Live Painting at Decadence for the OC Weekly

Earlier this month I was contacted by the OC Weekly and asked if I would paint for them at their annual food tasting event called Decadence that coincides with their annual restaurant Issue. The event was held at the Westin Hotel in Costa Mesa and 3000 people attended. Needless to say, I had a great time tasting good food and wine and hanging out with beautiful people.

I knew it was going to be an interesting night when just as I was about to get started, a good looking woman walked up to me, pulled open her blouse to reveal most of her left breast, and said "Does this inspire you?". I was speechless. She covered up and walked by. At that point I met eyes with the event photographer who was standing behind me and had witnessed the whole thing. He asked "Does that happen often?", and without missing a beat, I replied "All the time."

The thing is, it does happen often. I paint at art shows, and at some of these art shows there are naked women getting painted. These painted naked women sometimes come up to me and chat, with nothing between their nipples and my beer but a still drying coat of paint, about 12 inches of space, and my wedding ring shining like a bright beacon of trust. Sure, I chat with them. I don't want to be rude. But I don't give them any more attention than I give the usual patron.

The rest of the night was filled with many conversations with interesting people. I sold a ton of paintings and made a couple contacts for business propositions you may be hearing about in future issues of The Drop.

Jeni Carle referred me for the gig. She's a cool artist and you should check her out HERE


Here's some pics of the event. They really don't do it justice, but they will have to do.


Go Go dancers waiting for the Go Go. This was only phase one of their outfits. Phase two was not so modest.
It's hard to see, but that's my setup at the end of the pool. The whole night I was concerned I was going to take one step too many backwards and fall in. There was a second artist there named Ingrid Marrero and we were joking about guessing what time of night someone was going to fall in the pool. We guessed 10:30, and when 10:30 rolled around, Ingrid came over with a big smile on her face and pointed out that someone had just fallen in. Ingrid is a cool artist and it's a shame I did not get get any pictures of her. She does some great work with color and you should check her out here: http://www.zhibit.org/ingridmarrero



This is a piece I did on request. I often get asked to paint various animals, it's one of the things I do and I like doing it, but I was pleasantly surprised when Ryan Cox asked me to paint him Zombies! Ryan Cox is the guy that booked me for the event. He's a super nice guy and was a pleasure to work with.

Live Painting at the X Games 2008 for Metromix

Metromix gave me a call and asked if I could come paint at their booth for the X Games. I had a great time! It was my first time at the XGames and I have to say that I am thoroughly impressed with the athletes there. The motocross guys were just plain nuts, and watching the BMX guys on the vert ramp was super fun. It was not all play of course, I was there to work. I painted five paintings a day for Metromix to raffle off as prizes. We had quite a crowd going. I painted everything from Evel Knievel to Radioheads. Enjoy the pics!



Check out the huge line people were waiting in for a chance to win some art...



This is a custom painted skate board I was able to work on one afternoon. It's going to be in a show at Monkeyhouse Toys in Silverlake. The show is called All a Board and the opening is Saturday, August 23rd.

Max Neutra Unleashed and Wisdom show reviews

Ahhhhh yes, I can finally catch my breath. Unleashed at the Bailey Gallery drew a nice crowd during the LA downtown Artwalk. A lot of people came out to support, and I met a bunch of new friends. We sold 9 pieces during opening night! Many thanks Rob and Janene from Pussy and Pooch for a wonderful show! I will be there again on July 10th for the downtown artwalk doing some live painting just outside the store.

Here's the artist statement for the show:

This show is a celebration of the many forms of life that continue to live and evolve on this planet. With the growing reality of global warming, we are being reminded that we do not live in a stagnate environment. The world is constantly changing. It used to be a lot different from the way it is now, and it will continue to evolve. With the realization that things will change, perhaps we will learn to better appreciate what we have.

I hope these paintings serve as a reminder of the beauty and perfection of nature and compel you to take action for yourselves and the planet at large. Look up from your screens to lock eyes with an organic living creature and reflect its boundless beauty by being an organic living creature yourself. Unleash yourself. You are alive!


This is right before the giraffe ate my tie.
(Photo by: Dave Bullock / eecue http://davebullock.com)


Enjoying some wine with good company.


Some lovely ladies ...

Frida the cat liked the turtle.

Later last month Wisdom opened at Solid Gallery One. It was during a heat wave, but people still managed to make it out. We managed to survive the heat and enjoy the artwork. Ended up selling 7 pieces that night! Thank you to Jarrett and Wendy from Solid for a great event, and good luck with their new location on Fairfax!

Here's the artist statement for the show:

I was born on Venice Beach, but I grew up in Santa Fe, NM. During a visit last year, I found myself inspired by a lot of the Native American artwork that I used to take for granted. Once I started researching the subject, my interest quickly picked up momentum and I decided to work on a series. Looking up old photographs of Native Americans for reference material, it did not take long for me to fall in love with the potency of the images. The rich culture and tradition. The simple beauty of feathers and bone. The suffering and loss. The wisdom written into the faces of these great chiefs. The photographs seem to rattle with pride. All of this captured within a simple portrait.

How is it possible that during my time growing up in Santa Fe, I seemed to miss the true underlying value of all that work? What has changed that is allowing me to finally recognize that value? Perhaps it is my age that has finally opened up my ability to appreciate these things. I was much younger when I lived in Santa Fe. I had not spent much time fending for myself. Now, I have spent the last ten years getting an education, moving to new cities, chasing new dreams, reaching new heights, suffering new pains, and ultimately finding my own way in the wilderness of the world. I have been learning the language of defeat, triumph, and self preservation, and now I am beginning to be able to read the vast scriptures written in the faces of these great people.


For this show I wanted to capture that language and portray the weight it seems to bare while also keeping the images out in front, unwilling to back down, the same way the original subjects sat with pride, eyes set on the lens. Heavy with history. Wisdom unflinching.


Me and my goofy smile.

Good peeps checking out the Native Americans.


"It does not require many words to speak the truth." - Chief Joseph

Live Art Warehouse Party

Here's some more live painting action for ya. Actually, there will be a ton of talent at this show. Not to be missed!

Max Neutra solo show Wisdom

This show has been in the works for many months and will feature ink paintings of Native Americans on wood. Although the paintings seem relatively simple, their creation involved weeks of experimentation and a process that involves many steps to achieve. The results have yielded some of the "finest" artwork I have produced thus far, and I am very excited to finally present them to the public. I know that some of you have been waiting patiently for months for these to be released. Out of state buyers, please contact me directly if you are interested in seeing some preview images.

The show will be held at Solid Gallery One in Silver Lake, home of Neutra Place. Solid Gallery is a very warm and inviting space thanks to the hospitality of the owners, Jarret and Wendy. Come out, enjoy a few drinks, fine company, fine art, and get down with the Wisdom.

Max Neutra solo show UNLEASHED

Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you "UNLEASHED", my first solo show in Los Angeles! This is going to be a doozy. Were talking about 20 + large paintings of animals. All your favorites will be there. Mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, the works. Each piece is 24" x 36", and there is one that will be even bigger.

The opening will be June 12th, 6-10pm, during the Downtown Artwalk. If you have not yet been to the Downtown Artwalk, now is the time to check it out. All the downtown galleries open their doors every second Thursday for this event, so there will be plenty of art to see, plenty of people to watch, and plenty of booze and snacks.



The show will be held at the Bailey Gallery, which is attached to a super cool pet boutique called Pussy and Pooch.

For info on the Downtown Artwalk, go to www.downtownartwalk.com

Max Neutra Prints For Sale

That's right folks. Two pieces from the immensely popular series that was produced for The Loft at Liz's are now available as signed, limited edition 11" x 14" Giclee prints! They are printed on archival, acid free high quality paper with stunning detail. Every little crack and nuance is captured beautifully. Each piece is signed, numbered, and matted so it is ready to be hung in a 16" x 20" frame. There are only ten of each, so act fast to be sure you get one of these fine limited edition prints!


Please contact The Loft at Liz's for purchasing.