Tour des Artistes

Here is the primary reason for my Long Beach day on Saturday. I got a free pass to visit the annual "Tour des Artistes" in the artsy side of town. The event encompassed galleries and local artists. So I went from gallery to gallery looking at the art work. The most impressive to me ... all the art is individual and unique, but I saw beautiful artwork at the Museum of Art (Long Beach). The artist, Helen Ross, had done a piece on tiles with etchings and various blue colors. The piece was called "Andante in Blue." The etchings on the tiles were angels, instruments (harps, lyres, and a trumpet horn), flowers and butterflies. A truly magnificent piece of work. Her other works included the same themes.

The rest of the afternoon was spent not just looking at the art work but becoming an artist myself with the digital camera. So I toured the neighborhood, taking a few photos.

I am finding that within LA there are communities within communities. Such the case for this neighborhood. The communities each have their own style, flair, and rapport. For example with this case of the artist neighborhood encompassing First Street to Broadway and Long Beach Blvd. to Los Alamitos Blvd. is the artists with varying styles of paintings, art shops, coffee shops (I guess those artists even need the caffeine for late night inspiration), and even tattoo shops. Art of tattoos are an upmost trend high right now. There was a feature of the 4th Avenue Women boasting their tattoos. I have to admit, the creativity of the tattoos were incredible. Birds, vintage looking designs, figures, etc. I saw one guy's face completely covered in tattoos, as in the face was completely inked with the exception of his eyelids and lips... inked with multicolored designs and shapes. I wonder if it hurts? A popular sight around here is full length arms covered in tattoos. People when they do get tattoos seem to go full length and all out and cover significant portions of their bodies with this indelible ink art. I do not know if it is just my take on it but I think LA has one of the hottest spot if not the hottest spot for tattoos in the USA. I do not recall seeing such a significant portion of society (being LA society) with tattoos. Is this just because more skin typically is showing? While in Arizona it gets hot and I do not recall the majority wearing tattoos. Perhaps because the majority are snowbirds? ha ... But even with my admiration of this body art, I have absolutely no desire to ink myself even with a tiny little figure. Same goes with body piercing. By the way, the fourth annual tattoo convention or gathering is coming to Long Beach. Sounds like big names from not just from the US but some European specialists are going to be featured. I will not be there.
Another full day of festivities and fun for me.