Sublime Sunday

We had the great fortune of going to the Disney Concert Hall on Sunday. Seeing the awesome architecture of Frank Gehry is a treat, and being inside of it is an experience worthy of a cross-town drive. And when I thought it couldn't get better, it does. My friends Annette (my classical music and dance culture goddess) and Rudi (the best photographer in LA) were great companions.

Merce Cunningham Dance Company recorded a legacy performance since the recent passing of their choreographer. This contemporary, abstract movement paired with layers of animals, people, city and sea sounds by the late John Cage was surprising, meaningful and so refreshing. Thank you all.

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DIY Green Queen & Eco Divas

Deborah Lindquist's DIY sweater appliqué party was my brand of fun. Years ago, my mom and I went to Rosarito Beach on Spring Break. That was accidental timing, but we left the college kids for a resort in La Bufadora. There was a lovely, traditional resort along the beach with horses, a pool, and nice restaurants and gift shops. In the evening, it became so chilly that we had to buy two sweaters from a local shop.

Once I returned to LA, it seemed a bit too plain (and distinctly celery green). With the memories of the clean beach, salty air, margaritas and mariachis, I could not give it away. So Deborah Lindquist gave me the opportunity to add pizzazz, and I learned how to re-love my Mexican sweater. It is super beautiful now. Thanks Deb for sharing your creativity and supplies.

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Good Art: As Essential as Fresh Air

Last Friday I was a guest at the Coalition for Clean Air Luncheon. It was so inspiring to be in the company of Boone Pickens (who promises a national energy plan in one year), as well as business leaders from UPS, Nissan and California Cartage Company. The event was full of public officials and other like-minded people who want to get off the gas like us! CCA is doing great work to improve our air quality, which is not an easy job. Each and everyone of us needs to do our part daily.

Boone Pickens knows the good ol' USA has more natural gas than oil, and we would be in better shape by using it. At 82, he has a lot of experience and good energy. Extra applause goes out to him and UPS for their new alternative air fleet (no noise and emissions).

From there I was invited to present at the SoCal Electric Eco IQ Day. I met some great entrepreneurs like Powerforce USA, who is making electric batteries for scooters and converting other vehicles to the cleaner technology.

Good art is as essential as fresh air and going places!

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Simple Is Beautiful

Memorial Day was a private celebration this year. All of my household chores were accomplished either on foot or bike. It felt good not to use any gas or plastic for my food and other supplies. The weather was finally splendid here in Santa Monica, so riding the bike with canvas sacks to the Farmers Market was a treat. And so is the fresh and tender vegetables and fruits. Walking back from the grocery store after buying more than I expected was not easy, but the compression of the load was quickly released and the sense of freedom was exhilarating. Using eco-cleaners and line drying laundry all made for a wholesome, happy contribution.

If the planet is destroyed, it won't be because of me. I dedicated this practice to the many soldiers who have died because of oil. I love this country and planet and am grateful for it all. And I do believe that if we learn to use less gas and oil-based products, we will in turn eliminate wars and pollution.

God bless America. Simple is beautiful.

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Featured Art: Angelic Sunsets

Los Angeles sunsets, contemporary style and blended spirituality are the focus of Angelic Sunsets. The series of photographs were taken from the Venice Pier and upward to northern Santa Monica. On various days in late October, Louise Marler captured natural colors and landscapes.

The graphic angel was originally carved from styrofoam, inked and stamped, and both the slides and ink on paper were scanned to create digital collages.

All images can be custom printed to your specified size. To get your own Angelic Sunsets fine art print, please contact L. A. Marler.

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Louise Marler Speaks Out on Gulf Coast Oil Spill

Once again, we are faced with the grave consequences of our national and personal addictions to oil. The recent oil spill in the Gulf Coast by BP is an inexcusable and disgusting abuse of our planet and its precious wildlife.

Bringing it back to personal power -- which admittedly seems limited in these times -- truly matters in our mission to save the planet. If each of us chooses to ride a bike, walk, or take the bus instead of burning more gas in our cars, we will decrease our dependency on oil one step at a time. Obviously, this would mean less drilling and more fishing! My only hope is that we can all be more aware of our options and support transportation reform in our daily lives. Also, your purchases are buying power. Use it wisely.

Oil is History, so let's make that our reality. If we stop using it, we can eliminate the war in the Middle East as well as the greed mongering in the oil industry. It's all about respecting the earth, air and water -- and living better lives in the process.

Fellow artist Shepard Fairey is a big supporter of Oil is History and the artwork behind it, and you too can join the evolution. Learn more and get your free Oil is History pin while supply lasts. And speaking of Fairey and his powerful influence in the art community, make sure to check out the amazing film Exit Through the Gift Shop at your local theatre.

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'Do What You Love Fearlessly'

Those are some words of advice Louise Marler offers in the Spring 2010 issue of The Magazine of Southeast Missouri State University. The unique combination of a marketing major and psychology minor helped shape Marler into the artist she is today. She says:

I chose the psych minor since it is really important to me to understand why people do what they do. Also why a person buys what they buy. It helps my career to have knowledge of the subliminal effects of color and price, timing and associations. Selling a lifestyle brand is a perception more than the sum of actual materials.

To read the full article on Marler, click here.

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