The Towns Burr Gallery recently celebrated its grand opening in Burbank with refreshments, soft jazz and a breath-taking collection of watercolor paintings and photographic art.
Located prominently in the Magnolia Park Arcade, the beautifully appointed art gallery will entice the curious as well as the collector.
The gallery has long been a dream of water color artist
Connie Towns, whose paintings have been described as "soft, light-infused and therapeutic."
Connie has exhibited around the country, and her paintings are in collections both here and abroad, but she's always wanted a permanent place in her own community to display her work.
Bruce Burr already had an office-studio in the Magnolia Park Arcade, so when an adjoining suite became available, he jumped at the chance to make his wife's dream come true.
With some hard work and an artist's eye for decoration, Connie's dream gallery was born.
Connie is pleased with the results. "I always knew I wanted hardwood floors, soft sage walls and tropical plants. And I wanted people to feel comfortable," she said.
She gestures at the inviting sofa and table near the front window. "I'd like to have a café table one day and serve cappuccino. And maybe a fountain; I love the sound of water," she added.
The gallery is indeed inviting, with soft, warm lighting enhancing the vibrant colors of her paintings. Guests at the celebration sipped wine and admired her work.
"Everything is beautiful," someone said. "...nicely laid out," "...knows how to put colors together," "...strong but soft." "...draws you in," were among other comments.
Connie paints mostly flowers or flower arrangements, but there are a few Hawaiian settings among her collection. Original paintings and prints of all sizes range in prices from $35 to $2,500. Some are matted, others are beautifully framed.
Boxes of greeting cards with some of her favorite works are also available.
One step up and through a passageway at the rear, brings you to Bruce's studio. The main thrust of his photo business is commercial, but he also enjoys dabbling in photographic art.
"I like symmetry," he admits and demonstrates how many of the subjects in his art photos are mirror-images radiating from the center. "And I do a lot of layering."
A large luminescent photo in black and icy neon-blue titled "Lunar Landing" has10 layers of images superimposed on each other. The result is striking.
Both of these talented artists are thrilled with their Burbank gallery and welcome visitors. The Towns Burr Gallery is located at 3609 W. Magnolia Blvd., near the corner of Hollywood Way and across the street from Porto's Bakery.
Hours are from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursdays.
For more information, call 818-845-7144.