Dragon Pearl
Artist Bio:
Sol Luongo is a local Los Angeles- based artist from Uruguay who paints, draws, and sculpts whimsical, magical and sometimes scary subjects. Some of her work can be seen at The Hive Gallery in DTL A and her latest mural inside of Republic of Lucha in South Pasadena. During the 2020 pandemic shutdown, she illustrated a children’s book for a publisher in Uruguay that releases inclusive books with colorful images, (B)raille and QR codes for narrated videos in sign language. She also plays bass in The Vigils and Turning Violet. Description of "Dragon Pearl" I wanted to portray some of the main characteristics of the area that spoke the loudest to me including nature, architecture and a little bit of past and present. Coyotes, ravens and parrots were the first ones to come to mind. They are definitely quite present and they let themselves be known. Especially those parrots. |
I chose Jupiter’s Beard to represent the local plants and flowers not only because they are quite prominent here but because they are tough and resilient yet they bloom so beautifully. I like this characteristic in people as well.
I couldn’t leave behind those hints of Art Deco that can be mostly seen on the bridges, like the Arroyo Seco on Ave 60, the Via Marisol bridge or the beautiful Monterey Road Pass. *Piece description continued on "Dragon Pearl Tail". Location: Ave 60 & Via Marisol, https://goo.gl/maps/vF7hiYWKUseNup8t9 Partial Sponsor: Hovic, Owner of HT 76 Gas Station |
Dragon Pearl Tail
"Dragon Pearl Tail" Description:
*Continued from "Dragon Pearl" And since we’ve left nature for concrete, one of the other faces of the box had to be the freeway itself with those beautiful cars it was built for. As we most know, the 110 N, at the Historic Arroyo Seco Parkway holds an extra meaning for being the first freeway in the western US. And it was the starting point for the Los Angeles car culture. It also holds a unique place in the world famous mother road: Route 66. So to connect all these pieces I chose the dragon. The dragon symbolizes wisdom and community. They are also known to be protectors. However, the main reason why I chose this particular dragon over any other was nostalgia. I wanted this piece to be visually appealing to someone just passing by while at the same |
time hold an extra layer of meaning for someone that grew up in the area.
So this is the dragon from the iconic Dragon Pearl restaurant that stood right at that corner. I wanted to paint him so that if you stood at the corner you could see his tail jump from one box and wrap on the other as if it was flying over the houses and through the streets. I wanted this piece to be visually appealing to someone just passing by while at the same time hold an extra layer of meaning for someone that grew up in the area. So this is the dragon from the iconic Dragon Pearl restaurant that stood right at that corner. I wanted to paint him so that if you stood at the corner you could see his tail jump from one box and wrap on the other as if it was flying over the houses and through the streets. Location: Ave 60 & Monterey Rd |
Dancer on the Bridge
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Artist Bio & Piece Description: Hello, my name is Nimue Llexim and I'm a 21 year old transgender artist and L.A.I.C.H.S alumni from up the road. I love this area, and it was thinking about my high school years here that inspired me to paint someone dancing on the bridge. Anyone passing through Hermon could spot the bridge but from just a drive but they would miss the tiny blue flowers growing on the side. And the dancer I picked for my classmates, for the heritage living in Hermon, and because I absolutely love Folklorico Partial Sponsor: CA RPM, Owner of 5806-10 Monterey Rd. |
dresses. I hope this installation will compel you to take a closer look at everything around you, especially if you're driving!
Location: Redfield Ave & Monterey Rd., https://goo.gl/maps/jhi2WJhokyJPGQFd6 |
Birder Box
Artist Bio:
Ella Young is a textile designer from Los Angeles. She loves botanical illustration, ethnographic textiles, and playful conversational prints. She is a graduate of Pasadena’s Polytechnic School and Washington University in St. Louis, where she studied Fashion Design and Art History. Her industry experience is in print design and fabric R&D. She moved to Hermon in 2018 and loves the views the neighborhood affords her. Often turning to nature as inspiration, she discovered a recent interest in bird watching, and this new hobby inspired the design for the utility box. Location: Kendall Ave & Monterey Rd., https://goo.gl/maps/U7JVBodQLMLELWV49 Description of “Birder Box”: I love describing to my mid-western friends that I live in Los Angeles, a fantasy land of parrots and peacocks. But looking out my window this last year and a half, I’ve realized that besides these ostentatious birds, I know |
very little of the feathered folk that live in my backyard. I could name a few common birds but wished to recognize more, especially the ones in my yard. My proposal for the LADOT Utility Box design is a bird identification chart, a birder box, if you will. The design includes 30+ local birds depicted to scale with common and scientific names. Using bird books, pocket guides, and the websites of the Audubon Society and the Cornell Lab, I identified the most common birds in our area, cross referencing with eBird, a website where people record their sightings. Since starting this project I’ve discovered a new hobby and am delighted by each new species I identify. (I added the Red-whiskered Bulbul to the design today, when I spotted two eating pomegranates from my neighbor’s tree.) Hermon is home to more than people, and I hope this Birder Box will inspire passersby to learn about and observe our aviary neighbors.
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The Arroyo Seco
Artist Bio:
I was born in New York City and now call Northeast Los Angeles home. I’m a lifelong artist in many mediums - drawing, video, film, and painting, to name a few - and I always end up taking much of my inspiration from my immediate environment. I find art is at its most powerful when it can be a vessel for communication - either directly with people experiencing it or by the thoughts it provokes in relation to the world in which it is experienced. In addition to a personal practice, creating art that is meant to be viewed publicly and engaged with is a big part of my artistic process and perspective. Location: Via Marisol & Monterey Rd., https://goo.gl/maps/yTK3mhx8Uened6s56 Direct Sponsor: Helena Jubany, Owner of Fresco Community Market |
"The Arroyo Seco" Description:
The serenity of the Arroyo Seco is hidden, but once you experience it, its impact is immediately apparent. The way its natural path, though stilted by development, still guides life and travel around it is awe-inspiring. Even encased in concrete, the home it provides for the wildlife of the region is invaluable. For me, Hermon is closely connected with the waterway as one of the gateways to access and understand its hidden beauty. I wanted my piece to reflect the various lines and angles the people of the region have of experiencing the Arroyo Seco. Titled “The Arroyo Seco,” when people see and experience it on its canvas - the civically necessitated utility box - I hope they are reminded of the land itself. |
We Are Hermon
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Artist Bio: Hi Hermon! Bettina Hubby is an artist based in Los Angeles whose practice is grounded in humor, positive mind metaphysics, and exploration of the constantly changing, aspirational self. HubbyCo is the name and public-spirited hub of her practice, which is wide ranging. She works in collage, drawing, painting, sculpture, video, photography, and virtual reality projects. She is also a frequent collaborator and curator and orchestrator of artful community events. I’ll be working with outdoor friendly paints with a base coat of spray paint, then using a template to follow as I hand paint the lettering. I’m looking forward to invigorating the neighborhood! All my best, Bettina |
"We Are Hermon" Description:
My intention for this public painting for Hermon is to create an uplifting artwork that serves as a celebratory affirmation for the unity of the neighborhood. The use of positive, aspirational verbiage, can influence the mind of the passerby. The painting will be both a physical manifestation and a passive sender of experience, reminding us all of our strength through community through positive reinforcement. Location: Via Marisol Crosswalk, across from Hermon Park, https://goo.gl/maps/RAzy8TjAK6HLDBPd7 |