| | Published August 7th, 2019
| Artist's inviting paintings on display at Wilder gallery
| | | By Sora O'Doherty |  | | "The Claremont Hotel", 24? x 30?, oil painting on canvas by Joseph Lombardi Jr. Photo provided |
The featured artist at the Art and Garden Center at Wilder for August is Joseph Lombardi, Jr. of Manteca, an artist who has a penchant for painting portals - doorways, gates, windows and pathways that meander somewhere inviting. His portals are portrayed within intriguing vistas of nature, seascapes and architecture found both in domestic and foreign lands. During the month of August he has 15 oil paintings on display in the gallery.
According to the Lamorinda Arts Council, which curates both the galleries at Wilder and the Orinda Library, many of Lombardi's paintings reveal a subtle dreamy quality as if they are telling a story. Lombardi has worked in oils for several decades and won't be stopping anytime soon.
Lombardi grew up in New Jersey and his interest in painting started in the mid-1960s. While attending Fairleigh Dickinson University, he studied oil painting under the supervision of Ralph Shinsky. In his early 20s, he joined his family business and also served in the U.S. Air Force, which forced him to put his painting on hold. He later returned to painting and studied for eight years under the direction of Todd Butler in Edison, New Jersey.
The artist owned a restaurant/catering business for 40 years while living in Denville, New Jersey, with his wife and two children. Lombardi, who is inspired by nature, painted on and off when time allowed and was a member of the Morris County Art Association and participated in their art shows. After retiring, the artist relocated to California in 2014 to be closer to his two children and grandchildren and currently resides in Manteca. While he paints everything from natural landscapes to architecture, his favorite objects are small vignettes such as entryways, windows, and gardens.
To learn more about his work go to www.josephlombardiart.ucraft.net. |
 | | "California Mission", 16? x 20?, oil painting on canvas by Joseph Lombardi Jr. Photo provided | | | | | | | | | | | |
Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA