Arthur and Lucia K. Matthews

This weekend I got a chance to see the Arthur and Lucia K. Matthews show at the Oakland Museum of California. It is excellent, and a must visit exhibit for anyone interested in Bay Area Art. These early twentieth century tonalist paintings were derided by the Society of Six as "tobacco juice art," yet there is something very fitting to their subdued hues and misty atmospheres. More times than not I look out my window and it is a tonalist painting. Sometimes, yes, it is more along the lines of a Seldon Giles, but rarely in the summer.

The funny thing is that when time passes it is easier to see similarities between rival styles of the same era. So, from the tonalists it is not a far chasm, bridged by August Gay, to get to the Society of Six. And, when Louis Siegriest started doing his abstract gypsum and asphalt paintings (amazing little works, many of which can be found in San Francisco's Triangle Gallery), the whole thing went full circle.

Anyway, I need to see the show again, after which I can consider writing a real review, but if you are in the Bay Area, or even passing through the Bay Area, this is a show to see.