FRENCH TWIST
Artist David Ashwell seems to have more adoring pals than colors on his palate these days. Dozens of them stood elbow-to-elbow at the Skidmore Gallery on Saturday night, admiring the painter’s latest creations on canvas.
Ashwell’s Malibu beachscapes have been gobbled up by Hannibal’s Anthony Hopkins as well as high-profile folks like Linda Hamilton and Melanie Griffith-so why not let them nibble on something new?
He didn’t exactly spend a year in Provence (more like a month) but he did get to stay with Peter Mayle, and before you could say bonjour, he turned the best-selling author into another fan.
“He came, he saw, he painted,” writes Mayle. “We hope he comes again.”
Ashwell spent his days wandering through the countryside, clicking his camera, sketching with his pad and creating mini-paintings, which he expanded when he returned to Malibu.
His pieces have an impressionistic texture. They pop with brilliance and beauty, color and light. His subjects are worthy of picture postcards-golden vineyards sloping off into the distance, contorted olive trees on a country road and rows of lavender blowing in the breeze.
A standout at the Skidmore show was a large mosaic that depicted different views of a bustling village market. There were bolts of French fabric, mounds of haricot verts and beret-wearing seniors watching the world go by.
“I did a top shot, a wide shot, a close-up and put them all together,” he says, “just like a storyboard.”
And storyboards are something that Ashwell knows all too well. He worked as a professional director of photography for years, but when painting became his passion, he turned his back on commercials and began using his brushes full time.
“I am so happy not to be doing that,” he explains. “It doesn’t pay like commercials, but I love the process and I’ve had amazingly good fortune. Now, I can practically support myself.”
If the response is any indication, Ashwell won’t have to worry about making ends meet. Several of his new paintings were already snapped up. But what’s even more important to this photographer-turned-painter is the day-to-day enjoyment of his new endeavor.
“I have a new day job,” he says. “And I’m just having a blast.”
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Malibu’s Alexandra Lee has something to sing about. The talented Colin McEwen high schooler got the thrill of a lifetime when she performed Francesco Durante’s Vergin, tutto amor before a sold-out crowd at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. It was all part of the Music Center’s annual Spotlight Awards, which recognizes top young talent from throughout Southern California.
Lee was among the finalists in the category of classical voice. She beamed with delight after being declared the winner, taking home the prestigious award as well as a check for $5,000. Bravo!