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.

Drew Hancock is an LA-based photographer, director, animator and illustrator. He shares with us three beautiful shorts with music by The One AM Radio. Using a combination of cinematography, animation and photography, “Pipes”, “Highway” and “Clay Flowers” are sure to amaze and inspire.

Listen to the Interview:
Part 1
John Lithgow
Featured Artist, Painter
By Jeremy Pollack, Forth Editor
Photos by Bootsy Holler

I met John Lithgow (pronounced “Lith-go” to my surprise) at Santa Monica Fine Art Studios one night during an open house. Among the many fine artists that hold space at the studio, John was showing his work publicly for the first time that evening in mid June. FORTH sponsored the event, and Sofiya—our Events Director—introduced me to the artist early in the night. Lithgow towered above me at 6’5” but tendered an easy, welcoming presence. After browsing the magazine, he cordially accepted the offer for FORTH …

J: Well, thanks, Matthew for coming and taking an interview. So where did you learn to write. These are sort of the standard questions. Where did you learn to write?
M: Well, I started wanting to write in high school. I read Fitzgerald when I was 15. I was a pretty early reader and like a passionate reader when I was a little kid. But then when I was 14, 15, I read The Great – not Gatsby. I read This Side of Paradise. And that was the book that made me want to be a writer. Not a very good …

We squeeze out to the smoking patio, somehow imagining it will be quieter than inside. With my list of eight questions smudged on the palm of my hand, I hold out my recorder and ask her: