''I paint the reality of the Southern California environment: how structures once revered for their groundbreaking ideas in design and social planning have been perpetuated and how they have been forgotten. I focus primarily on mid-century modern aesthetics that still permeate our cities and neighborhoods; a time period when post-war growth led to booming industry, forward thinking, and opportunity for creative and radical design.
Highlighting this mid-century identity of Southern California, I play with lighting, dramatic angles, and colors to form visually engaging paintings that also celebrate modern architectural elements. I use a realistic style to paint those moments where design and environment come together harmoniously in hopes of enlivening the viewing audience to preserve these spaces. When people begin to recognize the beauty of, say, Joseph Eichler’s atriums or the advanced social organization of a Gregory Ain housing tract, these tokens of California ingenuity will have a better chance of survival. Already I have brought attention to the endangered Granada Hills tract of Eichlers as well as participated in the Los Angeles Conservancy’s silent auction to help protect the cultural and architectural heritage of Los Angeles.
I believe that an advocate of mid-century Southern California design in the contemporary art world will help strengthen its presence on the national stage and bolster its appreciation locally. ''
Danny Heller
Highlighting this mid-century identity of Southern California, I play with lighting, dramatic angles, and colors to form visually engaging paintings that also celebrate modern architectural elements. I use a realistic style to paint those moments where design and environment come together harmoniously in hopes of enlivening the viewing audience to preserve these spaces. When people begin to recognize the beauty of, say, Joseph Eichler’s atriums or the advanced social organization of a Gregory Ain housing tract, these tokens of California ingenuity will have a better chance of survival. Already I have brought attention to the endangered Granada Hills tract of Eichlers as well as participated in the Los Angeles Conservancy’s silent auction to help protect the cultural and architectural heritage of Los Angeles.
I believe that an advocate of mid-century Southern California design in the contemporary art world will help strengthen its presence on the national stage and bolster its appreciation locally. ''
Danny Heller
Danny Heller was born in Northridge, CA in 1982. Growing up in the San Fernando Valley, the artist was able to carefully study the golden landscape of Los Angeles.
Although his visual vocabulary was expanding, these observations would turn up only later in his body of work. For formal art instruction, Danny left the Valley for the College of Creative Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara. While studying under California landscape painter Hank Pitcher, Danny earned a B.A. in art with an emphasis in painting. After formative years spent capturing Santa Barbara’s surf landscapes, Danny’s attention turned toward retro iconography characteristic of mid-century Los Angeles. Moving back to the Valley and setting up his studio in Chatsworth, the artist now concentrates on chronicling Modern American imagery, specifically focusing on the architecture, signage, and car culture found in Southern California.
Although his visual vocabulary was expanding, these observations would turn up only later in his body of work. For formal art instruction, Danny left the Valley for the College of Creative Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara. While studying under California landscape painter Hank Pitcher, Danny earned a B.A. in art with an emphasis in painting. After formative years spent capturing Santa Barbara’s surf landscapes, Danny’s attention turned toward retro iconography characteristic of mid-century Los Angeles. Moving back to the Valley and setting up his studio in Chatsworth, the artist now concentrates on chronicling Modern American imagery, specifically focusing on the architecture, signage, and car culture found in Southern California.
Education:
2004 University of California, Santa Barbara; B.A. College of Creative Studies Painting
2004 University of California, Santa Barbara; B.A. College of Creative Studies Painting
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