beth hoeckel.

Hello again. We're already sliding into Friday...where does the time go? It's the first week of June, but it feels like November here in L.A. (love that!), and today we are loving the collages of Baltimore artist Beth Hoeckel.

Heockel's subjects gaze with awe--or just behave like silly humans--against stunning backdrops of nature and the universe. She captures what I love most: a sense for both gravitas and the absurd, all rolled into brilliant works of art. You can read an interview with the artist here and browse her pieces for sale at etsy and Society6. I think I'm going to be investing in a new iphone case very soon.

Moonrise from the Point of View series

April Showers from Point of View

Escape Route from the Evidents Series

Garden of Eden from Evidents

High Seas from the Veil series

Foliage from Veil

All art © Beth Hoekel

A few more things to love:

This swimsuit.

 These photos.

 Pachuca Rosie, Boyle Heights via La Infinita Tristeza

Love that First Fridays is tomorrow night at the Natural History Museum. I still haven't been, but I'm dying to go. The topics include "Finding L.A.'s Hidden Wildlife One Photo at a Time," "The Magic of Math" and "How Birdwatchers Can Save the World." Musical performances include Avid Dancer, Chicano Batman and Hanni El Khatib--his songs have recently been catching my ear.

And in honor of the alluring Mr. Khatib, here is your Song of the Day from his 2011 debut album When the Guns Come Out.

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

friday.

Hello! And happy Thursday. There are some super cool things happening in the L.A. area tomorrow, and I felt compelled to share them with you. Let's take a look.

1. Manifest Justice, a pop-up art exhibit opens at the historic Baldwin Hills Theater, 3741 La Brea. Over 150 artists from all over the world, including Shepard Fairey, Robbie Conal, Eric Fischl and more, will display works inspired by themes of social justice, equality and human rights. The exhibit runs through May 10th. Get all the details here.

Via Global Grind

2. It's Paris Photo weekend! The US edition of the world's most popular photography fair takes place Friday though Sunday at Paramount Studios. This has become BIG over the past couple of years, so if you want to go, get your ticket now.

Hands Up by Ken Gonzales Day via Paris Photo

3. Artist Genevieve Gaignard presents "A Golden State of Mind" tomorrow at The Cabin LA, a solo installation of photographs, collage and sculpture dramatizing "the contrast between her new life in Los Angeles with her nostalgia for for small New England hometown. Man, I can relate to that.  To RSVP, go here.

Pretty Hurts #2 by Genevieve Gaignard via Artsy

4. It's also First Fridays at the Natural History Museum. I've been dying to attend one of these! Mixing up science and nature with music the cool kids are all listening to--what more could you want on a Friday night?

Tomorrow night features a tour, "Finding L.A.'s Hidden Wildlife One Photo at a Time," a discussion on covalent and ionic bonding and performances by the bands Kinky and Salt Petal. You can buy tickets here.

Kinky (they're cute!) play the NHM First Fridays tomorrow night

5. And one of my favorite galleries, La Luz de Jesus, hosts an opening for artists Annie Murphy-Robinson and Jessica Dalva. I will definitely be there! La Luz has been one of my favorite places since I stepped foot in L.A., and the shows are always fun.

The One You Feed by Jessica Dalva via Cartwheel Art

There's no excuse to stay in tomorrow night...get out and have some fun!

Love, Lexa.