Mountain Views News, Combined Edition Saturday, June 11, 2022

B4 

Mountain View News Saturday, June 11,2022 

CHRISTOPHER Nyerges 


HAVE YOUR PICTURE TAKEN WITH ARTIST 
STEVE HARDY 

[Nyerges is an educator and author. For information about his classes and books, write to Box41834, Eagle Rock, CA 90041, or go to www.SchoolofSelf-Reliance.com.] 

Steve Hardy is Sierra Madre’s 
iconic artist, always at work ona new creation at his “office” at 
the popular Bear Town coffeeshop at 43 N. Baldwin. The 
last time I walked by, I lookedinto the window and saw him 
busy at work, creating anotherof his watercolor abstracts. 
He was totally engrossed in 
his project. A small groupof friends was sitting aroundHardy, talking among 
themselves and watchingHardy’s artwork take shape. 

I enter the coffee shop andSteve sees me, and waves 
me over to see his latest. I 
admire it, and he asks witha big smile, “So what do youthink?” I study it for awhileand then I tell him that it 
resembles a Mayan temple 
on a remote planet. Hardylaughs loudly, and tells methat he’s achieved a landmark 
of having given away 6,500pieces of art to individuals (asof 2007) – most of which hesigns and gives away to fansand patrons at Beantown. 


“Are these your disciples?” I ask Hardy, referring to the small group sitting around him. 

“I have no disciples,” says Hardy, and I’m not sure now if he’s laughing or irritated at my query. He 
pauses, and stands up, and tells me, “I have to show you something.” We stride with great purposesouth on Baldwin and west on Sierra Madre to a new shop called Bitez at 7 Kersting Court. 

As Steve opens the door, the proprietor recognizes him and waves. And there, just inside the 
door is a life-size color cutout of Steve, bearing one of Bitez’ classic burgers, with a sign saying you 
can have your picture taken with Steve! I didn’t know what to say, but I liked it. Outside on the 
sidewalk, a chalked-up sign admonishes the passers-by to come on in and take a picture standingnext to Steve – the cut-out, that is. It’s a wonderful acknowledgment, and a sense of “arrival” forthis long-time unique Sierra Madre artist. Go on over to Bitez and get your picture taken, and geta delicious sandwich or burger while you’re there. Steve insisted that we each have a burger while 
we were there and I’m glad I did – it was delicious! The folks at Bitez obviously love Steve! 

THE BACKGROUND ON STEVE HARDY 

Hardy says that his love of art goes back to the first crayolas given to him by his mother. Thoughhe has taken some art classes over the years, and though he knows some of the “proper” ways tocreate art, he still prefers his own style. He does almost exclusively abstracts in water color, buthe will sometimes include recognizable features because “people are always interested in people, 
and in the familiar,” he explains. 

“I find the act of painting very pleasurable, and intrinsically rewarding,” says Hardy betweenbrush strokes. “Sometimes, I can finish a work in 10 minutes, but I might also spend up to 8 hourson a work over the course of several days,” says Hardy. 

I wanted to know what drives him to constantly produce artworks. What is his compelling inner 
message or philosophy that drives his work? 

“This is an excursion into the subconscious,” says Hardy. “Ninety percent of the time I just start 
painting and it is very therapeutic. Plus, there is a social aspect to it. If I can create somethingbeautiful, I enjoy being able to share that. I do it because I love it.” 

BEAN TOWN 

Back at Bean Town, I sat there watching Hardy continue his process of painting, along with severalother regulars of the coffeeshop. After awhile, Hardy looks up and says, “I want you to know thatBean Town is the nexus for people in Sierra Madre. It fulfills my desire to interact with all sorts 
of people in all walks of life. It’s a very eclectic place. I’ve never been anywhere else in the worldwhere you can meet such diverse people.” He paused as he looked around the recently-remodeledroom, and smiled. 

Hardy told me that he has had exhibits of his work in the past – such as one at Glendora PublicLibrary in the mid-1980s – but that there are no stores or websites that sell or display his work. He 
currently has one piece on exhibit at Baldwin Art Gallery (12 N.
Baldwin), in the very back. 

He tells me that if anyone wants to see his art, or say hello, he can be found many afternoons atBean Town in Sierra Madre, before they close. 


JASPER 
& MAGGIE 

These adorable siblings, 
are our youngest. Jasper, 
orange male, and Maggie, 
calico, are being raised together 
in a loving foster 
home, and we'd like them 

to be adopted together. They are cuddly, fun, and playful! 
Jasper loves string-based toys, while Maggie prefers 
balls. Both are huge purrers and love to have their 
people around. Find the adop-tion application on our 
website where you'll also find more adorable pix of 
them on our Very Young page, at www.lifelineforpets. 
org. 


Pet of the Week

 Four-year old Tofu is a sweet boy who loves gettingattention and back scratches! He’ll probably greet youwith a wagging tail and a wiggling body. Tofu lovesbeing pet and might even put his head in your lap toask for more cuddles.

 From June 10 through June 30, the adoption fee forbig dogs (40 lbs and up) is $50 through our Big DogSummer adoption promotion! All dog adoptionsinclude spay or neuter, microchip, and age-appropriatevaccines.

 
New adopters will receive a complimentaryhealth-and-wellness exam from VCA Animal Hospitals, as well as 
a goody bag filled with information about how to care for your pet.

 View photos of adoptable pets and schedule an adoption appointment atpasadenahumane.org. Adoptions are by appointment only, and new adoption 
appointments are available every Sunday and Wednesday at 10:00 a.m.

 Pets may not be available for adoption and cannot be held for potential adopters byphone calls or email. 


FREE FILMS AT SIERRA MADRE PLAYHOUSE: SAVING 
FACE ON JUNE 1 AND CHINATOWN RISING ON JUNE 8

 In connection with its current mainstage production, King of the Yees, Sierra 
Madre Playhouse will present two FREE screenings of motion pictures: Saving Face 
on Wednesday, June 1 at 7:00 p.m. and Chinatown Rising on Wednesday, June 8 at 

7:00 p.m. Admission is FREE, but RSVP is required. 
Admission is FREE thanks to a California Humanities Quick Grant.

 Saving Face. Comedy/Romance. Written and directed by Alice Wu. Produced 
by Will Smith, James Lassiter, Teddy Zee. From Sony Pictures Entertainment. (Color,
2004, USA, 91 minutes, rated R) Starring Michelle Krusiec, Joan Chen, Lynn Chen, 
Jin Wang, Guang Lan Koh, Jessica Hecht. In Manhattan, the brilliant Chinese-American 
lesbian surgeon Wil is surprised by the arrival of her forty-eight year old widow 
mother to her apartment. Ma was banished from Flushing, Queens, when her father 
discovered that she was pregnant. The presence of Ma affects the personal life of Wil, 
who is in love with the daughter of her boss at the hospital, the dancer Vivian Shing. 
Once her grandfather has promised that her mother would only return to Flushing 
remarried or proving that it was an immaculate conception, Wil tries to find a Chinese 
bachelor to marry Ma.

 Winner- Golden Horse Film Festival; San Diego Asian Film Festival; San Francisco 
International Asian American Film Festival.

 “The picture is nicely cast….Joan Chen registers strongly as the unwed mom 
caught between two generations.”----SF Gate.

 To RSVP for Saving Face, use this link: https://ci.ovationtix.com/35040/ 
production/1125334

 Chinatown Rising. Documentary. Directed by Harry and Josh Chuck. Produced 
by James Chan. From Caam. (Color, 2019, USA, 85 minutes, not rated) Adocumentary based on Harry Chuck's collection of clippings and period films about 
the issues that motivated members of San Francisco's Chinese American community 
to reject submissive stereotypes.
“A worthy reminder that each community that comprises the pulse of the city needs 
to see itself represented in the structures that govern urban life.”----POV 

To RSVP for Chinatown Rising, use this link: https://ci.ovationtix.com/35040/ 
production/1125336 

Covid-19 protocols in effect on the days of the events will be observed. As of this 
writing, it means that masks are required and vaccination record (card or digital) 
will be required. 

Sierra Madre Playhouse is located at 87 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. in Sierra Madre, CA 
91024. This is just east of Pasadena. There is ample free parking in lots behind the 
Playhouse and across the street. 

For more information about our mainstage show King of the Yees, please go to http://
sierramadreplayhouse.org 

This project was made possible with support from California Humanities, a nonprofit 
partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Visit www.calhum. 
org. 

Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 
Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com