Background
Roger Dolin grew up in Los Angeles, where he has spent over 40 years designing and painting murals. His work can be seen in public spaces across Southern California including Bob Dylan's 18th Street Coffee House in Santa Monica, Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Woodland Hills, the city of Avalon on Catalina Island, Northridge and Eagle Rock, CA. For the last 10 years Dolin focused on public art working with schools and government agencies including the cities of Glendale, Eagle Rock and Northridge Neighborhood Councils. He also directed the Public Arts Initiative for The Museum of the San Fernando Valley. His public service—involving community outreach, neighborhood beautification and youth art appreciation & development—garnered him several Certificates of Recognition awarded by the City of Los Angeles.
Throughout his professional career Dolin has maintained a personal art practice that includes solo exhibitions at TAG, Pasadena Society of Artists, Brand Library, Los Angeles Mission College, Townsend Gallery and the Sales and Rental Gallery at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and received press in the Los Angeles Times. His recent series of paintings is heavily influenced by decades of working in and around the community: taking complex images of local landscapes, breaking them down into distinct sections and painting them "one at a time."
Recent subject matter derives from his personal relationship with the Southern California landscape. Dolin has been a life-long outdoor enthusiast with decades of hiking experience. The sights, both natural and artificial that he encounters in the diverse Los Angeles geography have inspired Dolin to paint works that represent his devotion to and gratitude for the natural world.
Statement
My purpose with these paintings is to record our natural world and preserve it in painting. I want to share the feeling of being immersed in nature, engaged with our surroundings, utilizing our senses. There are so many different color palettes, depending on the seasons and the times of day. From the tops of our local mountains, you can see the entire city of Los Angeles. We have built up to the very edge of habitable land and now we are having to learn to co-exist with nature. How will it look here 100 years from now? What does nature have in store for us? What kind of world will my daughter and future generations see and live in?
I find peace in nature. My images come from spending time in nature. I want the artwork to resonate with the peace I feel when immersed in nature and bring the viewer along with me to share those feelings.
Painting in Squares
I believe painting reflects life and life reflects painting. I want my paintings to reflect the life I lead, not just in imagery, but lifestyle. I like to spend a little time everyday in the studio. Sometimes the detail in the photos is overwhelming so I break the photos up into small squares and focus on one square at a time, a little bit every day. Each square is fairly loose, almost abstract and I love to see what happens when all the squares come together. I think you get a loose yet detailed view of my peaceful nature. The grid adds a layering effect, as if we are seeing through a window or perhaps looking back through time, remembering when access to nature was easy.
CV
Roger Dolin
Lives and works in Los Angeles, CA
818.635.5273
rogerdolin.com
instagram.com/rogerdolin
EXHIBITIONS:
2025
Pathways to Peace
La Galeria Gitana - Pop-Up Exhibit
31431 Mulholland Drive, Malibu, CA
May 31
100 Years – 100 Images Centennial Juried Art Exhibit.
Pasadena Society of Artists - Pasadena Museum of History
Recipient - James Ackley McBride Landscape Award
June 1 – Sept 14
TAG: L.A. Open Juried Show
TAG Gallery
5458 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036
Jan 8 – Jan 24
2024
A Day in Nature
Pasadena Society of Artists: Eaten Canyon Nature Center.
Sat, June 22
Pasadena Society of Artists: 99th Annual Exhibition
White’s Fine Art Gallery, Montrose,
April 2 – 27
2023
Pasadena Society of Artists: Artists Choice Exhibit at White’s Gallery, Montrose,
CA – Group Show, Saturday, September 2
Creative Arts Group/ Pasadena Society of Artists – Group Show
Friday, June 9
2022
Artist Choice Exhibition: Pasadena Society of Artists, White's Fine Art Gallery, Montrose, CA
Brand 50: Works on Paper: Celebrate, Brand Gallery, Glendale, CA Juried by Shannon Currie Holmes
97th Annual Exhibition: Pasadena Society of Artists, Betsy Luke Creative Arts Center Gallery, Burbank, CA
2014
Brand 42: Works on Paper: Celebrate, Brand Gallery, Glendale, CA Juried by Jack Rutberg
Chair Show, The Museum of the SFV, Los Angeles, CA
Inaugural Art Exhibit, The Museum of the SFV, Los Angeles, CA
2013
Northridge Village Art Show: Old Northridge Historical Interpretations, Museum of the San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles, CA
2004
Transformations of Being: Studies from Tai Chi and Recent Paintings, Solo Show at Townsend Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
2000
Social Distortionism II, Solo Show at Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Sales and Rental Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
1999
Representation and Distortion, Century Gallery, Los Angeles Mission College, CA
1997
Social Distortionism, Solo Show at Orlando Gallery, Sherman Oaks, CA
PUBLIC ART PROJECTS/ MURALS:
2023
“Independence Day – Catalina,” 72 x 16 foot mural Commissioned by Jack and Nora Tucey, Avalon, Catalina Island, CA
2021
“A Moment in Time,” Joanna Burke Art Consulting, Kaiser Permanente, Woodland Hills, CA
2020
“Sepulveda Crossing,” OneWest Bank, West Los Angeles, CA
2019
18th street Coffee House, Bob Dylan's Coffee House in Santa Monica
2018
“Northridge Stampede Mural,” Department of Cultural Affairs, The Museum of the SFV, Northridge Beautification, 12th Counsel District
2015
“Looking Back: Then and Now,” Maryland Park, City of Glendale, CA
2014
“Tai Chi Mural,” restoration, Eagle Rock, CA, Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council
2011
“Tree of Life,” Maple Park, City of Glendale, CA
“Guided Mural Project,” CDA Academy, San Diego, CA
2010
“Time,” Eastlake Juvenile Detention Center, Los Angeles, CA
“Lennox: Past, Present and Future,” Lennox Park, Lennox, CA
2009
Valley Presbyterian Medical Center
Horace Mann Elementary
Marshall Elementary School, Glendale, CA
2008
“One Glendale - One Community,” Mural, Glendale, CA
2007
“Entrance Mural,” Daily High School, Glendale, CA
“Dragon Mural,” Daily High School, Glendale, CA
“Series of Sports Murals,” Pepsi Bottling Group, Los Angeles, CA
2006
Fresh Air Market, Sacramento, CA
2005
Solheim Lutheran Home, Eagle Rock, CA
“Coffee: Past and Present,” Mural Triptych, Burbank Media Center, CA
Harbor UCLA Medical Center, Pediatrics Wing, West Carson, CA
2004
“Tai Chi Mural,” Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council, CA
Long Beach Memorial Medical Center, Miller Children’s Hospital, CA
SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY:
RainguardPro, Avalon, CA "Mural Unveiling” https://www.instagram.com/p/Cz4YLZNrIH6/?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
KISL 88.7 FM Avalon. "Unveiling the Spirit of Avalon" Mural by Roger Dolin: https://fb.watch/p4LVbljwC6/?mibextid=Nif5oz
San Fernando Valley Museum. “A Zoom Meeting with Roger Dolin: Project Host of the Northridge
Stampede.” The Museum of San Fernando Valley video, 6:44. December 6, 2020. https://www.sanfernandovalleymuseum.com/gallery
Sentinel News Service. “OneWest Bank Unveils New Branch Design at West L.A. Grand Opening.” Los Angeles Sentinel, October 31, 2019.
https://lasentinel.net/onewest-bank-unveils-new-branch-design-at-west-l-a-grand-opening.html
Slanted Flying. “Local Street Mural Features Tai Chi.” Journal of Tai Chi Chuan, May 8, 2014. https://slantedflying.com/local-street-mural-features-tai-chi/
Glendale Art Association. “Mural Artist, Roger Dolin.” GAA Palette, October 2013. https://www.glendaleartassociation.com/uploads/3/5/4/6/3546707/october_2013_palette.pdf
Phoenix House. “Roger Dolin on the Art of Recovery.” April 06, 2012. https://www.phoenixhouse.org/our-perspectives/roger-dolin-on-the-art-of-recovery/
O’Neil, Megan. “With help of local artist, students add to campus mural.” Glendale News Press, March 30, 2012.
Caddell, Lisa. “Artful Joe.” Art Around Burbank(blog), February 23, 2012. http://artaroundburbank.weebly.com/blog/category/roger dolin
Singh, Ajay. “Artist Thanks Neighborhood Council for Helping Restore 'Tai Chi' Murals.” Patch: Eagle Rock CA, January 13, 2012.
Nickels, Nate. “Artist Returns to Revive an Eagle Rock Mural.” The Eastsider, October 17, 2011.
https://www.theeastsiderla.com/2011/10/artist-returns-to-revive-an-eagle-rock-mural
LA County Department of Arts and Culture. “Lennox Past, Present and Future.” Los Angeles County Arts & Culture, 2010.
https://www.lacountyarts.org/civicart/objects-1/info/37
Vaillancourt, Ryan. “Students’ Mural Illustrates Unity.” Glendale News-Press, Weekend, March 22-23, 2008. https://www.latimes.com/socal/glendale-news-press/news/tn-gnp-xpm-2008-03-22-gnp-unity22-story.html
Amirkhanian, Ani. “Unifying the Community.” Glendale News-Press, February 7, 2008. https://www.latimes.com/socal/glendale-news-press/news/tn-gnp-xpm-2008-02-07-gnp-civicpride07.art-story.html
Kim, Anthony. “Leaving a Legacy.” Glendale News-Press, Weekend, June 16-17, 2007. https://www.latimes.com/socal/glendale-news-press/news/tn-gnp-xpm-2007-06-16-gnp-mural16-story.html
Kim, Anthony. “Brushing up on school pride.” Glendale News-Press, February 28, 2007. https://www.latimes.com/socal/glendale-news-press/news/tn-gnp-xpm-2007-02-28-gnp-mural28-story.html
“ERNC to hit the walls—with art.” Boulevard Sentinel, February 2004.
Woodard, Josef. “Distorted and Proud - Artworks in exhibit at Sylmar gallery celebrate their unrealistic qualities.” Valley Life: sights, Los Angeles Times: Valley Edition: Metro Section, September 10, 1999. https://www.latimes.com › archives › la-xpm-1999-sep-10-me-8487-story.html
Woodard, Josef. “Viewing Group Dynamics Through a Funhouse Mirror.” Los Angeles Times: Valley Edition: Weekend Calendar, December 18, 1997 https://www.latimes.com › archives › la-xpm-1997-dec-18-ca-65240-story.html
AWARDS:
2025
James Ackley McBride Landscape Award, Pasadena Society of Artists – 100th Annual Juried Exhibition, April 26, 2025: Deukmajian Shoji
2018
Certificate of Recognition, Beautification of Historic Community, City of Los Angeles and Twelfth Council District, May 12, 2018
Certificate of Appreciation, Reseda Boulevard Project, City of Los Angeles and Twelfth Council District, May 12, 2018
2013
Certificate of Recognition, Northridge Village Art Show, Valley Family Festival Committee, City of Los Angeles and Twelfth District, May 2013
Certificate of Appreciation, San Fernando Valley beautification, City of Los Angeles and Twelfth Council District, April 17, 2013
2012
Certificate of Appreciation, 2012 Council District Open House and Art Exhibition, City of Los Angeles and Twelfth Council District, July 2012
Certificate of Appreciation, City of Los Angeles and Twelfth Council District, July 2012
Certificate of Appreciation, Northridge Public Art Initiative, Valley Family Festival Committee, City of Los Angeles and Twelfth District, June 2012
Award of Appreciation, Metamorphosis Mural Project, Phoenix House Academy, April 21, 2012
LINKS/ PRINT:
Griffith Park Guardian – Sep 2012 – current
Staff Artist/ Illustrator
ARTIST TALKS:
2023
Pasadena Society of Artists, “Painting in Squares” – Annual Board Meeting - Saturday, February 11
2021
Temple Judea Village, Emily Goff and Roger Dolin
2017
MOCA - Contemporary Art Starts
Professional Development for teachers, Emily Goff and Roger Dolin
2013
Glendale Art Association, CA, October 2013
2011
“Guided Mural Project”, CDA Academy
EDUCATION: California State University Northridge
Bachelor of Arts Degree - Fine Arts (2-D)
1980
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
Feb 1983 – Jan 2022
Mural Environments, Inc., Los Angeles, CA
Owner/ Artist/ Director
Designed and painted site-specific artwork for public facilities, hospitals, businesses, and private residences. Clients include: Pepsi Bottling Group, Daily High School, Glendale Unified School District, City of Glendale, Department of Cultural Affairs, Council District 12 & 2, The Museum of the San Fernando Valley, Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council, Los Angeles County Arts Commission, Harbor – UCLA Medical Center, Long Beach Memorial Medical Center - Miller Children’s Hospital, Kaiser Permanente, UCLA Medical Center, City of Hope,
2012 – 2017
The Museum of the San Fernando Valley – Northridge, CA
Director - Public Arts Initiative
Organized several art events bringing art and artists to kids and the community in the northwest San Fernando Valley via schools, street fairs, city parks, and public murals
TEACHING EXPERIENCE:
2018 – present
Mt. San Antonio College, Adjunct Professor of Design
Walnut, CA
2024
Mc Groarty Art. Center, Acrylics, Tujunga, CA
Making Art
It has been a privilege and an honor to make art for most of my life. Today I make art in squares, taking complex images of local landscapes, breaking them down into small squares and painting "one square at a time". I do it for the love and gratitude I have of our natural world