Memo Pisa el Lodo

Lurker

2007-08-08T18:34:00.000-07:00

The LA Weekly recently started a graffiti and street art blog.

Estrada Courts

2007-07-24T17:28:00.000-07:00

Check out this excellent post by El Chavo on the Estrada Court murals that he posted on metroblogging Los Angeles.

Funding for the (NoHo) Arts

2007-07-03T11:16:00.000-07:00

I recently got an email fromLA City Nerd:

Know any arts organizations in NoHo that might need funding? They have about a week to complete this:

http://www.crala.net/internet-site/Projects/North_Hollywood/upload/RFQNP3511.pdf

testing

2007-05-28T15:02:00.001-07:00

testing

2007-05-15T12:13:00.000-07:00

I have been on hiatus for the past few months.

I have been doing some thinking about what I want to do in terms of blogging. I'll post more on that later.

Interview with Celso

2007-01-10T12:16:00.000-08:00

I noticed that Celso was in town recently and I wanted to ask him a few questions about his work and Los Angeles...

How was your trip to LA?
Awesome. I was so busy making and putting out works I didn't get to hang out with friends and fam. The weather was perfect on a few days too - no smog, clear skies and you could see the San Gabriel Mountains...LOVE when that happens.

What are some of your favorite things to do in LA?
Margaritas at El Coyote (trashy goodness), late night carne asada at King Taco and burritos at Adolfo's on PCH...

What are some of your favorite places in LA to see art (of any kind)?
I always drop by LACMA, Self-Help Graphics, SixSpace and like seeing all the fresh stuff on the streets and alleys too. I love older nabes, downtown and Mulholland Drive - the entire city is a glowing work of art at night.

Photo of Rodeo Dr.

What were some of your favorite places to hit up?
I like to hit places where I use to live but sometimes you stumble across a great spot or view and you just steal it. I love the fact that you can get up in broad daylight and no one seems to care. Non-traditional spots are the best, really and areas that haven't been crushed to death by mass produced stuff. I enjoy making original works and lately I'm working with Plexiglas because it really works with light and the urban landscape. The posted series (real estate and political signs) I developed in upstate New York over the summer and just knew it would work best in LA because of all the traffic....It's a cheap and double sided canvas/sculpture/installation and I found a ton of them in Orange Co.

Tell me about your character(s).
I work with models when I can afford them but usually I get friends to pose for me and when all else fails I can usually find my inspiration in the back of the LA Weekly or X-Press :)

Ever had any run-ins with the law while putting your stuff up around LA?
Not in L.A. but I've made a few acquaintances at the NYPD...

Who are some of your favorite artists?
Robbie Conal for his political posters, David Hockney's LA, Michael Amescua (of East LA) for his metal work, Ellsworth Kelly for his use of pure color, Warhol and his screen tests, and also Die Brucke expressionists like Otto Mueller. Of course, I can't forget Tiki-Jay for his passion and sculptures and my crew in NYC - Gore-B, Infinity, Dark Clouds and the Skewville bros to name just a few....

What inspires you?
My wife because she'll kill me if I left her out :) but she really is amazing. I'm also inspired by the people I meet, the uniqueness of individuals, natural landscapes, and a good motorcycle ride.

What was it like collaborating with Tiki Jay?
TJ rocks! We worked the entire time we were together - he's a machine! He killed Brooklyn and SoHo when he was here a few months ago and he showed me some great spots I'd never been to in So. Cal.

What are your observations about LA street art? –And to what extent
does it differ from NY street art?
LA is so spread out and a completely different environment to hit than New York. I usually work small here because space is such a premium. A door can get filled up in a matter of days but in LA the sky's the limit and you could literally paint the town if you can afford it. I'm inspired by the artists who work along the Freeways - I mean those works have to pop at 65mph! I want to come back soon and work a bit larger in certain places. In New York finding a spot and maintaining it is part of the challenge. I'd also like to see more colorful works in LA and I'm happy to be part of the mix.

That Abandoned Building on 3rd St

2007-01-10T11:08:00.000-08:00

On Sunset Blvd

2007-01-09T17:03:00.000-08:00

Dred and Smear

A few pieces

2007-01-09T00:10:00.000-08:00

Found at that abandoned building on 3rd St the other day:

MBW

Found on the 101 Fwy

2007-01-05T23:19:00.000-08:00

Photo by uccloud9

Murals Murals Murals

2007-01-05T11:07:00.000-08:00

I was walking down some random street in East L.A. and I came across this gorgeous wall in the middle of a residential neighborhood:

This was an exciting find

2007-01-04T12:05:00.000-08:00

The prolific as heck Los Angeles street art photographer...Chele in LA!!!

Location: I don't think she'd want me to tell. ;)

That Abandoned Building on 3rd St

2007-01-03T11:08:00.000-08:00

Event at The Getty

2007-01-02T18:00:00.000-08:00

Modern Art in Los Angeles: Jerry McMillan, Ed Ruscha, and Mason Williams (panel discussion and performance)

Date: Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Location: Getty Center, Harold M. Williams Auditorium
Admission: Free; reservations required. Call (310) 440-7300 or use the "Make Reservation" button below.

In the 1940s, Oklahoma City produced a group of three young men who would go on to have a profound influence on American art, music, and photography. Jerry McMillan, Ed Ruscha, and Mason Williams were childhood friends, neighbors, and classmates who drove west on Route 66 after leaving high school to pursue their artistic dreams. Their destination was the seductive palm tree-lined shores of California.

Fifty years later, each is a distinguished artist in his respective field. This panel discussion reunites these friends, who will discuss their transition from Oklahoma to the City of Angels, their early careers, and the formation of an indigenous art scene in Los Angeles.

Click here for more info.

Beverly Blvd

2007-01-02T12:48:00.000-08:00

I went to The Art Store the other day and this is what I found right by the front steps:

Found on Traction Ave

2007-01-01T21:13:00.000-08:00

Right next to Zip Fusion:

Update

2007-01-01T15:44:00.000-08:00

'Sup people.

I just came back from San Francisco. Took a bunch of pictures. Stay tuned. Also, coming up is an interview with NY based Celso about his recent visit to Los Angeles.

Ms. T's Ties

2006-12-25T23:08:00.000-08:00

I was walking down Traction Ave the other day and I came across this lonesome tie right next to a phone pole of ties:

Two Cents

2006-12-24T22:15:00.000-08:00

I couldn't get a straight angle shot of this without getting in the way of traffic, so this angle will just have to do. On the corner of Sunset and Cahuenga...

2 cents

Is this by Shepard Fairey or not?

2006-12-23T14:31:00.000-08:00

Here is a very interesting piece I came across at The American Hotel:

I think it might be by Shepard Fairy, but I am not sure, since there is this piece missing:

Love and Sushi is the Answer

2006-12-21T20:53:00.000-08:00

I found this the other day by Zip Fusion (I wonder if the establishment will choose to keep it?):

On the Corner of Sunset Blvd and Cahuenga

2006-12-21T10:35:00.000-08:00

I found this on my walk back home from Amoeba Music the other day (check out a previous post on this spot):

(And only one of the two pennies put up by 2 cents is left).

Wheatepastes at The American Hotel

2006-12-20T15:54:00.000-08:00

I came across these at The American Hotel the other day:

Enik

This is the first time I have seen these two:

Space Invader

2006-12-20T09:54:00.000-08:00

Found on Beverly Blvd and Virgil:
Photo by uccloud9

Sunset Pacific Motel

2006-12-19T20:00:00.000-08:00

Surely you noticed this while passing by it if you have traveled down Sunset Blvd in Silverlake...

Well, maybe not the actual sign above but at least Mear's eye catching mural.

A few weeks ago I stopped by there to take some photos:

There were other shots that I couldn't really get because I am 5'2 and its moments like this that I wish I was taller.