While in Long Beach I always make a point of stopping by The Museum of Latin American Art. A relatively new space dedicated to both historic and contemporary Latin art, I have never been disappointed in their quality exhibits.

One bonus is the Reciprocal Museum Membership that many museums such as the Museum of Latin American Art in Long Beach share with The Ft Lauderdale Museum of Art. Four southern California museums, The Museum of Latin Art, The Long Beach Art Museum, Laguna Art Museum and the Orange County Art Museum in Newport Beach became destinations to explore thanks to my membership.

This trip I was traveling with my artist friend, Blima Efraim. Always a pleasure to share these rewarding visual experiences in the moment. Blima standing before the artworks and installations provide an awareness of the monumental scale of the artwork.

https://www.molaa.org

DREAMLAND a Frank Romero Retrospective is a visual delight. Highways of imagination have you traveling to a time that still feels like the present. Slices of life and politics are a collage of references unified by an extraordinary sense of color and brush marks. The combination reveals a wonderful personal journey.

From the lovely Dreamland brochure. Art as an educational experience is a mission of this museum for sure.

I am happy to share some amazing photos of Frank Romero's interesting and powerful work installed impeccably at the MOLAA Long Beach!

This gentleman seemed like he was part of the exhibit in a Norman Rockwell kind of way.

The Process:  Collages of found references are assembled and drawn.  These large scale drawings display fine detailed network of crosshatched modeling. — The Process: Collages of found references are assembled and drawn. These large scale drawings display fine detailed network of crosshatched modeling.

The drawings are ultimately developed as large scale expressionistic paintings.  His naive approach to composition draws you into what seem like random compositions. — The drawings are ultimately developed as large scale expressionistic paintings. His naive approach to composition draws you into what seem like random compositions.

A couple of details from other Romero work although painted in the 70's - 90's.

http://americanart.si.edu/collections/search/artist/?id=6213

Art is for me a way to learn about culture and history and personal expression. It has been a pleasure to discover the work of Frank Romero during my visit to The Museum of Latin American Art in Long Beach, CA.

I will be sharing my art adventures here. Stay tuned for some visual treats.