“Cabrillo Crash” was accepted into the California Art Club’s – Gold Medal Exhibition, held at the Hilbert Museum from June 14 to September 13. brianbelfield.com #CaliforniaArtClub #CACGoldMedal #hilbertmuseum #pointloma #cabrillonationalmonument #sandiego #ocean #seascape #artwork #impressionism

A light-skinned young woman (likely a teenager) is shown from the chest up against a smoky, vertically brushed background of grays and warm browns. She faces forward with a quiet, steady gaze to our left. Her wide blue-gray eyes have softly shadowed lids. Her mouth closed in a small, unsmiling line of rose color. Her chestnut-brown hair is cut in a short bob with blunt bangs as the ends flare outward at the sides, and a small pink hair clip holds a lock near her right temple. American artist Zama Vanessa Helder models the face with pale washes and gentle contouring rather than heavy outlines, keeping the skin luminous while sharpening her brows, lashes, and nose with fine, controlled strokes. The girl wears a vivid green top with a large white collar. The collar and shoulder bands are decorated with repeating leaf-and-flower motifs edged like lace. A long black necktie drops from the collar’s opening, creating a stark vertical accent that echoes the darkness behind her. The background feels like a veil of diluted pigment that's streaked, almost like rain so the girl seems to emerge from mist rather than a specific room. The green fabric is mottled with watery blooms, letting the medium’s transparency show through the calm, centered pose. Dated 1935, this portrait sits early in Helder’s career, around the period when she studied at the Art Students League in New York. Within a few years, she would be working through Washington State’s WPA art program (1937) and producing her best-known suite of hard-edged watercolors: 22 sheets recording the construction of Grand Coulee Dam on the Columbia River (1939–41). Here, that same precision is turned inward with the crisp collar patterning and the disciplined handling of light make the sitter feel both present and protected. The fashionable bob suggests 1930s “modern girl” self-possession, while the title without a name invites us to look without a set story of her life.

"Young Girl" by Zama Vanessa Helder (American) - Watercolor on paper / 1935 - Hilbert Museum of California Art (Orange, California) #WomenInArt #WomensArt #WomanArtist #WomenArtists #ZamaVanessaHelder #Helder #VanessaHelder #artText #HilbertMuseum #HilbertMuseumofCaliforniaArt #WomenPaintingWomen

This painting by American artist Cynthia Joy Sitton depicts a young woman with a serious expression sitting on a bed against a vibrant yellow patterned wall, holding tightly to a white pillow, conveying a sense of introspection and unease. As a narrative realist painter, Sitton takes inspiration from those around her, especially, the ongoing tragedy of raising a daughter with schizophrenia. The theme is often represented in poetic artwork delivering emotional impact. Throughout the years of her daughter’s illness, Sitton has periodically chronicled her experiences which on occasion inspired a related visual interpretation such as "The Specters" which portrays a harrowing night as a parent witnesses their daughter’s terrifying descent into an altered perception and self-harm ideation. As darkness falls, the narrator describes the oppressive presence of voices and ghostly figures tormenting the girl -- whispering cruel insults and urging her to end her life -- while her body reacts violently to their imagined movements. The mother, torn between fear and love, struggles to remain present, resisting the urge to flee as the atmosphere becomes suffocating and surreal, as if unseen specters truly haunt the room. Despite efforts at reassurance and the desperate hope for relief, the girl slips fully into a dissociative state, her hollow and wild eyes reflecting the failure of yet another round of medication. The bed, pattern, and colors mask the underlying tension. The young woman, in jeans and sleeveless blouse, looks directly out making eye contact. Her blank expression gives no emotional clues. She clenches a pillow and tenses her bare feet, telling us that this is a moment in an event. The bedding almost crawls towards her. The pattern behind, amplifies the tension using a competing negative and positive motif. It creates the illusion of vibration to diffuse reality and mirrors the effects of anxiety, panic, fear, and anger that may permeate individuals’ lives.

"The Specters" by Cynthia Sitton (American) - Oil on linen / 2014 - Hilbert Museum of California Art (Orange, California) #WomenInArt #WomanArtist #FemaleArtist #art #artText #CynthiaSitton #WomensArt #WomenArtists #CynthiaJoySitton #AmericanArt #HilbertMuseum #HilbertMuseumofCaliforniaArt #Chapman

Bernice Lee Singer, known by her nickname "Burr," was a St. Louis-born artist who was known for her figurative paintings and Social Realist subject matter -- a type of art that focused on social issues and the reality of life among working classes. After studying art in St. Louis, Chicago, and New York, Singer moved to Taos, New Mexico for several years, and then to Los Angeles in the 1930s, where she joined the California Water Color Society. Singer, who was Euro-American, was perhaps best known for her realistic portrayals of African Americans during a time (the 1930s and '40s) when many other artists were portraying Black subjects as caricatures or stereotypes. She frequented the famous jazz clubs of South Central Los Angeles, where black and white audiences mingled, and captured evocative portraits of people she saw there, especially focusing on subjects she saw as having depth and character. In this oil painting, an unidentified young African American woman, framed by her halo-like red hat with wide brim covering her 1940s short perfectly-curled black hair, is taking a break from the jazzy, lively dance action behind her to touch up her lips with a color that matches her brilliant red blouse with a large elaborate white ruffled collar, using a small compact mirror she's removed from her classy evening bag on the small bar table in front of her alongside a partial view of a half-full glass of liquid refreshment. Singers uses lighting to shine our attention on the woman's face and make her a bright center of calm in the musical storm. We're certain she'll wade right back into the lively dancing once this brief retouch of lipstick is done, but love that Singer gives us a glimpse of this beautiful moment while the young woman pauses ... for just a little touch-up.

"Touch-Up" by Burr Singer (American) - Oil on board / 1943 - Hilbert Museum of California Art (Orange, California) #WomenInArt #art #WomanArtist #WomenArtists #WomensArt #BurrSinger #BerniceLeeSinger #HilbertMuseumofCaliforniaArt #HilbertMuseum #artwork #FemaleArtist #JazzClub #1940s #AmericanArt

In “Lady in White and Red Dress with Fruit,” Geza Kende depicts a young woman seated at a table. Her dark hair is styled in soft waves, framing a face with olive skin, dark eyebrows, and expressive dark eyes. A gentle smile plays on her lips, giving her an air of quiet contentment. She is dressed in a white casual blouse with red and white trim at the neckline and sleeves; a dark green and dark red skirt completes the outfit. The fabric of her dress appears slightly textured, suggesting a material like cotton. One arm rests on the table, while the other gracefully holds a red apple she appears to have just grabbed. The table is covered with a loosely draped, light beige cloth. Upon it sits an abundance of fruit: several oranges, red apples, pears, and a generous bunch of dark purple grapes in a tha low bowl. The fruit is depicted with variations in color and texture, adding to a natural feel. The background is muted and indistinct, painted with warm earth tones of a rustic indoor setting using flecks of color, creating a soft, almost impressionistic feel that contrasts with the details of the woman and the fruit. Kende was born January 5, 1889 in Budapest, Hungary, and spent most of his life as a portrait and landscape painter in Los Angeles. He studied at the National Academy of Art in Budapest, and also traveled abroad to study in Italy and France. Kende resided in Buffalo for a brief period, and during this time his portraits were featured in the Buffalo Society of Artists 30th Annual Exhibition in 1924. His portrait of Helen Chabot received honorable mention. In 1932, Kende settled in Los Angeles, where he spent the remainder of his life. Throughout his career, he painted commissioned portraits of many notable actors and figures of the time, including actress Clara Bow. Kende was a member of the California Art Club, Painters and Sculptors of Los Angeles, and the Society of Western Artists. Kende passed away in Hollywood, California on September 2, 1952.

“Lady in White and Red Dress with Fruit” by Geza Kende (Hungarian American) - Oil on canvas / 1949 - Hilbert Museum of California Art (Orange, California) #WomenInArt #ArtText #art #HilbertMuseum #GezaKende #Kende #PortraitofaWoman #womensart #ChapmanUniversity #artwork #OilPainting #PortraitofaLady

In the words of the artist, Mandana Bonakdar, “Creating this vibrant painting was a journey into the rich tapestry of Persian culture. Inspired by the ethereal beauty of a Persian girl, I captured her innocence and strength as she gracefully stands against an intricate backdrop of traditional Iranian tiles. Her Iranian scarf, adorned with vivid colors and patterns, embodies the elegance and pride of her heritage. Each brushstroke is a celebration of the fusion between traditional artistry and contemporary expression, reflecting the resilience, beauty, and enduring spirit of Iranian womanhood. This piece invites viewers to explore the intricate details and immerse themselves in the cultural narrative, celebrating the timeless grace and profound stories embedded in Persian tradition.” Bonakdar was born and raised in Iran and holds a Master's degree in IT Management from the UK. Upon returning to her country, she embarked on a successful teaching career and academic contributions to three books. Following her immigration to the United States, during the COVID-19 pandemic, she turned to painting as a means of self-expression and healing, teaching herself to create with oil and charcoal without any formal instruction. Through her perseverance and dedication, she found solace and a new sense of purpose in her art. In 2022, Bonakdar achieved first place in the American Scholastic Press Association competition, a testament to her talent and determination. Additionally, two of her paintings were published in WallJournal in 2021 and 2022. As an American-Iranian woman, she strives to create works that bridge cultures and convey significant events and experiences through her unique artistic perspective. Bonakdar’s art reflects her journey and the challenges she has overcome, offering a powerful narrative that resonates with diverse audiences.

Innocence and Beauty of a Persian Soul by Mandana Bonakdar (Iranian) - Oil on canvas / 2023 - Hilbert Museum of California Art (Orange, CA) #womeninart #womanartist #art #oilpainting #femaleartist #MandanaBonakdar #artwork #womensart #portraitofawoman #iranianart #iranianartist #style #HilbertMuseum

A relaxed and graceful woman, her gaze directed slightly upward, wearing a light yellow dress adorned with horse silhouettes and stands in a field of daisies. She holds large bouquet of daisies with her left hand in front of her, under a bright, clear, light blue, and sunny sky. The background subtly fades into a verdant, out-of-focus treeline, giving a sense of depth to the scene. The woman appears to be an adult, with a serene expression, wearing a light yellow dress adorned with a repeating design of horses. She holds a large bouquet of white daisies. The daisies, in various stages of bloom, are meticulously rendered throughout the field, giving a sen of life and vitality to the scene. The overall impression is of a calm, joyous moment in nature. The artistic style is characteristic of a mid-20th-century illustration, with a soft and delicate touch in the rendering of the woman and the flora. The colors are muted and harmonious, and the lighting creates a sense of warmth and sunshine. The technique seems to blend painting with printing techniques, with a particular focus on representing natural light in the composition. The setting is a meadow filled with white daisies, bathed in the bright sunlight of a clear day. The lighting is soft and diffused, enhancing the warm and inviting atmosphere of the scene. The sky is a pale, clear blue with subtle clouds, suggesting a pleasant daytime setting. The atmosphere is peaceful and idyllic, conveying a sense of happiness and tranquility.

Picking Flowers By John Newton Howitt (American) - oil on board
C. 1940 - Hilbert Museum of California Art #womeninartvapointing #art #yellowdress #beauty #windyday #flowers #daisies #artwork #JohnNewtonHowitt #americanart #HilbertMuseumofCalifornia #HilbertMuseum #sunny #flowers #howitt #beauty

The 109th Annual Gold Medal Exhibition - A Virtual Experience - in collaboration with @chapmanu's Hilbert Museum of California Art was unveiled today and will be available until June 13! @MaryAPlatt #hilbertmuseum #california #californiaart #art

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