Street Art Gets the Royal Treatment at L.A.’s Lab Art Gallery

Lab Art Gallery is the largest gallery in the nation dedicated to street art, all in an amazing 6,500-square-foot space.

As I blogged a couple of weeks ago, I’ve been taking a collaging class at Barnsdall Art Center in Hollywood. I’ve been intending to find local art shows for inspiration but before I could seek anything out, the art found me.

A mutual friend introduced me to Carlos Ulloa at Hollywood’s Yamashiro’s Farmers’ Market a couple of weeks ago. He’s the Designer and Project Manager of Yamashiro’s restaurant, but also a talented artist – collage, in fact. I saw a sampling of his work at the market, and he referred me to his show at Lab Art in L.A. – the largest art gallery in the nation dedicated to street art. I visited last week and fell in love with Carlos’ “Anchored Down,” as well as a number of other pieces by the incredibly talented group of street artists represented there.

I am so grateful the gallery allows photographs so I can share these amazing pieces with you (though nothing compares to seeing them up close and personal).

"Anchored Down" by Carlos Ulloa

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Exploring the Collage of Creativity at Barnsdall Art Park

Colorful murals decorate the exterior walls of the Barnsdall Art Center building at Barnsdall Art Park in Hollywood.

If you’ve read The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron, you may have tried the collaging exercises, piecing together random images into a cohesive map of what you want your life to look like. I loved it – as an exercise and as an art – so in recent months I’ve been looking around for a collaging class to take it to the next level.  But after Google turned up nothing in my area, I let it go, consciously turning it over to the universe. It was just a few weeks later when a seemingly random invite from a friend led me to the Barnsdall Art Park where I discovered the Barnsdall Art Center and where, low-and-behold, a new collaging class was starting up soon.

It’s been years since I sat in a classroom; I forgot how comfortably humbling it is – surrendering my time and attention to someone whose direction I accept without judgment.

I cannot speak highly enough of our instructor, Naomi. I could sit in her presence for hours, watching her play with different collaging techniques. She may have demonstrated them a thousand times, but she still seems struck by the process, as though it’s a new discovery for her too. That’s art, I guess – we can all use the same techniques over and over again, but the expression is different every time.

Read full article at FlutteringIvy.com….

March Into Anarchy Scared the Hell Out of Me, and Other Reasons Why You Must Go

Founded in 1981, this is The Actors' Gang 30th Anniversary season.

I was warned. Though I don’t remember her exact words, the woman introducing “Satiristas Live: March Into Anarchy” at The Actors’ Gang Theatre last Tuesday night suggested those of us who may be uncomfortable with all that a “march into anarchy” implies should leave the building. I remember feeling only a tinge of amused discomfort because nothing within my realm of live theater experience could have informed the fear I felt for the next 90 minutes (a guesstimate, as the last thing on my mind was keeping an eye on the time).

Involving the audience is one thing. Scaring the hell out of them is another. Granted, I’m probably not representative of the masses. I hate being the center of just about any attention. Honestly, it was my worst nightmare – this march of bizarre characters milling, mingling, marching, crouching, running and jumping through the audience, expecting us to react and interact. Thank goodness my boyfriend was with me, seated on an aisle and comfortably deflecting as much attention from me as possible.

I thought I was going to a play, the ultimate observer’s experience. Instead I was involved in what seemed an eternal assault on my normal, my comfort, my personal space — at any moment, from any direction, from any walk of life. And that, my friends, is why “March Into Anarchy” is so f’ing brilliant.

Read full story at Fluttering Ivy Media….

Much Obliged, Ladies, for The Rendezvous with Cherry Boom Boom!

No pics of the ladies in action can possibly do justice to Cherry Boom Boom. Though I do like this abstract of sorts. Look real close and you can see a girl spinning from a flying trapeze. Can't make it out? Guess you'll just have to go!

It’s not like me to break into ass-shaking dance in front of the mirror, but I can’t seem to help myself after last night’s Cherry Boom Boom burlesque show – “The Rendezvous” – at the King King Hollywood. I was blown … a… way! It’s smart, sexy, funny, creative, inspiring, feel-good live theater that is a must-see. I swear to you, and as my friend Michele can attest, I had a smile on my face from beginning to end at the sheer spectacle of it all, and the level of talent assembled on stage.

Cherry Boom Boom is Lindsley Allen’s baby — the creator, choreographer and artistic director. After reading her bio, it’s no wonder I’m so impressed. She toured with Prince as Darling Niki (the stage name she uses today) during his Around the World in a Day Tour. Lindsley was also a founding member, co-artistic director and choreographer of the Pussycat Dolls. And she did choreography for Charlie’s Angels 2, as well as Carmen Elektra’s Aerobic Striptease.

Read full story at Fluttering Ivy Media….

Love My New Eco-Friendly Biz Cards from Moo.com

Laszlito Kovacs design at Moo.com

It was love at first sight of this Laszlito Kovacs design that I found at Moo.com. Printed on 100 percent recycled paper that’s chlorine- and acid-free. They’re even made in a factory that runs on wind power.

My first card when to Lloyd Sax today, the Director of Artists Relations for Artists Palooza. We met at the Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots Day of Peace event at the Santa Monica Pier. Look for my pics, thoughts and social review soon at Fluttering Ivy Media.