Jesus, Doraemon and Geishas

"Redemption." Oil on canvas.

There is a very excellent retrospective exhibition for L.A. artist Alex Gross at the CS Fullerton Grand Central Art Center. Gross's influences include 1800s daguerreotypes, religious imagery, Japanese pop art and macabre master Edward Gorey. Darkly irreverent, he paints moths, butterflies, geishas, WWII airplanes, gentlemen from the 1800s, etc. in finely detailed oil paints. The gallery is open free to the public.

And while you're there, be sure to check out the OCCCA for local artist Gary Simpson's "Commonground191" exhibit, a collection of collages made with soil gathered from all 192 member countries of the United Nations. Also in display are containers of soil from nations ranging from Cape Verde to Myanmar.

For more information, go to http://www.grandcentralartcenter.com and http://www.occca.org.