johnny apodaca, monterey artist

April 26, 2009

Last night I attended a lecture given by local favored artist Johnny Apodaca. The crowded event took place at Sweet Elena's Cafe des artistes.... a Sand City cafe haunt known for it's delicious baked goods and Euro-style dinner parties.

Johnny moved to the Monterey Peninsula in 1972 and was immediately captivated by the spiritual aspects and amazing beauty of the area... he never left. What culminated in his residence has been a journey of artistic discovery and reverence for Monterey's colorful bohemian past. This was the focus of his lecture.

Bio

Johhny's work started with abstract expressionism, which he was schooled in. However, being inspired by the intense beauty of Big Sur, and the surrounding communities, he then moved into plein air painting. His painting of the coastal cypress and California oak, is breathtaking. As his style continued to evolve, his paintings took on more of an abstract quality. And like a circle, his painting has returned, once again, to abstract expressionism, but with his inspiration being the coast here that he so loves.

The evening was topped off with a lovely lasagna dinner, a crisp salad drizzled with a sweet balsamic and oil dressing, and a tall glass of red wine... Sweet Elena-style...  A truly bohemian evening... showcasing a truly bohemian artist.

johnny apodaca painting Big Sur