Independent Star-News from Pasadena, California • Page 55

Compassion Shown For the Southwest I A PUBLIC display facility wliioii Is not only open and airy, but well lighted, the Al- hanrtira City Hall, 111 S. First presents a display of 22 paintings by Oi-riu White. This WiU teat until Aug. 31. While, one of tlie greeted and revered painters in Sic Pasadena area, offers hore a typical cross-section of his California and Mexico landscapes.

He is a rare talent because of his ability to design realistic topics into compositions which fulfill tile requisites of abstract design. Most of the California scenes hearken back to the pre-smog days, and all reflect a locale uncluttered ivirh in that regard those works become ro- ntantic. They reflect a i By Jack Carr wliich most native and daughters Jong for and which of course will never occur again. Many of Hie California painters of bhe'192fts and'30s were able to see Hie importance and appeal of this wondroie a Few of them were able to express those wonders i a manner which would satisfy the requisites of creative painting. Most were merely illustrators, and many quite dull onc-a.

Over the years i has stayed true bo his muse. He lias portrayed views of the western United Stales and Mexico with love, enthusiasm and a remarkable memory. Underlying all his work is a quiet, yet -severe pas- He has maintained an individuality Uirough a maze of influences. His work is pretty and liis technique dexterous. If one does not get beyond these surface elements there might be tendency to consider this calendar art.

Closer scrutiny reveals explosive paint application and at times an amusing tal play with composition. Mexico brings out the best in White. Iii liis of Mexican towns the bleaching sun and sombre facades develop an immediate statement regarding depth of concern. Mexico is a country which bah i i painters who are inclined to, ward social realism. For Chose who are visually rather tlian politically it can be a remarkable aid.

White is obviously the type of painter who revels in the gnan- deur of nature and the monumentality of man's architecture, "Bishop Creek High'Sierra" by Orrin White Too Many But Still Not Enough By Larry Painier fTLTADENA'S concert singer turned painter, Ethelynde Smith, lias opened her 115th one-woman show with her current exhibit in the Los Angeles County Museum. Ih this, her third at Hie museum, Miss Smith has on view 121 "Flower Portraits" ranging in subject matter'from "Roses, Camellias and Peonies," to "Cacti and Succulents." The stow is impressively hung, entirely taking up one of the museum's huge galleries in the west wing. These works however are an unusual replacement for the many classic works of art which were recently removed from the "oW" museum lo occupy the grandiose new Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Each of the water color floral paintings is' 1 excel lently done, and many contain the realism of a color photograph; but there' In lies their main drawback; There is loo little of the artist In her work. Each painting could easily 'serve as- illustration- in a first-class horticulture textbook.

The artist's ability and knowledge of her subject arc readily visible to even the most untrained viewer, but this technical skill is not sufficient to stave off the boredom which comes after examining 121 paintings. The addition of background color (rather than the blank wlu'te of the watereolor paper) or any other embellishments which would serve to make one work differ from the others would be warmly welcomed and would prove a vast improvement. Three of the watercotors are capable of standing apart, and are indeed noteworthy. They are "Stink and "Autumn Gold." Each of these possesses that needed bit of artistic interpretation which transforms draftsmanship to artistry. There is one very large question prompted by Hiis exhibit: "Is there any artist, living or dead, worthy of a 121-piece exhibit?" EVERYTHING PHOTOGKAPHICI Kj NO MONEY DOWN NO CARRYING CHARGE I TO PAY CAMERA I I A a.

ST 2-4M1 MU UH GftCEFi 1TAMM A I Complete ffne orft appraisals, reieorcfc, resloriflg, ttkaniref, reining, cvJlom Ifam' MUICCIM Stan da reft nualnfo 20th CENTURY: RUSSIAN PAINTINGS A A Of MWIWG 161 Eail Union Strvet, Paiarfena "Slreet Scone in Mexico" by Orrin While even if it be merely a mud hut. People are seldom found in his work, and when they are they are incidental dements. Quality and competence run tlirough these canvasses steadily, and. a choice of specific items would refer only to preference of subject matter. Training, experience, and natural ability flow together in a man- ner which is comfortable a rewarding.

The concern with a a grandeur and man's creativity, rather'than his pain, may seem, like escapism. I feel that a certain amount of escapism is healthy and honorable. It is certainly honorable in this coUco- tioii of paintings. I A A OFF REPRODUCT10K PRINTS, SERIGRAPHS. nj FRAMED PRINTS POULSEN GALLERIES IO'SAN PASQUAt.

STREET PASADENA, CALIFORNIA CtJOaXD 3UNDAT AMD JION'DAT 94 W. DAYTON PASADENA FOR i WEEKS Reopening September 14 wltk tpccial Aow at Graphics end Drowlngt by PETER ALEXANDER Custom Framing Refinisliing KNOWLTON'S PICTURE FRAMING 1913 FREMONT AVE. PH. 255-2422 DOORS SO. HUNT.

DR. CLOSED SUN SO. PASADENA MON. SPECIAL STOCK REDUCTION SALE FINAL DAYS SALE ENDS AUG. 20 Our Complete Stock of FINE PAINTINGS ON DISPLAY discount and more ZU discount on all Chinese Snuff Bottles "A rare collection" OFF on oil new Framing to Order and all Prints if Ordered Framed We Are doled Mondays and Saturday! During August E.

Walnul St. raiodeno 3-2575 Creators of Distinctive Framing sfchj.