by Chad Zachary Mulchin
Random Act A.K.A. Andrea LaHue has been using her street art to beautify and inspire the nation. Born an Army brat, LaHue continues her nomadic lifestyle as she drives the countryside in search of the next great canvas on a building near you.
Mixing mediums from maps, to cityscapes, to photographs, to her trademark flowers. Presently based in L.A., we got a chance to sit down with her. She told us all about her mission, sense of patriotism, and her upcoming show at LAB ART on December 13th.
What stands out about your art?
The one thing that sets me apart from other street artists is that I paint my flowers with outdoor housepaint. I find and abandoned or for lease building. . . The flowers seem to stay up for years. They’re all over the country . . . 51 cities . . . In my travels I discovered Main Street. In each town I painted on a for lease building on Main street.
What about Los Angeles?
Highland, Pico, La Brea and Sunset . . . I’m one of the only artists who’s had a piece up on Hollywood Blvd for like 3 years now . . . I’ve got a poppy at Vice. It’s right near Cahuenga, it used to be a bar, but the sign’s still there and it’s still for lease.
I always paint my flowers, generally every weekend, I go out and hit someplace in the city that needs a little uplifting . . .
Where were you born?
I was born in Italy, in an Army hospital, I cost $4.00. I had one parent in the service, my Dad. We lived in Berlin when the wall was still up. My loose patriotism is pretty firm.
Do you listen to music while you work?
I do sometimes. Out on the street, I used to but I don’t anymore, because people want to talk to me. And I feel like I need to be more aware of what’s going on . . . I’m doing a painting about the Dust Bowl, so I’m watching PBS or listening to Ken Burn’s Dust Bowl as I’m painting it. Because I’m so curious.
What inspires you?
Courage and thoughtfulness. When I see other people uplifting other people, very inspiring . . . when I see artists pushing the envelope . . . when I see people stand up for their rights. I would say people and nature. I can take a walk no matter where I am and see the nature of the city.
How do you want to change the world?
Without them noticing. That’s sort of true and not true. I feel like a turtle, in that, taking my time in getting there, I’m work very hard, but when I get to where I’m going . . . I want the things that I do to be very solid . . . Stable, real, good feeling, forward moving. I want there to be heart and authenticity . . . and a deeper feeling. The more you look, the more you’re filled.
When did you start and what does the future holds for the L.A. street scene?
I started painting out on the street in ’06. There’s a whole big city to paint on. We’ll have our place in art history. There were cave paintings. In Rome they were putting graffiti on the walls . . . . It’s the whole Duchamp theory. If someone is compelled to make a piece of art, then it’s art. Everybody has the right to create and love it when someone exercises that right
You have a show coming up?
Yes, December 13th. It’s at LAB ART. There’s a family vibe there that I’ve never seen in any other art community. Like a collaborative family vibe, couldn’t be happier, I’m so grateful. I’m really excited. The show is called Americana. It has this rich feeling of revolution, independence, and redemption.
