Santa Monica restaurant, Upper West features the work of artist Imelda Healy.Upper West has been supporting local artists since it’s inception in 2010. Every two to three months an artist reception is held and a new artist in introduced to the local community.
The Upper West
Healy moved to Santa Monica just about four years ago. Originally from Dublin, Ireland, the artist was drawn to the coast and the relaxed beach community.
She talks about her upcoming exhibition at Upper West. “My aim is to celebrate humanity at ease in the gardens of our world-painting the great social mix of strollers and bathers on this beautiful bay; day trippers escaping the heat of the desert valleys, solitary homeless figures gazing at the ocean, privileged visitors and ordinary families from the community-children running toward dancing waves, in the distance beyond the Palisades Park.”
Like most artists, Healy visits museums to find inspiration. She explains, “I go to current exhibitions at LACMA, I love the Norton Simon and the Hammer collection. I particularly enjoyed the women Surrealists exhibition at LACMA some time ago, I was very heartened to see many of these women lived to their 90’s.” Healy admits, she intends to work for a very long time. “Cezanne remarked in his 80’s, at last I approach it…painting takes so much time,” laughs Healy. “I love the process of painting. The learning and exploration are endless, sometimes long hours, days, months of frustration are rewarded with a small moment of epiphany,” she adds. “Then I feel close to magic. It’s worth it also when others take pleasure in the pictures I make of the world we live in. Real life interests me, its joys and sorrows, I want to celebrate it as it is.”
Healy has worked with inner groups and has organized art programs in Dublin. She is constantly working on her craft. “One is always learning to paint, there is so much to discover,” says Healy.
Upper West located at 3321 Pico Blvd. in Santa Monica. Stop in they offer a warm and wonderful ambiance and incredible cuisine.
