Charlotte Steinway is the living, breathing embodiment of the theme of our latest artnet Auctions sale: “California Cool.” A Los Angeles native, Steinway recently moved back to her home city after nine years in New York. There, she continues her role as the North American Head of Content at Soho House, the international members’ club geared toward people in creative industries.

And so it comes as no surprise that Charlotte has a special appreciation for the artworks in “California Cool.” A tribute to West Coast artists and subjects, this online auction features an exceptional selection of paintings and prints by Ed Ruscha, Wayne Thiebaud, Ken Price, James Turrell, and David Hockney that will bring a distinctly sunny flair to any collection.

Read on for Charlotte’s top picks, and be sure to explore the sale now through July 10!

Decor for Inside Cup (1993)
Ken Price

Ken Price, Decor for Inside Cup (1993). Courtesy of artnet Auctions.

“I’m really drawn to this piece by Ken Price,” Steinway says. “At first glance, it could be a watercolor of a scenic vista—perhaps some trees in a park or a city by the sea. But upon closer inspection, it depicts heavy machinery, in the form of power plants and refineries. The image reminds me of driving down from LA to visit my grandmother in Manhattan Beach as a child, when we’d pass the smoke stacks in Redondo and Huntington Beach on the way to her quaint little beachfront home. Much of the Southern Californian coast reflects a similar duality of pristine beaches against coastal power plants.”

Suite from Aten Reign (2015)
James Turrell

James Turrell, Suite from Aten Reign (2015). Courtesy of artnet Auctions.

“I love that this piece was inspired by Turrell’s installation at the Guggenheim; translating the site-specific light work he did in Frank Lloyd Wright’s iconic curves to a static print. I was lucky enough to experience Turrell’s work Aural in Berlin at the Jewish museum, and Open Field in Naoshima at the Chichu Art Museum, and this piece reminds me of those travels. I’m also a sucker for neon, especially neon pink.”

Shelf Still Life (2018)
Jonas Wood

Jonas Wood, Shelf Still Life (2018). Courtesy of artnet Auctions.

“Maybe the fact that I played basketball growing up explains why I gravitate to Jonas Wood’s work. This piece in particular, while lacking a basketball, is a perfectly modern still life. I love all of the prints, the pop of color from the fruit, and the fact that the dinosaurs remind me of trips to Cabazon on drives out to Palm Springs.”

The Wave (1990)
David Hockney

David Hockney, The Wave (1990). Courtesy of artnet Auctions.

“David Hockney’s work is quintessentially Californian to me. I grew up looking at his paintings of poolscapes and palm trees and remember being surprised when I found out later in life that he was British. This piece—complete with the perfect barrel wave—makes me want to (finally) learn how to surf.”

Eleven Pieces of Cheese (1976)
Ed Ruscha

Ed Ruscha, Eleven Pieces of Cheese (+3 other works; 4 works from Various Cheeses) (1976). Courtesy of artnet Auctions.

“I love anything with a sense of humor, and anything involving cheese, so this Ed Ruscha work resonates with me on deep level. There’s a playful element to the planetary context; I’ve seen Swiss cheese likened to the moon before, but I’d say this looks like sharp cheddar constellations rotating around one another with a sense of purpose, plus another one jettisoned off into space.”

Find these and other artworks live for bidding in the “California Cool” auction now through July 10.