City of Murals

L.A.  That's right, City of Murals.  Betchadidntknowthat.  To be honest, the city hasn't done a good job protecting and inspiring street art.  Philadelphia, on the other hand, has been promoting city murals for 27 years.  Here in L.A., we need to grow up -- distinguish street art from tagging, and support the former.  Lucky us, we have a major advocate in Judy Baca and her amazing group at SPARC (Social and Public Art Resource Center).  SPARC is housed in the old Venice jail.  Just a tad of irony here, given the misconception that street art is criminal.  We're not talking about vandalism... so please, no lumping them in the same pot.  Anyhoo, how excited was I to meet Judy, several of her team members, friends, and students this week?  VERY.  Judy is mentioned - and some of her art is featured - in our new film From Prada To Nada.   Wilmer Valderrama, one of the film's stars, joined us to host an on-camera tour of SPARC.  This place oozes creativity and inspiration.  Come on L.A. -- shake off the misconceptions and support street art.  There is no better city for this crown.

Student art

Director, Angel Gracia, uses his get-out-of-jail-free card.

A worthy manifesto

Angel's out; Judy and Wilmer are in.

Surely you know this man.  He minded his own words.

SPARCers

Murals, murals, murals.

Stories and planning

Peaceful, dedicated, and watching over the classroom.

Jail birds

Judy and Wilmer

See?  He's not Muslim; he's Chicano!

Baby Lord of the Flies

This wild child cleared the beach of all birds.  It was quite a feat.  See all the birds in the water?  Yeah, most of 'em were on solid ground before the toe-headed two-footer arrived.  I think there's a lesson in moderation here...  all the fun is over... partied too hard on the first go-round.   Welcome to L.A.

Our rides

Rogue wave hit the upper beach as we were passing by.

Coastal clean-up -- thanks peeps!

Outrigger ladies

Fast Canadian

Name this interchange... anyone?

By air, land and sea... just another day in L.A.

A Quick Roundtrip

While hubby was home working his hiney off (so we can have TV heads like the dude below), I took the train to SLO for a quick family check-in and hair chop.  Ironically, I learned that you don't need TV to be entertained.  Yeah, already knew that, BUT didn't realize Amtrak could do the job so well.  I was left wondering if I had been punk'd.  Greyhound flashbacks.  I'm not much of an elitist but can we really be the same species, these train people and me? 

Napkin art at SLO's new coffeeteria; makes me think of the hipster hubster.

Turkey takes flight from the ranch roof (notice friend in background).

Felipe of Palm Street

Pic of relative, DW Brophy (2nd from left), my Dad's namesake (SLO RR station).

Beached sailboats along the Lompoc coast.

Chef Ames does it again.