- Hunter Biden broke cover from his Malibu mansion Wednesday to load up on art supplies at the Blick art materials store in Los Angeles
- The president’s son spent 25 minutes stocking up on paint and other materials, following the opening of his art show in New York City this week
- Hunter, who seems to have packed on a few pounds during lockdown, appeared to be wearing his newfound passion for art on his sleeve, literally, as he stepped out in a navy blue button-up shirt stained with paint
- His New York City art show launched with little fanfare Sunday despite drawing in a crowd of celebrity guests at the first exhibition at Hollywood’s famous Milk studios on October 2
- The shows had raised ethics concerns after the president’s son’s paintings were priced at $75,000 to half a million dollars
- The White House claims they are avoiding any ethical conflict by ensuring neither the president nor Hunter will know the identity of the buyers
- Gallerist Georges Bergès hosted both art shows in LA and New York City
A paint-splattered Hunter Biden broke cover from his Malibu mansion to load up on arts supplies in Los Angeles, days after the opening of his art show in New York City this week.
The president’s son, 51, was spotted on Wednesday afternoon making a trip to Blick art materials store in Santa Monica, where he spent 25 minutes buying paint and other utensils.
He was driven by a chauffeur in one of two black SUVs filled with Secret Service agents who made the 10-mile trip from the lavish $20k-a-month rental he shares with his wife Melissa and their baby son Beau.
He was escorted by his security detail as he left the store with a couple cans of paint.
Hunter, who seems to have packed on a few pounds during lockdown, appeared to be wearing his newfound passion for art on his sleeve, literally, as he stepped out in a navy blue button-up shirt stained with paint.
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He wore an indigo polo shirt underneath, paired with blue jeans, a baseball cap and shades. He also covered up with a face mask to protect himself from COVID-19.
The shopping trip suggests Hunter is keen to go back to the drawing board and create new works of art after finally showcasing his paintings to the public at two art exhibitions this month.
The scandal-ridden former lobbyist-turned-artist has drawn heavy criticism for selling his pieces – that are currently on show in New York City – for six-figure sums – unheard of for a debuting artist.
The art collection was put on display at the Georges Bergès Gallery in the SoHo district of Manhattan this weekend, as part of a two-day art show highlighting his works that kicked off in LA earlier this month.
The exhibition opened on Saturday with industry observers and ethics experts eagerly watching to see who purchases the $500,000 canvasses.
It was unclear how long the exhibition would last, but another artist is scheduled to launch their own show at the site on November 18, according to the gallery website.
Anyone wanting to see Hunter’s 15 works of art must make an appointment and be vetted in advance.
Exclusive DailyMail.com photos showed pieces of Hunter’s art work arriving on a truck and being delivered to the gallery on Tuesday as gallerist Georges Berges showed up at the venue with flowers.
The New York City exhibition launched with little fanfare despite drawing in a crowd of celebrity guests at Hollywood’s famous Milk studios on October 2.
Hunter himself also attended the event,where he and gallery manager Georges Bergès entertained around 200 people including his wife Melissa and two of his daughters, 27-year-old Naomi Biden and Maisy Biden, 20, world champion boxer Sugar Ray Leonard, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, musician Moby, and other fellow rtists.
Biden’s wife, Melissa, a South African documentary maker, was spotted at the gallery supporting her husband on Saturday. On Sunday, only three people went to see the works.
Berges warned there wouldn’t be a large turnout for the New York show on Sunday, saying: ‘You’re not going to see much of a crowd today.’
When asked if there would be a formal opening of the show, Berges, who currently represents 16 artists, told The New York Post: ‘I don’t know.’
Potential buyers have instead been seen stopping by the gallery to view the works throughout the week.
On Wednesday, American economist Gene Epstein was pictured leaving the gallery but did not comment on whether he bought any art.
Artnet president Bill Fine also paid a visit to the exhibition. He told DailyMail.com Hunter’s artwork reminds him of ‘pointillism’ and the ‘American Southwest.’
Biden is described on Berges’ website as ‘a lawyer by profession’ who ‘now devotes his energies to the creative arts, bringing innumerable experiences to bear.’
The gallery states: ‘The results are powerful and impactful paintings ranging from photogenic to mixed media to the abstract.
‘His chosen substrates are canvas, yup paper, wood, and metal on which he affixes oil, acrylic, ink along with the written word; all of which creates a unique experience that has become his signature.’
Biden began painting as part of his recovery from addictions, and is said to have turned to his canvasses to deal with the stress of being central to attempts to impeach Donald Trump in 2019.
Joe Biden has been unwavering in his support for his son’s endeavor.
But ethics experts have expressed alarm, warning that anyone wanting to curry favor with the president could buy a painting to impress.
The White House has said that the buyers will be anonymous, to allay fears. Yet few believe that the identity of the purchasers will remain a secret for long.
Sources say lawyers are vetting individuals who want to view Biden’s paintings at Berges’s Manhattan gallery.
‘It is a whole process to get in to see the Biden show. You have to call the gallery in SoHo, and they are vetting people carefully,’ the source told the Post.
‘They laid down rules that thorough vetting of any collector has to be done by a team of lawyers.’
Officials have not revealed who hired the lawyers or the purpose behind the legal vetting.
On Sunday DailyMail.com revealed that Berges was photographed wearing a Camp David hat after Joe Biden visited the presidential retreat – sparking questions whether the controversial gallerist joined the first family there.
The picture was shared on Instagram on Thursday by renowned gossip columnist and celebrity interviewer George Wayne, who claims to have introduced Hunter to Berges.
‘GB shows up wearing a fabulous cap emblazoned with the Presidential seal and the words Camp David Presidential Retreat 46 all over it,’ Wayne wrote.
‘Say whaaa? Were you at Camp David last weekend with your artist Hunter Biden???!!!’
Though the writer is known for his tongue-in-cheek posts, a personal visit with the first family could prove a controversial move by the gallerist, who is under intense scrutiny amid fears that Hunter’s art sales could be a conduit for corrupt attempts to financially influence the Biden family.