Casa Romantica Art Exhibit

Above the beach and pier at San Clemente is a Spanish styled house and garden called Casa Romantica.  It was built in the 1920's for the family of Ole Hanson, one of the founders of the city. 
We roamed through the house and enjoyed the historical information that was posted.  Mr. Hanson had his villa built to be similar to Casa Pacifica a few miles down the coast.  The Casa Pacifica was the Western White House for President Nixon.

The art exhibit is from the E. Gene Crain Collection which focuses on the achievements of the California School, an association of artist who came of age during the 1930's.  Crain got to know many of these painters who worked in California.

The view from the Casa Romantica

"The Moon Over Russian River Hills," 1982 by Millard Sheets, 1907-1989, watercolor on paper.  The description states that in the later years of his life, Sheets began to paint sunsets and moonlit skies. His home was in Gualala, California.

"Summer Pageant," 1949 by Phil Dike, 1906-1990.  This watercolor painting of Newport Beach was featured on the cover of the Los Angeles Times Home Magazine in August of 1952.

"Night of the Dead, Mexico," 1982 by Millard Sheets, watercolor on heavy wove paper.

"Heritage," 1966 by Robert E. Wood, 1926-1999, watercolor on Arches paper.

"Stallion Confrontation," 1985 by Millard Sheets, watercolor on heavy wove paper.  Sheets had intimate knowledge of horses from his childhood on his grandparents farm in Pomona.

"Rocks at Stewart's Point," 1966 by Millard Sheets, watercolor on paper.

"China Cove at Corona del Mar," 1975 by George Post, 1906-1997, watercolor on paper.

Last Sunset of our Spring Break vacation in San Clemente. The picture was taken from our condo balcony.