inner-city kids

My Mystery Minimalist

February 28, 2019 by Lonnie Lardner

(Pic #1) Little Alexander’s minimalist contribution to our art workshop. For him, it was more about what not to paint.

For the last 30 years I’ve had the joy of running art workshops for hundreds of inner-city kids in South Central LA. Each session offers a chance for every child to express his most creative instincts. There are no rules. No instruction. Just a few hours of unbridled artistic energy.

(Pic #2) Fearless self expression in paint, metallic powders, cotton balls, and buttons.

With that kind of freedom, we typically witness franetic applications of paint, glitter, confetti, stickers, beads and, well, pretty much anything that glue can keep on the page. (Pic #2) Layers upon layers of color, texture, and goo. It’s almost as if it’s their last day on earth, and if they don’t load up their artwork with 16 pounds of “stuff” there will be no trace they even passed through.

So when I spotted the pure red and black minimalist painting above, I freaked. Kids don’t do that. If there are jars of glitter and glue, they will be emptied. Paints are poured, poured again, and almost nothing is left on the table.

Minimalism is defined as a 1950s abstract art movement whose pieces “minimize distractions and focus on only what matters.” The boy who painted the minimalist piece on top apparently gets that. In fact, I think it takes a certain discipline and clarity of thought to eliminate objects from a painting instead of adding them.

My only regret is that I didn’t get to meet this young Ellsworth Kelly. He apparently skipped out and left his work on the sidewalk. Another perfect artist move.

The Holy Truth About Halloween: It Never Was About The Candy

October 31, 2018 by Lonnie Lardner

(Pic #1) Young artist contemplates the next level of color. Laser focus. The Next Gen Helen Frankenthaler?

For the last 30 years, we’ve sponsored art workshops for children in the often forgotten heart of the inner-city, South Central Los Angeles. Since 1988, we’ve offered holiday painting sessions with no rules. The community turns out very time, and an unbridled sense of self-expression — though paint, glitter, beads and pipe cleaners — takes over the neighborhood park. Toddlers, teens, grandmas and Moms sit with one another for hours — making art. I’ve written about this experience many times. And each year I think — have I hit the wall? Will these workshops become more of a hassle than a beacon of light?

NEVER.

(Pic #2) World famous abstract painter Helen Frankenthaler in her New York studio, 1969. Photograph by Ernst Haas / Getty Images

Every year, we witness fearlessness, freedom of artistic expression, and for a few hours, the absence of anyone telling the kids they have to “do it this way.” They splatter paint; they collage. They toss glitter all over the room, and in the end, they’ve spent the day like an artist: exploring, pushing the envelope, and having a blast. There’s no angst, no second thoughts, no insecurity. I guess you could call it a brand of reckless abandon that starts with no real plans to speak of, a table full of colorful clutter, and ends with remarkable original work. And they don’t even know it. Nor do they care.

More often than not, I see kids using materials in ways I had never thought of — and I’ve been making art since I was four. My artist friend, Julia Strickler volunteers every year. Today she told me she’s “in constant awe” observing how open the children are — that even when they’re shy, “art creates a connection.” And you can’t help but notice they just ooze pure joy. Julia says when they make something that is uniquely theirs — “every detail is beautiful — the colors, the sparkles, and even the drips.”

Picasso once said, “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.” I’m hopeful these extraordinary talents figure that out.

BTW, I didn’t see one child playing games on his Mom’s iPhone, nor did we hear any whining. Check out our photos and maybe you’ll see why.

Thank you, Benita Dixon and staff at the Van Ness Recreation Center for welcoming our Hope’s Nest volunteers into your most spirited, creative commmunity.

The Ultimate Christmas Gift: Creativity

December 30, 2012 by Lonnie Lardner

(Pic #1) Emma, a young South Central L.A. artist catches me painting outside the lines. Photo by Anita Bartlett.

I just got back from South Central LA, where for the 24^th straight year, we held a Christmas party and art workshop for inner-city kids. More than 500 children lined up around Loren Miller park for a few hours of uncomplicated fun. They all received toys and little goodie bags with some holiday treats they might not have gotten otherwise. Those who wanted, got a little face time with Santa, and everyone got to paint.

Every year, there is small army of volunteers that comes down to help. Invariably they tell me it’s one of the most rewarding experiences they’ve ever had. I know it is for me.

Except…

These days, as the number of kids we serve has steadily grown, I have to function as a sort of an organizational ringmaster, the one overseeing the project, supplies, and logistics – the big picture. I was lamenting to my husband this morning, that in some ways I miss the early days when the kids measured in the dozens and not the hundreds.

(Pic #2) Future L.A. Times art critic?

Those days, I got to sit with a table-full of little ones, side-by-side, and jump in – just making art. It wasn’t just rewarding, it was fun. For a few minutes, that piece of construction paper in front of them, with paint and glitter slathered all over it, wasn’t just the most important thing in the world — it was the best amoxicillin thing in the world. I used to think it was because those kids were from the most impoverished neighborhoods in L.A., and have so little in the way of material bounty. But that’s not it.

Earlier this year I was on a flight from New York, enjoying a rare first class upgrade. Across the aisle was a 7 year-old-girl with her mom. She wore designer clothes, and was watching a movie on her iPad. As I often do on planes, I took out some markers and started to play. When I noticed her staring, I asked if she wanted some markers and paper. Within 3 minutes, that little piece of paper in front of her wasn’t just the most important thing in her life, it was the best. scla girl smiles 4tlr She reminded me of myself at 7 — begging my mom to postpone lights-out for just ten minutes, so I could draw one more silly monster.

I think it has nothing to do with race, or gender… or age or privilege. I think we all have this overpowering need to create something that is uniquely ours. It may be as essential as any drive a human being has.

Or…it may just be fun.

I could seriously go on about this for hours, but I just discovered an unopened box of colored pencils left over from our workshop today…. and lights-out is still ten minutes away… so, I gotta go.

scla CU art 4rlr

scla girl shows art 4tlr

scla demet and boy smile 4tlr

(Pic #4) Some came for Santa, others came to paint.