Hardened Art-Ery

Cathy Curtis’ review (“Impression of Depression,” Dec. 23) of the California watercolorists exhibit currently at the Orange County Museum of Art is one of her usual diatribes. Anything that is not “cutting edge” is of no value to Ms. Curtis. She totally overlooks the significance and contribution of these California artists. Some of them, namely Milford Zornes and Rex Brandt, continue to paint and to evolve while in their 80s. Isn’t it interesting that she finds Millard Sheets’ “Beer for Prosperity” lacking in moody vision? Could it be that Edward Hopper was influenced by Sheets’ work and gave it his own spin, namely that of his existential loneliness?

This is not the first time that she ignores the significance of these artists to the point of mixing up their names and works. In this instance, she attributes “Evening on the Home Front” to Phil Dike, when, in fact, it was done by Phil Paradise. Even though these painters are well recognized, Ms. Curtis refuses to learn more about them. One wonders whether her art education is so limited as to make it impossible for her to appreciate anything that is representational.

Could one speculate that the Bowers lost the Lewin collection of Mexican masters due to Curtis’ mean-spirited review of the Lewins’ collection when exhibited at the Bowers? Should we expect dealers or collectors to donate works of art to Orange County museums if their exhibits get routinely annihilated by Ms. Curtis? One can only hope that the Huntington Beach Art Center will offer Ms. Curtis a job as a curator. The Orange County art world would be the better for it!

HEIDI MUELLER

Santa Ana