Early paintings from the late 50s to 1960 from the private collection of Burt Shonberg's nephew, Steven Schrater
"Seated Figure and a Cosmic Train" - 1965
casein on masonite - featured painting at Shonberg's exhibition in the 60s sponsored by George Greif held in Los Angeles.
This painting was a self-portrait of Burt Shonberg sitting in his living room in Laurel Canyon during an LSD experience.
(for a further description of the LSD experience, click on "out here" the book.)
Read here about Dr. Oscar Janiger's research with LSD-25 of which Burt Shonberg participated in.
There were many Hollywood actors and celebrities that took LSD with Dr. Janiger, some of whom purchased paintings from Burt Shonberg.
This painting was recently acquired upon the death of it's owner, George Gary Groom. Ownership unknown.
"The Magnificent Monster" - 1958 - Casein on Masonite - 4' X 8'
From the private collection of Suzanne Roach
"OUT HERE" - 1965
From the private collection of JOSEPH JAY DEKEYSER
casein on masonite - 3' X 5'
This painting was used as an album cover by Arthur Lee & Love
Considered by many to be one of Shonberg's masterpieces.
Photographed by Raphael Hernandez - The Man From Las Vegas
"MARS THE GOD OF WAR" - 1961 - FROM THE PRIVATE COLLECTION OF THE TIMECOAST FOUNDATION
"AZTEC VISION" - 1965
FROM THE PRIVATE COLLECTION OF THE TIMECOAST FOUNDATION
Casein on masonite - 4' X 3'
"SEVENTH RAY IN THE RAY OF CREATION" - 1963
FROM THE PRIVATE COLLECTION OF THE TIMECOAST FOUNDATION
casein on canvas - 6' X 6'
This was the featured painting done in Ibiza, Spain that was shown at Burt's exhibition in Los Angeles
Below are some memories from Bob Storr, a close personal friend of Burt Shonberg. Bob confirms that Burt Shonberg did visit with Salvador Dali while in Spain. Bob was a recording engineer in the film industry and did work on the film "Logan's Run" (written by George Clayton Johnson). In 1970, Bob recorded a narration by Burt Shonberg from Burt's orignal writing called "Every Once In A While". Click here to listen.
I was just remembering Burt and the days when we used to drive around the Laurel Canyon/Los Angeles area in a pleasant state of consciousness in my 1950 Plymouth. I especially recall Burt's recounting of his trip to Ibiza, and visit with Salvador Dali at his house in Costa Del Sol, Spain and other convergent adventures.
Burt remarked about the artist's colony in Ibiza and how many people would gather at a favorite oasis and how Burt tried Absinthe for the first time. He said that it seemed mild enough, like an anise-flavored liqueur, (although it is classified as a spirit.) All was as usual until he tried to stand. It was as if the Green Lady had landed a haymaker right between his eyes and he had to struggle to keep his balance.
Man! How many did he have?
Burt told me that at this favored watering-hole he was startled to see the many German artists and tourists who had come to Ibiza who looked as if they were products of a eugenics program for uber schtarkers and how they would call loudly down the length of the bar their deprecatory comments if, for instance, someone mentioned Jews in a favorable light, "Alles fur der Juden, ja?"
(Good thing for them that Lenny Bruce wasn't there.)
These are just a few words and reminiscences that I recall regarding Ibiza. Several of our friends have moved on to their "next location" and we who are left behind have only fragments of our shared experiences to remember and contemplate.
In Burt's case, many of the stories he told and statements he made merit profound contemplation.
I have more recollections, not related to Ibiza or Dali and even a short sound recording of Burt reciting the Shonbergian prose contained in a cartouche written on the wall of the entrance to Cafe' Frankenstein in Laguna Beach.
Burt told me that as he was standing in the entrance way, a lady, who had just read the writing remarked, "That's the scariest thing I've ever read." Burt turned towards her, bowed and replied, "Thank you, Madam.
Mural painted by the entrance of The Purple Onion - Los Anges - circa 1965
Casein on Masonite - 8' X 6' painted on three panels
This painting was destroyed by the elements during storage in Las Vegas during the 70s.
"Eve" - From the private collection of the Greif Family - Casein on Masonite - 1963
"Mona Lisa" - From the private collection of the Greif Family
"The Girl" - From the private collection of the Greif Family - 1967
"The Head" - From the private collection of the Greif Family - 1963
"The Moons" - from the private collection of the Greif Family
"Moon Prospector" - 1965
Casein on Masonite - commissioned by a private California Corp.
"The Starships of Tarot One"
From the private collection of Joseph Jay Dekeyser
Casein on masonite - 4 X 4'
Photographed by Rafael Hernandez - The Man From Las Vegas
"Waking State of Conciousness" - 1965
Casein on masonite - album cover for "Crazed Hipsters"
"The Unveiling" - 1965
Casein on masonite - George Gary Groom Collection
"OUTER COSMOS #22" - 1976
FROM THE PRIVATE COLLECTION OF THE TIMECOAST FOUNDATION
casein on masonite 4' X 3'
Two Sphinx - 1961 - casein on masonite - 4' X 3'
From the private collection of Clara Jean Peterson and Sunny Liberty Berle
From the private collection of Rick Anderson - 1961 - Casein on Masonite
From the private collection of Rick Anderson - 1961 - Casein on Masonite
Abstract - 3 X 5' - 1961
Casein on masonite
From the private collection of Joseph Jay Dekeyser
Photographed by Raphael Hernandez - The Man From Las Vegas
Laurel Canyon - 1963
casein on masonite
From the private collection of Joseph Jay Dekeyser
photographed by Raphael Hernandez - The Man From Las Vegas
Abstract 2' X 4' - casein on masonite
From the private collection of The TimeCoast Foundation
Abstract - 1961 - casein on masonite - 14" X 16"
From the private collection of Clara Jean Peterson and Sunny Liberty Berle
Tchaikofsky - Album cover for Capitol Records "Tchaikofsky's Sixth Symphony"
casein on masonite - 24" X 22"
From the private collection of Jim Winfree
Portrait of Jesus - casein on masonite - 14" X 20"
From the private collection of Clara Jean Peterson and Sunny Liberty Berle
Abstract watercolor on bristol board - 12" X 14"
From the private collection of Clara Jean Peterson and Sunny Liberty Berle
"TO BE IS THE ANSWER" - 1961 - Casein on Masonite
From the private collection of Stanley Dyrector - Photographed by Rian Jarvis
"WHO AM I?" - 1961 - Casein on Masonite
From the private collection of Stanley Dyrector - Photographed by Rian Jarvis
"MYSTERIAN OF THE COSMOS" - 1973
FROM THE PRIVATE COLLECTION OF THE TIMECOAST FOUNDATION
casein on canvas board - 14" X 18"
"FROM HERE TO THE MOON" - 1969
FROM THE PRIVATE COLLECTION OF THE TIMECOAST CORPORATION
pastel on paper
water color on Bristol Board - 14" X 18" - 1964 Ibiza, Spain
From the private collection of the TimeCoast Foundation
The Mysterian - 1974
water color on Bristol Board
From the private collection of Joseph Jay Dekeyser
Photographed by Raphael Hernandez - The Man From Las Vegas
The following six paintings were recently discovered on the web and have been posted here for your viewing pleasure. These paintings were commissioned by Roger Corman, famed movie producer/director; to appear in his 1960 classic "The Fall of The House of Usher".
The paintings were completed quicly by artist Burt Shonberg, however, at the time these paintngs were done, Burt Shonberg, was also known as Burt Schoenberg. It is by mistake that in the ending credits, the "Artist" name was mispelled as Burt Schoenberg.
In the movie, the paintings were destroyed by fire when the "house" burnt down. The paintings were covered in a fire proof jel that prevented any damage to them, so they actually did not burn. The medium used was Casein on Canvas.
Roger Corman gave these paintings to the cast and crew when production was finished.
Roger Corman stated that Vincent Price ( a renowned art collector) took this painting home after the movie was completed.
