Moving to West LA is probably one of the greatest decisions i ever made.... i love my new neighborhood but the best thing about it are the tiny things here and there that add character to the city. Like the small dance studio just up the street - where im considering enrolling in jazz and hip-hop classes -  Pulp, the stationary and gift shop, and the La Brea Bakery.

But what has been most intriguing to me is the street art that appears, as if from nowhere, on a particular building near my apartment. I first took notice when a mural of Kobe Bryant appeared after the Lakers won the championship title. I naively thought it might actually be something funded by the city.

I was both fascinated and touched when just a few days after Michael Jackson's death, Kobe disappeared and in his place was a simple painting in tribute to the legend. Every time i would drive by, i check to make sure its still there, and not replaced by some other pop culture fixation As of today it was still there, but I know it wont be forever. But, i think it's so cool that something like this exists within walking distance from my house.

After some tedious Internet searching (google and some street art blogs), I was able to track down the brilliance behind this art - the artist is Mr. Brainwash. I'm trying to piece together the little bit of info that i have been able to find about him, but it appears that Mr. Brainwash began as a film maker, and later transitioned into graffiti art. Much of his art focuses on pop culture icons including Marilyn Monroe, Elvis, Andy Warhol, President Obama (he's behind the infamous Obama as Superman) and Michael Jackson. He's even sold some of his art to MJ.

You can purchase some of his canvas paintings on his website, check him out on Facebook, and of course read about his doings on the art blogs OMG Posters, Obey and Unurth.