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

Three U.S. Citizens Detained by Federal Immigration Agents in Southern California Speak Out For the First Time

U.S. Senate report reveals new testimonies from detained victims of Border Patrol: "I couldn’t breathe. They pulled me up, and when I turned around, they told me that if I looked at their faces, they would slam me again,” Cardenas said.

December 13, 2025

How This Artist Is Turning L.A.’s Trash Into Art Draped With The U.S. Flag

I thought a lot about the ICE raids immensely,” says artist Acacia Marable. "And a lot about the unhoused people, ‘cause I mean, it's literally like this idea of this ugly thing that you don't want to be associated with your community or our country."

December 13, 2025

Daily Memo: ICE Prowls Around L.A. and San Diego, Kidnapping at Least Seven Individuals

ICE agents continue terrorizing southern California, kidnapping many including a gardener taken from his work truck.

Ten Damning Revelations in Congressional Probe Into U.S. Citizens Unlawfully Detained by Federal Immigration Agents

“At least you’ll have an exciting story to tell when you go back to school,” one federal agent told a detained 15-year-old child with special needs. The report includes three U.S. Citizens from the L.A. area, speaking out for the first time and a six-year-old child with autism kidnapped in Massachusetts.

December 12, 2025

L.A. TACO’s 2025 Holiday Gift Guide

Perfume for goths, elk burgers, ICE piñatas, graffiti books, and 18 other items that should get your gift-giving wheels turning.

December 12, 2025

Weekend Eats: Steak Au Poivre Ramen and a Holiday Market For Palestine

Plus a new modern Indian restaurant with pork vindaloo croquettes and a breakfast spot for chicken katsu and waffles.

December 12, 2025
See all posts