lost highways.

Hi there! Welcome back. Let's not waste any time and get to the love.

Today we are loving the paintings of Long Island-based artist Grant Haffner. Lonely roads dotted only with telephone poles come alive with neon skies. A deceptive emptiness is transformed with mesmerizing plays of color. You don't care where it all leads. You're just happy to be on the the best road trip ever. You can see more of these stunning pieces at Haffner's site and on Instagram. Via UFunk.

All art © Grant Haffner

Also loving: tomorrow night's (Saturday, November 14) art openings.

FP Contemporary hosts "In Tribute," a retrospective of artist Dirk De Bruycker, who passed away this year. 6-8 p.m.

Art © Dirk De Bruycker

Allois presents "No Particular Night or Morning" at the bG Gallery, 6-9 p.m.

Art © Allois

And the David Kordansky Gallery shows "Starfuker" by Aaron Curry, 6-8 p.m.

That's all for now. I'll be back next week with more to love. xoL

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

landscape.

Well. well. Here we are again.

Today we are loving the landscape paintings of Claire Sherman. These subtly abstract works remind me of one of my first college writing assignments: find a square inch of ground and write about out. Sherman focuses on fragments of nature with gradient colors and a variety of brushstrokes, giving the micro scenes a new perspective--sometimes desolate, sometimes richly detailed--and at times a juxtaposition of both. They are delicate, little worlds all their own. As the artist states:

               "It is less about representing a specific place, and more about how 
                paint can create an experience of a space that is both alluring and 
                terrifying. My interest is in a space that falls apart as it begins to 
                congeal and questions our relationship to the conventions of landscape.”

See more of Sherman's beautiful work at her site. Via Art Fucks Me.

All art © Claire Sherman via Art Fucks Me

Some great art shows tonight if you're looking for Saturday night fun in Los Angeles.

The David Kordansky Gallery is showing "Ricky Swallow /SKEWS/."

" Jamison Carter: A Cold War" is premieres at Klowden Mann.

And the George Billis Gallery presents "Sarah Williams: Flyover Territory."

Click on the links for locations and times. I have to get ready to go out! xoL

jonas wood.

Hi. We're back, and today we're loving the art of Jonas Wood.

I've been wanting to feature Mr. Wood's work for some time, and his graphic line drawings--both botanical and whimsical--pop up on many of the sites I follow. This L.A.-based artist draws mostly plants, urban houses and wonderfully-detailed interiors (also: dogs--bonus!). It all feels like a modern-day jungle.

But Wood hails from Boston, and you'll notice he throws in touches of old-school Bean Town to quintessential L.A. scenes. A living room that looks like retro wallpaper seats a brah in a Celtics jersey shirt smoking a cigarette. Look out onto an idyllic California patio, and you'll spy a balding dude in boxers creeping. I love it when art makes me chuckle. I also love his landscapes of crowded homes, both East Coast- and West Coast-style.

Wood has also been commissioned to do large-scale, outdoor art--a billboard at Manhattan's High Line and the exterior of LAXArt. I guess it's opportune that I waited to feature him, because tomorrow night he will be signing copies of Jonas Wood: Paintings and Drawings at Family, 436 North Fairfax from 7-9 p.m. I think it will be fun.

Interior with Fireplace, 2012

MV Landscape, 2008

Schindler Apts, 2013

Green Room, 2012

                                            Shelf Still Life, High Line Billboard, 2014

LAXArt Facade, 2014

All art (c) Jonas Wood via the David Kordansky and Anton Kern Galleries

That's all for today. I think it's enough--don't you? But I'll be back with more soon. Love, L.