This Holiday Season You Can't Afford Not To Give The Gift Of Art

Several years ago I read something in the L.A. Times about an art exhibition pegged to the L.A. River by an artist named Billy Kheel and when I saw the location, L.A. County Store, I assumed it was an annex of the L.A. County Museum, in the same vein as had been the "Temporary" Contemporary Museum, when it first opened, now, The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA.

Prepared for rarified air, elevated prices and way too much attitude, I mustered the same courage I rely upon, whether I'm headed for The Broad or Barneys but I soon became giddy like a goon, loving Billy's felt vestiges- his artistic "catch" as if he went trawling along the river prior to the onset of the massive revitalization project that is still a long ways away.

Luckily this store in Los Feliz is so here and now, and more affordable than ever, if you had any manners, you would thank me for doing all the heavy lifting in advance of your shopping spree but I won't hold my breath nor expect you to leave me a tip with Maryanne Loverme, the woman who runs this joint with equality of respect for artists and customers- but feel free to do so because I trust her to try and convince you to spend your money on more worthy Santa Causes, aka: everyone on your shopping list (notice the photo of the baby boy in the arms of his father, who was indulging his inner child- seemingly transfixed by "some non-baby book about L.A., not for me, dad! NOT FOR ME, goo goo, gaga, got that!? Waahhh!!!")

There is no way you can walk out of this store without a few trinkets unless you are the kind of grinch that doesn't belong in a non-swamp-like environment- the only climate we don't own in Southern CA nor can be blamed for. Interested in gifts that make people smile, often, laugh, then gasp, "Really? This is art AND made in L.A. County?" Often, it's one-of-a-kind!

Eat your heart out Woody Allen- we are a cultural smorgasbord... we make right turns on red, then make art that makes fun of the way we drive....in red and a variety of other colors, shapes and sizes.

Here's another tip- Maryanne offers great classes like calligraphy that she takes herself and takes so seriously, she's almost too good to be true and seemed too good to be pretending not to showboat her many varied and somewhat too showy talents as a beginner...or so I may have heard. Anyway- a variation of gift, not to go, but to stay in store and learn something for a change of pace.

L.A. County Store (323) 928-2781; info@lacountystore.com; 4333 Sunset Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90029; https://lacountystore.com