Gateway to Malibu

Oil on canvas.

25x30x1.50"

A gateway from the valley to the Pacific Ocean, this tunnel was quite an engineering feat. Built in 1951, it was carved through solid rock to avoid having a dangerous curve built in the road. There was now a safe way to drive from the 101 Freeway to Pacific Coast Highway. This tunnel is probably more important today as it was the day it was designed. It’s always exciting when we travel through to get to the ocean.
I captured this photo to use as my reference (as it’s impossible to paint plein air) as a passenger, driving slowly, to get the right vantage point.