You will see art here and could be directed around the webs to see what others are writing about and sharing. Like the art that is shown below. Keep scrolling. Each post will contain multiple things to read and ponder. Learn more below.
Artwork by Antonio Pelayo
LA Art News is changing. When we started in 2013 we were NELAart News, but as we evolved it became evident that we needed to represent all of Los Angeles, so we became LA Art News. 2019 forced the hand of change and we are now a digital only publication. Does that mean we’ll never print again? As the publisher I have thoughts on that. I’d like to print again, but the costs are crazy. This is why my printer of over 6 years went out of business. There, I said it.
The best part of being digital is that we can include much more information than we could in the paper. I will still compile a publication every other month to put up on issuu.com, where the paper has been hosted for at least 5 years. I’m also always looking for content. I’ll post stories and poetry and art and photography and videos and links to other sites that have cool information we think you should know about. You’ll continue to hear about shows and exhibits and happenings around the LA area. And since it’s going to be a very active political year, you’ll read about it here. We’ll continue to have our regular contributors, and I’m grateful for all of them. I’ll have a contributors page up here soon. The site will grow and evolve as we all do.
And of course, if you’d like to advertise here, send me a note @ cathi@laartnews.com.
Thanks to all that have enjoyed LA Art News, and all that will continue to.
Artwork by Madam X
Don’t Mess Around, Buy Art! By Tomas J. Benitez
I am a blessed man. There is nothing I want for Christmas or anything I need to make my holiday cheer better. I also suspect my favorite Christmas gift will come by way of the House Judiciary Committee in time for Christmas. But I love this time of the year for a variety of reasons, the most important is being able to check in with family and friends. Just sending a card or a text to tell someone they matter to you. It is as ever, more a reward to yourself than to them, it makes the other person feel good and it is a good thing to do.
I no longer stress too much about getting the right person the right gift, now I just buy them what I want and rely on the old adage, it’s the thought that counts. Much of my contented state has been reached due to limited resources the past few years, my situation fosters humility and frugality, but also offers the chance to make peace with myself. Can’t spend it if I ain’t got it, deal. Here, here’s what you get. Deal. (AND, inspired by all the art and art craft I see, I often makes something and give it away, knowing that no matter how bad it is, and I make really bad art, the recipient has to accept it and not be able to return it in for store credit. Deal.) I have been known to do my Christmas shopping on Christmas Eve at the local 7-11, but these days, I select gifts that are meaningful, unique and fun. I buy art and art craft.
Okay, so nobody is getting the Degas this holiday season, I am only a few million short, but there is still a realm of possibilities available. Most of the artists I know are very pragmatic, offering high end and low end goodies, all of which have value because an artist made them. None of these items come with a 2 for 1 door buster coupon at a mega store, no. And sure, if the kid wants an action toy, get them an action toy, understood. But there is great value in buying art. First, you support an artist. Second, you are investing in something that will increase in value rather than get worn out or discarded. And third, you are buying art. That makes you smart, sophisticated and totally cool, although there are some folks at the family gathering that may look at you as the odd duck relative.
I work at a handicap, for jewelry in all forms seems to be the best buy during the holidays. But I do not know jewelry at all. Several ex-wives and several girlfriends have all made faces at gifts of jewelry I have made in the past. I simply have no knack for it. I think the glow in the dark Frida Kahlo earrings looks cool, then, no, my friend makes a face like an ex-wife, not good. So I forego jewelry. But I admire the jewelry makers and those who support them.
I love kitsch, especially Chicano kitsch. A lucha libre wrestling figure with a Dodgers mask, my idea of the perfect gift. A Virgen de Guadalupe in a Wonder Woman rig, makes me love her even more eh. I love things made of glass, and wood, and things like that. SO I buy them and give them away, everybody wins. Hand-made artists books are also my personal kryptonite.
Plaza de la Raza has an art sale December 7, 8, 6-10pm. Frank Romero is having a sale. Avenue 50 is having a sale and artists standing by, RockRose is a good stop, as are stores in East LA to Eagle Rock, Mi Vida is a must, plus fun places up and down Figueroa. Did you know Chicken Boy has a store? You can also reach the artist by looking them up on facebook or their website. I bought great things from Daniel Gonzalez just by hitting him up. Buy that kid the doll they saw on television, but buy your friends and family some art. And Merry Christmas!
(Tomas Benitez was born and raised in front of a TV set in East L.A. His film SALSA: The Movie was produced in 1988. He has also written for Fred Roos, Starz Encore Films, CBS, and several other producers. In recent years he has written extensively about East Los Angeles including an ongoing, online saga about his home life, titled “The Gully”. Several of his stories about East L.A. and The Gully have been published by Blue Heron in an anthology of new American fiction, and he is editing two additional collections to be published soon. Tomas is the former Executive Director of Self Help Graphics & Art.)
Illustration by Brian Mallman
From our good friend Brian Mallman.
Brian recently wrote a great article and posted it over at medium.com. It’s a holiday oriented story so read it soon, while it’s still timely. And read it again another time.