MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – Come see Alex Blas’ newest series, “In Your Room,” at Middletown Art Center on Saturday, Sept. 2, at 5:30 p.m.

Meet the artist and the people portrayed in his striking oil paintings, which are en route to an exhibition at the George Billis Gallery in Los Angeles.

The exhibit will be on view Friday, Sept. 1, and Saturday, Sept. 2, only. The LA show opens on Sept. 9.

“I am really excited about the preview of ‘In Your Room,’” said MAC Director Lisa Kaplan. “Not only will Alex’s stunning paintings grace our walls, but many of the people in them will be browsing the gallery with us!”

Privacy and personal space are the central themes in the “fly-on-the-wall” works of Blas, a Cobb area resident.

Much like the old masters’ oil paintings of interiors, Blas’ works exhibit a familiarity with light play or chiaroscuro.

Also like the old masters, he has a fondness for showing his subjects engaged in the ordinary daily activities that are a sign of the times they were painted.

Blas’ mastery of technique transcends the seemingly everyday quality of the young men shown with laptops and cell phones wearing jeans, t-shirts and sneakers. His subjects are primarily Lake County natives met at parties or shows.

Blas’ friends never really thought of themselves as models or somebody an artist would want to paint, but that is what Blas did. He began with the idea that, even while alone in intimate places, we are communicating.

Though Blas lost his home, studio and nearly all of his paintings in the Valley fire of 2015, his passion for making art and friends kept him going.

In “Tyler G. Wilson” 2016, Tyler appears to be waiting for something or someone. Empty beer bottles, a package of goldfish crackers and bills are in evidence as he stares at the ceiling while holding his cell phone.

While Blas was painting the portrait, he began receiving texts and messages from friends wondering about the whereabouts of Tyler. The next day, he learned that Tyler had died in a car crash The painting is particularly poignant, and a labor of friendship and love.

Blas will discuss his works and introduce his subjects on Saturday at 6 p.m. at MAC.

The reception takes place from 5:30 to 7 p.m. At 7:30 p.m. you can catch the Higher Logic Project in concert, cover charge $10.

Mitchell’s Taco Truck will be on site. No-host local beer and wine bar help support MAC’s programs. A complimentary first beverage is available for MAC members at the Preview.

MAC is located at 21456 Highway 175 at the junction of Highway 29 in Middletown.

Visit MAC online at MiddletownArtCenter.org, call 707-809-8118 or email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..