The Wash (2026)
The LA River starts in the West Valley, winding 51 miles til it meets the Pacific. I grew up not far from where Arroyo Calabasas meets Bell Creek and the river begins. Its source is more or less mine.
Its broad concrete container — shores, sheer sides, bridges — make a clean riverbed. Fitting, perfectly LA.
The Wash is what we used to call it.
It might not look like much to someone seeking bucolic scenes. But I’ve always loved the form and color of these planes in LA light.
The Wash is a place where things pass through and nothing is meant to stay. It’s where the clearing occurs. In this body of work, I chose to let things move through me, and live in the sun.
These paintings were shown at The Artists Gallery from April 22 – May 15, 2026.
4th Street Bridge
the studio
Pink Mason
Postscript. These paintings were created between January and April of 2026. A study in fluidity and detachment, they were intended to help me forget. At the time of writing (May 2026) life has come full circle, and I am returning to the work, the feelings, and even the subjects that preceded this period and body of work. Like the river itself, this subject matter and mood was — in retrospect — just passing through.