Industrial Evolution

Don't get me wrong.  I find endless inspiration in the beauty and majesty of nature.  However, sometimes the shapes, color, and massive scale of industrial machinery creates it's own particular beauty.

I recently took a ferry to Catalina Island off the coast of Los Angeles.  Leaving out of the port of San Pedro, I passed the cranes and storage containers that are a vital part of industry and trade.  I was amazed at the scale and surprised by the color palette.  I also appreciated the juxtaposition of the beauty of the ocean and palm trees along with these metal shapes.  Taking the ferry home in the late afternoon, I took these pictures in that "golden hour" of light that Southern California does so well.

Happy July 4th!

Venice Beach Houses

I'm sure most people have seen pictures or scenes in a movie or TV show of Venice Beach on the coast of Los Angeles.  There's a walkway filled all types of characters and shops ranging from tacky tourist trinkets to head shops--and plenty of Medical "Herb" stores.  It is loud and crowded and has a manic energy to it.

Amidst all the craziness, there's a surprising little area of charming, quaint houses just a block in from the main thoroughfare along the beach.  I was here with some friends who were visiting a little while ago, and we found a nice escape taking pictures in the late afternoon light.

 I thought I would post some sunny LA pictures to celebrate the first day of Spring.  It's been raining hard in LA all day, so we haven't been able to appreciate it.

Dia de los Muertos, L.A. Style

In the land of make-believe, nobody does Halloween like L.A. (sorry, NYC, you're a close second).  Sure, there are all the parties and the costume parades, not to mention house decorations taken to the next level.  However, one of the most intriguing and surreal events doesn't actually celebrate Halloween at all, but the day after: Dia de los Muertos in Hollywood Forever Cemetery.  Day of the Dead is celebrated on November 1 (also known as All Saints Day) and November 2 (All Souls Day).  It is a traditional Mexican holiday to pray for and remember those who have passed in the previous year.  Family members and loved ones create altars with pictures and sweets and flowers, and anything that is a reminder of them.

Hollywood Forever Cemetery (final resting place to such celebrities as Cecil B. DeMille, Jane Mansfield, Joey Ramone, and Rudolf Valentino), hosts the Dia de los Muertos in L.A.  People set up altars along the walkways and Mexican bands play in multiple areas around the grounds.  There is an art exhibition in the mausoleum and vendors of traditional Mexican food (and Margaritas!).

Most of the photos I took are without flash--to capture the haunting atmosphere and appreciate the lighting and candles.  I didn't have a tri-pod so some of the pictures are blurred.

The altars.

This one was really blurry, but it is the "Rainbow Bridge".  Anybody who has lost a beloved pet has probably heard of this.  There is a picture of a cat in the foreground and at the top of the rainbow are toy kitties.

Trippy.  This was at the entrance to the mausoleum.  The lights kept changing color and it was a slow exposure--I was curious to how it would come out in a photo.

This is part of the art exhibit inside the mausoleum--I love the crypts with names and dates on them.

One of the bands playing in the mausoleum.  The light colors kept changing here too.  I love the person in the middle of the stage--looks like a spirit.

This is an altar and candles floating in a pond outside a different mausoleum.

One of the party costumes.

Speaking of parties...we started the night out with ghoulish cocktails at my friend Sherri's house.  She made a Pomegranate Martini with worms.

And a Classic Martini with eyeballs (radish stuffed with blue cheese and olive).

Of course, it's not a cocktail without a themed cocktail napkin!  Included also, a side of burrata mixed with sun-dried tomatoes.

Happy Halloween!!!  Feliz Dia de los Muertos!

LA Stories: Rose Bowl Flea Market, the Collectors

So far I've shown pictures from the Rose Bowl Flea Market of the Bizarre Bazaar, and the Pretty Things.  This post is of the Collectors.  I don't mean rare, expensive items (sorry, I don't know enough about that kind of collecting).  I mean collecting a bunch of one item.  Even the most mundane objects, when grouped together can create a visual impact.  And some things are just creepy.  Happy Labor Day!

I can just imagine what a treasure chest inside a Spanish galleon looks like.

Nice choice of fabric color to enhance these beautiful turquoise rings and bracelets.  I like the random crucifix thrown in.

I don't even want to know what that circular thing is.  I used this photo to create a McQueen-esque print.

I'll keep it in my thought bubble. 

It's a tin farm.

I guess if you can't untangle it, you can buy the whole thing.

Random groups of objects.

For my golf friends.

Can't leave out the AV geeks.

Mmmm, beer.  I don't actually know if they were for sale, but not sure why people would buy empty beer cans.  It looks like a party, though.

Gives new meaning to "buying some time".  I need that like nobodies business.

There's a slightly sinister look to this.

There are a few other flea markets I need to check out here in LA.  One is really close to me on Fairfax and Melrose, the other is at Dodger Stadium (giving the Rose Bowl a run for it's money).  Any others I should go to?