this is boston.

Hey there. Back on a sweltering 100+ degree Sunday not because I like to work on the weekend, but because I've just been through a little bout of sickness, and there's something I wanted to make sure I told you about.

Today I'd like to talk about another great art exhibit on display at the Zevitas Marcus Gallery in Culver City. "This is Boston Not L.A." takes its name from the legendary 80s punk compilation that defined the Boston hardcore scene. While I was never a die-hard punk, I'm fascinated by the differences in the genre from city to city--Boston to D.C. (my personal fave) to Minneapolis to L.A. and Long Beach--and I'm sure there are many more.

But we're talking art here. The artists featured in this exhibition are all based in Boston or have strong ties to the city. I had the pleasure of taking in the exhibit recently, and I wanted to share these fascinating works with you. "This is Boston, Not L.A." is on view through October 31st. Let's take a look.

Displaced, 2014 © Cristi Rinklin

No Big Deal, We'll Go in Style, 2015 © Joe Wardell

Getting Nowhere, 2014 © Joe Wardell

Rhino, 2015 © Sheila Gallagher

Grace (Pink), 2014 © David X. Levine

the ambivalent, 2009-2013 © Steve Locke

the coward 2010-2012 © Steve Locke

the passenger, 2010-2012 © Steve Locke

Untitled, 2013 © Alex Lukas

Untitled, 2012 © Alex Lukas

All art via Zevitas Marcus Gallery

A few more things to love this week:

Clifton's Brookdale Cafeteria re-opens Monday, September 21st. Via L.A. Weekly.

Photo via LA Weekly

Shannon and the Clams play the El Rey, Wednesay, September 23rd.

And Elad Lassry opens a new show at David Kordansky, Thursday, September 24th.

Untitled (Bird), 2015 © Elad Lassry

That's all for today. I'll be back tomorrow with more to love. xoL

flyover.

Hello!

This weekend I had the pleasure of attending an opening for two wonderful artists at the George Billis Gallery in Culver City. Sarah Williams' "Flyover Territory," and "Thousand Skies" by L.A.'s Adam Harrison both struck a personal note. I come from a flyover state (Minnesota) and now live in Los Angeles. 

Sarah Williams hails from Missouri, and her paintings on tiny clapboard homes, lonely gas stations and abandoned buildings along country routes could be considered the flyover territories of "flyover territory. I love her houses decorated with subtle variations of Christmas lights and those with tv sets glowing through the windows. The beg the viewer to peer more closely to see what show is on--just like you do when you're walking a neighborhood street. Admit it--you've done this before.

All art © Sarah Williams via George Billis Gallery

The places in Adam Harrison's paintings felt like the ones I had driven by on the way to the opening--alleyways off Venice and Pico, mission churches, industrial areas, SoCal-style apartment buildings, along with some barely-furnished interiors. Many of these sights fly right by when I'm on the way to work or the store. But I remember being new to the city--how empty and bleak it could feel, both on the inside and out. These paintings take me back to that--in a good way--a part of my history in what is now my hometown.

All art © Adam Harrison via George Billis Gallery

Both artists are showing at George Billis until October 24th. I highly recommend taking a look. That's all for today, but I'll be back soon with more to love. xoL

witness.

Why, hello.

If you've been reading this blog as of late, you may have noticed that I'm into post-apocalyptic worlds where nature has (barely) survived and lone animals roam the desolate remains of civilization. Not sure why the current trend is dystopian--it's just my jam.

So it's no wonder that I'm loving the haunting paintings of Brian Mashburn. Witness, his new show of works, is on display at the Thinkspace Gallery in Culver City. Eerie and provocative, solitary wildlife (and the occasional child) prowl charred landscapes witnessing the detritus of industrial cities run riot. 

There's something baroquely magical in these works--the shrouds of pollution, the intricacy of barren trees, buildings like fortresses in the distance. Witness is on display at Thinkspace until August 8th.

All art (c) Brian Mashburn via Thinkspace Gallery

A few more things to love today:

This book cover.

The Bear cover by Per Ahlin, 1964

This room.

Photo via The Vintaquarian

And this film poster.

By Adam Simpson via Fuck Yeah, Movie Posters

That's all for now. I'll be back soon with move to love. xoL

her name is tran.

Well Monday, here we are again. But thank you for welcoming me with the otherworldly illustrations of L.A.-based artist Tran Nguyen. They have managed to keep me in a dreamy, surreal mood for most of the day.

All art © Tran Nguyen

More to love right now:

The ceviche negro I enjoyed this weekend at Petty Cash.

The view from Mulholland on my hike this morning.

And this fabulous new app that matches dog lovers and shelter pets for daily walks. Wonderful! Dogs get exercise and loving human interaction. Humans get a daily dose of doggie magic. Everybody wins here, people.

Image via @hellokingston

That's all for today. I'll see you tomorrow. xoL