An Ode to Lister by Julie Newmar
"I opened my eyes"
GRAFFITI - Do you want that removed?, I was asked.
"NO" - - - so I took a photo of it.
It's on the alley side of retail building my father built in the 400 block of N. Fairfax in Los Angeles.
This block is now a kind of international landmark,
a Rodeo drive for urban fashion.
I looked at the photo. It grew on me more and more.
It opened my eyes to youth, its culture and promise.
I appreciated the rapscallion energy of this artist.
LISTER - http://anthonylister.com/
"The first rule of painting is to take everyone else out of the equation. I am the viewer, so I don’t underestimate my viewers. They see everything and I just have to assume that they are me. I cant paint for anyone else. It’s all about having the courage to say this is finished and they have to know that, i am the boss in painting. Its like being a soldier because i have to be hard as fuck to fall in love with these things and let them go."
— with Anthony Lister.
Originally published on the great Julie Newmar's Facebook. Reprinted with permission.
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