Painting life

Mike Sciacca

With each stroke of his brush, Joshua Serafin creates a work of art

that reflects his life’s experiences.

His works are made with oils on either canvas or panels, and his

paintings include surfing, mood, music and culture scenes.

“My paintings reflect how I feel about what I see and experience,

rather than me trying to duplicate what is actually there,” Serafin

said. “I produce art as a way to share and remind others that when we

experience certain times in our lives, we should never forget how we

felt.”

Like past times when Serafin, 30, would go surf fishing -- casting

a line from the sand into the surf -- with his grandfather.

He eventually would pour those memories into a painting he titled,

“Searchin’,” which depicts a man fishing off a cliff, surrounded by

palm trees.

The painting is done up in vibrant shades of yellows and oranges,

with the palm trees bringing balance to it.

“That is a special memory for me and an example of how my thoughts

evolve while I paint,” Serafin said.

On Saturday, the Huntington Beach resident will display 12 of his

pieces at his local studio gallery in an art exhibit he calls “Beach

Culture.”

“I come up with an idea and a composition, and then meld them

together,” he said. “But I use the paint a lot to lead me in a

particular way and one brush stroke can change the mood and energy of

a painting. I use a lot of layers but after that first stroke, that’s

when a painting really takes off.”

Serafin, a member of Edison High’s 1992 graduation class who went

on to graduate from Cal State Long Beach with an emphasis in painting

and photography, has been described by those who have purchased his

art as being highly creative and true to his feelings.

“What captured our eye is that when we look at his art, it reminds

us of what is important in life,” said Christopher Wiggins.

Wiggins and his wife, Seldon, are collectors of Serafin’s

paintings.

“His art brings us happiness when we look at it, and it brings

peace into our home,” Wiggins said.

Viewers attending his gallery exhibit Saturday will get a look at

Serafin’s interpretation of surf culture and coastal living in

California.

His works can be found at various art shows along the California

coast, including at Pier Plaza every Friday and the third weekend of

each month.

This is his third solo exhibit at his studio gallery.

“I own five pieces, four of which are his originals,” said Steve

Jensen. “His paintings really just hit me when I first saw them. Josh

is a pretty cool guy who has lived in Huntington Beach for a long

time. He lives what he paints. He’s just a great artist.”

Serafin’s creative mind was in high-gear one late afternoon in

late December of 1998, the time he was driving home along Pacific

Coast Highway but stopped to take in what he called a “captivating”

sunset.

“It was one of those sunsets that just made you pull over and

enjoy the moment,” he said. “I’m a pretty spiritual guy and the site

was truly amazing.

“I then had this idea to capture every single sunset in the year

1999 on film. Artistically, it would be incredible.”

And it turned out to be.

Serafin carried through with his resolution, or, “sunset

resolution,” as he would refer to the idea that came to him just

before the beginning of the New Year.

He shot, on 35-millimeter film, each of the 365 sunsets of 1999,

rain or shine, from Huntington Beach to San Diego, up north to Santa

Barbara.

His finished work, a signed, 22 by 28 lithograph poster or signed,

limited edition 35 by 50 lithograph poster, is still available for

purchase.

“My goal is to have the viewer of my work become lost in their own

memories,” Serafin said. “My art touches upon emotions, emotion that

is the energy of life.”