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LOS ANGELES RIVER SERIES #39

John Kosta • Sep 26, 2021

Los Angeles River Series #39

Alondra Boulevard Bridge

North Long Beach

Acrylic on Canvas  24” x 30” x 1.5”

An image of California artist John Kosta's painting entitled Los Angeles River #39.
Los Angeles River Series 39 (2020)

Los Angeles River painting 39 shows a view of the Alondra Boulevard Bridge looking south from the Riverside Freeway. Most people typically see such views of the river in barely three-second glimpses as they speed by in their automobile, or if the traffic is stopped as is often the case, as they inch along slowly, staring at blinking break lights before them. 

These brief perspectives make it nearly impossible to see and appreciate the river’s unique beauty and, as there are few public spaces from which to interact with it, most Angelinos believe the river is devoid of merit. 

Painting 39 of the “Alondra Boulevard Bridge” facing south into the morning light, takes on a distinctly warm palate including gold, purple and cerulean blue reflecting the sky in shallow pools left behind by a brief spring rain. This portion of the river channel is wide and mostly barren of vegetation. As summer approaches and temperatures rise, even the reflecting pools will be gone leaving a mostly dry river bottom of concrete with what water remains confined to the center channel. 


If you are interested in this painting, you may like others that are available in the Store. If you would like to learn more about the City of Los Angeles' River Project, explore the links below.


More on the Los Angeles Revitalization Project

The official website for this tremendous undertaking by the City of Los Angeles.

An interactive map that highlights a number of the developments planned and occurring along the Los Angeles River.

Home of the Los Angles River Project, an organization dedicated to restoring the vital ecosystem along the river.


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