The Lardner Report

Unleash your creative superpowers!

Embracing Chaos: My Happy Place

by

Honestly, I’ve been super stressed lately — working on multiple projects — navigating Covid angst, and examining that need to re-define what we do and who we are. My sanctuary is my little art studio — no matter what threat level of chaos I’m handling. On this day, I was cranking out “scribble sketches” (more on that another time) and got lost in the Byzantine patterns of marks and scratches.

My husband walks in and says, “Why are you stressing?” (He can usually feel it in the next county.) I say, “I’m a bit overwhelmed.” Josh says, “I see. But from where I stand, the artist-at-work and the artist-at-play look very much the same.”

I just got grateful. It struck me that I am one of the lucky ones. No matter how many tasks I face, or how much pressure I feel, I get to bathe in creative expression. It’s something I never appreciate enough, and pray I’ll always have.

 

Drive-By Art Shows! Yes, It’s A Thing

by

(Pic #1) “Stay Strong 2020” by Joan Wulf, Los Angeles. Featured in the new drive-by “De-Fence Art Show” at the Santa Monica Airport.

Artists find new ways of getting more eyes on their work. Call it Covid Creative.

An artist’s default position typically lands on the fresh and new. It’s what defines him/her as an artist. They think differently, and they act differently. Even corporate America has decided creativity is “more important” than integrity or discipline among the world’s top CEOs.*  So it’s no surprise that artists have discovered fresh ways of showing their art — while keeping us “Covid safe.”

Last weekend, what started in New York made its way to the east side of LA.  This weekend, expect to see streets west of Western (see map here) lined with assorted artwork — by 120 different artists. According to Drive-by-Art (the guys who started the trend on Long Island) the in-car experience creates “a sense of needed solidarity” within the artistic communities. There will be dayside and nighttime showings.

You may know some of the participating artists — established  Los Angeles favorites like Lita Albuquerque and Kenny Scharf — who will show alongside some of LA’s best emerging artists. For more info, visit the Drive-By website: called, Drive-by-Art.

(Pic #2) Featured on KCRW: Painter Eric Dever installed his artwork outside in South Fork, Long Island. Image courtesy of Drive-by-Art.

(Pic #3) “Behind, under, around” Installation for Durden and Ray by Brenna Ivanhoe and Nancy Ivanhoe. Mixed media. Image provided by Durden and Ray.

Through June 20th — a sort of “scavenger hunt” map of a citywide art exhibition around L.A. sponsored by Durden and Ray art collective. The exhibit features nearly 100 artists who have installed public artwork from Santa Monica to the east side, from the valley to Long Beach. Alleyways, front yards, to chain link fences. (Pic #3) (See map here.)

And starting tomorrow, you have a month to check out the art around the Santa Monica Airport. (Pic #1)  It’s an exhibition called “De-Fence Art” — “an outdoor exhibition in the time of isolation.” 12 noon to sunset. Masks and social distancing required. Address: 3026 Airport Drive, Santa Monica, CA 90405.

The impact on participating artists is deep. Many have been apprehensive about the post Covid art market, and rightly so. So the opportunity to share new work and connect with art-lovers in person provides a sense of hope. What’s more, says artist Sean Noyce, “this simply helps us and our community realign our spirits.”

* IBM Creativity study here.

Verified by MonsterInsights