Elyria (2026) Original Oil Painting by Bruce Dean

Sociego was a painting from the early stages of my creating non-abstract work. A rather frequent question, particularly when I was painting abstractions, was, " How do you know when it is done?" My somewhat "tongue in cheek" answer is always, "When it leaves the studio." Sociego, five years later, has now become "Elyria."

Downtown L.A., from a distance, is now an element in the painting. In fact, at this point it strikes me as the central element.

I have described the evolution in my work as having changed from being absorbed in the process of making marks, to currently being absorbed in the narrative.
I'm afraid, in this case, there is no underscoring of absence, or silence, or contemplation. It does not suggest a liminal moment.

I believe this painting is simply about my love of this city. I love the views from the hills in NE L.A. Elyria Drive in Mount Washington is one of our destinations when exploring our city.

Materials used:

oil

Details:

• Oil painting on Panel / Board / MDF
• One of a kind artwork
• Size: 76.2 x 101.6 x 5.08cm (unframed) / 78.74 x 101.6cm (actual image size)
• Ready to hang
• Signed on the back
• Style: Unspecified
• Subject: Architecture and cityscapes