HUMBLE BEAUTY: Skid Row Artists
 An hour documentary that tells the stories of a group of talented homeless and formerly homeless men and women who create art -- fine arts painting -- in the worst area of LA known as Skid Row. It’s also about the ubiquity of art in human life. People strive to make art, no matter how humble the circumstances.
 For four years, we have followed the lives and progress of several artists from LA’s Skid Row, reported to be the largest concentration of homeless people in America. We use several techniques to tell the stories including cinema verite, interviews and narration. Spontaneous moments from their lives, intimate interviews and their evolving artwork and life’s progress are documented. We meet oil, acrylic and watercolor painters, charcoal, pen and crayon sketchers and collage makers. Some artists find their art supplies in garbage cans and dumpsters. They draw on old paper bags. Many have joined Art Workshops led by dedicated and remarkable artist/social workers and are given paint, canvases, frames, easels and the technical, creative and supportive guidance to create stunning, often therapeutic, works of art. Several of these Art Workshop members have shown – and sold – their work in downtown Los Angeles galleries. Their tight-knit Skid Row community nourishes their artistic abilities.
 Art changed their lives dramatically. One woman told us that coming to the workshop is the only reason she has for getting up in the morning. A directionless hustler has become a known, respected painter and employed community leader. A shy immigrant who creates, in classic primitive style, riotously colorful scenes from his childhood in a tiny Mexican village has suffered a major setback – he’s been admitted to art school at University of California, Berkeley, and awarded a scholarship but can’t attend due to his immigration status. One artist was a 12-year old runaway from an Indian Reservation in 1941 and has been on the streets of Skid Row ever since. Art has given their lives meaning and a reason for existence. There are many stories among the artists of LA’s Skid Row and unimagined talent to bring to the attention of a wide audience.
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Our non-profit fiscal sponsor, SRO Housing Corporation, accepts tax deductible donations on behalf of the HUMBLE BEAUTY: Skid Row Artists documentary. For more information, please contact us at info@humblebeauty.com.
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