February 2026

Portfolio: Eli Anizor

by Randy Dunbar

Eli Anizor is an Orange County-based photographer and the founder of Eli Anizor Photography. Starting his journey at a young age, Eli has built a thriving professional practice by leaning into a contemporary perspective that prioritizes raw, honest connection. His work is a living exploration of the Southern California dream—capturing the authentic stories of seniors and couples through a lens that celebrates the region’s vibrant and diverse energy and its endless, sun-drenched possibilities.

Eli is defined by a signature black-and-white style and true-to-life, film-inspired editing. By blending a timeless aesthetic with a sharp, modern eye, he aims to show that a young creator can both experience and define the “SoCal Dream” in real-time. For Eli, photography is about more than just a frame; it’s about the power of visual storytelling and ensuring every shot feels like a narrative worth telling.

Eli explains it:

“Southern California is naturally built into the way I shoot. Growing up here, I’ve gotten used to working with the light, the space, and the overall energy that just feels present every day. The sun hits differently here, evenings stretch out a little longer, and there’s an ease to the environment that makes moments feel strong on their own. Because of that, I don’t feel the need to overcomplicate what’s already there.

When I think about the “Southern California Dream,” I think about possibility. I think about being young in a place that feels expansive — physically and creatively. There’s room to experiment here, to express yourself, to define your own rhythm. That energy finds its way into my images.

My approach is simple: keep it honest. I’m drawn to real expressions, natural movement, and environments that breathe. I don’t over-direct or overproduce. Instead, I create space for moments to unfold and focus on capturing them with intention. Whether in black and white or true-to-life color, my goal is to produce images that feel timeless but still current — polished, yet personal.

As someone who grew up here, I’m not documenting Southern California from the outside. I’m photographing my peers, my generation, and the culture we’re actively shaping. That dynamic allows my work to feel genuine. It’s less about constructing a dream and more about recognizing it in real time and telling the stories of those who share my experiences.

For me, photography is about preserving that feeling — the light, the youth, the in-between moments — in a way that feels effortless but lasting.”

elianizorphoto.com

The Art on the Wall

by Randy Dunbar

Clean lines, bold statements, and design that photographs as well as it lives — that’s why Exhibitiv is landing on the radar of Southern California’s interiors crowd. The online gallery specializes in curated, modern wall art, with striking multi-panel works and museum-quality production designed to transform blank walls into instant focal points.

For a region where homes blur indoor and outdoor living and style is part of personal identity, Exhibitiv’s collections offer drama without complication: choose the vibe, pick the scale, and let the art carry the room. It’s contemporary, accessible, and made for the way SoCal lives now. Of course, we were intrigued.

Can we get a brief description of what Exhibitiv is about? Your backgrounds.

Exhibitiv is all about bold three-piece statement art that transforms a space. Marcel and I actually met in high school, long before Exhibitiv existed. We connected over shared taste, curiosity, and a love for noticing the small details that give objects and spaces character.

Marcel comes from digital design and modern commerce. He has spent years shaping brands and visual experiences, guided by a precise eye and a sensitivity to balance and form. His instinct is clarity and he brings structure to abstract ideas, turning them into experiences people can feel. I come from healthcare operations, where empathy, trust, and consistency are essential. I focus on building relationships and making visions real through the right partnerships.

Together, our strengths complement each other. One of us is driven by visual language and creative intention, the other by human insight and opportunity. Exhibitiv is the result of that meeting point, where our paths aligned in a single direction. (I shared the press kit so you can review it and decide what you would like to use).

Are there issues about copyright with the work?

All of our artwork is original, created in-house, or properly licensed. We make sure every piece is fully compliant to protect both the artists and our clients.

How is the art chosen, curated? How much is created or added to a piece?

Curation is very intentional. Each piece is chosen for composition, scale, and emotional impact. Many pieces are refined specifically for the three-panel format with adjustments to flow, contrast, and balance so the triptych feels cohesive. Our goal is not just a pretty image but an art experience that works beautifully on the wall and in the room.

At this time who are your clients? What is currently popular?

Our clients include homeowners, interior designers, hospitality projects, and commercial spaces. Right now, large-scale abstract minimalism, black-and-white compositions, inspired art, and bold architectural or urban themes are especially popular. Statement triptychs are trending over gallery walls.

In an era of AI, where art can be created in seconds, what is your company’s perspective on AI?

AI is a tool, but it cannot replace taste or vision. It can help with creation, but the real value is in curation, scale, and the way a piece interacts with a space. Human judgment, creative intention, and attention to detail are what make our collections stand out.

To take a deeper dive into Exhibitiv visit:

www.exhibitiv.com

Asakura: A Dining Journey

by Randy Dunbar

Asakura, also known as Nihonryori Asakura, is a fine-dining Japanese restaurant in West Los Angeles specializing in kaiseki, the traditional multi-course tasting menu. Affiliated with the Tokyo restaurant La Bombance, Asakura opened in 2025 with the goal of bringing refined, seasonal Japanese dining to Los Angeles. The name “Asakura” comes from the Japanese word for hemp, a symbol of resilience, growth, and protection.

The restaurant is tucked into Vinci Plaza on Santa Monica Boulevard and offers an intimate, minimalist setting with only 12 seats in total—six at the counter and six at tables. Dinner is served at two seatings, typically around 5:00 PM and 7:30 PM, and the restaurant is closed on Sundays and Mondays. The experience is deliberately quiet and focused, with service designed to feel both personal and meticulous. And it is. This is not just a dining experience it is a an epicurean journey in taste, style and flavor. We arrived for the 7:30 seating. It is intimate—you sit closely to your fellow diners as you share the same meal. The essence of kaiseki is seasonality, in this case, locally sourced ingredients, balance as the dishes are intended to balance flavors and textures. The presentation of dishes is paramount: Each course is visually beautiful, often resembling art. Plates, bowls, and garnishes are chosen to complement the food and the season. Harmony and Nature follow as ingredients are intended to evoke a connection to the season and nature. Kaiseki is a multi-course experience where each dish builds on the previous one, from light and subtle flavors to richer, heavier tastes, then ending with a delicate finish. What makes the Asakura experience different is the mindfulness of each dish as it is meant to be slow, contemplative, and immersive.

“This was not merely a dining experience—it was a journey into taste, style, and flavor.”

Asakura is led by Chef Makoto Okamoto, the owner and culinary force behind the esteemed Tokyo-based restaurant La Bombance. With over two decades of experience, Okamoto has cultivated a reputation for delivering intricate, seasonal Japanese tasting menus that have earned Michelin recognition for ten consecutive years. Our head chef on this night is Keigo Yoshida, with manager Ishiba, at the helm.

The Menu for our evening:

・Lotus dumpling , fried yellowtail, sea urchin with seaweed sauce
・Egg plant mousse with smoked abalone with umami dash jelly
・6kinds assorted appetizer
(Tuna sushi ・wagyu beef tartare with brioche ・asparagus ,lettuce with baby sardine ・ankimo cream croquette・scallop,snap pea,leek with miso vinaigrette・salmon belly Escabeche)
・Owan: Sea bream, fried tofu, garnish with grated daikon radish dashi soup
・Steam egg custard with butter seared lobster, summer truffle , crispy puffed rice
・Home made grilled sesame tofu with sesame miso sauce
・Smoke caviar cold noodle
・Japanese A5 wagyu beef wrapped with enoki, onion,leek and chrysanthemum with summer truffle / sukiyaki style
・Seasonal cray pot rice
(Tender octopus ,shrimp ,edamame, ginger )
・White coffee blancmange & Okinawa brown sugar ice cream /hojicha

This was not merely a dining experience—it was a journey into taste, style, and flavor. Each dish was carefully and skillfully hand-delivered, accompanied by thoughtful explanations, making the meal a truly formidable experience. Flavors awakened the palate, some familiar, many entirely new, and all unforgettable. Sitting at the intimate counter allowed us to connect with new friends, sharing our mutual love of food and travel, and creating a sense of camaraderie that extended beyond the meal itself.

Asakura offers two tasting menu options: a six-course meal priced at $200 and an eight-course menu at $300. The dishes change seasonally and feature premium ingredients such as wagyu, uni, caviar, and truffles, alongside locally sourced produce from the Santa Monica Farmers Market. Signature courses have included smoked caviar on cold egg noodles, grilled eggplant with uni and vinegar jelly, lobster chawanmushi with shaved truffle, wagyu tartare on brioche, and a blancmange dessert dubbed “white coffee.” Wine and sake are available, though the corkage policy is strict.

https://asakura.la/

Asakura

Vinci Plaza West LA
11901 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 111
Los Angeles, CA 90025

Photography by Randy Dunbar & Zuke Oshiro

SoCal Museums Free-for-All 2026

by Contributor

What is better than art that is free? Plan ahead as SoCal’s most beloved art day is officially back.

On Sunday, February 22, 2026, Museums Free-for-All returns with a region-wide invitation to experience Southern California’s museums with free general admission for one day only. The annual celebration brings together art, design, history, film, science, and cultural institutions across Los Angeles, Orange County, the Inland Empire, and Santa Barbara.

Museums Free-for-All has become a Southern California cultural tradition, offering an open-door moment when longtime locals, first-time visitors, families, and art lovers alike can explore the region’s creative landscape without cost. From contemporary art and classical collections to science centers and cultural museums, the day encourages discovery, curiosity, and access.

Free admission applies to general collections and galleries. Advance reservations or timed tickets may be required by some museums, and parking or special exhibitions may carry separate fees. Visitors are encouraged to check individual museum websites in advance.

Participating Museums (selection)

Academy Museum of Motion Pictures
https://www.academymuseum.org

American Museum of Ceramic Art
https://www.amoca.org

Bakersfield Museum of Art
https://www.bmoa.org

Benton Museum of Art at Pomona College
https://www.pomona.edu/museum

Bowers Museum
https://www.bowers.org

The Broad
https://www.thebroad.org

Craft Contemporary
https://www.craftcontemporary.org

Fowler Museum at UCLA
https://fowler.ucla.edu

Hammer Museum
https://hammer.ucla.edu

Institute of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles
https://www.theicala.org

Long Beach Museum of Art
https://www.lbma.org