Water Tunnels at Malibu State Park

10" x 8"Gouache on cold press board2024 The scene depicts a rock pool within Malibu Creek State Park, located in Calabasas, California, in the Santa Monica Mountains. Formerly the site of the 20th Century Fox movie ranch, the park lies four miles south of Highway 101 on Las Virgenes/Malibu Canyon Road. It was acquired by the State of California in 1974 from Century Ranch, renamed Malibu Creek State Park (MCSP), and expanded with land purchased from Ronald Reagan and Bob Hope, including the historic White Oak Farm. The park officially opened to the public in 1976. Martinez captures not only the natural beauty of this environment but also incorporates the state park signage, subtly emphasizing humanity's impact on nature. Through this indirect yet thought-provoking approach, the artwork reflects Jimi's ability to present a scene authentically while highlighting the intriguing tension and almost absurd interplay between nature and human activity. Original artwork by Jimi Martinez, created