250 S. Broadway
Los Angeles CA 90012
Exhibit: Nov. 8, 2019 – Jan. 11, 2020
Skid Row History Museum & Archive, 250 S. Broadway.
Thu. Fri. Sat. 2-5pm
The Skid Row History Museum & Archive is pleased to present two works of two distinctive artists. Nick Paul and Diane Prozeller are two artists who make bold fanciful paintings and sculptures in their downtown Los Angeles Hotel-room studios. While acknowledging brushes with art schools both think of themselves as self-taught. Their works are colorful and riotous, richly imaginative. Like a swarm of gnats, hornets, flies, they suddenly alight on your shoulder to deliver a biting comment on our chaotic and menacing social environment.
ARTIST BIOS:
DIANE PROZELLER
Diane has been interested in art since she was a child. She received her AA degree in art from Pasadena City College. She also took art classes at Cal Stale LA and at Citrus College. Over the past 20 years Diane has developed her distinct style exhibited in these works. Although Diane received formal training in art, she considers herself primarily self-taught. Drawing gives her an immediate sense of relaxation and creative expression. Her works are a mixture of fantasy and personal observations of real life. She admires the autobiographical qualities of Frida Kahlo’s paintings and the surrealism of Salvador Dali’s art. Her paintings are conceptual, surreal, and animated, while also making a statement about society and popular culture. The design of her art is enhanced and made more direct through the use of illustrations and cartoon like elements. In certain paintings, she uses repetition and slight variations of the subject to create a personal and rhythmic quality to her art. The repetition of images communicates both a connection and individual differences between each subject.
NICK PAUL
Nick Paul was born in Roseville Michigan. He ran away to Los Angeles at 20 where he knew no one. Nick is happiest when he is in his art zone. He is 38 years clean and sober, proud to be Gay and part of the LGBT community, and a self-taught artist with influences from LACC. Art department. Nick lives below poverty level. He rents a small room in an old hotel where he creates all of his art. He says his wild imagination saves him from the madness of downtown. He loves to inspire and to be inspired by others. He also loves writing poetry with a Lou Reed punk rock perspective… and thanks David Bowie and Bette Midler for endless hours of their inspirational music. He encourages others to enjoy life every day and look forward to something special to do “every day” because tomorrow is not promised. Nick is a 2 time Cancer Survivor.
