State Senator Joe Simitian Honors Local Artist

State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) was on hand at a special reception at Gallery 9 Friday night to present Los Altos artist Steve Curtiss with the 11th Senate District's Artist of the Year award.

As the 2011 Artist of the Year, Curtiss was presented with a resolution, honoring his accomplishment as a painter who is known for blending realism and fantasy in his artwork.

“The fact that one of our gallery artists is being honored and being recognized by the Senate is huge,” said Cherise Thompson, a fellow artist at Gallery 9.

The gallery, located on Main Street, is currently showcasing Curtiss’ art work, as well as that of other local artists under the theme of “Rhythm and Blues.”

“I feel really flattered; it was out of the blue,” Curtiss said during the reception. “I like to make little comments about society. It’s not just humor, but there’s a bit of a desire to think about things.”

Curtiss’ paintings had captured the attention of not only his fans, but also Simitian, who had purchased one of his paintings, called “Still Life of Fries.” The painting depicts a traditional, still-life fruit bowl and wine goblet, but with an added twist - a package of french fries.

As part of the honorary award, one of Curtiss’ paintings, called “Attorneys in the Wild,” will be exhibited in the State Capitol for a year. Specifically, it will be hung in the Senators’ lounge.

“We are better off at having your work in the Capitol,” Simitian said to Curtiss, explaining that he chose him not only for his accomplishments, but also his whimsical sense of humor. “If there is ever a place that needs a smile, it is the California State Capitol.”

The Senate will also showcase Curtiss’ biography and an image of his work in its contemporary art collection catalogue.