Sunday, February 10, 2008

Jean Joseph At Work

Meet Jean Joseph Monfort, another Venice Boardwalk regular.
Jean Joseph sets his chair and easel on the Boardwalk every weekend, turns on his radio, and delves into painting in complete oblivion to the surrounding cacophony. A native of Haiti and former soccer pro, Jean Joseph began painting in 1973. He moved to Los Angeles in 1982, and has been exhibited in places such as UCLA and Cal State Long Beach. He still plays and coaches soccer in Inglewood.

Jean Joseph is another of those talented characters whose Venice presence is jeopardized by the gentrification of the area. No doubt he will find a sunny, inspiring spot elsewhere, but it will be our loss.
[update: Venice Performers fight proposed regulations in SMDP]

photo LA Frog