Gus Harper: Los Angeles Artist, Muralist & World Traveler, Shares his Roots
Updated: Jun 6
“I love being outside, I love summer in LA and when it’s so nice out, it’s hard for me to work. When it’s cold and misty and people are complaining about the weather, I love it because I love being in my studio, I love it in here, it’s my happy place.” Gus Harper
Friday, May 24th, Los Angeles, Ca
written by Entertainment Editor, Dan Ruth
Gus Harper loves life. As a seasoned LA painter, muralist and world traveler, his energy of kindness and positivity was quite present as we spoke in his studio, a sizable, converted airplane hangar next to Santa Monica Airport. The space is alive with his work; painted canvases of varying sizes, some larger pieces hanging from the ceiling, other completed works stacked into back alcoves, while other works-in-progress fill the walls. He was kind enough to speak with me as he readied the space for a music event that evening and for a new show he’s opening in mid-June. He laughs as he sifts through black and white canvases in a corner of the studio, “this is where my bartender stands, so I have to clear all this out somehow.” By the looks of the large space, with its generous portion of couches, and liquor bottles at the ready, Gus Harper is a gatherer of people and he’s damn good at what he does.
I first met Gus last October at one of his art openings. This opening wasn’t at his Santa Monica studio, but at Il Moro restaurant in the Sawtelle area. The day before the event, a friend of mine and I were leaving an antique store on Lincoln Boulevard. We were in search of a place to have some much-needed nosh, when a large blue mural of a goddess and crescent moon struck my eye. We were both drawn to the aesthetic, and after snapping some pictures in front of the mural, we headed for some Korean food a few blocks away. When I got home, I looked at the mural again and was quite taken by it. I posted the photo on Instagram and tagged the artist, @gusharperart. A few minutes later, the artist had not only sent me a DM thanking me for posting the photo, but he was also inviting me to his art opening the following evening, which I happily accepted.
Il Moro is a large space, and that night, it all belonged to Gus Harper. Large canvases of surreal abstracts, rendered in vivid electric blues and purples, deep reds and pinks, hung on every wall, in every hallway and restroom and in every corner. Spheres also dominated the space, with a stunning giant black and white painting of the full moon and cherry blossoms greeting you at the front door. A litany of simple desktop globes (yes, the ones we old folk had in grade school), had all been joyously camouflaged in playful swaths of vivid color by the artist as well. After dining on an incredible dinner of short ribs and root vegetables, I introduced myself to the extremely busy, yet centered artist. Mr. Harper is quite prolific and his ability to handle large groups of people is an art unto itself. My first art opening in Los Angles left quite an impression with me, so much so that I purchased a piece from Gus, which now hangs over my fireplace.
Gus Harper grew up in a supportive and artistic household, and after studying art and law at UCSB, he decided to move to Los Angeles which later led to him sharing a painting studio with his mother, Fielden Harper. In his younger years, Harper was a leader in track and field, and sold his very first painting at the age of seventeen to his sports hero, four-time Olympian, runner Johnny Gray. “I had done a drawing of him, I met him, he autographed my drawing, and he bought my first piece . . .what an affirmation.” Later, Harper became fast enough at the 800 meters to train with Gray. Harper remarked, “sometimes, he would be driving down San Vicente, and he’d see me running, slow down, lean out of the car and yell, “I got the first one!” It was enough to light a fire under and within Harper, who started his career modestly in a storefront studio with only a few paintings hanging in local coffee shops. Eventually, he had found himself propelled into having two studios, both brimming with his work. Harper however, was finding himself growing into a comfort zone. “I needed to break inertia and move out of my old place; things were going really well . . .you don’t want to get comfortable as an artist.” So, Harper packed his bags, moved entirely into the space we sit in today, and began traveling the world, which is where the realm of large outdoor mural painting was waiting for him.
Traveling through Nepal and other parts of southeast Asia, including Sri Lanka and India, he would paint a mural in every country. With the fates clearly on his side, Harper found himself exploring Kuala Lumpur. Upon entering his hotel with his back stacked with rolled-up canvases, he was approached by the hotel owner who asked to see the work. Little did Harper know that the man was also a cultural affairs officer for the country of Malaysia. After several attempts, Harper found himself being offered a show there, and would eventually spend six weeks painting murals throughout southwest Malaysia.
Using Instagram as a tool, Harper began posting photos of his murals abroad. Upon returning to the states, had several commissions waiting for him, and he's been painting murals ever since. Harper smiles, “the mural you saw, on the prestigious 7-11? The owner asked me to do another one on Palms & Overland. Some are in the Smithsonian, I’m on the 7-11.” Harper continues to paint murals world-wide and to bring his prolific craft to all who are drawn to it. Which brings us back to the present, a state that Harper stands in quite comfortably.
Gus Harper’s murals can be seen throughout Los Angeles and the world. If you would like to see his paintings and other works for yourself, his show at Il Moro closes on Friday, May 31st and his new show will be premiering at his studio in Santa Monica on June 15th.
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