The corner of North Venice and Pacific was abuzz with art enthusiasts for the opening of “Alice Neel: Paintings” at LA Louver last Thursday, May 20th. I readily admit to my ignorance about Neel and her legacy, but her name is obviously a big draw in the sophisticated art community—the gallery echoed with intense intellectual discussion as throngs of art-lovers poured through the doors.

Night—it can be a time of peaceful tranquility when all the world seems to be at rest; or it can be something more sinister—a time when nothing is as it seems. For many of us as children the darkness of the night presented a slew of frights. For me, a vivid imagination too often got the best of me as I saw a desk chair to be an angry lion or a bureau to be a looming monster once the lights turned off. Could it be the world transforms as day turns into night? Or are our minds just playing tricks on us? In any case, for whatever reason our perceptions of things seem to change at night—sometimes making the world more beautiful, other times more mysterious. A walk through the current exhibit at DNJ Gallery entitled “Night Lights” is what spurred these thoughts as the three artists on display present photographs of various scenes, all taken solely at night.

The C.A.V.E is one of my favorite westside hang outs for great art in LA, not to mention that gallery owners Patrick (& Tanya) are some of the nicest people I’ve met in the scene. The place was packed – umbrellas in hand, warms coats and hats and wooden paintings galore. With a drink to warm up both my innards and outs I checked out the exhibit oozing with dj spinning beats and a live painter doing his thing.

Photos from the Forth Anniversary Party at G2 Gallery in Venice Beach

I had the privilege of attending the C.A.V.E. gallery’s opening reception on January 9. The new exhibit kicking off the year 2010 is titled “Urban Confluence”. The gallery hosts a cozy and intimate space filled with some of the best pieces of artwork that I have ever seen integrated in one room. It had everything from photos, to paintings, to drawings – all astounding to look at!