The Old Fashioned Artist

Solo Art Show at Neat

2012-02-07T13:09:00.000-08:00

I am so excited to announce the debut art show of my classic cocktail paintings on Thursday, March 1st! All twelve of my original oil paintings will be on display and for sale along with prints of your favorite pieces. This amazing event is taking place at Aidan Demarest's new bar Neat in Glendale. You may know Aidan from such fantastic LA establishments like Seven Grand, the Edison, and the Spare Room. Sponsored by Bols Genever, we will have guest bar tender Marcos Tello serving up great drinks and doing a Bols Genever round talbe at 7pm. If you come before 7:30 you will get a free voucher for the food truck outside and at 8:30 we will have a live Bluegrass band! If you can't make it for the show, the work will be on view at Neat for most of March.

Thank you so much to everyone who has been so supportive, I can't wait to see you at the show!

Finishing Touch

2012-01-20T11:40:00.000-08:00

Finishing Touch, 11x14 oil on linen

Whether it's a simple peel of citrus or an elaborate garnish, putting the finish touch on a cocktail is an essential and final step in making a perfect drink.

Stay tuned over the next couple of weeks for some exciting news and if you're in the Los Angeles area a chance for you to see these paintings in person! More details soon. Until then, cheers!

The Pour

2011-12-29T14:24:00.000-08:00

The Pour, 16" x 20" oil on linen

Watching a fine cocktail being made is almost as fun as drinking one... almost. A bartender's precise measuring is the backbone of a good drink. Add that to the rhythmical way in which they shake and stir it all together and you end up with a spirited dance within the framework of a timeless recipe.

Absinthe Drip

2011-12-06T16:28:00.000-08:00

Absinthe Drip, 16" x 20" oil on linen

Yesterday was the Anniversary of Repeal Day, but sadly it took another 74 years for Absinthe to be legally sold in the United States. I guess better late than never. Although I have to admit that the mystery around the green fairy was much more exiting when it wasn't readily available. Still it is a great and important liquor, both for its use in classic drinks such as the Sazerac and its inspiration for writers, painters and artists of all types in the the late 19th Century.

Holiday Tip: Maybe this year you should leave a glass of Absinthe out for Santa, you might end up with something more interesting in your stocking... or at least have a exciting Christmas eve!

An American Bar Man

2011-10-24T19:36:00.000-07:00

An American Bar Man, 18" x 24" oil on linen

My portrait “An American Bar Man” depicts Jason Schiffer, head bartender and owner of 320 Main in Seal Beach, California. This portrait is a key painting in my series on the resurgence of the cocktail culture in America. Craft bartenders show as much care and attention to their cocktails as any great chef would towards their meal. Jason is truly at home behind the bar where he creates award winning cocktails with the ease and precision employed in the early twentieth century. Painted in oil on linen with traditional techniques, my portrait is reminiscent of the times of old that Jason is inspired by. What could be more quintessentially American than an expert craftsman like Mr. Schiffer and a cocktail?

Prints Now Available

2011-10-21T12:20:00.000-07:00

I'm excited to announce that I am now offering three high quality prints from my cocktail series. They are printed on premium Epson cold press paper that has a beautiful texture and matte finish. The color range is spectacular and matches the original paintings perfectly.

Shop Prints

If you have any questions, requests or would like to buy an original oil painting, please contact me at mtalbert@gmail.com. Keep an eye out for my next post, my portrait of the quintessential American bar man.

Shaken

2011-10-04T12:10:00.000-07:00

Shaken, 18" x 24" oil on linen

“Shaken” was the first cocktail inspired painting I did earlier this year and ever since then I’ve been combining my passion for painting with the entertainment I get out of the amazing craft cocktail movement. Living in Orange County right outside of L.A. puts me in a perfect position to try some of the best cocktail joints in the country. On the side of this blog you can see my bar checklist of the great establishments I have had the pleasure of drinking at. Hopefully it will continue to grow steadily giving me an endless supply of inspiration for my paintings.

Bitter Cube

2011-09-23T14:18:00.000-07:00

Bitter Cube, 16" x 20" oil on linen

There is no cocktail as simple and balanced as one made the old fashioned way. The sugar, bitters, and twist of citrus make for the perfect compliment to a nice bourbon or rye. It is my go to drink if nothing else on a restaurant's menu is striking my fancy. The above painting is my Old Fashioned still life with a bitter soaked sugar cube and a slice of orange waiting to be married with its better half.

Welcome!

2011-09-13T16:45:00.000-07:00

Prepare for Takeoff, 16" x 20" oil on linen

Welcome to my new blog. It's a pretty simple idea... I'm a painter and I love cocktails.

I'm working on a whole series of classic cocktail paintings right now, so there will be postings like this still life, bar scenes and the occasional portrait of interesting people in the cocktail world. The first of which will be the great bartender & owner of 320 Main in Southern California.

So if you like art and you are into cocktails, stick around and tell your other crafty cocktail friends.

The painting above is my deconstructed Aviation. One of my favorite classic drinks and now that I finally picked up a bottle of Creme de Violette I can make it in the original way.

Thanks for stopping by, more to come...