Angel of Hope: Artist Honors Palisades Fire Heroes with Stunning Mural on Santa Monica Beach

On a rainy Sunday, January 26, 2025, artist Kuba Skrzypek (@skrzypekstudio) a wall at Perry's Beach Café into a powerful tribute to the resilience and heroism of Los Angeles firefighters. The mural, featuring a firefighter rescuing a woman with angelic wings, symbolizes the city's enduring spirit in the wake of the devastating Palisades Fire. Skrzypek, a visiting artist from Poland, took to the brush during his short vacation in Los Angeles. The wings on the woman are a nod to the City of Angels, while the mural serves as a poignant reminder of the bravery displayed during the fire, which ignited on January 7, 2025. Later that evening, Skrzypek was set to head to the airport to return to Poland. The Palisades Fire left an indelible mark on the community, scorching over 23,000 acres, destroying more than 12,000 structures, and displacing over 100,000 residents across Pacific Palisades, Topanga, and Malibu. As recovery efforts continue, this mural captures the hope and strength of a city still healing. Skrzypek’s artwork not only immortalizes the heroism of first responders but also provides a focal point for reflection and unity amid the ongoing rebuilding efforts.

Venice Beach Artist Seren Hkse Shares Her Journey of Art and Struggle

Venice Beach, October 20, 2024 – Seren Hkse, a local street artist, was seen working on a new painting at the Venice Beach Boardwalk on Sunday. Known for using acrylic pens, Seren has been creating and selling her artwork on the boardwalk for years, despite living in a homeless shelter. She described her art as a reflection of Venice’s unique culture and shared her hope for a future where artists like herself can thrive. In a candid conversation with Santa Monica Closeup’s photojournalist Fabian Lewkowicz, Seren opened up about her struggles. “Today's my last day here,” she said, referencing an ongoing personal challenge involving harassment and theft of her art supplies. Despite the setbacks, she remains resilient, continuing to create and envision a future with a dedicated workspace for her projects. Seren spoke passionately about the importance of art and community. "This is home, and I want to be home," she shared, explaining her connection to the Venice area and her dreams of opening a gallery space. Even in the face of adversity, Seren's art and spirit continue to inspire those who encounter her work at the boardwalk. Her story is a testament to the creativity and resilience that defines Venice Beach, a place where art and struggle often walk hand in hand.

CHILL OUT, EAT A PICKLE: Artist Sergio Maciel Paints New Mural for Grillo's Pickles on Windward Avenue in Venice

Venice, CA—Local artist Sergio Maciel (@sergmaciel) was seen hard at work on Windward Avenue, painting a vibrant new mural for Grillo's Pickles. The bold advertisement features the slogan "CHILL OUT EAT A PICKLE" in large white letters against a bright green background, making it a striking addition to the iconic Venice street. The mural showcases Grillo’s signature pickle jars, combining street art with product promotion in a creative and eye-catching way.

Grillo’s Pickles, widely loved for their fresh and flavorful pickles, has taken a unique approach to advertising by collaborating with local artists like Maciel. This mural adds both color and character to the Venice neighborhood, inviting residents and visitors alike to enjoy the refreshing taste of Grillo’s Pickles while taking in the vibrant art scene on Windward Avenue.

Santa Monica Pier Mural Restored After Graffiti Vandalism

Santa Monica Pier painter Joey Alvarez removed graffiti from the ocean-themed mural by the late artist David Legaspi beneath the Santa Monica Pier on Monday, September 9, 2024.

The mural, a tribute to marine life, is one of many created by Legaspi, who painted hundreds of murals throughout the Southland, including works for the Los Angeles Unified School District, the City of Santa Monica, and various public and private schools in the San Fernando Valley and South Bay. His artistic contributions also extended to churches and nonprofits such as the State PTA, and numerous private commissions.

 

Santa Monica Illuminated: Blue Supermoon Dazzles Over Pier in Rare Celestial Display

🌕 This morning, August 19, 2024, the Blue Full Moon, a magnificent Supermoon, set over Santa Monica Pier, creating a mesmerizing scene.

A Blue Moon refers to the rare occurrence of a second full moon within a single calendar month. Despite its name, the moon doesn’t actually appear blue. The term "Blue Moon" is more of a figure of speech, signifying something that happens infrequently.

This particular Blue Moon is also a Supermoon, which means it’s closer to Earth in its orbit, making it appear larger and brighter in the sky. This celestial event is especially captivating, as it combines both the rarity of a Blue Moon and the enhanced visibility of a Supermoon.

#Supermoon #BlueMoon #SantaMonicaPier #NightSky #SantaMonica #CelestialEvents

Photo by Joey Alvarez