CONTEMPORARY EXPLORER

  One of the great things about art is all the material and equipment. Curating it is an art form in itself, giving much pleasure in its pursuit. Yes, I have been accused of having more paint and brushes than Picasso, not to mention all the canvas untested by fledgling talent. Still there is wonderful warmth in wandering in it all and then there are rare moments. Upon a pad of art paper, you pull a pallet knife or two, a couple of tubes of paint and play. Soon you forget about the rest of the world, its troubles, and your small pains.  You move the pallet knife back and forth, adding paint here and there, then more touches of other colors. Suddenly, the canvas speaks to you. Not of monumental things, but instead in its own simple beauty. A beauty found within, you did not know of….

  Bring a shopping bag, be prepared to wade into the masses, practice your best sorting moves, and hone your instincts for the great find. Bin bargain stores are popping up everywhere. Some of the famous ones include Bin City New York, Cheap Charlies Bargain Bins on Long Island, Bargains in a Box Chicago and perhaps the most famous one Amazon Bin Store. The origin of these bargain treasure hunt centers is difficult to determine. Most agree though that they grew from the internet auctions of returned and overstock items. Those becoming so popular that they grew into brick and mortar locations. It can be addictive fun, the price of bin items goes down each day. One might start at $14 on Friday and be only $0.25 on the following Thursday. There are no returns here, what you pick is yours.  Bin pros advise, arrive early, bring cash, try to negotiate (if you need a laugh), have a plan of attack. So roll up your sleeves and roll into the fun….and always wear a badge saying “buyer beware.”

  I traveled to LA many times on business, always staying on Wiltshire Avenue at the Grand. Wiltshire cut across LA like a zipper, unlocking each district along the way. The huge Grand Hotel defined the divide between downtown and the districts stretching all the way to Hollywood. It opened in 1952 and showed it’s age. Plans were already underway for its demolition and replacement with even a grander property. Still the staff held on, from the check in people to restaurant staff, serving the property for years. Their career was here and they still performed their duties the same as before. It was a trait that I found earmarked LA. The people who lived in this megalopolis for a long time acquired a quietness about the place. They went about their business each day, keeping to them selves, respecting the city and the city in turn letting them live their lives.  I always took my camera with me as I roamed the arts district, fashion streets, Korea town, the Miracle mile, and tawdry side st