What's black and white and pop-geometrical all over? Just OCLA's pretty new walls, hand-painted by our friends, the talented artists Nick Cope and Keren Richter! Check out the pics of OC's new facelift below, and see what the duo had to say about it!
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Jenny Le: How did you both meet?
Keren Richter: Funnily enough, Nick and I met because I hired him as a contractor to paint my apartment. But soon after, we realized we were akin and wanted to collaborate. Doing a mural seemed like a good way, since it happens to be one skill we have in common! I don't think this will be the last job we do together. I'm his little barnacle; he drives me around and I drive him crazy!

JL: What was the idea behind the mural?
Nick Cope: The mural concept itself came out of conversations between me and OCLA. The final design began to take shape when Keren began to incorporate her pattern research into a fully realized direction.

JL: What were the highlights while working on the mural?
KR & NC: We worked from 7pm til 3am or later so the store could remain open. While the late hours were pretty rough, we felt OC was our summer camp and the crew became our family. When kids got tired of working, there were heated ping pong matches and cupcakes to lighten the mood while we painted. It was nice that everyone pitched in––the week we spent there was really special.

JL: I noticed there are astrology symbols on the mural. What are your signs?
NC: Keren is a stubborn Taurus and she celebrated her birthday while we painted here at the store! I'm a fiery Aries. There were all sorts of secret messages and personal motifs incorporated into the art––little astrological signs, an ankh (Keren's mom is an Egyptologist), broken hearts, Ns and Ks. It's a bit of a game, but we wanted to personalize our experience in an oblique way.

JL: Keren, tell us about the raves you throw at home?
KR: I own a few huge black lights, fog machines, and lasers from a psychedelic art zine I got sponsored. I wouldn't call myself a "raver," I just like dancing in weirdly decorated neon environments of my design, with house and minimal techno, friends, and glow sticks. I keep finding opportunities to paint fluorescent environments in weird spaces and getting to partner with rad DJ friends. So while it's totally juvenile, I couldn't be happier.

JL: Nick, your mom is an astrologist. Do you have cosmic abilities?
NC: My mom raised me with constant feedback and premonitions from my chart. She raised me in a totally New Age way and taught me to teleport at a young age, so I can definitely walk through walls.

FILED UNDER: OCLA , Los Angeles , Art , Jenny Le , Keren Richter , Nick Cope