Becca Is Back

The street is a man's world.  At least that's what you'd think looking at the list of artists participating in the upcoming "Art in the Streets" retrospective at MOCA.

But don't tell that to Becca, a street artist and muralist now living in Austin who spent over a decade living and working  in Echo Park.

She still lives in Austin, but recently two of her works showed up on Sunset Boulevard: at Reform School in Silver Lake and on a billboard outside 1461 Sunset, where last weekend's Pop Up Street Art Store took place.

Born Rebecca Midwood, Becca was born in Brooklyn, and grew up in the Rockaways, Virginia and California.

Always intrigued by the ladies, Patch reached out to Becca, with some questions. 

Patch: How'd you get started doing street art?

I did my first piece in Richmond, VA while attending Virginia Commonwealth University.  I saw a piece on the street that was funny and wanted to join the fun. After doing that first piece I was instantly hooked. I love the whole process: doing the painting, putting it up, coming back the next day to document it.

Patch: What were your influences?

First and foremost, all the old masters. And, of course, several newer ones:  Jackson Pollock, Rothko, Basquiat, Warhol, Jeff Koons, David Salle, Rauschenberg and Jasper Johns.

 Patch: Are there special challenges you face as a woman doing street art?

 None that I'm aware of.

Patch: Who hung the murals at Reform School and 1461 Sunset?

I have a crew that helped me. They're both older works I did that were stored here.

Patch:  It's definitely street art's moment in cultural history.  Why?

I've got no idea. It's pretty wild.  I've always thought of street art as an alternative source of entertainment that's super cool and free. When I started doing it a lot I had certain motivations:

1.  Getting into a great gallery that would spend time cultivating my work and career;

2.  Making a name for myself in the streets of L.A with its huge car culture;

3.  Saving money on sending out slides to galleries.  When I started there were no digital cameras, and slides were really expensive.

Since all my street pieces are originals and one of a kind paintings, I felt like it was also a great way to practice my craft and not be to0 sentimental about seeing them go. I have never put up a xerox or a fancy xerox of any of my paintings.  They are all one of a kind [Ed.: original works done on paper or canvas and mounted].

Patch: A lot of street art is "popping" up in Echo Park, including your piece at 1461 Sunset. What's special about the area for this kind of work?

I'm not sure about the street scene in Echo Park.  I'd hate to write about something I know nothing about. It's been awhile since I've been there, but I always felt comfortable in Echo Park: great weather, great food and great people. What's not to love?

 Patch: What's your favorite memory of your time in Echo Park?

A perfect day consisted of a drive by all of my paintings, grabbing some tacos and stopping by the dogpark.

 Patch: Any one special hang that you miss?

Third and La Brea.  Sunset  and La Cienega.  Second and Santa Fe.

Patch: Any emerging Echo Park artists that you recommend--street or otherwise?

Since I haven't been there in several years, I'm not sure I'm the one to ask. As far as L.A. artists go, I like Philip John Lumanlan Lumbang III (aka Hug Life)and Ernesto Yerena.  They might be in Echo Park.  I've never asked them where they live.

Patch: Any one wall in Echo Park you'd still love to do?

I'd love to hit a billboard or three on Sunset Blvd.  Thank you for asking.