Hubby has liked the work of the artist Olivia for years and years. We used to live in the Pasadena (CA) area and would go see her shows in Hollywood/LA over the years and Hubby always wanted one of her works, but we couldn't afford it, especially while he was in school.
We moved to Fresno years ago already, but got an invite to her show that was last night (May 2) at a gallery on Hollywoood Blvd--Olivia was the primary artist in a showing honoring Bettie Page (a pinup model from decades past).
So we left Fresno around noon, had lunch in LA, and hit Hollywood Blvd, checking out the sites, shopping, and people. Those dressed as Superman, Batman, Marilyn Monroe, etc, posing for pictures with tourists. The groups that was almost-Amish, I guess preaching with their rather quiet presence, and looking soooo out of place with all the others.
We got to the gallery and had to wait until the "VIP" time was done, seeing people I couldn't identify, but Hubby recognized as Julie Newmar (older but still a hot body), some Playboy models from years past, Perez Hilton, etc. All drinking and schmoozing and getting their pictures taken for who knows what publications. Then there were those in costume (from Bettie Page characters)--both female and men-dressed-as-women.
We finally get in and check the 85 or so pieces on the wall and find three in our price range that we liked. Boy! I guess all these Hollywood-underground-types aren't there to buy anything, because when we said were wanted "that one," the sales manager took care of us, Olivia signed the back of it, pictures were taken, yadda yadda yadda. They'll ship it when the exhibit's done at the end of the month.
I guess we just made the VIP list! When I said that this was the perfect present for Hubby's upcoming birthday, a big one, Hubby was asked how old he'd be. "Fifty." Olivia and the sales manager just looked at him--"You really don't look anywhere near that old." Hah! And that's without having work done, unlike many of the people there.
We were in and out in about an hour, because it was turning into that party scene from "Breakfast at Tiffanys," and went to the ice cream parlor by Disney's El Capitan theater, and then drove all the way back to Fresno, getting home before 2am (it's about a 3 hour drive).
YAY! I got Hubby a gift I know he loves. It's a (color) watercolor, with the image about 6" x 6" of a head shot of Bettie Page. Nothing risque, no boobage. And the perfect gift for Hubby.
We moved to Fresno years ago already, but got an invite to her show that was last night (May 2) at a gallery on Hollywoood Blvd--Olivia was the primary artist in a showing honoring Bettie Page (a pinup model from decades past).
So we left Fresno around noon, had lunch in LA, and hit Hollywood Blvd, checking out the sites, shopping, and people. Those dressed as Superman, Batman, Marilyn Monroe, etc, posing for pictures with tourists. The groups that was almost-Amish, I guess preaching with their rather quiet presence, and looking soooo out of place with all the others.
We got to the gallery and had to wait until the "VIP" time was done, seeing people I couldn't identify, but Hubby recognized as Julie Newmar (older but still a hot body), some Playboy models from years past, Perez Hilton, etc. All drinking and schmoozing and getting their pictures taken for who knows what publications. Then there were those in costume (from Bettie Page characters)--both female and men-dressed-as-women.
We finally get in and check the 85 or so pieces on the wall and find three in our price range that we liked. Boy! I guess all these Hollywood-underground-types aren't there to buy anything, because when we said were wanted "that one," the sales manager took care of us, Olivia signed the back of it, pictures were taken, yadda yadda yadda. They'll ship it when the exhibit's done at the end of the month.
I guess we just made the VIP list! When I said that this was the perfect present for Hubby's upcoming birthday, a big one, Hubby was asked how old he'd be. "Fifty." Olivia and the sales manager just looked at him--"You really don't look anywhere near that old." Hah! And that's without having work done, unlike many of the people there.
We were in and out in about an hour, because it was turning into that party scene from "Breakfast at Tiffanys," and went to the ice cream parlor by Disney's El Capitan theater, and then drove all the way back to Fresno, getting home before 2am (it's about a 3 hour drive).
YAY! I got Hubby a gift I know he loves. It's a (color) watercolor, with the image about 6" x 6" of a head shot of Bettie Page. Nothing risque, no boobage. And the perfect gift for Hubby.
Sounds like a pretty good time, though (except for Perez Hilton). Olivia is a great artist. 
