Hidden amongst Downtownâs Art Walkâs gambit of popular galleries, bars, and street vendors are some of the most interesting works of art in DTLA. Although, they may not appear regularly on any official fanfare, you wonât walk a block before being exposed to their works. Â Here are some of the few unsung heroes who help make the Artwalk even more enjoyable.
COLETTE MILLER
Collete Millerâs Global Angel Wings Project paintings have truly taken on a global effect. Found from coast to coast and around the world, like Kenya and Paris, her works in this series consist simply of a pair of marvelously painted set of empty angel wings, upon which anyone can fill. Millerâs wings seem to have an immediate cleansing effect on those who find it hard to resist posing in front of them for a memorable snapshot. The perfect backdrop, some of Downtownâs most pristine inhabitants have taken on the task including the Mayor himself. During the Art Walk, Millerâs wings on Main just south of Winston have spread plenty of creative joy, inspiring hope and bringing out the inner angel in us all.
JENNIFER KORSEN
Jennifer Korsen is one of Downtownâs art power heart boxes with a heart of gold and a swift tongue for anyone who may challenge the worth of an artist and other creatives like herself. She is most noted for her âheart artâ, a serious of cardiac creations youâll find in galleries, inner city walls and on power boxes exposing you to her passions throughout the city. She is a Downtown Patriot, meaning her time spent here has been well managed advocating for the arts and being absolutely fearless, creating street art, and helping to spread awareness through social media, panel talks, and charity events. During Art Walk you can purchase her works at the Hive Gallery and Studios just south of 7th on Spring. Walk a half of a block south and youâll witness one of her âpower heart boxesâ on the corner of 8th and Spring.
EMMERICK KONRAD
Before the stylish nightclubs, chic boutiques and exotic eateries of the Historic Core Downtown Art Walk was a dark, scary, enter at your own risk Historic Core with a certain magnetic quality that drew you in and wouldnât let go without a fight.
One such Downtown Patriot came in the form of an artist by the name of Emmerick Konrad who moved to DTLA in 1989 finding it a perfect place to indulge in creativity. Â With a devious smile, frosty white hair and painted black fingernails today Emmerick embodies the art scene of Downtownâs past. Emmerick’s works are recognizable mostly by an incorporated third eye he adds to most
of his painted figures. Although the majority of his works sell in major galleries worldwide and are not found in Historic Core galleries, there is no doubt they will find their way into the Main Street Museum when it opens. For now, you can catch a glimpse of his talents on the utility box located on 4th and Spring. Freshly painted, his new third-eyed public work. Also for a bit of trivia, Konrad painted the distorted doggie on the signs posted on every corner of the Core and by the parks asking dog walkers to watch where they poop and scoop. Doggies donât have his signature 3rd however, we are left to wonder why?
STEPHEN ROWE
There is are three galleries on Main Street, one belonging to Australian-born artist Stephen Rowe. Rowe is an accomplished artist who specializes in producing large, colorful abstract paintings. Roweâs works are best noted for his ability to combine pointillism with abstract backgrounds, using media such as acrylic paint on canvas and wood. Rowe’s section of the Art Walk is calm and serene, yet thanks to Rowe one can walk on Main past 6th and still catch a glimpse of creativity during the nightâs festivity.
Rowe uses his space mainly as a studio that lies hidden behind one of his ever sought out works; a piece grand enough to fill the 15ft window and offer relief for those who may be traveling on Main still looking for Art Walk excitement inspiration. 640 S Main St, Los Angeles, CA 90014.
MIKOLAJ
If you are strolling through Los Angelesâ Historic Core admiring the vast collection of Beaux Arts architectural buildings as part of Art Walk, it would be difficult to ignore the street art murals of Mikolaj Wyszynskiâs (Mick-o-lie Whiz-in-ski) which adorn dozen of the district’s various windows and walls. The 37-year-old artist emigrated from Warsaw, Poland as a 15-year-old to join his mother here in America and has been creating his own unique cosmic-inspired art form ever since. All elements of his signature styles can be found on the murals on just east and west of 5th and Spring Streets. Working mostly as a commissioned artist, Mikolaj, took part in the LA plain air festival for Air BnB at their downtown event held last year. More recent work by the artist is focused in the Fashion District having been commissioned by the Fashion District BID, over holidays and in 2016 Mikolaj designed a bunch for Michael Korchmar, the chef, and owner of Sonoratown taqueria. To commission Mikolaj…just ask Google where to find him.
GREG GOULD
Greg Gould, is an L.A. based pop surrealist and long-time resident of Hive Gallery, who learned that overcoming difficult, uncertain situations was a catalyst and motivator to make art his way.
Out of a personal interest for historically-based events, and to create awareness in the publicâs consciousness of them he has created hundreds of works that are as dynamic as they are visually stunning provoking producing the grandest of thoughts with the simplest of notions. Gould earned fame when he created his first 3D mannequin series which included sculptures of Mickey and Minnie Mouse with gas masks on them. Since heâs gone on to continue selling and lending his skills to charities like Global Inheritance. G.I.âs goal is to teach about recycling to school kids â they give recycling bins to artists to paint into art pieces and Greg donates his works. Truly amazing, gifted and talented, Art Walk does well, in its existence by including Gould. Hive Gallery is located at 727 S Spring Street, LA, CA 90014.
