American Beauties: Visions of Latinas

American Beauties: Different Stories, is a group show at SpaceOnSpurgeon gallery in Santa Ana, California. featuring artists Michael Maas, Gregg Stone, Emigdio Vasquez, and Mark Vallen.

[ The Red Dress - Vallen 2006 Oil on masonite panel 9" x 12" ]

The owner of SpaceOnSpurgeon gallery, JoAnne Artman, visualized American Beauties as an exhibition "bridging cultures and challenging perceptions of Latino life." The spanish language newspaper, OC Excelsior, wrote a positive review of the show, titled Four Painters Show Their Vision of Latin American Women. In the review Special Events Editor, Miguel Suárez-Orozco, wrote about how the artists view Latinas, "One sees her as an image of courage, another considers her an indigenous goddess, the third finds her haunting the nightclubs and the fourth imagines her as a Holy Mother, but all agree on the beauty of women of Hispanic origin. For his part, Vallen presents the Hispanic woman as a beautiful Indian, elegantly costumed, a proud goddess, aloof from any type of discrimination. These and other feminine images can be appreciated in the exhibition." The April 1st opening night reception attracted some 100 art lovers.

[ Mother and Child - Acrylic painting by Michael Maas ]

Artman describes the exhibiting artists in the following way. "Figurative realist Mark Vallen creates art that chronicles a rich Latino culture. His vision translates and transforms the people and their times. Renowned muralist Emigdio Vasquez is a visionary storyteller who carves day-to-day struggles onto faces and into souls. Gregg Stone uses watercolor, gouache, and ink to create a modern realistic portrait of Latino life, and Michael Maas’ Mother and Child series is inspired by images of the Virgin of Guadalupe."

[ Las Campesinas - Oil painting by Emigdio Vasquez ]

American Beauties: Different Stories, continues through June 30th, 2006. SpaceOnSpurgeon is located at 210 N. Spurgeon Street, in Santa Ana, California. 92701 (Click here for an online map.)

[ Arana - Mixed media painting by Gregg Stone ]

The gallery is open Saturdays and Sundays, from 1 - 4 pm, and also by appointment (To contact JoAnne Artman, phone: 949-464-0105.) Visit the first Saturday of any month to coincide with the Santa Ana Artists Village Open House artwalk. Street parking is available directly in front of the Spurgeon gallery, and also at the Artists Village Parking structure located at Third Street and Broadway. Visit the SpaceOnSpurgeon gallery at www.spaceonspurgeon.com