Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles

In the early years of MOCA, only fifteen docents were invited and I was privileged to be one of them.  During my farewell visit to the museum, it seemed fitting that the exhibition was entitled "The Art of Our Time."

The works shown here are in part of those gathered loosely around the historical art movements, abstract expressionism, pop art and conceptual art.    

McCollum, 60 PLASTER SURROGATES (NO. 3), 1982-90

Basquiat, UNTITLED, 1981

Rothko

Rauschenberg, PAINTING WITH GREY WING, 1959

Krasner, PRIMEVAL RESURGENCE, 1961

Gorky, BETHROTHEL I, 1947

Johns, MAP, 1962

l to r: Rauschenberg, Giacometti, Krasner, Giacometti, Chamberain

Omni Hotel in Los Angeles

If you want to be near (virtually over) the art in the Los Angeles, California, stay in the beautiful comfort of the Omni Hotel.  A Nancy Rubin sculpture will be in your sight as you breakfast.  Your early morning swim is in the middle of town. And, evening cocktails are a celebration to my hometown with Angel's Flight in the background.  

Takashi Murakami at The Broad

Being affected by the Tohoku earthquake and pursuant nuclear disaster, the artist's exhibited work marked a turning point.  

The resultant expansive new work held great interest to those attending the opening of The Broad, Los Angeles' newest addition to the art scene on Grand Avenue. 

The Broad

Holding one of the most prominent collections of postwar and contemporary art worldwide, I was privileged to attend the inaugural exhibit.  Edythe and Eli Broad focuses their collection on the art of their time.  It was especially meaningful to me as I was spending the weekend on the ChampsLA, bidding adieu to my hometown.  

Designed by architecture firm Diller Scofidio & Renfro in collaboration with Gensler the "veil" is designed to be porous and absorptive.  

 Koons' TULIPS and Wool's UNTITLED 

Woven from red liquor labels, El Anatsui's RED BLOCK was created in 2010.

Koon's BALLOON DOG

Lichtenstein's COUP DE CHAPEAU II 

An art curator describes Therrien's UNDER THE TABLE.  

Takashi Murakami's expansive new work marks a turning point for the artist.  

Julie Mehretu's INVISIBLE SUN 

Otium

A truly special dining experience on Bunker Hill in downtown Los Angeles .  It was served family style, and we were nearly stabbing each other with our forks to savor the next bite. 

Every year I performed at an orphanage on Bunker Hill when I was a child.  In the 40's it was a dangerous place.  Now, it is my favorite place to be with arts all around.  

Bonhams 2015

Looking exactly as one would think an auction house should, Bonhams on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles was beautiful even when in transition.  My passion for art and the art world has come full circle:  I began by looking at art; then, learned to be an artist; created art; collected art; sold my art; served on art boards; organized art festivals and shows; judged and curated art; sold the art of others; owned and operated art galleries; helped raise art scholarship funds; created art districts; continued to look at art; and, am now selling my own art collection.  

22nd Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards

As a lifelong member of SAG-AFTRA, I consider it a privilege to vote and have seen the more than twenty nominated films recently in preparation.  

Artful Dioramas in Los Angeles

Every school child in Los Angeles, including me, was taken to the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County to see the artful dioramas of large North American mammals.  They are still there and do not disappoint. http://www.nhm.org/site/

Feeling nostalgic, I couldn't resist taking time to visit the hall again, including:  bison, grizzly bears, seals, etc.