A Love Letter to LA
Like all midwest kids I imagine, I grew up fantasizing about California. My young, artsy, tomboy self loved to toggle between dreams of a glossy creative career, and living life as a tan surfer chick. In fact, during freshman welcome week at U of M, I told random people at parties I was from California, just for fun. I found it much more interesting than saying “I actually grew up just 45 minutes from here.” Boorring. But I’m told my Michigan ackcent gave me away.
Fast forward to senior year, one of my best friends was actually from California. The Pacific Palisades. (Yes she lived up to my Cali visions - blonde, yoga instructor, going to work for an environmental start up). So of course, like any 21 year old lacking self awareness, I invited myself to her house for two weeks after graduation. We had the best time, I quickly became friends with all her high school buds, and returned every chance I had.
Since then, another best friend settled in LA to pursue a career in Hollywood, along with several other talented childhood mates. For a brief moment, Dave and I even went out there, thinking we might temporarily transplant for work and school, but the Midwest’s cheesy, sticky, cherry jam fingers couldn’t release us! I say in the most loving way.
To this day, La La Land remains one of my favorite films - one of the few I don’t tire of re-watching. And one of my big career goals is to find representation in an esteemed LA gallery one day.
All that to say, the news of the fires in LA these past couple weeks is devastating on so many levels. And I don’t mean any of this to sound trite or like LA is more special to me than it is others - that’s not what I’m saying at all. What I mean to say is - I don’t think I’m very unique in that LA symbolizes this ethereal reality, where dreams can come true. And its impact reaches those of us who never even live there.
I actually didn’t realize how many people I follow on Instagram live in LA until this past week, because my feed and stories were full of on the ground footage. It makes sense - I’ve always been enamored by the creative careers and drawn to that unique, gritty, LA energy.
To those of you reading this who call LA home - I am so sorry for your loss. I hope you are able to find space to grieve, and find comfort with loved ones.
So much of my work takes into consideration the idea of home. After all, most of my art lives across the country, in all of yours. At the end of the day, it’s the people who make a home. But I also know that finally hanging meaningful artwork you’ve collected over the years, and other personal touches, are what also transform a house into a home. For many, the proof of these personal memories are lost. If you or someone you know lost theirs, when you’re ready for new artwork, please reach out. I would be more than happy to send you free prints of your choosing. There is no expiration on this offer.
I have another email coming next week, but it didn’t feel right to send without addressing the devastation that’s happening first. Below I’m sharing a few organizations doing meaningful work if you’re looking for more ways to support those affected:
Go Fund Me to help LA’s Artists and Art Workers Start Over
Baby 2 Baby - LA based. Providing diapers and all basic necessities to those affected by the fires.
Clare Vivier - LA based brand. Los Angeles Je T’aime Tee and Cap - all proceeds benefitting American Red Cross which is providing safe shelter, food, essentials and support to those affected by the fires.
Mochi Kids x Amanda Jane Jones - Adult and Kids LA Tee - all proceeds benefitting families from historically marginalized communities affected by the fires through Go Fund Me.
We love you LA.
Katherine
P.S. If a good distraction is what you need, I’ve really enjoyed these LA based podcast episodes this week:
Armchair Expert: Jenny Taitz (on stress resets) *perfectly timed!
Second Life Pod with Hillary Kerr: Tracing the Rise of Bob Dylan in a Complete Unknown with Costume Designer Arianne Phillips. This film is on my watch list. The BTS of the fashion is fascinating!
The World’s First Podcast: with the Foster sisters (writer/creators of Nobody Wants This). Any episode will do. Hilarious banter to fill your cup with girl talk.
So well said, it's been absolutely heartbreaking to see the place I love burn.
"What I mean to say is - I don’t think I’m very unique in that LA symbolizes this ethereal reality, where dreams can come true. And its impact reaches those of us who never even live there."
I hadn't thought about this before.....it's one more layer of sadness on the much larger human tragedy of the wildfires. And the idea of LA as a dreamland for dreamers (and your mention of La La Land) brought me back to Emma Stone's "Fools Who Dream" audition. It's always moved me to tears.....now for new reasons.
Thanks for this and the excellent list of resources. I hope your friends are okay.