Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Creative Muscle

Altadena Junction looks like a small theater, which it is. But it's more than just a theater. It was entirely appropriate that the Altadena Junction celebrated the Arts Coalition Open House with Alex Schaefer painting twenty-minute portraits, because from what I can tell the place is all about art, whatever form it takes.

I say "from what I can tell" because I don't know much about it yet. But I know proprietor Lance Anderson brings world-class storytelling to Altadena. (I quizzed him Friday night and now I've had a chance to Google him.) He's also bringing in a photography exhibit, teaching workshops and performing his one-person play.

Another cool thing about the Junction is the Healing Arts aspect. Dr. M. (Dr. Marisol Martinez) offers a variety of services including chiropractic. And yoga! I hear the classes are great.

Click on Alex Schaefer's link to see the final painting from the session above. It's the one on the middle right (obviously). Middle left is Altadena photographer and teacher Ibarionex Perello. If you want to study some great shots, study his blog. When I ran into Ibarionex at the Altadena Junction it didn't surprise me. It's a place for creative people. It has that energy.

I can't wait to see what else Lance Anderson is going to do.

25 comments:

Cafe Pasadena said...

I feel this is one of your special postings. Why? Dunno. Just my K9 intuition.

Thanks again, P!

Anonymous said...

I wonder if this is a special place or just special events.

B SQUARED said...

Sounds like a great place.

Katie said...

Wonderful photo! It just pulled me in and I wanted to study every detail. Thanks for including the link to Alex's blog so we could not only see the final painting (great!) but meet another blogger in your area. That Altadena sure sounds like a fascinating place!

Virginia said...

What a wonderful artist. I think I spy Petrea. Oui???
Great post today.
V

Petrea Burchard said...

I hope you're right, Cafe.

Maybe both, Abe!

B Squared, I'm thinking it is.

Katie, Altadena's one of those places where you have all kinds of people, they know each other, and they find a way to gel. The Arts Coalition is a new group, looking to further that gelling.

I'm not in the reflection, V, the curtain blocked me. I tried shots like that but didn't get a good one.

alex schaefer said...

Hey that was a fun night! WE'll have to do it again some time. Thanks for the post and the link about the 20 minute portraits.

Jean Spitzer said...

Thanks for this post. I've been searching for good life drawing places, and following the artist's link led to a potential one: the Hive.

Margaret said...

Stop. You are making me want to move to Altadena, and we just refinanced so that can't happen.

Petrea Burchard said...

It was fun watching you work, Alex. I can't believe you did those portraits in 20 minutes, it's amazing.

Thanks for reminding me, Jean, in the post I want to recommend that people check out links in Alex's site and in Lance's, too.

We wanted to live in Altadena, too, Margaret! But we lost our hearts on our little spot in Pasadena and I think we'll stay right here.

Susan C said...

Not to make anyone jealous or anything, but I've lived in Altadena for nearly 12 years and plan to stay put. It just keeps getting better and better.

I need to check out the Altadena Junction.

Amanda Mae said...

Hey, thanks for sharing this! I've been looking for a yoga class.. I think I'm going to check this one out tomorrow night. Thanks!!

Lance Anderson said...

Thanks Petrea for the cool feedback and support!

The Sage of Altadena said...

we do love the 'Dena, and the 'Dena arts community! Petrea is an honorary Altadenan, for sure!

Lance Anderson said...

I second that.

Unknown said...

Petrea is one of us for sure! Altadena Junction is not only a fascinating place, it's a vertible womb of creativity and I'm honored to be involved with them!

Lowell said...

An interesting place and most interesting people. I'm always impressed by the kind of talent expressed by this gentleman.

Well-composed photo, too!

Petrea Burchard said...

Susan C: lovely home, lovely town, impeccable talent and taste. No, I'm not jealous.

I'll be posting about Altadena for the rest of the week, Amanda Mae, so come back and tell us how it goes.

Hi Lance, I was excited to see your space and talk to you about it. I'm especially looking forward to seeing your one-man show next time you do it. Do you have an emailing list I can get on?

Tim, I'm blushing. Thank you Tim, Lance, and Laurie for making me an honorary Altadenan. I gladly accept. One difference between Altadena and Pasadena is that in Altadena you actually have the power and authority to do that.

Thanks, Jacob. You would know! How do you do it? Coffee?

Ms M said...

Great capture of an artist in action. It'd be fun to see the finished painting. Sounds like Altadena is a very interesting place!

Petrea Burchard said...

Ms. M: click on Alex Schaefer's link in the post and you'll see it!

Tash said...

I'm still amazed by the 20-min portraits - and the one in progress is great! WOW and that's only the beginning.
Such a dynamic photo, Petrea.

Shell Sherree said...

{Sorry I'm so late ~ my reading list had some kind of delay with it yesterday!} I love this, Petrea. And I'm still quite gob-smacked at such beautiful portraits in 20 mins! Alex's work is lovely.

Petrea Burchard said...

Yes, go click on the Alex links, he's good!

Jessica Marie said...

I wish I lived there so that I could have my portrait painted. I may have to take a flight from Utah just for that.

Petrea Burchard said...

Marie, I was right there and I was so involved in taking photos that I didn't get myself painted. Duh.