Altadena artist Keni Davis will be leaving Monday for a special event, joining artists around the nation who will gather by special invitation to paint at the Reagan Ranch near Santa Barbara.
"This is the second time I've been," Davis said. The gathering, sponsored by the Young Republicans, brings artists from all around the country who spend two days at Ronald Reagan's ranch painting and getting to know each other.
The Young Republicans often use the artwork created in their publications, says Davis, who calls himself a political independent.
"It's a common sort of place, a typical ranch like you might see in the middle of nowhere," Davis says of the ranch. Reagan "sort of had western taste as far as furniture goes -- a common cowboy, I'd kind of say ... it's an interesting place. If it was another rancher, it wouldn't look out of the ordinary."
Davis proudly calls himself a plein air painter, who usually paints on the streets. "I love to paint outdoors, on street corners and in parks, that sort of thing," said Davis, who has been painting outdoors since the 1970's.
At the Reagan Ranch, he paints "mostly landscapes, a lot of open air stuff, barns and tack room, that sort of thing," Davis said. Back in Altadena, Davis not only paints but shares his faith on the streets, and at home is equally adept with brush and computer -- he's working on an interactive art program that involves his plein air paintings and GPS technology for iPad, so you can go to the spot where he painted.
