Watts, B&W

Some more to snack on from Watts

sk8 park, part dos

The sun was going down when I headed over to the skate park to see my friend Tim dominate..the lighting produced some gnarly grainy film when I shot into the sun, but fun to see what I got a month later. I love shooting film and constantly being surprised by what comes out of that tank when I finally get around to processing! 

-L

Throwbacks

It's so weird to imagine who that little person making these things was... Just a couple of funny things I found when my mom and I were going through old stacks of art projects we saved long ago. I got a kick out of the spattered blood all over the French and Indian War project...I'm surprised my teacher didn't send me to the office for some psych testing or something.

The letter is OBviously from George Bush senior, although the spelling probably more closely corresponds to George Dubbya. My sister and I were forward-thinking little kids..

-L

Watts Towers

First, I cannot believe I neglected to post for over a month. New Years resolution...at least one post per week..

That being said, today I took an adventure with some friends to Watts where you can find these towers hiding out amidst one story houses and old workers' bungalows. The story of Simon Rodia is intriguing to say the least. After divorcing his wife and setting out to "do something big", he spent the next 34 years building this elaborate world of towers (which are remarkably structural...) and adorned with hundreds of thousands of tiles and found pieces of glass and ceramic. After 34 years he moved to Oakland and gave the property to his neighbor. Eventually two men bought it for $20 and worked to restore and protect it. Insane.

So, seeing this brings forth the question of whether the need for creative expression in some people leads to isolation and self indulgence....or can you have it all? But then maybe it takes people like Simon to sacrifice their life to the making of gems like this one.

palos verdes 11.7.10

These colors and perspectives can only begin to describe the scene Sunday afternoon at Bluff Cove in Palos Verdes... a super low tide uncovered thousands of creatures creeping around the rocks. The hike lit up by constantly changing light from the approaching sunset - you can even see the colors starting to change in the panoramic I snapped on my phone. Surfers paddling in as the last sunlit wave rolls into the cove. Dogs running around off leash - in particular one adorable floppy-eared (a must) dobe. I have to bring a sketchbook here next time. And a beverage. 

...the pink and blue clouds may require 3D glasses, no?

Pano - Santa Monica/Venice are wayyyy off to the right on the horizon, the cove is to the left, and see if you can find the hiker...ok it's not that hard actually.

-L

guess who

The beginnings of a small portrait - I kind of don't want to finish it... More to come.

-LK

DC

Aerospace Museum / meeting FDR / Smithsonian Hirshhorn Art Museum / sculpture at the Hirshhorn / WWII Memorial.

DC was very different from what I remembered it to be like. The weather was amazing, and walking the mall, museums, monuments and downtown felt like being in Europe in the summer time. I didn't realize that buildings aren't allowed to exceed the height of the capital, giving the city a very Parisian-like feel. At the same time though, everything down to the subway entrances has a massive, monument-like quality that seems appropriate for a nation's capital, but is a funny out-of-scale type of feeling when walking around the city. It's similar to how you feel driving through the mountains - aware of how small you really are.

We spent some time at the WWII Monument, which I really enjoyed - one I don't remember from my days as a young tourist.. The Lincoln Memorial is definitely still my favorite. We were also lucky enough to tour the West Wing with our own private insider ;) Sunday we ventured over to the Eastern Market, which felt like a completely different city. I'll be back!

Oh, and best meal: Bistro du Coin in Dupont Circle