Milford Zornes

Watercolorist Milford Zornes keeps coming back to Southern California even though his father once accused him "of having no ambition other than to go someplace," he says. The Claremont resident is indeed a fanatical traveler, schlepping his easel to such places as Uganda, India and Cuba. But Zornes' heart has always led him back to the region he has called home since 1925. In January, Zornes, who still paints, celebrated his 95th birthday.

Milford Zornes, a watercolorist who traveled the world for his art but is best known for the everyday scenes of Southern California he painted starting in the 1930s, died Sunday at his home in Claremont. He was 100. Zornes, who taught art for many years in California and Utah, died from complications of congestive heart failure, his daughter, Maria Baker, said.

Regarding Cathy Curtis' review of "California Style: 1930s and '40s" at the Orange County Museum of Art ("Impressions of Depression," Dec. 23): A more positive view of this exhibit should have been taken along with some deserved criticism. After all, this movement is our California art history; it is not the same as the Midwest or the East. Maybe it's time we become more self-aware of our past rather than only looking toward the cutting-edge future. If we do not value our own unique qualities of that period, why would the East or Midwest take us seriously?

Watercolorist Milford Zornes keeps coming back to Southern California even though his father once accused him "of having no ambition other than to go someplace," he says. The Claremont resident is indeed a fanatical traveler, schlepping his easel to such places as Uganda, India and Cuba. But Zornes' heart has always led him back to the region he has called home since 1925. In January, Zornes, who still paints, celebrated his 95th birthday.

Milford Zornes, a watercolorist who traveled the world for his art but is best known for the everyday scenes of Southern California he painted starting in the 1930s, died Sunday at his home in Claremont. He was 100. Zornes, who taught art for many years in California and Utah, died from complications of congestive heart failure, his daughter, Maria Baker, said.

Henry Fukuhara, a California watercolorist and teacher who attracted many of the field's most accomplished artists to annual painting workshops at the Manzanar relocation camp in Owens Valley, where he and thousands of other Japanese Americans were incarcerated during World War II, died of natural causes Jan. 31 at a nursing home in Yorba Linda, according to his grandson, Paul Niwa. He was 96. A retired flower grower and wholesaler who did not begin painting in earnest until he was nearly 60, Fukuhara was known for energetic, abstract paintings, particularly of Manzanar and Santa Monica, where he grew up. "Henry had such a unique style, so different from most plein-air artists," said Bill Anderson, whose Sunset Beach gallery represented Fukuhara.

SUNSET BEACH Noon-4pm Art A founder of the California Regional art movement of the 1930s and '40s, painter Milford Zornes will be on exhibit at the Anderson Art Gallery. Zornes, 93, was an artist for the military in World War II and a muralist for the Works Project Administration. He also was an artist for Disney. His watercolors, oils, drawings and printmaking are part of the "Symbols of Nature" exhibit. * "Symbols of Nature," Anderson Art Gallery, 16812 Pacific Coast Highway, Sunset Beach.

The Laguna Art Museum has acquired seven new works for its permanent collection, including "Jerry Can Standard," a mixed-media piece by Edward Kienholtz, and Ilene Segalove's photographic piece "Fishy Date." The Kienholtz is a gift from several donors; the Segalove has been donated by the artist. A retrospective of Segalove's work, organized by the museum, is currently on view.

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?

Regarding Cathy Curtis' review of "California Style: 1930s and '40s" at the Orange County Museum of Art ("Impressions of Depression," Dec. 23): A more positive view of this exhibit should have been taken along with some deserved criticism. After all, this movement is our California art history; it is not the same as the Midwest or the East. Maybe it's time we become more self-aware of our past rather than only looking toward the cutting-edge future. If we do not value our own unique qualities of that period, why would the East or Midwest take us seriously?

Theater * Laguna Playhouse offers a preview of Jon Marans' play "Old Wicked Songs" at the Moulton Theater, 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach. 8 p.m. $19. Also Wednesday. Opens Thursday and continues through Jan. 31. (949) 497-2787. Pop/Rock * Doom Kounty Electric Chair, Street Walkin' Cheetahs and 4-Boltmain play at Club Mesa, 843 W. 19th St., Costa Mesa. 9 tonight. $4. (949) 642-8448. * The All Star Trio plays at the Canyon Inn, 6821 Fairlynn Blvd., Yorba Linda. 9 tonight. Free.

Almost 20 years have passed since actors last took to the stage of the Padua Hills Theatre, and a set from the last performance is still there--fake palm trees bordering a vine-covered hut. "It is like they ran away from the play and left it like this," said Sheryl Smoot, a caterer who handles an average of 100 weddings that take place each year in the theater complex.