We introduced the surreal photography of Palm Springs created by Kate Ballis earlier on, so it is interesting to see another artist taking a completely different approach in capturing the sprit of the same area. In his painting series Modern Leisure, American artist Danny Heller offers a realistic glimpse of Palm Springs, so much that the paintings almost appear as photographs.

Choosing low rise buildings, classic cars, and modern cityscapes as his subjects, Heller’s selection of lighting, angles and layout through his masterful brushstrokes showcases the dynamic parts of the area. The most impressive painting of the series could well be the 1955 Packard, which Heller skilfully reproduces the metallic elements and reflections on canvas. Through his work, Heller would like to introduce the innovation from the modern period to the public and help building a new respect towards it.