In Paxton Mobley's world, strange things happen. Actually, strange things are the norm. Ladybugs play badminton, cocktails top famous trees and chimps contemplate Einstein, just to give you a few examples.
At the tender age of 26, Mobley (who goes by simply “Paxton" on his paintings) has already established himself in the local arts community.
Mobley said this is one of his biggest years as an artist, with six shows under his belt so far. His exhibit at the Alvarado Gallery came as a surprise, he said, given the generally conservative climate of the Peninsula's art community.
I couldn't believe it" he said of the show being accepted. "I'm excited to do the show there, and we had a good opening."
His works, which are reminiscent of the surrealistic art of Dali and Magritte, have been getting plenty of attention lately- although not all of it positive.
Recently he had a run-in with the Pebble Beach Co., which objected to Mobley's parody of the renowned Lone Cypress. The painting, "Happy Hour at the Lonesome Cypress", was reproduced in several local newspapers recently – including the Herald as an announcement of his new show.
The painting, which shows the tree with a brandy snifter balanced on top and an olive spiked by one branch, was considered by he company to be an infringement of its trademark on the tree.
Mobley has now agreed not to reproduce the painting in any way, and signed an agreement to that effect. However, it can still be seen in his show
Mobley said he didn't feel the Pebble Beach Co. was in the right - and claims to have the law on his side - `but I can't tight it because my pockets aren't deep enough."
The rest of his solo show, while perhaps not as controversial, no doubt is arousing plenty of opinion in the Peninsula's art community. Because the exhibit is sponsored by the city of Monterey, the artist took familiar local themes and put his own twist on them.
For instance, his “Revenge of the Anchovies” features fish in evening dress and a frame made of real anchovy tins. Another painting features visages of John Steinbeck and Ed Rickets superimposed on the sky above Cannery Row.
The artist also had a unique opening reception, featuring giant wooden carrots “growing" out of the floor, a manufactured moon hung from the rafters, and characters based on people in his paintings who walked through the crowd but were instructed not to talk to visitors.
It's all part of what Mobley calls Midrealism as opposed Surrealism and Says the two movements have some similarities but also have differences. To explain the complexities of the concept, he’s now published a 170- page book "A Step Beyond Madness: The First Manifesto of Midrealism.”
A native of Shreveport La., Paxton grew up in northern Alabama. After garnering a dual degree in studio art and an history from Queens College in North Carolina he moved to San Francisco to begin his career.
"We lived way out in the country on the Elk River." Said Mobley of his upbringing. "I began as a wildlife painter. I still love to use tons of animals in my paintings - I just use them very strangely."
Another recurring image is of carrots, which Mobley said goes back to his days as a starving artist in San Francisco.
"Carrots were the only thing I could afford to eat for a while."
But people began buying his paintings, and Mobley knew he was on his way. He moved to the Monterey Peninsula several years ago and now has his home and studio in Carmel.
His works are represented locally at three spirits gallery in Sand City, and further afield by galleries in Alabama. He continues to have frequent exhibits on the Peninsula and in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Although he seeks to inform people about Midrealism. His paintings he leaves to the imagination.
"I try not to give the viewer much interpretation" he said. "That tends to destroy it. I don’t try to explain it."
