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I paint on location in California, Mexico and Italy with the intention of conveying a real and intense experience of place. I believe that the loss of connection to place contributes to alienation in our society.

Since 2013, I have been painting on the streets of the Mission District to bear witness to its culture as well as the changes forced upon it by gentrification. In this painting I contrast the new Vida Apartments on the left with the Art Deco New Mission Theater marquee and Doc’s Clock on the right.

The marquee and Doc’s Clock were often depicted by my friend and neighbor, legendary underground comic cartoonist Spain Rodriguez ( 1940 -2012 ). In homage to Spain, I found a colorful group of locals to pose for this painting. They represent the culturally rich old Mission District which is fading before the onslaught of gentrification.

Anthony Holdsworth

anthony@anthonyholdsworth.com