Michael Jackson fans outside the Staples Center

UPDATE: All the Michael Jackson Memorial photos can now be found in the "Jackson Fans" section of this web site.

Chris

Blue Note. (Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

Magic hour at the lake house.

On the Road - Off MN Hwy 18

Make a huge wish. (Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

Pepper

(Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

In some circles, photographing the homeless is considered cliché. There—I said it. But yesterday morning, I met a man I had to photograph. Had to. I formally met Pepper, aka "The Mayor."

I'd heard a lot about Pepper. I was told by some long-time residents that despite his outward appearances, he's a great guy. Which made me think about how some of the world's most infamous assholes actually look like decent people. So let's agree that bookcover judging has a poor record. I'd seen Pepper around. He has a swagger not unlike George Jefferson's. And it's a swagger even Weezie would be proud of.


(Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

Pepper is truly an institution around here. His stomping grounds seem to be fluid, though I am told he doesn't stray far from the Los Angeles River. He has many names. "The Mayor, Sheriff and Mouth of the South" to name just a few. A neighbor friend who has lived here in the Industrial/Arts District for 12 years finally introduced me to Pepper. And I'd learn there was so much more under this bookcover than I could have imagined.

Pepper has lived here for 22 years. Yes, TWENTY-TWO. And when he first came here it was a very different, far more dangerous area. Originally from Iowa, he was disowned by his father for marrying "outside his race." He moved to the South where he picked up his strong southern drawl. Sometime thereafter, he ended up in L.A.

As I spoke to him, I could tell he was sizing me up. Yeah I was a friend of a friend, but someone with this amount of street smarts doesn't take anything on its word. I asked if I could take his photo. He grinned his remaining teeth silently and immediately grabbed three dolls he had in his shopping cart and held them in his arms. He was proud. It was then that I noticed his second-hand shirt. An ambulance driver's uniform, probably acquired from one of the many film prop shops around here.

He went on to tell me that some people think he looks like Brad Pitt. (I'll admit there's an undeniable resemblance underneath all the wear.) He also proudly told me that he has starred in at least eight Lowrider magazine spreads with "hot chicks."


(Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

I told him I'd like to photograph him again someday. His response was something to the effect of a friendly, "I don't do nuthin' for free." Which then led me to ask him what he needed that I could give him as payment. To which he responded "I don't need nuthin'."

So, as a sign of gratitude, I told him I'd print one of these photographs, put it in a nice frame and post it to a utility pole in the neighborhood with the caption "Employee of the Month."

He liked that idea. He liked it a lot.

Police Walk

Christy, Cougar (in honorary LAPD garb) and Fausto. (Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

Once a week, a small group of Arts District residents meet up for a sunset walk through the neighborhood with the LAPD Senior Lead Officer for our precinct. While the walk is designed to keep communication open between residents and law enforcement, it is also, conveniently, a really good excuse to go for a stroll with neighbors at one of the nicest times of the day.


John, Jimmy and Noah. (Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

Usually numbering around eight to twelve participants from various buildings like the Biscuit/TOY, Molino and Factory Place Lofts, the group roams in no set path for about an hour. We interface with residents and generally show a presence in a neighborhood once considered abandoned. It's a nice walk, and I always learn something new about the area I didn't before. (For example, did you know the old Santa Fe depot building that now houses SCI-ARC building is as long as the Empire State Building is tall? Thanks Noah!)


Unknown city worker, Officer Owens and Terrell. (Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

I usually take my camera. It is the Magic Hour after all, and there's always something interesting to see. The best part, however, is the beer and brats at Wurstküche afterwards... Public service can be fun. And filling!

On the Road - Tom, Randy and J.D.

(Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

This past weekend, I found myself on an Amtrak train from L.A to San Diego. I brought a book to read thinking it would be nice to just chill, not worry about I-5 traffic and watch the Pacific Ocean go by outside the right-hand windows. That scenario lasted from Union Station to Fullerton, the first stop, where Tom, Randy and J.D. got on board.


(Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

I heard the three get on board (pretty hard to not hear them actually) and strike up conversation with a middle-aged woman who said she was a retired U.S. Marshall. During the conversation I saw one of the guys was wearing a tee shirt for the Funhouse, a punk venue in Seattle owned by friend Brian Foss of KEXP's Sonic Reducer show. When he walked by I asked him about it and we started talking about music, girlfriends, mutual friends in Seattle and everything in between. His name was Tom and he kind of looked like Jesus—holding a Bud Light.

Then Randy walked up and punched Tom in the side.

Randy is tattooed just about everywhere—arms, chest, knuckles, throat... uh... eyelid. And the stories written on his body didn't even come close to the one's he told me over the three beers he drank. Funny guy. Even funnier when he chose to wake up J.D., the third of the three who was asleep in his seat, by dropping trou and giving him a mushroom stamp. Of course, he did this while Tom recorded it on his cell phone, and before the conductor came through to check tickets.

J.D. woke up, then promptly punched Randy in the balls. While Randy squirmed around the center aisle, Tom walked up and poured beer down his ass crack.

I completely forgot about my book or the damn Pacific Ocean.

Once we got to San Diego, where by the way, they were to "see some chicks," I asked for a portrait of all three. They happily obliged, but not before asking a young lady passerby to join. She was all smiles. Something that happens a lot around these three guys I'd imagine.

If, against all odds you happen to find the card I gave you and see this, it was nice meeting you guys.


(Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

Dev

(Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

This is Dev. He's been friends with my fiancé Pamela for 21 years. Safe to say they go way back. Dev drove here to Los Angeles from St. Cloud, MN, which is where I met him just about a month ago for the first time over a few frames at the bowling alley.

There are times when you meet someone and you feel like you've known them all along. Like you go way back. Even if you don't.


(Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

On the Road - Newport, OR

Gary with PVC. (Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

This is Gary Smith. He works at The Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport, OR. He's worked at the aquarium since before opening day, 17 years ago. (One of only three original employees still there.) That is when I met him, and every time I pass through Newport I give him a call for a strong handshake (and more recently a bear hug) and guaranteed laughs.

Gary helped build the beautiful Oregon Coast Aquarium—literally. He used to work for the construction company that won the contract to build the $24 million, state-of-the-art facility. Legend has it that Gary was hired to work in the aquarium's Life Support Department (i.e.: filters, pumps, water lines, etc.) because he was the only guy who knew where all the pipes were buried. Sometimes more accurately than the blueprints.

Affable, high-energy and nearly always covered in some sort of slime, chemical cleaner or ketchup, Gary loves what he does. That would certainly explain the "17 years" part.

As usual, it was great to see him again. Only this time, I insisted on a portrait. Ironically, for someone who has made his living with his hands, I knew he'd have trouble knowing what to do with them during the portrait. So I asked him to grab a prop. Appropriately, he picked up a pipe.

Graff

Ben. (Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

There's a building on 3rd St. in the Arts District covered in graffiti. Gorgeous graffiti. Just West of Cafe Metropol, there's a section that seems to change with the seasons. And today I found out why.


Thanx on the ladder. (Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

While heading over to Phillipes for lunch with my good friend Ryan, we saw four guys working the wall. The light was still weird and orange from all the recent brush fires and we happened to have our cameras with us. So we decided to stop and snap a few frames of these artists at work.


(Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

Unlike most situations, the owner of this building has given permission and consent to graff artists to bomb the structure. And bomb they do. The lead on this crew was a gentleman named "Thanx." He's from an L.A. crew named UTI and was being helped today by some friends visiting from out of state. The wall previously had a Halloween theme and was now being covered with a new one. We were there too early in the process to know what that new theme is.


Wall detail. (Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

We shot the shit with Thanks for a bit then let him do his thing. I also spoke with Ben, who immediately caught my attention because of his intensity while working and the long beard the likes of which I haven't seen since I left the colder northern climes of the Pacific Northwest. He was gracious enough to allow a portrait. But after a few frames, he quietly said "I don't want to take any more pictures." It was then I realized all my talking had taken him away from his work long enough. Plus, he was no poser.

Check out more of the UTI Crew work here.

Obama - Si se puede

Carolyn is the real deal. (Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

Instead of just voting this election year, Pamela convinced me to actually participate in the campaign effort for Barack Obama. So she signed us up for a volunteer shift calling voters in the battleground states, reminding them to vote and directing those interested to their appropriate polling place. Now, I am not one for this sort of duty, but she was really excited about it. So I went. And I can say it was one of the most inspiring things I've ever seen and done.


East L.A. (Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

The campaign office is in East Los Angeles on Cesar Chavez Blvd. We arrived and they immediately gave us phones and a call list. Not unlike the Obama rally I visited in Seattle back in February, it was a refreshingly diverse group of people. And everyone was still just as excited as those I met at the rally eight long months ago.


Pamela at her station. (Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

This shift, we were calling the battleground state of South Carolina. And thankfully, not at their dinnertime. I must have called 200 people, of which I spoke to about 10%. Much to my surprise, many had already voted. Seems like all this "community organizing" works!


Alma. (Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

At the conclusion of our two hour shift, I asked a few people for portraits. All were happy to oblige. Heck, PROUD to oblige! We handed in our phones and they gave us the most awesome parting gift ever. "Jarritos '08" tee shirts! You'll only understand the significance if you love good Mexican food. And boy do we.


Jarritos FTW! (Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

On our way out, we met a gentleman named Art. He had a bit of a smirk, and there was something about him that caught my eye. As I got closer, I got a good look at the two buttons pinned to his shirt and I immediately liked him.


¡Si hombre! (Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

Again, whomever you choose to vote for, get up, get out there and DO SOMETHING.

At the very least, vote this upcoming Tuesday, November 4th.

Giordano

(Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

Giordano, aka "Gio,"works at Cafe Metropol on E 3rd in the Arts District. We here at WAP have become regulars there and always look forward to the great service and conversation with Gio. Today, he agreed to a few photos at the end of his work day.

Gio was born in Cuba and like me, survived Catholic school. We had a great conversation about God, evolutionary biology, nuns and my mother's potty mouth. (We both learned curse words in Spanish by example...)

After about 15 minutes, he answered his cellphone. It was his boss. I am not sure what was said, but the shoot ended—immediately.

We never got around to the story about the tattoos. I hope you didn't get into any trouble my friend!


(Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

V. Hernandez - LAFD

(Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

I met Mr. V. Hernandez while on a bike ride this morning. He and two engines were doing drills in the neighborhood. There's a lot of that down here. We crossed paths in front of the former Engine Co. #17 Fire Station on Santa Fe and 7th St. Mr. Hernandez is actually with Engine Co. #4 (as you can see on his helmet), but the industrial buildings down here give them the perfect environment to practice their procedures with the heavy equipment.

We chatted briefly about the history of the neighborhood and he recalled the big explosion. at the Imperial Toy Co. in '97. Which was directly across from us.

I have nothing but respect for firefighters. Unless they are driving by the loft at 1am with lights and sirens blaring. Which they do. Just about every night.

Frank: Biscuit Mr. Fix-it

Frank dusting off the building. (Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

Meet Frank. (Born "Francisco.") He works at the Toy and Biscuit Lofts. He does maintenance, cleaning and other odds and ends around my building. Everyone around here knows Frank. He's easy to spot as he's almost always wearing a huge grin. (See below.) He's also a great, great guy. Former military, father of two, and a huge Dodgers fan (sorry about Game 2 buddy), Frank knows how hard work "works."


© William Anthony

Frank and I have a lot in common. Our mothers share the same first name. We're both Spanish/Mexican, talkative, and extremely handsome. Did I mention we're both modest too?

If you're in the neighborhood, be sure to stop by The Royal Claytons roughly around quitting time. You're sure to find Frank sitting at "his" table having a beer and flirting with the wait staff after a hard day's work.