emeritus Concert Band to Hold Free Concert This Weekend at the Broad Stage

February 22, 2023

February 22, 2023

Concert February 26 will feature musical selections with an outdoor theme Santa Monica College’s Emeritus Concert Band, under the baton...