If you haven’t had enough Valentine’s Day joy, then head to Cambria’s Cruise Control Contemporary to see Joey Belardi‘s show Romeo and Juliet, which hangs through March 22. The Laguna Beach painter creates “aerosolized acrylic paintings featuring his traditional single cells of animated reverse-painted cartoon characters atop rich backgrounds,” according to the gallery.
The 11 works on display explore his Italian heritage and adolescent themes with a classic cartoon style inspired by Looney Tunes and the work of animators and comic artists such as Chuck Jones, Charles Schulz, Bill Watterson, Ralph Bakshi, and Ed Benedict.
“Joey was obsessed with drawing from an early age, constantly replicating his favorite characters and inventing his own,” the gallery’s announcement explained. “Cartoons offered him a profound sense of escapism—more than any other medium—allowing him to orchestrate worlds where he had complete creative control, much like a conductor leading a symphony.
“This early fascination shaped his artistic philosophy: to create characters that feel alive, as if you could sit down and have a conversation with them. Joey’s work blends humor, energy, and expressive storytelling, reflecting his lifelong mission to bring joy and laughter to others. Whether through spontaneous sketches or fully realized pieces, his art captures the playful spirit that first drew him to animation, inviting audiences into a world of movement, personality, and boundless imagination.” Δ
This article appears in Feb 20 – Mar 2, 2025.