My Painting at the Long Beach Museum of Art

I'm proud to announce that you can view my painting Cul-de-sac House At Sunset at the Long Beach Museum of Art from March 8th through August 12th.  Recently acquired by the Museum, my piece is part of the exhibit Highlights 1945-1980: Selections From The Permanent Collection.  And while you're there, be sure to see the new sculpture exhibit Gerit Grimm: Beyond The Figurine, Contemporary Inspirations From The Museum's Collection.

Pacific Standard Time

With all the exhibits in the momentous Pacific Standard Time project going on throughout Southern California museums, it only seemed fitting that my work would have some sort of tie in.  It certainly fits the time period that most of the shows are focused on, as well as the region (So Cal), and the mid-century design and architecture that my work captures even happens to be the subject of LACMA's California Design exhibit.  So this month, my work has been featured on the PST blog, as well as Los Angeles I'm Yours website which highlights artists who have a So Cal connection to the PST events.  Read all about my process, my inspiration, what the PST events mean to me, and even some hints at work to come.
http://www.laimyours.com/12188/pacific-standard-time-featured-fan-artist-profile-danny-heller/

Mad Men is back!

Mad Men returns tonight for it's 5th season, and I don't don't know about you, but I'm getting the shakes from all my excitement.  In honor of this loveletter to the 60's, I'm celebrating the return of the show by featuring some of my older paintings whose style closely relates.  Enjoy!

Eichler House With Automobiles, oil on canvas, 19x38", 2008, $3,000

Chair In Sunlight, oil on canvas, 16x21", 2010 $2,400

Egg Chair At Night, oil on canvas, 29x22", 2010, $3,200

Eichler Entryway With Palm, oil on canvas, 32x21", 2008, $2,800

Coachella Collaboration Part 3

For the last installment of my recycle bin progress photos, I wanted to unveil the finished product.  This piece references classic racing VW Beetles from back in the day, as well as a certain movie where one was prominently featured.  Come out and see the final piece, along with the other custom recycle bins, for one night only, April 7th 7-11pm, at LAB ART (217 S. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles, CA).  This will be your only chance to see these works of art before they head down to the 2012 Coachella Festival.  A big thank you to the Global Inheritance group for creating this project and including me!

Racing stripes...

...white wall tires, VW on the side...

...racing number...

...added surprise when you open the bin...

...VW close-up...

...surprise close-up.

TRASHed Exhibit: April 7, 7-11pm, LAB ART, Los Angeles

   

Coachella Collaboration Part 2

Continuing with my progress photos for the collaboration I'm doing with Global Inheritance for the Coachella Festival, these ones show how I masked off part of the recycle bin to add the sleek racing stripes.  You can also see how the VW Beetles (located on each side of the bin) developed from sketches to final paintings.  Check it out:

Masked off the racing stripes...

...had to hand correct the red, white, and blue where the masking didn't take...

...sleek, clean lines...

...outlining the racing number...

...sketching in the VW Beetle...

...filling in the sketch with paint...

...carefully adding layers...

...until you get the final product!

Coachella Collaboration Part 1

I'm pleased to announce that this month I'm collaborating with the group Global Inheritance for the annual Coachella Music Festival!  This great organization has been working hard to promote eco responsibility and recycling at many festivals and community events. I'm one of a small group of artists that will be adopting a recycle bin and redesigning it to help engage the community to recycle.  I thought I'd post progress photos in few parts until I unveil the finished bin.  Also, stay tuned because there will be a one night exhibit in April to highlight the bins heading to Coachella 2012...

I started with a basic bin...

...sanded the hell out of it...

...primed it...

...and then after carefully masking off the wheels and circles on the sides, I sprayed the final color of the body of the bin.

Relax In The Pool

The Menrad House in Palm Springs has been a sort of muse to me over the years.  I continually find myself coming back to this amazing house/property designed by architect William Krisel.  The latest painting finds me in the backyard casually observing a classic pink inner tube drifting slowly through the afternoon shadows cast on the pool.  I found a great relationship forming between the inner tube and the entrance to the house via the opened sliding glass door.  I also have fun with all the geometry - diagonal lines and perspective.  Yeah, this was fun...

Palm Springs Afternoon, oil on panel, 6x8", 2012, SOLD

Panel Paintings

I've always been a fan of natural wood grain which is why it's been so difficult for me to cover new beautiful wood panels with paint.  However, I believe I've found a way around that with these two new acrylic paintings fresh from the studio.  One is a '48 Chevy and the other is a classic Dodge Coronet, both painted on 6x8" panels with some of the natural wood grain left to show through.  I like the play between the materials - the wood of the panels against the metal and chrome of the cars.  $400 each.  Please contact me if interested.  Thanks!

'48 Chevy, acrylic on panel, 6x8", 2012, $400

Dodge Coronet, acrylic on panel, 6x8", 2012,SOLD