Recently I took a turn down La Brea Avenue to an alley and I saw a beautiful piece by artist MAR. Like most of MAR’s art I stood there completely captivated. The piece was of a beautiful woman in black and white which was partially bordered by a colorful abstract pattern.If you’ve been lucky enough to experience any of his artistic creations you would instantly fall in love with his style, expression and commitment to the art. I had the pleasure of interviewing MAR on the alley piece I came across, his work with charities and the challenges he’s faced being an artist. This is his story…

Who were a few artists you studied growing up that influenced your art?

I never really studied art but the people that I looked up to as far as work ethic and style were people like Shepard Fairey, Swoon, Jackson Pollock, Barry McGee and Futura.

What can you share about the meaning of your name “MAR”?

I grew up in the ocean. My moniker reflects that. It is Spanish for the “sea”. It also has a rather relevant English definition.

You have an abstract signature pattern that you use in a few of your pieces that I love. How did this pattern first come about?

That’s a good question, and every time I’m asked that I find myself wondering just exactly what it was that sparked it. I think its just creative expression. Not much thought put into it beyond that. Sometimes things just reveal themselves through art, and we like them for one reason or another, so we keep them around.

What is the biggest challenge you have faced being an artist?

Making art for fun is easy. It’s when the art becomes “business” that things get a little weird. The pressures that push against your natural creative spirit are the biggest challenge.

“Cyan, Magenta, Yellow & Black” is one of my favorite street art pieces of yours. Were you ever tempted to use white? How difficult was it to create that illusion?

I didn’t even buy any white paint for that project. Can’t use what you don’t have! There was no thought of whether to use white or not. I simply had to achieve the painting without using white and that’s what I did. I think it came out pretty good, but my opinion is obviously bias.

What is something you want people to know about yourself and your work?

I put my heart and soul into my work and I work damn hard. Mostly because that’s the only way I can see having it. Also, I’m incredibly sarcastic and refuse to take myself too seriously. So don’t think I made these remarks with out a bit of tongue-in-cheek cheekiness.

I think it’s great that you take part in charity auctions to bring awareness to important issues. You mention on your website that you are a cancer survivor; did your personal experience fuel your involvement with different charities and foundations?

Yes, definitely. I like to work with charities whose cause’s I believe in and are close to my heart.

For More Information:

Twitter: @ThisMeansMar

Facebook: facebook.com/thismeansmar

Instagram: @this_means

Personal Website: http://www.thismeansmar.com/

-Adrianne

 Tweet Me! @ADRI86

Photo Credit: Jen Inc

The cover art with Leonardo DiCaprio, who plays Jay Gatsby in the movie The Great Gatsby, is sure to be a popular look with "gentlemen" of all ages this season. This homage to the man of style can be achieved on most hair types with the proper cut and of course a supporting cast of products.

To achieve Leo’s look above, start with towel-dried hair. Cocktail (mix) 2 parts Style Sexy Hair Hard Up Hard Holding Gel with 1 part Style Sexy Hair Slept In Texture Crème. Use a fine-toothed comb to set hair away from the face and into desired shape. Allow hair to air dry or blow dry using a low air setting on high heat to lock in. For a glass-like shine, finish off with a light mist of Straight Sexy Hair Smooth & Seal. 

Jay Gatsby can also be seen in the film coiffed with a deep side part. This style can be achieved by applying Style Sexy Hair Blow It Up Volumizing Gel Foam to towel-dried hair starting from the roots to ends.  Blow dry directing hair upwards with fingers or brush. Once dried, sculpt hair using Style Sexy Hair Molding Paste and finish off with a light mist of Healthy Sexy Hair Soy Touchable Weightless Hairspray.

Tobey Maguire, who plays Nick Carraway in the movie The Great Gatsby, is seen with deep side part haircut with tremendous shine. To achieve his look, use Silky Sexy Hair Lite Shampoo and Conditioner to smooth hair. On towel dried hair, apply Silky Sexy Hair Frizz Eliminator Lite and blow dry. Emulsify Style Sexy Hair Control Maniac in fingertips and apply throughout the hair. Use a fine-toothed comb to create a deep side part and mold into place. Finish with some Healthy Sexy Hair Soy Touchable Weightless Hairspray for a high shine and light hold.

Joel Edgerton, who plays Tom Buchanan in the movie, wears a fuller quiff with shine. To achieve his look, style prime with Big Sexy Hair Volumizing Shampoo and Conditioner. Cocktail (mix) Big Sexy Hair Dense Thickening Spray with Style Sexy Hair What a Body. Blow dry to get maximum amount of shine, fullness and control. Mold hair with Healthy Sexy Hair Soy Paste for frizz free definition. Amp up the shine by applying Big Sexy Hair Big Shine spray to palms and smoothing through hair. 

Don't forget to catch the movie out May 10th!

- Marc Mapile

Xoxo 

Twitter/IG: @CutmarC 

For info on products www.sexyhair.com

Cutout dresses have been spotted all over the red carpet and with summer around the corner it's the perfect time to choose a piece in a bright color showing off a little bit of skin. The best cutout dresses to wear are the ones where the cutouts are in unique shapes and in places you wouldn't normally find them. Take a look at some celebs who've worked the trend on the carpet, plus check out the links below on where you can shop the look for less.

[Photos] Celebs in cutout dresses

Topshop:

Plain Pique Cutout Sundress in Pink 

Acid Leaf Cutout Sundress 

Nasty Gal:

Lips Like Sugar Dress 

Forever 21:

Multicolored Geo Print Dress

Free People:

Jen's Pirate Booty Nena Tie Dye Gauze Dress

This week’s feature will highlight an appreciator of art who has taken the sticker to express his alter ego. Chicken Speak is the alias of this quirky character and he moves around the city dropping clever quips next to art pieces he comes across in his adventures. I’ve found many of his stickers in great locations and they are usually placed by the best art that the city has to offer. Chicken Speak took a break from flying around town to discuss how the chicken character came about and what a day in the life of Chicken Speak involves. This is his story….  

Where did the chicken persona first come from?

It may be best to think of the chicken as a state of mind; a cynical spirit animal acting through this city's subconscious and not just something you biggie size at KFC.  But, to be honest, I put the pen down to paper years ago and the chicken just came out!  There's no easier way to explain it other than the chicken has always been around in some form as a comfortingly grounded, if annoyingly ever-present, voice in my head.  

What do you hope people will get from seeing one of your stickers?

This town can take itself too seriously at times and I just think everyone should pause at least once a day to laugh at something completely random without inhibition and while they're at it, they should also feed me bread.  I prefer rye. Thanks. 

Describe a day in the life of Chicken Speak?

Los Angeles runs at an inhuman pace, so I leisurely meander, crossing roads (I have my reasons), taking pictures and highlighting the hidden artwork around town that may get lost among the masses, plus its good exercise. Along the way, I'll leave my nonsensical commentary wherever chickens are welcome.  

Which one of your stickers has been your favorite so far and why?

"Living the dream can be frustrating sometimes." People come to Hollywood for a myriad of reasons, but usually to follow their passion and their heart to take a chance and "live the dream."  Unfortunately, along the way to said dream, many encounter nightmarish road blocks and stupid people that are glazed over in the fine print of what living the dream actually entails.  I caught myself saying this phrase once and found it oddly grounding.

Another favorite of mine is, "If you won't wish a friend happy birthday on Facebook, then you probably shouldn't be friends with that person… it was yesterday, Beth." This is the digital age we live in. Even if my intent is to get people to look away from their handheld devices for two seconds, it's still unavoidable, and the characteristics we take on in the online world are amusing to this chicken.

What's next for the chicken?

It's about the art.  The most rewarding thing for me is capturing street art going up, seeing the work come to life, and then reflect back on the town. The act of creating something out of nothing, watching the art evolve, and interact with the artist and their audience is the most engaging thing for this chicken. So as for what's next?  I'm happy staying cage-free, roam
ing the streets, and admiring the scenery for now.

Best place you've left one of your stickers?

In the hands of those who appreciate them… and feed me bread.  Did I mention the rye?

For More Information:

Facebook: www.Facebook.com/chickenspeak

Instagram: @chickenspeak

Twitter: @chickenspeak

Website: Chickenspeak.com

Comic Strip: thechickenisin.blogspot.com

-Adrianne

Tweet Me! @ADRI86

Katy Perry recently took part in a campaign, Gucci’s A-list Chime For Change campaign, which urges women to come together for global issues such as justice, healthcare, etc.

“If I feel strongly about something, the whole world will know within seconds” Katy said for the cause.

Also featured are Blake Lively,Halle Berry, Evan Rachel Wood,Jada Pinkett-Smith, and more. Read more.

HEDI SLIMANE FOR SAINT LAURENT

via nydailynews.com 

French designer and creative director of luxury label Saint Laurent Hedi Slimane has designed stage gear for the return of the epic electronic musical duo Daft Punk.

Set to hit stores at the end of May, Daft Punk's upcoming album "Random Access Memories" is one of this year's most eagerly anticipated releases. Eschewing the heavy computer effects of previous efforts, Daft Punk tasked themselves with "[recreating] what we used to do with machines and samplers, but with people," they told the Guardian.

In celebration of the record and the upcoming tour, Hedi Slimane has photographed the duo for the Saint Laurent Music Project, shown off in a short video. In the black and white visuals, shot in Los Angeles, the band (made up of Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo and Thomas Bangalter) are dressed in stage wear by Hedi Slimane for Saint Laurent, including a black glitter jacket, 'le smoking'.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/fashion/hedi-slimane-designs-stage-gear-daft-punk-article-1.1316935#ixzz2QYnqzAke

Miranda Kerr may have lost her wings, but she is looking fierce in the latest Mango TV spot. Kerr released a statement saying that she is "delighted" to be working with Mango and will start her relationship with the label by appearing in their spring/summer 2013 campaign.