The Rise of Fascism In America

In 2003 I was painting at 8th and Jefferson in West Oakland when our forces invaded Iraq. As I followed the reports of our illegal aggression and the wholesale slaughter of innocent civilians, I found myself imagining Oakland invaded by Abrams Tanks firing, willy-nilly at all perceived threats. Below is a detail from my painting titled "Regime Change Comes to Oakland"

At the time, this painting was intended as a metaphor, a way of arousing empathy for the unfortunate people of Iraq, but it began to acquire a surreal prescience during Occupy when I witnessed the Alameda County Sheriff riding around the streets of Oakland in an armored vehicle identical to the ones being used in Iraq.

I recalled my brother in law, Saul Landau, observing some years ago that Democracy and Empire were incompatible. I witnessed Homeland Security directing the use of overwhelming force and agent provocateurs against peaceful protesters. It was clear to me that we were sliding towards Fascism.

What was fairly obvious to activists in 2011 has become crystal clear to millions of Americans with the accession of Trump. The fact that this sociopath did not win the popular vote and probably stole the swing states with the help of Republican operatives, only makes matters worse, because it throws into doubt the continued viability of our political system.

This image may be be downloaded and printed as a 13.5" X 15.75"" poster or as 7.5" X 8.5" print . Download poster.         Download print.

A General Strike

Donald Trump has already demonstrated his utter contempt for our democratic institutions. He has begun by attacking the most vulnerable among us - immigrants. It is clear that without organized opposition he will go on to cripple the judiciary, assail the fourth estate and dismantle essential social programs that the majority of Americans need to survive.

No effective opposition can be mounted from within the government alone. After all, the Republicans control all branches of government, and, so far,  are gleefully advancing his agenda.

Demonstrations, and e-mails alone will not halt the consolidation of power by Trump and his cabal. We must demonstrate our greater power unequivocally by shutting down the economic engine of this nation. A General Strike, perhaps a series of them, will send a clear message to Trump and will also weaken support for him within the Republican Party. It is the most effective tool the people have. We need to use it soon!

Occupy the Port of Oakland, 2011( My good friend John Paul Marcelo is painting the same event on the far left. To view a video of many of the Occupy paintings that we painted along with Jessica Joy Jirsa, scroll down to "Anarcho-Syndicalism. Camille Pissaro and the Occupy Movement" )

Studio Holiday Exhibition: Sat - Sun, Dec 17 - 18, Noon - 6 pm

Paintings of San Francisco, Oakland, Italy and Mexico
Archival reproductions on paper, wood and canvas / Notecards

351 Lewis Street, two blocks NW of West Oakland BART
510.836.1681    

Cafe La Boheme, Mission District Series 2016       View of the Vatican from across the Tiber 2012            

The Studio Exhibition will include a large selection of paintings including the three works on this page. Many works are available as archival prints on paper, wood, or canvas at a fraction of the cost of originals.

All my friends and acquaintances are welcome, even if you just want to hang out, have a cappuccino or glass of wine and catch up on news. There's a lot to discuss this year!

Heart of the Mission # 2, 2016

"De Las Calles de Mexico a Las Calles de La Mision"

Paintings created in Mexico and the Mission District of San Francisco
 by Anthony Holdsworth.
The Juan Fuentes Gallery, 2958 24th Street
 Oct 22 - November 26
Reception: Oct 22, 6 - 8 pm.  With guest musician Francisco Herrera.

I have been painting the Mission District for the past four years. I consider these works distinct from my other California cityscapes.
 The Mission District is a window on Latin America.  When I paint here, my experience of Latin America, especially Mexico, enters the paintings.
I look forward to this opportunity to show paintings created in Mexico alongside the Mission District Series.

Above: Detail from "Un Rincon de La Plaza Grande, Patzcuaro, Michoacan

Below: Detail from "On the Red Road, Balmy Alley, Mission District, San Francisco

Large Acrylic Prints and Other News

Large Archival Prints of the Kaiser Permanente Series

My solo exhibition at the SFMOMA Artists' Gallery in Fort Mason is over. The eight "Kaiser Permanente Series" paintings remain at the gallery, where they may be purchased or rented.

I am offering large, exceptionally high quality, acrylic prints on canvas of these paintings. This is possible due to the digital scans that Ben Blackwell created for the murals of these paintings that are now placed in the new Kaiser Permanente Medical Facility in Mission Bay, San Francisco.

The Bay Bridge, oil on wood, 20" X 40" one of eight views of San Francisco in the Kaiser Permanente Series.

View all the paintings in my online Gallery under "Kaiser Permanente Series"

Prints are signed, numbered and limited to editions of forty.
They are available in two sizes:
Original Size: 20" high for $ 1400
and Large:  36" high for $ 1900.
Width varies depending on the proportions of the original painting.
For example the Bay Bridge painting (above) would be either 20" X 40" or 36" X 72"
 

Last Sunday, Studio Exhibitions: 1-6 PM Oct 30, Nov 27...

. My studio is open the Last Sunday of every month from 1 pm until 6 pm or by special appointment. You will also see my current studio exhibition and may explore the inventory in the mezzanine. Expect beverages , including cappuccinos, and conversation. Visit Studio.

The Mission District Series

Who Would Jesus Bomb? # 2, 20" X 56", oil/wood panel, 2016

I am continuing my Mission District Series with more emphasis on the people of the Mission. I continue to be appalled by the way our society permits unfettered speculation to trump community. The cultural heart of our city is being eviscerated.

 The Oregon Coast

Views from Cascade Head, Oregon,  pen and ink from my sketchbook

Our son, Mario, took Beryl Landau and I on a trip to the Oregon Coast last year. I have posted two sketches from our trip. It's a spectacular landscape and I'm considering returning to do some oil paintings.

 Nicaragua

Thirty-one years after Beryl Landau and I organized the Artists' Tour of Nicaragua '84, during the heady Sandinista period, we returned for an eight day visit.

The Nicaraguan landscape was as breathtakingly beautiful as I remembered it. The city of Granada on Lake Nicaragua was dazzling. It had shed the tired, threadbare look that it had during the long years of revolution and subsequent struggle to defend the revolution against the US backed Contras. 

Rooftops of the city of Granada                           Above the beach of Pochomil, Pacific coast

But while it was clear that hotels and small enterprises were beginning to prosper, the heartbreaking poverty that afflicts the majority of Nicaraguans seemed as bad as ever. In place of that heady mix of euphoria and hope that animated so many Nicaraguans during the first Sandinista period the general population seemed stressed.

In Managua where I had painted, and walked late at night, without fear of crime in 84’ and 85’, my son was warned not to go out for fear of desperate young men who sniff glue and rob at knife point.

Nicaragua in the 70's and 80's

For a brief video account of my two painting trips in the 80’s take a look at the video that I made with Michael Johnson titled “From Oakland to Nicaragua" in my video section of this website. You have to scroll to the very bottom of the videos to find it!

Nina Serrano, who helped organize our Artist's Tour of Nicaragua '84, has published a novel about this period. A detail of one of my paintings "The Festival of Diriamba" is on the cover (below). Her book is available at at: http://nicaraguaway.com/

Geoff Hoyle in "Lear's Shadow"" at the Marsh Theater in Berkeley

Geoff Hoyle has been delighting and electrifying us in the Bay Area for decades. I observed him developing and presenting his most recent solo show “Lear’s Shadow” at the Marsh in San Francisco. Being the son of Yorkshireman who climbed out of the slums of Sheffield by educating himself in electronics and steeping himself in the classics, I’ve had a lot of exposure to Shakespeare. Indeed, my father’s frequent lament when either I, or my brother, disappointed him was “Ah how sharper than a serpent’s tooth it is to have a thankless child.”

But Geoff’s Lear was a revelation for it’s highly original point of view that remains true to the original story while shedding a stark, contemporary light on this universal tale.

I couldn’t resist proposing to Geoff that he and I collaborate on two paintings. He agreed and this diptych is the result of an intense collaboration over two afternoons. Where his contribution ends and where mine begins is not, at this point, clear to me. It was an unforgettable experience. Especially unforgettable to see Mr. Hoyle uncharacteristically immobile while I painted him!
If you like this diptych, I guarantee that you will love Geoff’s performance. Reserve your seats at the Marsh in Berkeley before they are all sold out.

You will also get to see this diptych which is hanging in the theater.