It is the middle of a beautiful Saturday, a couple of weeks before the hustle and bustle of open studios. I decide to take a tour with one of Santa Monica Art Studios’ two directors, Yossi Govrin. Stupidly, I almost miss my turn because I’m too distracted watching a plane land at the Santa Monica Airport. It’s an interesting place to find 22,000 square feet dedicated to the fine arts.

Today was a good day. Susan didn’t go to work because she woke up with a sore throat. I love it when she stays home, especially if it’s cold and dark and rainy out, and the two of us are all cozy and warm inside. I also love it when she has a cold, I’m a little ashamed to say. It’s not that I wish her any harm, God forbid. I just like it when she has to stay home and take care of herself because I always help her do that.

I thought I was going to be late. I forgot to set my clock back before I
went to bed last night. Forgot to move the hour back before the leaves fell
from my dreams like the colored leaves that fall from trees. I rushed to work, driving,
trying to set the dashboard clock; my body hunched over the wheel, not paying
attention to the other side of the windshield. The car revved high
before I managed to change gears. This took my hand off the clock
and put my eyes onto the street.

So I was at this thing called the Downtown LA ArtWalk. Maybe you’ve heard of it? It’s just a little monthly art event that EVERYONE that’s not living under a rock has been talking about…. There’s a shit ton of people pounding the pavement all night, enjoying all the mind-blowing exhibits, art vendors, food trucks (Hi Kogi Truck!) and long-legged fashionistas within arm’s reach (yup, even the models are into art now).

Saturday, I had the pleasure of attending the super-swanky, super-awesome voila! gallery “New and Not So New Talent” event. Four artists were featured—Sam Frost, a local photographer; An Gyselinck, a Belgian photographer; Gwen Samuels, a mixed media visionary; and Olivia Chague, a French mixed media extraordinaire. Us FORTH magazine folks were stationed appropriately on the way to the bar, where we had the chance to talk to many awesome people about what we do, what they do, and what we all can do to promote/support the ever-dynamic LA art scene.