THE VALLEY

The dreamers’ fantasy of Los Angeles we see immortalized in vintage post cards is updated in paintings by E. K. Meadow. Idealized Photo-Realist renderings of suburban landscapes, Meadow’s oil-on-canvas paintings depict a peaceful place fragrant with fruit trees and gardenias. Bathed in late afternoon light, these muted images portray an agreeably drowsy world where the only thing that might disturb one’s catnap is the sound of buzzing insects and an occasional airplane.

Focusing for the most part on the wide, tree-lined streets of Santa Monica, Meadow’s pictures are made contemporary via the sleek new automobiles that are abundantly present. Volkswagen vans sit in front of white adobe beach bungalows, tipping us to the fact that this isn’t Clark Gable’s Los Angeles. Meadow’s lovingly rendered paintings seem to suggest that while automotive fashions are in a state of perpetual change, the magic that attracts people to this West Coast oasis remains the same. (Orlando Gallery, 14553 Ventura Blvd. to July 31.)