lowres April13 SKIDMORE LoriLarusso SweetheartCakePick of the Week is this Saturday April 13th, Skidmore Contemporary Art hosts an artist reception for “Kitty Cake and Other New Paintings” featuring the work of Lori Larusso.

See image: It’s Not My Birthday, That’s Not My (Sweetheart) Cake
Acrylic and enamel on panel, 16″ x 20″ x 1 1/2″ 2013

Like most children, Larusso loved to draw. “I would paint whenever the materials were available,” recalls Larusso. “My parents encouraged me to develop my skill, but it wasn’t really until college that was I introduced to a variety of wet media and realized the possibilities.”

Originally from Ohio, Larusso now resides in Kentucky. “I look forward to being in Santa Monica for the opening on the 13th,” says Larusso.

Larusso’s recent series, “It’s Not My Birthday, That’s Not My Cake” brings to mind a romantic notion of family life. Perhaps it’s an over–the-top memory guided by pop culture. The artist spotlights saccharine sweet nostalgia of what most would call a special day…a birthday.

Larusso is drawn to two-dimensional representation as means of genuine communication. She explains, “I am not interested in tricking the viewer into believing what I represent is real, necessarily, rather I’m more concerned with presenting the image as an idea for the viewer to consider. There is a certain honesty to paintings because ultimately, they’re just pictures.”

April13 Skidmore LoriLarussoSee image:  It’s Not My Birthday, That’s Not My (Kitty) Cake Acrylic and enamel on panel, 36″ x 24″ x 1 1/2″ 2013

She continues, “That being said, I also want to make visually interesting work, work that the viewer wants to look at, and keep looking at. I enjoy making choices about color and composition, and dealing with space and perspective in challenging ways.”

The subjects of her painting, usually come from photographs, “I am collecting imagery constantly…from magazines, newspapers, junk mail, food packaging, google searches, as well as old cookbooks and old magazines from thrift stores,” says Larusso.

On view: April 13 – May 25

What: Opening reception  – April 13th
Where: Skidmore Contemporary Art, Bergamot Station 2525 Michigan Ave., D-2 Santa Monica, 90404
When: 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Phone: 310-828-5070
Website: http://www.skidmorecontemporaryart.com.