Rick Humphrey has been painting and sketching the Palos Verdes Peninsula since he was a teenager. Over those years there has been a great deal of loss of open space to development and expansion. Through the efforts of the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy some areas have been protected and remain open for all to enjoy. The importance of these areas cannot be overstated for they have long been apart of this community’s identity and heritage.  

Today there are new challenges as proposals are frequently made to build new structures along the coastline. While many of these plans are well intended they still use up remaining open space, obstruct views and diminish the unique quality of the area. 

Even those areas that have been “protected” by the conservancy could be in jeopardy by future city councils who might deem it more profitable to sell.  

A continual effort is required by every succeeding generation to understand and value the need for these areas. Through his work, Mr. Humphrey hopes to be apart of a larger effort to create an image of the peninsula that is known and celebrated for it’s foresight in maintaining this natural beauty. 

The simple fact is, we all need natural open spaces we can enjoy to renew and refresh us and help us to focus on things higher than ourselves.