The Upper West Restaurant Presents “Blast" by Larry Wolf on Sunday September 15th, 2019

Larry Wolf painting

On Sunday, September 15, 2019, the Upper West Restaurant hosts an artist reception for “Blas,” a solo exhibition by Larry Wolf. The artist happens to be a long time diner of the restaurant. He had an incredible meal the first week that the restaurant opened back in 2010. “The amazing thing was you couldn’t tell that they had just opened from the care and service that I received. It wasn’t until I left and engaged with the owner that I discovered that he had just opened.”
When asked what his favorite dish is, he replied. “The food is so exceptional and eclectic that it’s hard to have just one favorite dish, the hamburger is excellent and the appetizers are items that you can’t find in any other restaurant on the west side.”

Wolf is looking forward to the big day. He has attended many of the past art receptions and said he enjoyed speaking with other artists. Wolf has been painting for over twenty years and loves to work with acrylic paints. “Acrylic paint allows me to work on multiple pieces at the same time. The ability to switch from one composition to another challenges my mind and my creativity.” He added that working with acrylic allows him to build up an area of the artwork, and it dries quickly. He talks about the inspiration for one his works entitled Explosion. “Often, when I'm searching for an answer to a problem, my mind feels as though it's exploding with hundreds of thoughts simultaneously.  I wanted to capture that maelstrom of ideas on canvas just as my brain was experiencing "the burst."

Explosion, Acrylic on untreated campus, 48” x 72”

Wolf said he enjoys painting on untreated canvases which allows him to paint on both sides with very different results. Color is also an important part of his process. Sometimes he inserts additional found materials, creating a mixed media artwork. “My work is always so unpredictable. Whether it be the result of using untreated campus or silkscreen, both produce unpredictable and varied results. Not knowing what will be produced allows me to be continually surprised by the result. Surprise is a significant factor that is a part of my work. That element of surprise creates results otherwise not achievable by planning.”

Don’t miss the opening reception of "BURST" featuring the art of Larry Wolf. The free event takes place on Sunday September 15, 2019, at the Upper West. The artist will be in attendance. The Upper West, 3321 Pico Boulevard, Santa Monica 90404; 310 586-1111; https://theupperwest.com/ https://www.abrushwiththelaw.com

September 14th 2019, New Exhibitions Open at dnj Gallery!

Three exhibitions open at dnj Gallery on September 14, 2019. “Radiate,” by Karen Amy Finkel Fishof, and “Aquatic Figments” by Ryan Linke. The third exhibition (in the Collection Room) is entitled “Lou Stoumen’s New York."


 Gallery owner Pamela Schoenberg said she was inspired by the work of all of these artists. She will be selecting and curating works from Stoumen’s “New York” series for the Collection Room exhibition. She added that Karen and Ryan’s work compliments each other, and are both extremely original. “Their entire body of artworks are amazing.”

Karen Amy Finkel Fishof said she is excited to exhibit at dnj Gallery. “Pamela is great. She has a keen eye and a lot of knowledge. She’s also a really sweet person.”

Karen Amy Finkel Fishof "Election Day" 

Karen will be featuring photograms. She stages scenes and then exposes them to light, and then develops them the same way a photo would be processed (with black and white development chemistry). These one of a kind works, do not have a negative. For this exhibition some of the photograms will be on the floor, and attendees can actually walk on them.

When discussing the title of her show and series…she said she was drawn to the word Radiate as both her series name and exhibition title for her love of the word, and its double meaning. “I chose Radiate because I want my message to radiate.” The fact that her photo exposures are created with radiation and remind her of x-rays, add to double entendre and the strength of the word.

Ryan Linke said he is looking forward to working with the gallery. “I really like the way that Pamela curates her shows.”

Ryan Linke, Timing of A Storm

He will be featuring works inspired by water and nature. He has traveled extensively and his art reflects what he has witnessed. “A unique combination of colors, created by large swells, king tides, winter storms, Santa Ana winds, and other weather events all play a role into my image making process.”

Like most artists, Ryan attends shows and stay up on local events. “There are so many great places to view art in Los Angeles, we really are lucky to have such a diverse art world.”

He cited The Annenberg Space for Photography, as being a go-to gallery. He added, “I know Bergamot is going through a lot of changes, but there are some galleries there that I have been going to since I was a kid so I always like to pop in there every once in a while. I also love painting and mixed media so I’m always looking for a wide variety of art to look at.”

Photographer Louis Stoumen (July 15, 1917 – September 13, 1991), is best known as a film director and producer winning two Academy Awards. After his death in 1991, the Stoumen Estate gifted the entire archive of Stoumen's work, including copyright, to the Museum of Photographic Arts. dnj Gallery will be presenting selected works from MOPA’s permanent collection.

Lou Stouman "Sunset", Times Square

The opening reception takes place on September 14th, 2019 from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm at dnj Gallery, 3015 Ocean Park Boulevard, Santa Monica, 90405. The exhibition will remain on view through October 26th, 2019. 310.315.3551; http://dnjgallery.net