Saturday morning, after a walk in the rain, I went to the Brewery Art Walk to meet up with the LA Art and Museum Meetup Group. My first time connecting with this varied crowd of art enthusiasts. One artist’s work stood out by far. Ted Meyer painted on paper with bright colored gauche. Obscure textures were cool enough to browse. Then I read the description of his idea. A chance meeting with a woman in a wheelchair. Her black dress with a low cut back revealed her spinal scar spurred his exploration.
From that meeting, he began his series called “Scarred for Life Art” where he took an impression of a scar, inked it onto paper and added more color to create a beautiful textured pattern of stitched skin. Even more beautiful than his art were the stories he wrote of his models. The breast cancer survivor, liver transplant, amputee, and cutter. Each narrative drew me into their lives, reading of their health issues and seeing their scars pressed in color. This was by far the most memorable exhibit I’ve seen.
After spending time in his studio, I headed back outside needing to grab something to eat. On my way to the outdoor food area, I ran into a woman who was from my group. “I see you broke away from the group, too.” Any group larger than three would be hard to satisfy so walking it alone was our choice. We chatted a bit then she asked what direction was I headed. “I need food,” and she agreed so we walked to the only restaurant inside the Brewery Art Complex. While walking up the steps to Barbara’s eatery, she pointed to the ground asking, “Is that someone’s wallet?” I picked it up and looked inside. Full of money and cards and ID. Someone is bumming right now. I counted $65, gave her half and stuck the other half down my bra. Finders keepers I thought. I could use the $32 to buy my lunch. Just kidding. That’s not really what happened. We had to find the owner.
Jonathan had a work business card, a clinic intern at Yo San University. Camile called the number and the receptionist gave her his cell phone number. Within ten minutes he called her back and located us sitting outside. He thanked us and was so relieved that we returned it, even though he had not yet known it was missing. He works as an acupuncturist in Marina del Rey near my work. He said if we ever need a healing to stop by anytime and he can help us out. Hum? I could use some treatment on my stiff neck muscles from hunching over a keyboard.
Camile and I both felt real good doing this deed. And we had a nice lunch. The chicken salad with celery and walnuts really satisfied my hunger. Afterward we looked at some more art. Then we were on our way to our cars when she asked for my number so we could get together again. Sure thing. I love meeting creative people.
As I walked toward my car, she yelled out, “Grace. I’ve got your keys somehow.” I held up my keys saying, “I have mine.” “I don’t know whose keys these are.” She had hers and another set of keys and did not know how they got inside her bag. First the lost wallet, now the lost keys. She had to find another owner. As I drove away, I wondered how she would manage to return the keys without any identification. I’ll call her soon to see how she did. It ended up being a creative and interesting day. I was glad that I made myself go.