Buff Monster @ Corey Helford Gallery 4/14/12
April 13, 2012
Nick’s Cafe: New to me, but not Los Angeles.
August 30, 2011
This past weekend I wanted to find a new breakfast place in Downtown LA. There’s a gazillion yummy restaurants, but I wanted to find a new dive-perhaps a place I could go every weekend. I was craving The Pantry, but I was little under-the-weather and didn’t want to stand in line. And then….I found Nick’s!
Right past Chinatown, on the way to St. Vincent’s, there’s it was. I must have driven by it a hundred times, and never really noticed it.
Well, It’s been there since 1942. And, according to our lovely waitress, people who frequented the place back then still come in now.
Parking was a breeze. There’s a parking lot. And, on our way in, I noticed two becca pieces, so I knew the place was cool.
Here’s one of the Beccas:
When I got inside, I realized Nick’s would be a perfect location for a movie involving a diner. Just take down the tons of amazing Los Angeles ephemera hanging on the walls, and the diner could be anywhere.
I imagined Bukowski frequenting Nick’s. It seems like his sort of place. The staff seemed to know everyone. The waitresses were super friendly and down-to-earth. They were not actresses. They were professionals. There were so many scrumptious items on the menu that we requested their help picking our breakfast.
This is what we got:
My friend got eggs and corned beef hash with a side of bacon (which was amazing). I got the Scrambled SoCal.
Everything was delicious, fresh and homemade. The only downside–my scrambled egg portion seemed a bit small.
I’ll definitely be returning. I want the wait staff to know my name.
Love in Los Feliz.
August 16, 2011
I love this photo I took of the Andre piece in Los Feliz.
DTLA:Where Anything Goes-Like Angel City Brewery
May 22, 2011
“We love it Downtown! Anything goes…,” one of my 23-year-old friends told me yesterday.
Earlier in the day, she posted on Facebook that she was going to be Downtown. I texted her, and it turns out she was in the city for the Red Bull Soapbox Race. We made plans to meet up at Angel City Brewery in the Arts District. I was excited to go, as I had never been–and it’s been open for over a month now. I once considered myself to be a sort of connoisseur of all things AD. I’ve lived here for about six years now, and I’ve seen this place change….grow into a real destination.
At night, the streets were once empty–looking like a city set. The AD is often used for filming–especially for creepy murder scenes on CSI. But now, the streets are rarely vacant. People come from all over–even the West Side (like my friend) to experience the art, energy and amazing food/drink DTLA has to offer-especially the Arts District.
I once had more time to explore my neighborhood But now, I’m so consumed with work, that I don’t have as much time for downtown adventures. I’d like to bring back my “Local Celebrity” posts. I’ve been planning an interview with Joseph Pitruzzelli (co-owner) of Wurstkuche (and basically, like,the mayor of the AD) for like a year now. It will happen eventually–I promise.
Sorry for the tangent; my point being that I’m kinda upset I haven’t been to Angel City Brewery earlier. It’s just down the street from Wurstkuche and has lots of free (yes, free!) parking.
At 27,000 sq ft, the place is huge. Apparently, the building was once a cable factory (the kind of cables that go on big bridges). The space is really industrial, which I adore.
Angel City is open Thursday-Sunday (see website for details). They don’t sell food, just yummy, locally-brewed beer. The beer is only $5 for a pint of one of the four selections on tap.
You can get food from food-trucks that park outside the building. The space hosts music and art events.
Right now there is a Street Art exhibit going on in conjunction with the MOCA exhibit. Becca and Saber are some of the artists who have pieces for sale in the gallery. Actually, the whole space is like a gallery (see photos above). And, there’s a giant slide.
You’re not supposed to climb up or down the slide–but I think they should open it up and make it a centerpiece attraction- like Trail Dust Steakhouse in Denver (I’ll never forget that old slide).
I mean the whole operational slide would fit perfectly into my description of Angel City Brewery. The only way I can describe the place is like an indoor park. It’s so spacious, and there’s picnic tables for seating. You can even bring your own picnic dinner. They should add some see-saws and monkey bars. It would be perfect! I mean, it’s Downtown–where anything goes, right?
Playfully Patching Potholes in Paris
May 3, 2011
“guerrilla knitting”
adore
Art in the Streets @MOCALosangeles
April 24, 2011
I’m a huge fan of street art. My friend Matt introduced me to the beauty of graffiti and other urban art ages ago. We’d drive around town and look for new work. I actually think that’s how I ended up finding my loft in the Arts District six years ago. No one would come over here. It was pretty bare–except for the walls of the old buildings, which were decorated with spray paint. I fell in love with the industrial part of the city.
Shortly after I moved into my loft, I traveled to France, where I discovered one of my favorite street artists- Fafi. I used one of her pieces as the inspiration for my commercial design thesis.
I’m still so inspired by the work I see on the streets. Right now, The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA as an exhibit completely devoted to Street Art. If you get a chance–you simply must check out this collection. It’s more of an experience than merely a trip to the museum.
See below for my experience in photos:
Wall Painting by Supakitch and Koralie
November 6, 2010
Click here to see the video.
Our new intern posted this on her twitter account. I love finding cool things via twitter.
I adore the colors in this piece. Supakitch and Koralie are incredibly talented.
More about Supakitch.
More about Koralie.
What a cool collaboration?! Love it.
Speaking of urban art—someone recently placed this rad rat in the Arts District:
More and more fabulous street art is appearing in the Arts District. Yay!
(I am quite sad the Phil lumbang Bears were painted over).
Leo DiCaprio & I are Obsessed with…becca
August 29, 2010
I found the two becca street art pieces at the corner of 7th and Mateo–in my neighborhood (the Arts District). I’ve seen her work before, but only in photos. I did a little research about becca, and found out she’s a renowned street-turned-studio artist.
““From the littered streets of Hollywood to the whitewashed walls of its hotspot galleries and cultural institutions, the reclusive artist known to a nation of enchanted spectators simply as ‘Becca’ has brought her tale of urban alienation and sly humor to life in the form of her innocent little girls and elegant ladies.” –Juxtapoz cover story, Jan/Feb 1999 Issue #18
The above comes from an article in Juxtapoz magazine written over 10 years ago. In the last 15 years, becca’s work have been snapped up by Leonardo Dicaprio, Norman Reedus, The Getty Family and other esteemed art collectors.
Here are some studio pieces:
Stumbled Upon Site of the Day…
July 29, 2010
I just stumbled upon a super cool blog. I don’t know much about this guy from Seattle–but he’s pretty rad.
From his about section:
“I’m just a guy who decided he was tired of doing absolutely nothing and wanted to try one small step up from that.
My name’s Kyle Hepworth and I do one something a week in Seattle.”
So in his most recent post, this guy Kyle, shows you how to make Mario Bros. Coins and put them up all over the city (LOVE this). He’s quite a creative cat—look at his truckstache. I wish there were more entries….dig his style.
*Photo property of Kyle Hepworth
