California has been home to many great celebrities spanning decades of United States history. Everyone knows the movie stars, the pop icons, and the legendary dancers that come out of California. But in all this, artists sometimes take a back seat to the hype. At the FrameStore, we’re about more than just creating custom framing solutions. We believe in appreciating deep, meaningful art that enhances your life and we want to help you do the same. Let’s take a look at some of our favorite famous artists and painters who are from or primarily work in California.
Albert Bierstadt (1830-1902)
Albert Bierstadt was of German descent, though he lived and studied in the United States when his career was just beginning. He was a member of the National Academy of Design in New York for over 40 years until his death in 1902. Several of Bierstadt’s most well-known paintings depicted the American landscape, including the Great Plains, the Rocky Mountains, and Yosemite Valley. One of these great works is titled Among the Sierra Nevada, California, and the painting now resides at the Smithsonian American Art Museum.
Armin Hansen (1886-1957)
Famous artist and painter Armin Hansen was born and raised in California. Although his studies took him across the world to Europe, the Golden State has largely claimed his work. Hansen’s paintings are intrinsically linked to the sea, and his work reflects the time he spent out on the water. Perhaps one of the best examples is his piece Salmon Trawlers, which now resides at the Monterey Museum of Art.
Mabel Alvarez (1891-1985)
Mabel Alvarez was a Hawaiian native who relocated across the Pacific and settled on the shores of California with her family. Her early work consisted of portraits and landscapes, but this gradually became more symbolistic as the artist honed her skills. Alvarez developed a love of color, and her piece titled Two Women in a Field of Flowers demonstrates a mastery of this principle.
Wayne Thiebaud (1920-2021)
Next up on our list of famous California artists, Wayne Thiebaud is famous for his deceptively simplistic paintings. With subjects ranging from cakes to lipsticks to paint cans, he was able to portray light and color in striking ways. Thiebaud’s style was characterized by bold pigmentation and clean lines. Much of his work is now in the permanent collections of museums all over the state.
David Hockney (1937-present)
David Hockney, a famous artist and English native who resided part-time in California, holds talents across many different media: photography, printing, and theater, just to name a few. But it was his bold acrylic paintings that earned him the label of “pop artist.” Hockney’s use of color, contrast, and shape give his work a visually striking edge.
Camille Rose Garcia (1970-present)
Camille Rose Garcia attended art school in California. Her style embraces the darker, more gothic side of art. Most of her surrealistic paintings depict creepy caricatures, generously overlayed with vivid patterns and colors. Garcia cites Disney and cartoons as her primary inspiration for these pieces. Her work appears in collections at the San Jose Museum of Art and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
Anna Sew Hoy (1976-present)
Anna Sew Hoy originates from New Zealand, but her current residence is in Los Angeles, California. She is a sculptor and crafter who works with a wide range of textures and materials. Hoy’s work represents a unique perspective that will challenge patrons’ ability to engage in her artwork. Many of this famous artist’s pieces and installations can be found in museums across California, including the Hammer Museum and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.
Tristan Eaton (1978-present)
Tristan Eaton studied at the New York School of Visual Arts before returning to his home state of California later in life. He is best known for his large-scale public murals. Though paint is his medium of choice, Eaton’s style is reminiscent of a collage with plenty of colors, patterns, and textures woven together to form a complete image. Over the course of his career, the artist has designed everything from presidential campaign posters to Super Bowl programs.
In the Eye of the Beholder
Not everyone can own a piece from a famous artist or painter since many are hanging in world-class museums across California, but your home is the perfect canvas on which to add a bit of artistic flair. You can support local artists, showcase your child’s or friend’s art, or frame quality reproductions and place them on your wall to bring wonderful art into your everyday life. Show off your collection with custom frames from the FrameStore, designed to match your decor and complement the piece. Stop by one of our 7 locations around Los Angeles or give us a call, and let us work with you to bring your art to life. Take 50% off your next order!