What do you say LA? Messages from the Street (Art That Is)

Its A LivingTogether Mural DTLA Los Angeles California

#beautifyearth

The street art scene in Los Angeles has gone viral, one can hardly turn a corner, drive down the street, or grab a coffee without running into yet another fabulous work of art. I recently read a Bombing Science article, which listed the top 99 instagrammable cities in the world for graffiti, and It came as no suprise to me that Los Angeles, at #6, was ranked in the top 10. If you’ve been following my instagram feed you’ll know that I definitely contributed to that ranking.

Street art Los Angeles California #anythingcanhappenanythingcanbe

Expression through art is nothing new, but with today’s social media phenomenon artists now have the ability to get their message to more people than ever before. While at times I get annoyed by the competitive nature of social media, I do love the ability to discover so much amazing art, not just here in LA, but around the world.

Its A LivingTogether Mural DTLA Los Angeles California
It’s A Living DTLA Arts District

All this positive exposure has definitely helped to bring about the mainstream acceptance of an art form that was at one time considered vandalism and nothing more. Whether it be loving, Inspirational, motivational, cheerful, political, bitter or just plain fun the street art in LA is sending a message. The question is are we listening?

Social Fatigue Media

This fun mural can be found in Downtown LA’s Little Tokyo. I just love the message @dmirworld is sending, and the moment I saw this I just knew I had to share. For me the message is so clear. It’s crazy how we get so wrapped up in social media and whether or not someone else appreciates/loves what we choose to share. I share what brings me joy and I hope that it will do the same for others!

Love Notes

James Goldcrown’s #bleedinghearts love walls are some of the most popular expressions of love in LA, but you’ll find messages of love all over town!

James GoldCrown Street Art Los Angeles California
J. Goldcrown Alfred’s Coffee Melrose
Street Art Los Angeles California
Gina Flo w/ Beautify Earth Melrose and Western.

Motivation, Inspiration and Imagination

Much to my delight there are messages of inpsiration and motivivation everywhere! I get so excited when I come upon something new, which is just about every time I go out and about! Like these angel wings I stumbled upon just the other day while exploring the Fashion District.

Collette Miller Angel Wings Street Art Los Angeles California

The first Angel Wings were painted on Traction Avenue in the DTLA Arts District, but lucky you they can now be found all over the world! These are just a few of the many wings located here in the City of Angels. Check the official Collette Miller Angel Wings map to see if there are any near you!

WRDSMTH’s positive words of widom can be found everywhere in the City of Angels, as well as around the world. He recently held a solo art show featuring canvases and prints of some of his most popular street art, and I happily attended.

WRDSMTH Shine Los Angeles California

Here are a mix of images some from the show and some from the street.

WRDSMTH street art Los Angeles California
Meeting WRDSMTH at Fais Dodo

Sound Advice

Looking for some advice? Don’t worry you’re covered:

Street Art Windward Avenue Los Angeles California
Unknown Windward Avenue Venice Beach

Be confident! Women get sh*t done!

Street Art Pico Boulevard Los Angeles California
Beautify Earth Collaboration Pico Boulevard Mural Trail

Explore your surroundings. Life is full of wonderment!

Street Art Venice Art Walls Los Angeles California
Unknown Venice Art Walls

Wish your dream!

Street Art DTLA Los Angeles California
Megzany Arts District Co-Op

Be the best version of you! Be happy with it!

Sidewalk Sayings

These little sayings are all over the sidewalk in LA. Some are more postitive/friendly than others, however, if like the message says, you don’t look up from your phone now and again you’re bound to miss them. At least that’s how I choose interpret it!

Politics Politics Politics

I generally gravitate toward more positive messages when it comes to taking photos of street art, but these political murals can be found all over town. Written words or not, their messages are clear.

Political Street Art Los Angeles California
Kai Melrose Avenue
Political Street Art Los Angeles California
Unknown Melrose Avenue
Political Street Art Los Angeles California
Unknown Abbot Kinney Boulevard

Keep Your Head Up

After all life it…  aint easy…

#ainteasy
It’s A Living The Container Yard DTLA

but if you reflect…

Street Art Pico Boulevard Los Angeles California
Sel Dog Pico Boulevard Mural  Trail

forgive…

Street Art South Central Los Angeles California
Mike Norice South Central Los Angeles

and pay it forward…

Street Art DTLA Los Angeles California
Unknown DTLA Arts District

from the dirt a flower must grow!

Street Art Melrose Avenue Los Angeles California
Unknown Melrose Avenue

I literally can’t keep up with all the fabulous new art going up in this town, but I’m having a great time trying! Having already written a number of posts on LA’s street art scene I’ve done my best to feature all new images in this post! I hope you enjoy!


To discover more fun street art pieces around LA check out these related posts:

Downtown Los Angeles Graffiti & Mural Walking Tour
InstaLA! 15 Places to Snap Those InstaGood Pics
InstaLA! Part 2: #WallAntics
InstaLA! Part 3: Art Explosion
Venice Art Walls: Caution Wet Paint
Los Angeles, How I ❤️ Thee…

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Los Angeles Street Art and Mural Locations #streetartla

 

The Sweet Tooth’s Walking Tour of Downtown Los Angeles

Bottega Louie Los Angeles California #dtla

Bottega Louis Los Angeles California #macarons

I’ve been inspired by all the mouthwatering photos of food I’ve been seeing online lately, but with literally thousands of delicious choices right here in my home town of LA, and limited time to eat out, my list of must try places was growing long. A plan was in order and I decided a food tour* was the perfect answer! Combining a visit to one of my favorite LA neighborhoods with delicious food and iconic sights sounded fun to me, but how would I keep my 9 year old son (and husband) engaged? A dessert tour of course! After all, life is short… dessert first!

Angeles Flight Railway Things to do in Los Angeles #angelsflight

There are many fabulous neighborhoods in Los Angeles, each one with it’s own charm, but it was my desire to ride the newly reopened Angels Flight Railway, that helped me choose Downtown LA for this particular adventure.  A big fan of public art, I was excited to see a number of fun street art pieces along our route.


Related Post: Downtown Los Angeles Graffiti & Mural Walking Tour

Sweet Tooth’s Walking Tour of DTLA

Downtown Los Angeles California #historicLosangeles

The Sweet Tooth’s Walking Tour is 1.7 miles, and can be enjoyed in both directions. We chose to walk back to our car after the tour, but there are plenty of public transportation options if you’re too full to walk. Public parking lots and metered parking are available. We found $5 parking just behind Birdies.

Birdies
Location: 314 West Olympic Boulevard Los Angeles (Stop A)

Our first stop, Birdies, is well known in LA for both their donuts and fried chicken, so of course we had to try both! The donuts are baked fresh every two hours.

Birdies Los Angeles California #birdies

To ensure we had room for all our delicious stops, we decided we’d share two donuts, and some Birdies Bites (fried chicken tenders) between the three of us. There are multiple dipping sauces available for the bites. We tried sweet Asian chili and house ranch, but left the ghost pepper mayo to braver souls.

Elliot chose a panda donut, because… panda! The strawberry donut was so delicious we forgot to take a proper photo. pictured above is the cream cheese champagne glazed gold leaf donut, a specialty donut, which will set you back $100! Other donuts range in price between $.50 for donut holes and $3.50 for fancier flavors.


Related Post: Donuts Are The New Cupcakes!

Bottega Louie 
Location: 700 South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles (Stop B)

Bottega Louie, is known for it’s colorful and photogenic macarons, but it isn’t just about the sweets and treats, it’s also a full service restaurant with a full bar and a gourmet market.

Bottega Louie Los Angeles California #dtla

We weren’t planning on a sit down meal, so we took our treats to go, however the lunch options looked and smelled wonderful, so I see a return visit in the near future!

LA Weekly listed Bottega Louie as one of the 10 best macarons in LA! The flavors we enjoyed were, chocolate mint, raspberry, salted caramel, birthday cake and coconut. My favorite was the coconut! Macarons can be purchased individually, or in boxes.

Elliot chose to enjoy a chocolate eclair rather than a macaron… from the looks of it he had no regrets!

Little Damage
Location: 700 S Spring St, Los Angeles (Stop C)

Little Damage is a family owned soft serve ice cream shop in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles. With trendy black cones and unique flavor choices, Little Damage, is not your average ice cream… its ice cream with a Goth twist!

Wakling Tour of Downtown Los Angeles #littledamage

We sampled Unicorn Tears, a lovely blue color, which actually tasted like vanilla birthday cake. A scoop is $6 and comes with one free topping. The trendy black waffle cone (made from activated charcoal) is $1 extra.

Planning on sharing your food finds on social media? With it’s many fun signs, both inside and out, Little Damage provides plenty of opportunities for that perfect pic! But you better hurry, because it’s hot out there and the SoCal sun and soft serve ice cream don’t mix.

The Bradbury Building
Location: 304 S. Broadway, Los Angeles (Stop E)

If there are any movie or architecture lovers in your group, they’ll love this next stop!

Bradbury Building Los Angeles California #bladerunner

Built in 1893, the Bradbury Building is the oldest commercial building in the area. While the outside might not seem like anything particularly special, its the inside’s Victorian Era atrium with it’s grandiose iron work, 50 foot ceilings, and open cage elevators that really shine.

Bradbury Building Los Angeles California #bladerunner

Fans of the movie Blade Runner, starring Harrison Ford, might recognize the atrium space as Sebastian’s home.

Visitors are welcome, and entrance to the Bradbury Building is free, but keep in mind the building is still in use, so access is limited. If you’re interested in exploring further there are various tours available.

Street Art Downtown Los Angeles #StreetartLA
View from the Bradbury Building lobby

Grand Central Market
Location: 317 S. Broadway, Los Angeles (Stop F)

The Grand Central Market opened in 1917 and has been operating continuously ever since. A popular destination for locals and tourists alike, you’ll find something for everyone in your group, no matter their food tastes. From Thai sticky rice to cheesecake, whisky and cheese, a Jewish deli, vegan choices, coffee, Chinese food, green grocers and so much more. There’s even a PB&J shop!

Grand Central Market Los Angeles California #grandcentralmarket

The hustle and bustle, neon and vibrant atmosphere make Grand Central Market a place worth visiting all on it’s own! My plan to finish our foodie tour with a taste of cheese at the DTLA Cheese shop was foiled when we realized we were just too full. Next time!

Angels Flight Railway
Location: 351 South Hill Street, Los Angeles (Stop G)

The newly reopened Angels Flight Railway has been in operation on and off since 1901, and at 298 feet is the world’s shortest railway. When it opened, one hundred years ago, its location was the main hub of commerce and entertainment in Downtown Los Angeles. The Angels Flight Railway is a treasured piece of LA history, and it has given more than 100 million rides!

Angels Flight Railway Los Angeles California #angelsflight

Located just across the street from the Grand Central Market, Angels Flight was the perfect way for locals to get up and down the steep hill with their groceries!

Angels Flight Railway Los Angeles California #angelsflight

A one way ride on Angels Flight is $1 payable at the upper station. Metro pass holders may ride for $.50. If you’re only interested in riding one way there are stairs located to the side of the railway. We rode up and walked back down.

Street Art Los Angeles California #dtlastreetart
Street art as seen from the Angels Flight Upper Station

The Last Bookstore
Location: 453 S. Spring St, Los Angeles ( Bonus Stop D)

If you have book lovers in your group you’ll want to make time for The Last Bookstore. Full of character and visually stunning this place is a book lovers dream!

#thelastbookstore

A labyrinth of books, the comic section, the first edition vault, (literally, it was inside an actual vault), the artist studios, and a rare book room are just a few of the places you can explore during a visit to The Last Bookstore.


Related Post: The Last Bookstore

*This is a self-guided walking tour created by yours truly! Even with the promise of unlimited desserts I couldn’t persuade my teen to join us.


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Foodie Walking Tour of Downtown Los Angeles #sweettooth      Foodie Walking Tour of Downtown Los Angeles #sweettooth

Take me with you!

Would you like directions to all these fabulous places? Why not take me with you! You can download this and other fun hilarystyle articles using the GPSmyCity app!

#gpsmycityhilarystyle