Interview with Artist Annie Preece

Where is your favorite spot in LA to get tacos? What do you get?
My favorite taco truck is Leo's Taco Truck (South La Brea & Venice Blvd.) and I get the al pastor. My favorite taco spot is Escuela Taqueria and I get the baby back rib tacos. Yummmmmmmmy.

How has the Los Angeles art scene been treating you since your arrival?
LA's art scene has truly embraced me. I feel very blessed. The art scene here in LA is crazy. I've met some amazingly talented people that have become like a family to me. Since arriving on the art scene here I've also developed a larger audience and have gotten more recognition than I could have ever imagined. I've had some unbelievable opportunities and have been able to turn my passion for painting into a career here. Every week my email blows up with work, each job more rad than the next. I am beyond honored and grateful to be recognized in a city with so much talent. I am truly living my dream.

A mural you painted back in August of last year at Proper Barbersop received some backlash from the locals. Give us your side of the story.
Hahahaaaa. I painted that for the boys. I've known the guys in the Proper for years, they're like brothers to me. I honestly wanted to paint the most outrageous mural possible, just as a joke. The guys loved it. I thought it was hilarious. I honestly didn't really think about the neighbors when I was painting it, I was just having fun. Ha! The mural was up for no more than six hours before the media got ahold of it. I was told if I did not change it the Proper and myself would be fined and I might get possible jail time. I couldn't believe it, I got censored! Now every time I get asked to do a mural I'm always told "no dicks or vaginas, Annie" hahaha.

Favorite colors to paint with.
Red, aqua marine, black...... RAINBOW!

What was was your first tattoo. Why did you get it and does it have any special meaning to you?
First tattoo was a bird on my neck, had it done with a Walkman motor in a house by a recent parolee, I was 17 and was going to be a punk rocker forever. That was over 15 years ago-- it resembles a smear now. I have a smear on the side of my neck but that's ok because it matches the other thousand horrifically bad tattoos I have freckled throughout my body. Fuck it.

What is the one thing you havent done since you have been here in LA that you would like to do?
Have sex George Clooney.

I have one word: Unicorn. Please explain your obsession.
Unicorns are hilarious. I mean, who doesn't like a unicorn? You can't help but laugh whenever you see an image of one, they're so stupid. Hahhaaaaa. They're magical. That's why I paint them, they make me and other people smile.

As an artist your inspirations can come and go. What keeps you motivated?
I just love to paint. It's my meditation. It's my break from reality. It's my addiction. Everything inspires me: politics, love, boredom, feelings, humor, etc. Art saved my life from a deadly addiction, it keeps me sober, it keeps me sane. It's my passion. I would paint whether I'm getting paid or not, it's just a bonus I'm getting paid for it. I truly believe that I was born to paint.

Are there any artists that you are currently inspired by or admire.?
I love Wayne White. He's hilarious and hard working.

What music do you listen too while painting, anything special?
Depends on my mood. I pretty much listen to everything. Last mural I did I was feeling sparkly so I listened to David Bowie on Pandora. Don't judge.

Any special projects that our LA TACO readers should be looking out for?
Doing a lot of corporate stuff now, some advertising. I did some work with MetroLA which should be on buses and billboards within the next month or two. Painting a mural for a music video this week so keep your eyes peeled for that. I'm always doing group shows but were starting to work on my next solo show. You can always find my work at Lab Art Los Angeles and online at anniepreece.com.