Kevin Ancell in Venice

All photos by Nick Green 

Last night in Venice was anything but a silent one. Kevin Ancell premiered his new art show back in his hometown. The RVCA artist Mr Ancell here’s a legend in the Venice surf and art scene. His work lacks the ability of label, surf influenced but he’d tell you he’s not a surf artist. Kevin grew up in Santa Monica, before the posh and the celebrities in a time when the Westside of Los Angeles was a much grimmer scene. He was a homeless kid, spent most his life on couches. He’s lived a rough one and’s now focusing all his energy into his art.

The show kicked off in perfect Venice fashion, everyone from the industry and not filled the street and exhibit. Bear Flag Fish Co. set up a food truck outside and within the first hour all the food had been devoured. I was lucky enough to indulge in the very last fish taco. The show was absolutely popping, there were so many people inside checking out the art instillations the mixing bodies up’d the temp on an already warm LA night. The crowd mozied around in awe, House beers in hand while sweat filled their upper lips. There was a mechanical bomb fit with a saddle that the children and a few lovely ladies enjoyed riding as if it were a bull. His piece Jesus Heals the Kooks was another topic of conversation. The juxtaposition of religion, surf and humour was an underlying theme of the art show.

The show partied on until 11:30, then the crowd filtered out into the dirty bar scene of Venice Beach. After all it was Thursday night. The general consensus is the work week should end on Thursday. So we go out drinking and suffer through the hangover Friday morning.