Skip to Content
Art

L.A. Freeway Woodcut by Loren Kantor

Picture 92

Charles Bukowski wrote, "When I drive the freeways, I see the soul of humanity of my city and it's ugly, ugly, ugly." The unwritten rule of freeway driving is to drive aggressively. Traditional defensive driving is not enough. To signal before a lane change is to guarantee the car behind you will not let you in. The trick is to quickly change lanes then hit your turn signal as if to say, "That's right man, I just cut you off."

The above woodcut print is by LA artist Loren Kantor (previously on L.A. Taco), who shares some insight into his process: "Here is a scan (below) of the carved linoleum block. As you can see, all the text in the freeway signs had to be carved backwards.Once carved, the block was mounted to a wood backing and then hand-pressed."

Freeway Block

View more about this woodcut, and many others, at woodcuttingfool.blogspot.com.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from L.A. TACO

From Prison to Major Museums and His First Book, Mr. Wash Is Now Building a Community Art Center

Mr. Wash will celebrate the release of his book, “Artists In Space,” with a launch and artist conversation at his studio in Compton on March 7.

March 6, 2026

Weekend Eats: Octopus Tentacle Sandwiches Wriggle Into Burbank

Plus Korean burgers, a new Afro-Latin restaurant in Silver Lake, and cereal milk French toast on Japanese milk bread.

March 6, 2026

Daily Memo: People Are Being Taken From Downtown L.A.’s Hidden ICE ISAP Check-ins

We’re not seeing much ICE activity in the L.A. area, but we can confirm that people are being taken from their check-ins. Not everybody who checks in gets taken, but some people do.

Donald Trump Reassigns Kristi Noem As Special Envoy—Markwayne Mullin To Take Over As U.S. Secretary of DHS

Former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem has been reassigned to the role of “Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas,” which will have its first meeting with like-minded right-wing leaders from 12 Latin American countries. Mullin, who is currently a House Representative for Oklahoma’s 2nd district, will take on the role of Secretary of DHS at the end of the month, where he’ll likely be ready to take on all of the U.S. in a fistfight.

City of Masa: L.A. TACO’s Ultimate Guide to Tortillas in Los Angeles

Life is too short for bad tortillas. Here’s how to choose flour and corn tortillas that have the power to change your outlook on life.

March 5, 2026

U.S. Troops Raise Alarm After Commanders Frame War on Iran as ‘God’s Plan,’ Claiming Trump is ‘Anointed by Jesus’

The complaints report similar declarations from different commanders, who describe the Iran war as Trump’s bringing of “Armageddon.”

March 4, 2026
See all posts