Navigating Emotions Through Art, Recent Trip to Los Angeles

John, Jeremy and I took a quick trip to Los Angeles for R & D for the new restaurant. Other than a few days five years ago, I haven't been to Los Angeles for over thirty years. What an overwhelming transformation from memory to reality.

This journey to Los Angeles evoked a complex array of emotions that will impact my creative process for some time. The city offered a stark contrast between inspiration and hardship, as well as beauty and struggle. From the lively art scenes in galleries, museums, and architecture to the intriguing cuisine emerging from some LA kitchens, alongside the harsh realities of homelessness and environmental issues, every experience influenced my thoughts and feelings. These emotions have energized my artwork this week, particularly my AI-generated pieces, which mirror the highs and lows I experienced.

The journey takes off in the air, departing from the Bay area with its rugged terrain to the dense sprawl visible through the airplane window—a tapestry of life and activity, offering a moment for reflection. The aerial perspective of California’s natural shapes and flowing lines serves as a reminder of the beauty and resilience just beyond the city’s boundaries. As we draw near, the city emerges, cloaked in haze and smog, setting the stage for the contrasts and complexities ahead. The layered architecture and blurry skyline reveal the city’s history and ongoing transformation.

Los Angeles also highlighted environmental issues impacting everyday life. The smog and poor air quality served as clear indicators of the city's continuous struggle with pollution. Navigating through traffic jams further amplified the feelings of frustration and urgency. These environmental challenges are not mere background noise; they significantly affect the experience of living in the city. They also inspire artistic expression, as creators react to the effects of urbanization on nature and health. My AI art started to include elements that capture this tension—juxtaposing clear skies with hazy horizons, and vibrant life with muted tones.

Exploring the Artistic Choice of Shooting in Black and White

Shooting in black and white was the ideal medium to capture the intricate lines, textures, and shapes around me, along with the raw emotions I experienced. This choice was not just stylistic but a reflection of the emotional landscape I encountered. In these images, black and white film strips away distractions, focusing on composition and form, and invites contemplation of light and shadow, enhancing dramatic contrasts and emotions. In the bustling urban environment, architectural patterns offered order and tranquility amidst chaos. The stark lines of buildings and intricate facades contrasted with the frenetic energy below, revealing stories of planning and artistry. Light and shadow created a dynamic dialogue, reflecting the duality of human experience. The absence of color transformed my perception, with textures and materials conveying history and permanence. Patterns of light and shadow emphasized life's transient nature in the urban sprawl. The monochromatic approach is a powerful storytelling tool, conveying the city's visual elements and underlying emotions.

The Escalators—Both inside and out, the upward movement and anticipation, symbolizing progress and transition in a city where nothing seems to sit still.

Street Art & Expression Mural: Art claims its space in the city, blending with the environment and reflecting urban energy. Poetry and illustration come together on the city’s walls, sharing collective hopes and dreams but most of all RULES.

The classic car under a “NO PARKING” sign—rules and rebellion side by side.

Emotional Extremes & Surrealism Raw, chaotic energy—vivid, unpredictable, deeply human. Many faces—authenticity, performance, and masks in city life. Identity and burden, the surreal details that surface from urban experience.

Each image is a step in your journey—starting with the distant view from above, moving through the city’s streets, structures, and stories, and culminating in the emotional and creative response that inspired your original reflection.

Art has always been my way to navigate feelings that are hard to express. This trip intensified that need. The mix of inspiration, sadness, frustration, and hope created a rich emotional landscape to explore through my creative work.

My AI art is a tool to process these emotions. The technology allowed me to experiment with abstract forms and colors that mirrored my reactions. Using black and white photography and prompting for color and using color to prompt to black and white mirrors the chaotic energy of traffic and smog, while others reflected the quiet strength found in the city’s art and architecture. This process helped me make sense of what I saw and felt. It reminded me that art is not just about beauty but also about truth and connection.