The Resident
La Brea Artist ResidencyI was fortunate to spend the month of June 2023 in Los Angeles at the La Brea Artist Residency. This prestigious and intense program is run by artist and collector Danny First. Many of the alumni say his program has changed their lives and propelled them into successful careers.
Every year, Danny selects twelve artists to create large- scale works in his studio space. The garage/studio provides artists with complete freedom of expression, all while knowing they have the support of a genuinely interested mentor. My month of work culminated in a solo show, titled Body Language, which was on display at The Cabin and The Bunker in July. These unique galleries are both situated in his amazing backyard.
Working in full immersion every day in such a monastic environment transported me far from my everyday life in an unfamiliar city. I was able to create a body of work that really pushed me forward. Taking all of my vernacular and scaling up the work was a new challenge that felt remarkably natural, and I enjoyed the deep concentration required for layering colors and bringing my women to life.
