Scooter LaForge: A Life of Art

From his early years as an odd man out to his drug fueled years in the swinging seventies and eighties, all the way up to the pivotal marches, Covid-19 and social upheaval of the polarizing 2020s; this doc covers Scooter LaForge's undeniable impact. A contemporary of the likes of Kieth Haring and Gail Thacker. His influence is timelessly infused within the fabric of LGBT culture during the highly romanticized days of old New York. He painted everything: Canvases, Sculptures, and even people! His artwork appears on a remarkably unique clothing line, worn by the socialites and punk rockers alike, including Debbie Harry. This is a great doc. It's the story of an artistic icon you might not realize you need to know.

Ethan pinged me the other day to see if I would watch his new documentary about artist, Scooter LaForge.

"Sure, I'd be happy to!" As always.

It took several days to finish my current project and finally get around to viewing his latest film.

A few minutes into the film I remembered why Ethan's one of my favorite documentary filmmakers, realizing I should have put it on sooner.

A "creative" documenting another "creative", an artist making a film about another artist, doesn't have to be the best art documentary you've seen. But in Ethan's case for some reason, it always is. As I've lived in both places, Scooter's life in New York City and his connections to the southwest, resonated with me. His time in San Francisco are also quite interesting, as is his personal history at large.

With Scooter LaForge as his subject, you discover he's one of the greatest artists you've never heard of. Although many have. Especially other artists.

Huffington Post: "I BRAKE FOR SCOOTER LAFORGE." For good reason and I thank them for that.

Here's the esteem I hold Ethan in as a filmmaker. In 2022 I produced a WWI documentary/art film that won a lot of awards around the world.

I can't help now but watch Ethan's film and imagine how much better my film would be, had he also worked on it.

If you like Art, or are striving to be an Artist, one thing you always learn from Ethan's films is there's a lot going on out there you just don't know about.

So if you love Art, if you love Unique Characters, if you love stories told about them in creative and engaging ways? Definitely check out Ethan Minsker's.

"Scooter LaForge, a life of art"!

I had no idea what to expect when selecting this wonderful gem of a film. The trailer captured my interest so I thought, why not. Boy am I glad I took a flyer on this film. This an area of art world I know very little about. That's what really captured my interest. I found myself wanting to learn about this and I wanted to learn about Scooter and his art. I quickly realized this was a whole thing. I mean a culture of its own. A culture very foreign yet intriguing to me. I thoroughly enjoyed the humanity of this film. The reflecting on Scooters career and how so many can relate to similar career struggles. I appreciated how writer/director Ethan H. Minsker presented this documentary. Meaning, it didn't drag. I didn't find my mind wondering off. It moved along at a very nice pace. I believe myself to be a hard critic and there were no flat spots in this terrific documentary for me. I soundly give this gem of a film two thumbs up!!

Scooter LaForge: A Life of Art is a fascinating documentary that delves into the life and career of the iconic queer artist, Scooter LaForge. Through intimate reflections, LaForge shares his personal and professional journey, shedding light on both his struggles and triumphs. The film also explores how current events have profoundly influenced his life and the broader artistic community in New York City.

Hailing from New Mexico, LaForge's work is characterized by a signature style that is both instantly recognizable and continually evolving. His bespoke painted clothing, which caught the eye of the renowned designer Patricia Field, has become a coveted luxury item, favored by celebrities such as Debbie Harry, Beyoncé, and Nicki Minaj. The film showcases how LaForge's art seamlessly blends childhood fantasies with adult themes, drawing inspiration from classical sources and contemporary social issues.

LaForge's creative process is a highlight of the documentary. He uses a variety of materials-paint, found objects, fabric, and more-to craft pieces that are rich in both visual and thematic complexity. Each work is a tapestry of his unique perspective, woven together with a keen eye for detail and a bold approach to artistic expression.

The documentary is not just a portrait of an artist, but also a commentary on the resilience and adaptability required to thrive in the ever-changing landscape of the art world. It celebrates LaForge's ability to reinvent himself while maintaining a distinct identity, and his influence on both peers and admirers.

Overall, "Scooter LaForge: A Life of Art" is an inspiring and thought-provoking film that captures the essence of an artist dedicated to his craft. It's a must-watch for anyone interested in contemporary art and the stories behind those who create it. This compelling documentary earns a solid 8/10.

Scooter LaForge: A Life of Art is an incredible documentary. I saw the trailer for this and knew I was going to have to watch this. I was not disappointed.

It was great listening him talk about his life and his art.

I loved hearing him talk about some of his different art pieces. His work is absolutely incredible. I hope to see an art show of his sometime.

There isn't a single part of this documentary that isn't enjoyable. I love the way they shot this, especially the stop motion they added in, it was very creative.

This documentary is very inspiring to any artist, but can also inspire anyone. Be sure to watch this one, you will not be disappointed.