It’s been a whirlwind of a day here at LAist. Early this morning our Editor told the staff via email that he would soon be accepting a new job at the LA Times running all of their blogs (of which there are about 25, currently) and that he would be starting in just a few weeks. We all knew this day would come, but so soon? Since the moment Tony Pierce began at LAist back... more ›

Meet Chevon Hicks, graphic designer, animator, DJ and the mastermind behind the notoriously naughty online game promoting New Line's latest film, Running Scared. Chevon is the owner and creative director of Heavenspot Graphic Design, which also created the animated Land of Burgers sequence in Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle, as well as the game featured on the film's website. more ›

Mark Vallen has been making art in Los Angeles for more than 30 years. A native Angeleno, Mark has integrated the city's residents and landmarks into his work since his teens, when he worked on seminal LA punk publication Slash Magazine and captured the early punk scene in a series of sketches, drawings, and paintings. Mark continues the DIY spirit by supporting LA's contemporary art scene, advocating for change against the status quo and sharing his opinion about the current state of painting and culture on his blog, Art for Change. more ›