"Decaying Dreams" and You're Invited

You're invited to my solo B/W show coming up...

“Decaying Dreams”

The “Salton Sea” was created between 1915-17 when the Coronado River broke through farmer’s dykes flowing into the Imperial Valley forming California’s largest lake. Over the years it has had its ups and down. Its heyday was in the 40s, 50s, and 60s. During that period hotels, yacht clubs, trailer parks, even planned housing was built. On any given day, sailing, sport fishing, swimming, and power boat racing could be seen. It was truly a playground with people coming from all over to the “Riviera of the West.” However today as the lake shrinks due to SoCal’s coastal cities becoming larger and not allowing Colorado water to replenish the lake, the communities around the sea are dying a slow death. These images are from my series named, “Decaying Dreams.”

I hope to see you there and please RSVP to: AMAUER@MILLERHULL.COM

A Black and White Kinda' Night... Salton Sea

"Decaying Dreams" sounds pretty bleak... On Saturday night the 25th I'll be having an exhibition of my "Decaying Dreams" museum B/W images from the Salton Sea. These are the artist proofs from my personal collection of a limited edition from the series. There will also be numerous other open studios along with the "Art On 30th" gallery show in the main gallery. Well..., that all sounded pretty stuffy, didn't it? Anyway, hope I see you there and you know I'm not a stuffy kinda' guy!

Here's the info: Ashton Gallery at Art on 30th, 4434 30th St, San Diego, CA. 92116. The show runs from 6pm to 8pm on March 25th. My studio is #4.

One of the "Decaying Dreams" images on display. ©John Straub

On the road...Decaying Dreams #14

I shoot this area a lot, and decided to take a detour off the main road and into the community of Salton Sea Beach. Just the name attracts. Turning onto Desert Dr. I came across this triple wide. The look I love. One of those places where you imagine what memories there were. How hauntingly appropriate the ghostly clouds look over the corner of Desert Dr. and Frontier St.

Decaying Dreams #14

This is from my "Decaying Dreams" collection and is archival pigment on cotton rag B/W paper. The image is 12"x 18" and is matted, with a black museum frame 18"x 24", ready to hang and enjoy in your B/W collection. It's the A/P out of a limited edition of 25, signed and was shown at the San Diego Art Institute in Balboa Park.

You may purchase it here and have it shipped to your door, or if you're in San Diego, pick it up at my studio on 30th Street, and I will refund the shipping. $395 + $40 to ship anywhere in the continental U.S. or Canada.

San Diego Art Institute Value Scale

As I have headed out for road trips over the past several years, one of the place that I have become intrigued with is the area around the Salton Sea in SoCal. During that time I have been recording, via photography, the drastic conditions related to what has become a very bleak area. It was once called the Rivera of California...no more.

Six of my B/W images from the "Decaying Dreams" series will be on display at the San Diego Art Institute in Balboa Park during "December Nights," with the opening reception November 21st, from 6:00pm-8:00pm. The show runs until December 6th. There were 19 other artists juried into the "Value Scale:SDAI Affordable Art Fair" show, with no work priced over $500.

I'll be at the reception, so I'm inviting you to come by and check out some very cool contemporary art and say hi. If you can't make it that night, be sure to make it sometime between those dates.

If you would like to see the images in my "Decaying Dreams" series, click here: http://alongfortherideimageworks.zenfolio.com/p496188985

Please pass it on guys!