My journey in the art world started after my retirement from teaching and coaching in 1992. My wife and daughter gave me 3 painting lessons with a teacher in Beverly Hills. I enjoyed it so much that I continued driving there from Seal Beach every Monday night for four years.
Following those years I was introduced to an artist in Venice by the name of Corinne Hartley. She was very well known and successful and had a class of about 30 students. I studied with her for over 25 years, painting with her every week. I helped pay for my lessons by being her handyman and fixing things around her houses. I painted most of the interior of the three homes she lived in during those 25 years. I planned her group Plaine Air painting trips to places like Martha’s Vineyard, Boston, Sante Fe, New Mexico and many places along the coast of California including Mendocino, Carmel, Monterey, San Diego, Cambria, Pismo Beach, Morro Bay and others. It was a loss for all of us when she passed at 97 in 2020.
I am known by many as Coach Jay Young (or just Coach) because I coached varsity basketball at Warren High School in Downey for 30 years. I was hired in 1958 and during my 35 years at Warren, besides basketball, I also coached football, volleyball, tennis and golf. My college education started at Long Beach City College, then in 1953 got my BA at the University of Redlands where I met and married my wife Connie. After a tour in the army during the Korean War, I received my MA at Long Beach State College. Sports was my world back then. I was an All-League basketball player in high school and college. I played on a national championship volleyball team with Hollywood YMCA in 1961. I was selected to play on the USA volleyball team in the Pan American games. I also won 2 club championships in golf.
Growing up I spent most of my summers in Yosemite and I worked there for six years. I hiked most of the John Muir trails and loved the scenery, rivers, snow cap mountains, trees, clouds etc. I get my inspiration from the places I have seen personally. Connie and I have traveled to over 62 countries. We had three motorhomes and have driven over 360,000 miles around the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Currently Connie and I live in Leisure World Seal Beach and as of 2023 we have been married for 70 years. I have been Vice President of the art league for about 10 years. I have sold my art in the Regency Hotel in Huntington Beach and also display my work in the “Spotlight on the Artist” show in Leisure World and the office of The Sun newspaper in Seal Beach.
I hope you enjoy my work. I am happy to recreate your travel memories as well. Simply reach out to me on the Contact Page.
-Coach Jay Young