"Paintings of People, Real and Imagined" at Fallbrook Library

FALLBROOK – The exhibit “Paintings of People, Real and Imagined” opens March 16 at the Fallbrook Library. This exhibit, sponsored by the Friends of the Fallbrook Library, brings together five widely recognized painters in oil that uses their talent to portray people. Ordinary and extraordinary people are sometimes presented in portraits that allow the viewer to imagine the person’s experiences, and in other cases appearing as part of an intimate scene.

The five artists bring great technical skill and a vivid imagination to their work. Michael Steirnagel, formerly of Rainbow and Fallbrook, who now has his studio in downtown Escondido, is widely recognized to be at the top of his genre. He shows his expressive style in Palm Desert, Richmond, Va. and Scottsdale, Ariz.

Renee Corwin, a native New Yorker, studied at the School of Visual Arts. She started her career as a designer/colorist in the textile industry. She now paints, teaches, and judges art exhibits, and is the president of the San Diego Portrait Society.

Richard Stergulz is well-known to the Fallbrook art community. In addition to his award-winning painting, he teaches and regularly gives demonstration workshops to the Fallbrook Art Association and other groups.

Elizabeth Taft is a Fallbrook resident who has painted and shown her work for more than 30 years. She has won many awards throughout the region.

The fifth painter is Chick Curtis. He said, “Having suppressed the desire to openly commit to painting for a half century, it feels pretty euphoric to be engaged with the pigment daily now. I feel like I have finally been fully resuscitated in being the person I have always wanted to be.”

There will be an opening reception on Friday, March 21 from 6 to 8 p.m. Refreshments will be served, there will be music from Marjorie Fulton on the Steve Allen piano, and all are invited to come and meet the artists. Admission is free.

Fallbrook Library is located at 124 S. Mission Ave. and the exhibit is open during library hours until April 25.