Well Coachella is upon us, and for those of you who are there…get your groove on and enjoy the art party but safe. For the many who remain in LA…. art parties will offer some more breathing room with less cars on the freeway! Yeah!

TPOW Skidmore LoriLarusso OrangeCakehere are tons of openings this weekend some fun ones, we just added for the Weekend Update in Culver City, plus several taking place at Bergamot Station along with our Pick of the Week. They are all happening this Saturday April 13th. The second Saturday ArtWalk takes place in and around Highland Park. Lots of decisions to make kids….I really wish I could clone myself and hit every art party there is.

See image: It’s Not My Birthday, That’s Not My (Orange Slices) Cake Acrylic and enamel on panel 18″ x 18″ x 1 1/2″ 2013

You won’t want to miss Skidmore Contemporary Art’s opening reception for “Kitty Cake and Other New Paintings” featuring the work of artist Lori Larusso.

April13 Skidmore LoriLarussoLike 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.”

See 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

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

Llowres April13 SKIDMORE LoriLarusso SweetheartCakearusso’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.

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

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.”

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.”

lowres 4.13SkidmoreLarusso PruneCake-2See image: It’s Not My Birthday, That’s Not My (Prune) Cake Acrylic and enamel on panel, 36″ x 24″ x 1 1/2″ 2013

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.