"In All Her Glory" - Acrylic on Canvas by W. Bradley Elsberry

"In All Her Glory" ~ Acrylic on Canvas ~ 36 x 48" ~ C. 2007
by W. Bradley Elsberry

After a photo taken by Mr. Elsberry on the old Laguna Canyon Road in 2005.

Take a look at a not-so-distant past, when the old Laguna Canyon Road was a two-lane, winding path from the ocean to the freeways. Now, go back in your mind, quietly, slowly. Do you remember how dark and mysterious that road was, when you drove along it at night? How many curves did you count in that road, and how few cars passed you by? Do you remember seeing the cattle by day? How about the hippo? And what about the view that you had at the north end, looking out towards Irvine?

It is true, that simple two-laner is no longer with us, and the memory of it through first-hand experience may likely end with those who are now in their early twenties. At twenty-five, I sometimes find myself making a conscious effort to keep my recollections of the old canyon road vividly sketched in my mind. Luckily for me, there are archives to consult when my memory lacks - including photos, written accounts (stories, poetry, news articles, etc.), and art. These resources fill in the gaps and educate me about the past I never knew, before my existence on Earth even began.

Yet, references to the past do not have to come strictly from the past. Today, through certain forms of expression, we can bring back the old canyon road in its myriad colors and curves, and recount the thousands of stories of those who traveled upon it. This is especially the case with art, and more specifically, with painting.

In August, I wrote about Candice Bohannon's magnificent oil on canvas entitled "Cardoons," painted in 2008. (Read the post on "Cardoons" HERE). "Cardoons" acts very much as a testament to the changing destiny of Laguna Canyon Road, as it evokes in its very imagery the transition commanded by man from a time of simplicity to an era of booming construction and heavy commuting. With the orange fencing representing mitigation work along the 133, and the cardoons' presence suggesting man's disruption of the soil layers, "Cardoons" asks us to not only understand the new reality of the much larger and expanded Laguna Canyon Road, but to bring back into view the simpler road that we lost to changing needs.

Local artist W. Bradley Elsberry of Irvine also brings back the memory of the old Laguna Canyon Road through his acrylic on canvas entitled, "In All Her Glory," painted in 2007. It is this very special work that I wish to share with you all today. Elsberry's piece gives us a beautiful glimpse of a part of the road (or part of the land sitting just beside the old road) that can no longer be accessed today, for its very existence has been forever modified by tractors and construction. It also evokes the native life that was lost, and the implications of such a loss on our consciousness. Below, you'll find a few of Elsberry's personal comments, that he has graciously accepted to share with us on the blog.

"This portrait of this tree could be considered a "Nude" since at this point in her life cycle she has at last shed all her leaves and the late afternoon light guilds the beautiful form and textures normally hidden from view. While this tree is no longer green it should be noted that there is new growth coming up from her roots. At first glance desolate, this is actually a look at a moment when the time of day, the time of year, and this time of transition in this tree's life give us a clear golden look at this Oak tree's strength and beauty.

"I photographed this tree along the side of old Laguna Canyon Road in 2005 and it was not spared when the new road went through. I like to think that some of the smaller Oaks still standing are her offspring." - W. Bradley Elsberry

Elsberry's paintings are currently being represented by Len Wood's Indian Territory Gallery in Laguna Beach, and can be seen on the gallery's website HERE.

Until next time,
Jennifer