Nightwalking
My love of walking around DTLA began in 1993, when I moved to Wall Street at 4th in Skid Row. The nearest grocery store was Grand Central Market, which at that time was mostly big stalls selling produce super cheap—my budget. The walk to the Historic Core was pure pleasure. I was immediately hooked and started exploring all around the different sub-neighborhoods/districts.
I’ve lived in a bunch spots all over downtown and currently am in a loft just a block away from Grand Central. I walk by there nearly everyday, but rarely go in. I’m not NIMBY, but I do miss the 12 limes for a dollar and could care less about $6 donuts or giant greasy fried egg sandwiches, etc.
Walking is my primary form of exercise, but it is also my most important source of inspiration. I always take a ton of pictures on the walks. (And maybe overshare on my IG stories.) There are literally thousands of #DTLAWalkabout images in my iCloud, dating back to the 90's.
Friends often comment or ask me about the walks and sometimes join me. An artist friend recently said they were “studio research,” and I completely agree.
The walks typically happen in the morning or early afternoon. I do walk at night, but only to get from one place to the next, not in the follow-the-green-lights way I do during the daylight.
Last Sunday another artist friend, Brendan Lott, who lives kitty corner from me and loves DTLA in way that makes me love him, sent me a DM at like 7. He was going to walk around the neighborhood and take pictures at 8, would I like to join? YES.
Brendan and I met on the corner. He was carrying a tripod and a camera bag around his shoulders. We headed towards the Flower District. I wanted to show him my favorite tree, which had just begun its yearly August bloom. On the walk there everything looked beautiful to me. And the tree greeted us with a flurry of pink. We looped back around and tromped through the fashion district, then South Park, and back towards the Historic Core.
It was glorious. I want to do this all the time.
Follow Brendan on IG to see his amazing series of images taken from his apartment of his neighbors (and mine).