Maurice Braun: California Landscape Painting

Maurice Braun, El Capitan Preserve, Lakeside. Painted in the El Cajon Valley.

Maurice Braun

Maurice Braun

Maurice Braun (1877-1941)

Already a well-known portrait painter before he moved to San Diego from New York at the turn of the century, National Academician Maurice Braun's palette lightened, as did his brushwork, under the influence of Southern California's light and atmosphere. He quickly became the most nationally-acclaimed name in San Diego art, and opened an art school, where Alfred Mitchell became perhaps his most famous student. 

Cliff May: Iconic Western Ranch House Pioneer

Cliff May

Cliff May

Cliff May

Cliff May

Cliff May

Cliff May

Cliff May, a native San Diegan, has often been dubbed the "father" of the iconic Ranch Home. 

While never trained formally as an architect, he was prolific in designing and building homes throughout Southern California from the early 1930s through the late 1960s. 

Although the majority of published work about him focuses mainly on the homes that he designed in the 1950s and 1960s, it was his earlier work  -- a more rustic look of a "hacienda-style" home with which he blessed Coronado, California. 

Currently, there are seven homes in Coronado having been identified as "designed by Cliff May." There are most likely a few more waiting to be registered, as his style is seen in other homes in the area. 

Indeed, the San Diego Historical Society's Cliff May ledger includes numerous addresses throughout Coronado and San Diego. 

While his architectural style evolved from the "California Adobe Rancho" to the Modern and clean-lined look of the iconic 1960s "Rancher," he stayed true to his roots -- indoor-outdoor living, central courtyards, and simple hand-crafted details.