Sküt Goes Wild with a Love Letter to California

West Hollywood artist Sküt introduces Rewilding Weho, a privately commissioned, large-scale exterior art installation celebrating the native California wildlife found throughout Los Angeles.

Faring, owner of the historic former French Market building at 7985 Santa Monica Boulevard, commissioned Sküt to bring life and color to the property while it awaits its next chapter.

Artist Sküt stands next to the Monarch Butterfly centerpiece of his art installation, Rewilding Weho.

“This is my love letter to California, Los Angeles, and specifically West Hollywood,” says Sküt. “LA is home, and WeHo is where I’ve grown as an artist.”

The site-specific installation features dramatic, hand-painted imagery across six architectural surfaces on private property along historic Route 66.

Five wildlife panels tell a story from the mountains to the Pacific Ocean. Viewers can follow the journey from right to left across the building. A mountain lion represents the mountains and wilderness hugging Los Angeles. A hummingbird celebrates the tiny visitors found on West Hollywood patios and balconies. A monarch butterfly anchors the installation from the center doorway. A California quail, like those spotted in Runyon Canyon and Griffith Park, represents California’s state bird. A bottlenose dolphin completes the journey in Santa Monica, where Route 66 meets the Pacific Ocean.

“We live in an incredibly biodiverse region, and we’re usually too busy staring at our phones to notice,” says Sküt. “These animals live among us. They were here first. Be a better roommate.”

Sküt’s favorite panel is the dolphin, while the hummingbird quickly became a crowd-pleaser. The California quail surprised visitors who did not recognize California’s official state bird.

“It’s like a chubby little chicken with sass and flair,” says Sküt. “If people leave knowing our state bird, then I’ve scored a point for the environment.”

Sküt’s graphic pop-art style combines bold colors and crisp lines with stained-glass-inspired geometry. He began with iPad sketches, then added many of the final facets, highlights, and tonal shifts freehand. The quail changed dramatically, while added shades of gray and white gave the originally flatter monarch greater depth.

“The mockups are a map, not a prison,” says Sküt. “The core visuals stay intact, but once I start painting, the wall gets a vote and the art takes on a life of its own.”

The monarch also functions as a selfie station. Visitors can stand between its wings and become part of the artwork.

“You get to spread your wings and fly, or at least look fabulous trying,” says Sküt.

Sküt designed the butterfly shortly before Dolly Parton died. Although he did not conceive it as a memorial, the finished work now carries some of her spirit.

“Dolly led with love, empathy, and compassion,” he says. “We could all stand to be a bit more Dolly.”

Sküt scoped the project at seven days. Extreme heat, humidity, and a rare burst of September monsoon weather stretched the work to fourteen. The building’s overhang allowed him to keep painting during the heaviest downpour.

“I had the whole street to myself,” he laughs. “Well, almost. It was me and 500 mosquitoes.”

The extra week became a blessing. Without a rigid deadline, Sküt slowed down, followed the work, and added details that his original schedule would not have allowed. The unusual conditions also reinforced the installation’s themes of environmental and climate change awareness.

The vacant building offered no working water or electricity, so nearby Mic’s Bar became Sküt’s unofficial field office.

“They let me rinse my brushes, use the facilities, and enjoy a beer after painting,” says Sküt.

Historic Laurel Hardware sits across the street, and Delilah neighbors the installation. Pedestrians regularly stopped to ask questions, watch Sküt work, and take pictures.

“The art sits on private property, but people experience it from the street,” says Sküt. “Every selfie, conversation, and random moment of discovery adds something new.”

A smaller sixth panel carries the message “Faring Loves WeHo.” Sküt added three stacked hearts in pink, red, and orange against a yellow background. Nobo, his signature illustrated street art character, watches from the composition. The panel serves as a playful coda to the five-animal series.

Rewilding Weho encourages residents to embrace nature, even from a balcony, porch, or doorstep. Native milkweed and nectar-rich flowers support monarchs and other pollinators, while clean hummingbird feeders provide another food source for birds moving through the city.

Sküt leaves visitors with a simple challenge: “Rewilding starts with one seed and a small act of care. Do it for the Earth.”

About The Artist

Sküt (Scott Lewallen) is a West Hollywood based artist, designer, entrepreneur, and co-founder of Grindr whose graphic pop art style combines culture, emotion, technology, color, and a healthy disregard for staying in one lane.

Working across public art, murals, sculpture, immersive installations, light, sound, and unconventional spaces, Sküt creates work intended to be bold, accessible, and alive. No velvet ropes. No secret handshakes. Only Love.

See more art on his instagram @inkedbyskut

Serve's Pride Bots Debut with West Hollywood Artist Sküt

Original story from Serve Robotics Blog

Serve's Pride story began four years ago with a message from local artist Sküt in West Hollywood, California. He saw our robots rolling through the neighborhood and reached out to Serve CEO Ali Kashani with a simple question: “Can I design a custom robot for Pride?”

We said yes, and a tradition was born.

Sküt with Marsha and Gilbert, newly refreshed for Pride.

That first collab became Marsha, honoring Marsha P. Johnson, a pivotal figurehead at Stonewall, New York City. Then came Gilbert, named for Gilbert Baker, a San Francisco artist, activist, and designer of the Rainbow Pride flag.

This year, the tradition continues. On Friday, June 5, 2026, Serve Robotics kicked off WeHo Pride Weekend by unveiling two new Pride robots, Marsha and Gilbert, featuring new original Sküt art. Hosted at Beaches Tropicana, the event united West Hollywood leaders, local partners, merchants, community members, and the Serve team with Sküt for an evening celebrating Pride, public art, and the neighborhood that helped shape Serve's approach to sidewalk delivery.

Both Marsha and Gilbert are now serving the West Hollywood community with food deliveries, featuring designs that honor LGBTQ+ history, identity, and Pride.

Serve team members join Sküt and Vice Mayor Danny Hang at the WeHo Pride debut event

A Pride kickoff rooted in West Hollywood

West Hollywood is part of Serve’s origin story. Our robots began operating here in 2019 with a simple goal: make local delivery more reliable, sustainable, and connected. In the years since, West Hollywood has grown into one of our most active and beloved markets, where residents wave at the robots, businesses know them by name, and the city has become a true partner in shaping how sidewalk delivery fits into daily life.

That long relationship is also where Serve's Pride tradition was born in 2023 with our first Pride robot, Marsha. Gilbert followed in 2025. Each year the designs evolve and the celebration continues. WeHo Pride Weekend has become an annual moment for Serve to show up for a community that has shaped so much of who we are.

As Serve's VP of Policy, Vignesh Ram, shared during this year’s event, West Hollywood has been more than a launch market for Serve. It has been one of the places where we learned what it means for new technology to earn trust in a real community.

West Hollywood Vice Mayor Danny Hang welcomed the new robots to WeHo Pride Weekend, calling attention to the connection between the designs and WeHo history. He spoke about the City’s partnership with Serve, noting that revenue generated through the partnership supports city services and community programs.

"We're excited to welcome back Serve’s delivery robots, Marsha and Gilbert, in collaboration with Sküt, to the streets of WeHo for Pride and beyond." — West Hollywood Vice Mayor Danny Hang.

The Artist Behind The Designs: Sküt

What started as a single DM has become a multi-year creative partnership. Sküt the artist (aka Scott Lewallen) is no stranger to technology, known best as original designer and Co-Founder of Grindr. A Los Angeles native and longtime West Hollywood resident, Sküt is a fixture in the regional art scene with his bold, edgy, pop-inspired style. This year, he refreshed Marsha and Gilbert with a shared design language of love and happiness.

During the unveiling, Sküt shared a brief history of the Rainbow Pride flag, commissioned by Harvey Milk and designed by Gilbert Baker in 1978, originally with eight colors. Due to practical considerations of the era, the flag lost two hues (Pink and Turquoise) and progressed into the familiar six-color version (Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Purple) while paving a legacy for future iterations.

Sküt intentionally designs with the original eight colors across his Pride art collection for historical pageantry.

On Marsha, Sküt decorated the robot livery with his colorful "happy heart parade" design. Gilbert features a series of custom iconic gems highlighting each of the original eight rainbow Pride flag colors.

The new designs also feature a local tribute "WeHo 66” design motif celebrating the 2026 centennial of Historic Route 66, traversing Santa Monica Boulevard through West Hollywood, California.

Hidden inside both robots under the hood, when you collect your delivery, Sküt reveals a simple message: “Delivered with Love."

Beyond West Hollywood: Pride across our communities

West Hollywood may be where our Pride story began, but it is not where it ends. We kicked off the year at the Long Beach Pride Diversity Hiring Fair in March, then returned to Long Beach in May for one of the country's longest-running Pride parades. June brought the West Hollywood Pride Parade, where Marsha and Gilbert rolled through a crowd of tens of thousands, followed by the LA Pride Parade in Hollywood, where Serve employees, friends, and family marched and rode together. As the month closes, we will carry that same spirit to Chicago for the city's Pride celebration. Five cities, one message: for us, Pride is a season of showing up in the places we already call home.

Pride as presence, not a seasonal gesture

Pride has always held many meanings: celebration, community, visibility, and joy. For West Hollywood, it is also a reflection of the city's identity and the people who make it what it is. Serve is proud to be part of that celebration, and in a way that feels genuine rather than seasonal.

As Vignesh put it, real support is consistent. That is why we keep showing up through local partnerships, artist collaborations, merchant support, and robots designed by artists like Sküt to reflect the neighborhoods where they operate. We don't expect a delivery robot to embody the full meaning of Pride, but we do believe that companies bringing technology into public spaces have a responsibility to design it with genuine care for local culture.

A Serve robot should not feel anonymous. It should feel local. It should carry food, but also character, supporting merchants, serve residents, and fit into the neighborhood around it. That is what West Hollywood taught us, and it is the lesson we carry into every city where our robots roll.

Happy Pride, WeHo, and happy Pride to every community that welcomed Marsha, Gilbert, and our team this month. Here's to cleaner, safer, louder, prouder, and more connected cities, all year long.

Original story from Serve Robotics Blog

Los Angeles Artist Sküt Designs Two New Robots For Serve Robotics Moving Canvas Art Program

Originally published by Serve Robotics Moving Canvas

Los Angeles artist Sküt created two robot designs rooted in Pride, visibility, and joyful public art, turning our robots into a moving celebration of love, identity, and connection.

The Design

Sküt’s designs transformsour robot into a moving Pride artwork built around color, symbolism, and connection.

The design draws from the legacy of Gilbert Baker’s original Pride flag, where each color carried its own meaning. Sküt reinterprets those colors through original vector iconography, giving each hue an aspirational quality and bringing them together through the shape of a heart.

The result is bright, graphic, joyful, and instantly recognizable. It is designed to stand out on the street, spark conversation, and create a moment of public celebration as the robot moves through the community.

Design inspiration: Pride, Gilbert Baker’s original flag, LGBTQ+ visibility, West Hollywood, public art, original iconography, hearts, color, joy, and community connection.

Design personality: Bold, joyful, proud, loving, and unmistakably visible.

Q&A with Sküt

  • What inspired your designs? My work pulls inspiration from pop culture, street art, symbols, and illustration techniques. As a graphic designer obsessed with branding, I’m always chasing iconic, instantly recognizable visuals.
    The designs for Marsha and Gilbert are really an anthology of ideas I’ve been developing and refining over the years. The 2026 refresh brings those elements together into a cohesive family. Both robots share a common design language: vibrant 360 wraps, playful hearts and icons, a Route 66-inspired hood graphic, rainbow color bursts on the front and back, and anime-inspired eyes that help bring their personalities to life.

  • What excites you most about bringing your designs to the community by way of Serve? The most rewarding part is witnessing interactions with the robots IRL. I love watching people see them and start asking questions about how art and technology relate to their daily lives.
    What makes it even more special is when people discover that Marsha and Gilbert aren’t just names. They’re physical homage to important figures in LGBTQ+ history, and suddenly the robot becomes a conversation starter and storyteller for the community.

  • How do you see the robot fitting into the community visually? I see the robots as neighborhood characters living locally, rather than simply machines delivering food.
    There’s something wonderfully fantastical about them. Each one develops its own personality, like quirky NPCs in a Zelda game, and people naturally begin to recognize them, interact with them, snap pics, and even become attached to them. In the same way people anthropomorphize their pets, I want people to do the same with these cute delivery robots.

  • Are you aiming for the robot to blend in, stand out, or spark conversation? Definitely spark conversation.
    That magic moment when people start wondering what the robots are doing, why they look a certain way, why the names Marsha and Gilbert, or do symbols have significance, etc. That’s when the design wins.
    Marsha has been rolling through West Hollywood since 2023, and it’s been fun watching people recognize her, notice how she’s evolved over time, and share photos of her on social media. Gilbert is a newcomer, and people seem to enjoy his colorful parade of icons.
    I think my designs succeed when someone shares a moment with one of the robots.

  • Did you draw on any local culture, landmarks, or traditions in your design? All of the above. Both designs are a collage of culture, location, and tradition.
    Marsha is named after Marsha P. Johnson, the activist and pivotal figure associated with the 1969 Stonewall uprising in New York City. Gilbert honors Gilbert Baker, the artist who designed the original rainbow Pride flag in 1978 at the request of Harvey Milk.
    Both robots also share a stylized Route 66 emblem on the hood. Route 66 runs along Santa Monica Boulevard through the heart of West Hollywood, and as the route celebrates its centennial in 2026, it felt like a fitting tribute to an iconic piece of local and national history.
    We learn from the past, and artistic expression is a wonderful way to educate through these robot ambassadors to the future.

  • How do you want people to feel when they encounter the robot?
    More than anything, I want people to feel curious.
    Curiosity is what led me to reach out to Serve Robotics in the first place. I was curious about what the robots were doing in West Hollywood and wondered if it was possible to decorate them in a meaningful way that speaks to our community.
    The hearts, icons, colors, and characters are all little breadcrumbs inviting people to ask questions. Why are there eight hearts? What do the symbols represent? Are the colors significant? What do their names mean, Marsha and Gilbert?
    Curiosity opens a door to deeper stories, and I hope my designs reward people who take the time to explore.

  • What story or message does your design tell about the community? At its heart, the message is about love, acceptance, and belonging.
    People can find community and family in unexpected places, and I hope Marsha and Gilbert can serve as small beacons of joy and affirmation. Hidden beneath the hood on both robots is a character I created holding a bouquet of rainbow balloons orbiting a larger heart inscribed with graffiti-style text, “You Are Not Alone.” Next to it is another simple message: “Delivered with Love.”
    Those little details are meant to be discovered and hopefully bring a moment of surprise, comfort, or connection to anyone who sees them.

  • How would you describe the personality your design gives the robot? After four years designing Marsha and two years designing Gilbert, they’ve developed distinct personalities in my mind.
    Marsha is the rebel of the pair. She’s bold, independent, and a trailblazer. Her design revolves around expressive hearts that feel joyful, a little edgy, and occasionally even a touch melancholy.
    Gilbert is the chill artist. His design is built around a collection of custom icons inspired by the meanings behind the original eight-color Pride flag designed by Gilbert Baker. Each color represents a specific frequency of the queer experience: Sex, Life, Healing, Sunlight, Nature, Magic, Serenity, and Spirit.
    They share the same visual DNA, including the Route 66 hood graphic, expressive eyes, and vibrant side wraps, but each bot has its own unique personality and story to tell.

A New Canvas for Local Creativity

Public art usually lives on walls, buildings, and fixed spaces. Moving Canvas gives artists a different kind of surface: one that moves through the city.

Serve’s Moving Canvas program turns our robots into rolling works of public art, featuring original designs from local artists in the cities we serve.

We work directly with artists to create custom robot wraps inspired by their communities, then bring their work into everyday neighborhood life through our delivery robots.

Local artists get a new platform. Communities get a new way to experience creativity in motion.

Artist Bio

Sküt, also known as Scott Lewallen, is a Los Angeles-based multidisciplinary artist, designer, and entrepreneur whose work sits at the intersection of public art, technology, Pride, and community.

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Sküt studied at the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School for Communication and built a career blending graphic design, digital culture, and large-scale creative expression. He is widely known as the original designer and co-founder of Grindr, and his art practice has expanded across murals, sculpture, dimensional wall pieces, immersive installations, projection, light mapping, and bold graphic works.

Sküt’s visual language is bright, solid, nostalgic, and unmistakably optimistic. His work often uses hearts, rainbows, pop references, and layered color to create moments of joy and recognition. In West Hollywood, his Pride-focused public art has become closely tied to themes of LGBTQ+ visibility, Queer history, community, equity, and belonging.

For Moving Canvas, Sküt brings that same spirit to a new public surface: a Serve robot moving through the city.

Originally published by Serve Robotics Moving Canvas

VoyageLA: Life & Work with Sküt (aka Scott Lewallen) of West Hollywood

Life & Work with Sküt (aka Scott Lewallen) of West Hollywood

Courtesy of VoyageLA

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sküt (aka Scott Lewallen).

Hi Sküt, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.

I’m a tech entrepreneur and designer who took a very hard left turn into fine art, following my curiosity as it wandered off the screen and onto a wall. I grew up in Los Angeles and earned my bachelor’s degree from the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Southern California (Fight On, Trojans!).

Before making murals and sculptures, I spent years consulting and building startups, including designing and co-founding Grindr. That background still runs the show. I don’t believe in separating “art” from “design.” Both are about asking questions, breaking things, rebuilding, and figuring out how ideas survive contact with the real world, whether that world is an app, a hotel installation, or a delivery robot cruising down Santa Monica Boulevard.

I like to push back on the idea that art has to be precious, polite, or intimidating to be taken seriously. I’m interested in materials, scale, process, and presentation. Every project is an experiment. If I’m not learning something new, or slightly terrified along the way, I’m doing it wrong.

Sküt Artist collaboration with Serve Robotics in the City of West Hollywood

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?

Pursuing art as a passion and profession is my favorite adventure. Most of the memorable friction has been internal, ironic yet unsurprising.

The perpetual struggle is perfectionism versus “good enough.” There’s a constant tension between wanting a piece to perfectly match the vision in my head and knowing when to stop, ship it, and let it exist. Coming from the tech world and working on collaborative teams taught me a hard but valuable lesson: a finished project has exponentially more value than a perfect one that never leaves the studio.

When I complete a piece, I always ask: How close did the end result get to what I originally imagined? On a great day, maybe I hit 90 percent, and that’s rare. More often, it’s closer to 50 or 60 percent. Instead of seeing that as a failure, I see it as progress.

Part of the process is learning something new, whether that’s which paints play well together, whether sculptural materials will hold up under their own weight, or how to execute a large-scale mural while keeping everything crisp, proportional, and memorable from a distance.

Rather than fearing the unknown, I’ve learned to embrace it as part of the work. Every project is a little messy, a little imperfect, and a little smarter than the last. That forward motion matters more to me than chasing some imaginary version of flawless.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?

People always ask me, “What medium do you work in?” The honest answer is: all of them, or anything that gets the job done.

I don’t think in terms of medium as much as execution. The raw question is what material or process best brings an idea into the physical world. Sometimes that’s paint. Sometimes it’s sculpture. Sometimes it’s light, sound, projection, or a robot driving down the street. I’m less interested in staying inside a lane than I am in seeing the idea through properly.

Visually, I gravitate toward pop art and low-brow aesthetics with heavy graphic intensity. That comes directly from my background in UI/UX and branding. I started as a self-taught graphic designer and leaned fully into those instincts. Bold color, strong iconography, high contrast, and immediate impact shape how I think and build.

A big part of my practice involves light, sound, and color to create what people now call “immersive” experiences. I like adding that extra dimension wherever possible. That might mean custom lighting, subtle ambient sound, or completely replacing a gallery’s lighting setup. I’m notorious for swapping standard gallery bulbs with programmable lighting so I can control the atmosphere. If the environment doesn’t support the work, I’ll rebuild it.

My handmade sculptures have their own quirks. I often use UV-reactive paint, meaning the work shifts and changes depending on how it’s lit. There’s also a discreet sustainability component. I try to build using materials that would otherwise be discarded. For example, the internal armatures of my Flock pop-art flamingo sculpture series are made from hand-hammered aluminum cans and salvaged furniture hardware like screws and wires I’ve saved over time. You can create something new without creating more waste.

I also love upcycling old canvases. That mass-produced print you decorated your first apartment with, now collecting dust under the bed, becomes an exciting new surface. I repurpose old works with spackle and latex paint, transforming something generic into an original piece with organic texture and history. It’s less about perfection and more about giving objects a second life.

Dark Heart exhibition curated by Sküt at Circus of Books West Hollywood

On a larger scale, I’m known for projects that put art where people don’t expect it. That includes two large-scale murals installed along the entry to Skybar inside the Mondrian Los Angeles on Sunset Boulevard (Calavera Elementos, 2025; Happiness, 2023), as well as an ongoing collaboration with Serve Robotics in West Hollywood. Over the last three years, I’ve designed multiple custom delivery robots, including Marsha and Gilbert, honoring historic community icons Gilbert Baker and Marsha P. Johnson.

Last February, I curated a group exhibition titled Dark Heart at the historic Circus of Books in West Hollywood. The show was a commentary on the absurdity of Valentine’s Day through an artistic lens, with the goal of using my platform to elevate other local artists. It was fun, self-aware, and widely well received. Many of the artists sold work and connected with new collectors and galleries. That ripple effect matters to me just as much as my own work being on the wall. Helping other artists rise motivates my creative journey.

I treat art like a living system. It’s part design, part experimentation, and part problem-solving. I want the work to be bold, accessible, and alive. No velvet ropes. No secret handshakes. Just curiosity, execution, and a willingness to try things that don’t fit neatly into a category.

Calavera Elementos mural by Sküt on display at the entrance to SkyBar at Mondrian Los Angeles in West Hollywood

What does success mean to you?

Success, for me, isn’t about prestige or approval. It’s about momentum and curiosity.

If each project teaches me something new, pushes my skills, or opens doors for someone else, I’m winning. I don’t want my work to feel untouchable or locked behind art-world gatekeeping. I want it out in the wild, starting conversations, surprising people, and making you think along the way.

When I’m still curious, still learning, and still brave enough to ship the work before it’s “perfect,” then I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be. Growth and evolution are the pillars of my success and happiness.

Full Article originally from VoyageLA

West Hollywood Artist Sküt Unveils New Mural “Calavera Elementos” at Skybar, Mondrian Los Angeles

West Hollywood Artist Sküt Unveils New Mural “Calavera Elementos” at Skybar, Mondrian Los Angeles

Opening Night Party “Calavera Elementos” Mural Art Reception, Thursday October 9, 7–10pm @ Skybar in Mondrian Los Angeles

No RSVP Required. Good Vibes Only. 🖤

West Hollywood artist Sküt has unveiled a new mural at Skybar in the Mondrian Los Angeles hotel along the iconic Sunset Strip, just in time for spooky season and beyond. The mural, titled Calavera Elementos (2025, Skull Elements), features four bold graphic skulls, each representing a classic Zodiac element: Water, Earth, Fire, and Air.

“Mondrian asked me to bring life and vibes to this space,” says Sküt. “I’m obsessed with skulls and wanted to create something timely for Halloween and Día de Muertos, but also timeless in a broader cultural context. Skulls are fascinating because we all share one. I love that commonality.”

West Hollywood City Council, Councilmember Danny Hang presents a Certificate Of Recognition to Sküt for his “Calavera Elementos” mural

Spanning more than 40 feet in length and 9 feet in height, the mural transforms the slanted entry wall leading into Skybar, a venue renowned for its daytime pool parties and late-night DJ sets. “The stepped incline of the wall presented a unique set of challenges,” Sküt explains. “The hardest part was extending the art seamlessly onto the safety rail that runs the length of the wall. It’s a fun design quirk that added some extra dimension.”

“We’re thrilled to expand our partnership with Sküt through this vibrant new mural,” says Robert Nichols, Director of Sales at Mondrian Los Angeles. “His creative vision and professional execution align perfectly with our mission to elevate art and celebrate community here in West Hollywood.”

In a recent interview with WeHo Times, Sküt added, “I love skulls—obviously! You’ve seen some of my previous work. Mondrian approached me, and I said, ‘I’ve got an idea for these skulls.’ They’re a bit darker than my usual style but still playful and perfect for spooky season.”

Calavera Elementos joins Sküt’s previous mural Happiness (2023), a vibrant crescendo of eight rainbow hearts, located directly across the Skybar entryway, greeting guests as they enter the venue. You can follow Sküt’s creative process through timelapse videos on Instagram at @inkedbyskut.

West Hollywood City Council, Councilmember Danny Hang presented a Certificate of Recognition to Sküt in celebration of his “Calavera Elementos” mural that read: “The City of West Hollywood commends your creativity and artistic vision in bringing this installation to life. Your work enriches the city’s public art landscape and highlights the cultural vibrancy that defines our community.”

A West Hollywood–based artist, entrepreneur, and Co-Founder of Grindr, Sküt has become a fixture in Los Angeles’s creative landscape with his vibrant pop-surrealist style that fuses culture, emotion, technology, and self-expression. His portfolio includes designing two Serve Robotics delivery robots (Marsha and Gilbert), creating an immersive mural for Micky’s re-opening post-COVID, and illustrating a cannabis business map for Emerald Village WeHo.

Sküt completed the new mural in a week, exclusively using a rich palette of Behr exterior latex acrylic paints to ensure longevity. Both Calavera Elementos and Happiness murals are on view and open for photos in the valet walkway entrance to Skybar at Mondrian Los Angeles.

Adidas Originals Features Sküt at DTLA Art Night

Adidas Originals x DTLA ArtNight Features Live Art by West Hollywood Artist Sküt

The flagship Adidas Originals store in Downtown Los Angeles came alive as part of the monthly DTLA ArtNight series. This special collaboration featured live art by Sküt, alongside artists Milena Mortati and Cosmo Bertollini, transforming the Broadway flagship into a vibrant hub of creativity, music, and culture.

The evening began with a vendor night market at 4 PM, followed by the main event from 6–10 PM and an after-party that carried the energy late into the night. Guests explored exclusive Adidas collections, interactive art installations, and over 30 galleries exhibiting as part of DTLA ArtNight.

“Events like this really bring the city’s creative pulse together,” said Sküt. “Adidas has always been a brand that celebrates originality, and it’s exciting to merge that energy with the local art scene downtown.”

Sküt, who previously showcased part of his Flamingo sculpture collection for DTLA ArtNight April, joined the event after attending several ArtNight openings and connecting with the organizers.

“We’re proud to welcome Sküt into the DTLA ArtNight circle—proof that great art doesn’t just speak; it sparks connection,” said curator Diana Barillas.

For the event, Sküt exhibited three original works, including his 24-inch hand-painted sculpture “Unicorn Origami” and two custom-painted skate decks from his Skullpop series, featuring bold skull motifs and layered color graphics.

The event drew a steady crowd throughout the evening, and Sküt gifted limited framed mini prints of his "LA Skull Hand" illustration to guests, as a token of appreciation in celebrating art downtown.

A multidisciplinary artist, designer, and pop-culture provocateur, Sküt blends bold aesthetics with social impact. Known best as the Co-Founder of Grindr, he brings a distinctive style of vibrant pop art, queer expression, and upcycled materials to his sculptures, murals, and immersive installations.

Located at 761 S. Broadway, DTLA, the Adidas Originals x DTLA ArtNight event highlighted the intersection of streetwear and street art—continuing Adidas’s mission to support local creators and celebrate Los Angeles’s creative diversity.

DTLA ArtNight takes place every first Thursday of the month, aiming to rejuvenate the Historic Core by connecting art, community, and commerce through a walking tour that supports local galleries, restaurants, bars, and retail.

West Hollywood Artist Sküt Debuts “Gilbert,” a New Serve Robotics Delivery Robot Honoring Pride Icon Gilbert Baker

West Hollywood Artist Sküt Debuts “Gilbert,” a New Serve Robotics Delivery Robot Honoring Pride Icon Gilbert Baker

West Hollywood’s streets just got more colorful. Serve Robotics has unveiled “Gilbert,” a newly designed delivery robot by local artist Sküt, joining his earlier creation, “Marsha.” Together, the two robots celebrate LGBTQ+ icons Marsha P. Johnson and Gilbert Baker, bringing art, history, and technology together in motion.

Unveiled in June 2023, Marsha honors Johnson’s legacy as a pioneering activist and key figure in the Stonewall Riots. After spotting Serve’s autonomous robots rolling through West Hollywood, Sküt reached out directly to Serve Robotics CEO Ali Kashani, offering his design expertise to create custom wraps for the fleet.

“We’re excited to deepen our collaboration with renowned graphic artist Sküt, infusing our robotic fleet with the same creativity and diversity that defines our community,” said Ali Kashani, Co-Founder and CEO of Serve Robotics.

The partnership expands this year with Gilbert, named after Gilbert Baker, the artist and activist who designed the original Rainbow Pride Flag in 1978 at the request of Harvey Milk. The new robot features a vibrant gradient wrap with nine original icons illustrated by Sküt.

“Baker’s original flag had eight stripes, so I designed a character for each color,” explains Sküt. “The parade of icons represents Sex, Life, Healing, Sunlight, Nature, Art, Serenity, and Spirit. I also added a ninth symbol—a smiling, ethereal heart—as my personal contribution to the design language.”

Sküt describes the collaboration as “a blast,” adding, “Serve Robotics has been incredible to work with. I love that they’re elevating artwork and embracing community.”

The latest generation of Serve Robotics delivery robots are larger, smarter, and more expressive, offering even additional surface area for creative design. Gilbert also features a customized flag and a hidden message beneath the hood—when customers open the robot to retrieve their delivery, they’re greeted by the affirmation “You Are So Loved,” surrounded by Sküt’s illustrated parade of symbols.

A West Hollywood–based artist and Co-Founder of Grindr, Sküt (aka Scott Lewallen) continues to shape Los Angeles’s creative landscape with his bold, pop-surrealist style. In addition to his collaborations with Serve Robotics, he has created large-scale murals at venues including Skybar at Mondrian Los Angeles and Micky’s WeHo, and illustrated a cannabis business map for Emerald Village WeHo.

Follow Sküt on Instagram @inkedbyskut for more art.

Historic Circus of Books Debuts “Dark Heart” WeHo Art Exhibition Featuring Seven Local Artists, Feb 14 – Mar 17, 2025

Opening Night Party Art Reception, Friday February 14, 7–10pm @ Circus of Books West Hollywood.

Featuring Artists Colton Tran of TransylVinyl, Cosmo Bertollini (Chaos.Mgmt), Miko Malo, Sumner Mormeneo, Steven Rahbany, Kal Yee, and Sküt.

With sexy beats by Bërri, and complimentary sips by OR Bar.

No RSVP Required. Good Vibes Only. 🖤

Dark Heart Art Exhibition features seven local artists at Circus of Books, West Hollywood

WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA – Dark Heart, a provocative new curated art show, opens February 14, 2005, at WeHo’s historic Circus of Books @circusofbooksla (📍 8230 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90046). Featuring seven local gay artists, the exhibition delves into the edgier side of contemporary art, offering alt visuals of a deliciously dark flavor.

Curator and artist Sküt @inkedbyskut describes a collective vision: “We explored the tension between love and its shadows. This show is raw and unfiltered, with a dark heartbeat. I’m so happy we brought together a phenomenal crew of creators to engross you.”

Accomplished director, producer, and actor Colton Tran @coltontran presents Series Of A Broken Heart, a textured assemblage triptych made from upcycled record vinyl that examines the nuanced emotional phases of love. “When I’m not making movie magic, I create custom art from broken vinyl, through a pop-culture lens,” Tran says of his ongoing TransylVinyl @transylvinyl series. His designs showcase a deep passion for music, film, and horror.

Cosmo Bertollini @chaos.mgmt unveils an original mixed-media centerpiece and limited edition prints that explore the raw, unspoken depths of the human psyche. “Trauma, healing, and transformation collide in my work,” Bertollini explains. “Every expression, color, and brushstroke confronts the shadows we carry, inviting us to step into the unknown and emerge changed.”

Artist and designer Steven Rahbany @stevenrahbany stitches memory and human emotion into intricate, hand-sewn pillow art. “Each piece reflects both personal and collective experiences, inviting viewers to engage with the emotional depth and fragility of recollection,” Rahbany shares. Through meticulous stitchwork, he examines how memory shapes identity and interacts with broader narratives of humanity.

Sumner Mormeneo @sumnerahh, a multidisciplinary artist, presents two deeply personal compositions. “My work draws from surrealism and the haunting visual language of German Expressionism” Mormeneo says. The two paintings present viewers with a dichotomy of themes, exploring both our relationship with technology and our connection to faith, all within a sexual context.

Kal Yee @kalyee, an internationally acclaimed fashion and celebrity photographer, debuts a striking portrait of a man tangled in rope. “I aim to capture more than the physical form—the essence, energy, and impact sliding through my lens,” Yee explains. In addition to photography, he designs men’s jewelry and sculpts in various mediums.

Latin hip-hop and rap recording artist Miko Malo @mikomalomusic, channels rebellion and transformation into his paintings. “Art disrupts and reflects the world,” Miko Malo states. “I carry culture and resilience to push boundaries of perception and mysticism.” A self-described slightly-controlled hurricane, Miko Malo’s work is a visual feast of chaotic passion. His new single, “All Boys Are The Same,” coincides with the exhibition and is available on Spotify and Apple Music.

Finally, Sküt @inkedbyskut, the show’s curator, unveils a glowing neon-pink sculpture with Anti-Valentine’s satire. “My giant heart screams ‘LIAR’ and ‘LUVR’—a lowbrow mutilation of this absurd holiday.”

Dark Heart showcases a mix of graphic pop art, saturated visuals, and subversive interpretations of modern love, with each artist offering a unique perspective on passion, heartbreak, and self-discovery. The show also pays homage to West Hollywood’s rich LGBTQ+ history, challenging traditional narratives of love and identity.

The exhibition transforms Circus of Books, the legendary LGBTQ+ bookstore-turned-gallery, and is open daily from February 14 through March 17.

About the Curator:

Sküt @inkedbyskut is a West Hollywood-based artist, sculptor, and muralist whose work has been featured in Skybar at Mondrian Los Angeles, The Artist Tree, The Other Art Fair by Saatchi, Aquarium of the Pacific, and Serve Robotics. Known as the original designer and co-founder of Grindr, Sküt (aka Scott Lewallen) is a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ equity and environmental causes.

About the Gallery:

Circus of Books is a historic LGBTQ+ bookstore and gallery in West Hollywood that has been LGBTQ+ owned and operated since 1960. With a high-end subversive boutique atmosphere, it highlights queer artists and work that might be too racy for mainstream galleries. Discover its rich history in the Netflix original documentary Circus of Books (2019), directed by Rachel Mason.

Serve Robotics Unveils Pride Art Collab with West Hollywood Artist Sküt for “Marsha” Delivery Robot

On Friday June 14, 2024 we introduced Marsha the delivery robot at Rocco’s Weho, a 2024 Pride art collab by Serve Robotics & Artist Sküt, with West Hollywood Mayor John Erickson. Read the full announcement with media contact and photo gallery below:

Vignesh Ram of Serve Robotics, Artist Sküt, and West Hollywood Mayor John Erickson pose with Marsha the Pride delivery robot. Photo Credit Rob Flo

Serve Robotics Unveils Pride Art Collab with West Hollywood Artist Sküt for “Marsha” Delivery Robot

Serve Robotics and Artist Sküt unveil Marsha, a delivery robot art collab in its second year, featuring new original artwork to celebrate Pride, rolling out at Rocco’s Weho adjacent the iconic rainbow crosswalks in the City of West Hollywood.

"Serve Robotics is thrilled to celebrate Pride Month and LGBTQ history with the West Hollywood community. This year we're excited to deepen our collaboration with renowned graphic artist Sküt, infusing our robotic fleet with the same creativity and diversity that defines our community," said Ali Kashani, Co-Founder and CEO of Serve Robotics.

Adolfo Espinosa, owner of Rocco’s Weho adds “As a premier eatery and nightclub for the LGBTQ community and a popular tourist destination in the heart of West Hollywood's Rainbow District, Rocco's is honored to host Marsha for Pride. Thank you Serve Robotics, Sküt, and Mayor John Erickson for supporting and celebrating our city.”

“As an openly gay artist and founder in the tech world, I saw this opportunity to activate and engage through art,” explains Sküt. “I pitched the concept to Serve Robotics CEO Ali Kashani. He embraced the vision and we built an organic synergy together.”

The new 2024 artwork highlights Historic Route 66 along Santa Monica Boulevard by integrating Gilbert Baker’s original 1978 Rainbow Pride Flag eight color palette with Daniel Quasar’s 2018 “Progress Pride” BIPOC and trans flag tones, into a bold street-art inspired graphic dubbed “Weho 66.”

“Great design solves visual problems. I wanted to infuse generational Pride themes into an iconic symbol,” Sküt elaborates. “Weho 66 honors the past while embracing the present with fresh hyperlocal livery in a historical context.”

Marsha, the Serve Robotics Pride delivery robot, is named after the late Marsha P. Johnson, a queer liberation trans activist and self-identified drag queen who was prominent in the 1969 Stonewall uprising. Johnson was a courageous and inspiring advocate for LGBTQ rights and is remembered as a hero and icon.

City of West Hollywood Mayor John Erickson adds “I’m delighted that Serve Robotics continues to support our community by partnering with Weho’s very own artist Sküt to honor our rich history with an amazing new design of Marsha. It is so timely and relevant that she debuts at Rocco's next to the West Hollywood rainbow crosswalks along Historic Route 66 to share a message of Pride.”

“We honor the trailblazers who sacrificed so much for our equity, liberty, and progress,” concludes Sküt. “Love is Love, and art is vital to celebrating humanity through creativity and happiness.”

About The Artist Sküt

Sküt @inkedbyskut is a LA native featured West Hollywood artist, sculptor, and muralist. He has exhibited at Mondrian Los Angeles, Aquarium of the Pacific, Circus of Books West Hollywood, The Artist Tree, and The Other Art Fair by Saatchi. You know Sküt (aka Scott Lewallen) as original designer and Co-Founder of Grindr (the world's largest social network for gay, bi, trans, and queer people) and advocate for LGBTQ equity and environmental causes. Sküt is currently showing an immersive art installation at Circus of Books through June 2024. He created a massive 40-foot-long mural dubbed “Happiness” on display in Skybar at Mondrian Los Angeles on Sunset Blvd.

About Serve Robotics

Backed by Uber and NVIDIA, Serve Robotics develops advanced, AI-powered, low-emissions sidewalk delivery robots that endeavor to make delivery sustainable and economical. Spun off from Uber in 2021 as an independent company, Serve has completed tens of thousands of deliveries for enterprise partners such as Uber Eats and 7-Eleven. Serve has scalable multi-year contracts, including a signed agreement to deploy up to 2,000 delivery robots on the Uber Eats platform across multiple U.S. markets.

For further information about Serve Robotics (Nasdaq:SERV), please visit www.serverobotics.com or follow us on social media via X (Twitter), Instagram, or LinkedIn @serverobotics.

Media Contact

Aduke Thelwell
Head of Communications & Investor Relations
Serve Robotics
aduke.thelwell@serverobotics.com
347-464-8510

Meet Marsha Event Photos by Rob Flo

Flock Upon Yonder Art Exhibition At La Luz De Jesus Gallery In Los Feliz

Flock Flamingo Pop Art Collection By Sküt Debuts In Upon Yonder, A Mystical Art Exhibition From Six Local Artists At La Luz De Jesus Gallery In Los Feliz

Artis Sküt debuts a new pop art collection Flock showcasing the flamingo as a queer icon. Sküt joins six other local Los Angeles based artists for this musical group exhibition Upon Yonder, showing through May 2024 at La Luz De Jesus Gallery In Los Feliz.

Sküt’s Flock explores a hyperpop take on popular flamingo tropes with wild exaggerated sculpture forms, intense neon phosphorescent colors, and a range of hanging wall media. The centerpiece of the collection, “Chisme” is a triptych of hand-sculpted flamingo figurines, each standing roughly 36” tall.

Sustainability is a recurring theme in Sküt’s art, with many of the materials upcycled from common household waste. Each sculpture’s core is made from aluminum cans to create something beautiful from what is typically discarded.

Flock is on display as part of Upon Yonder through the end of May 2024.

Continue To The Flock…

Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me Kill Me, Fresh Art + Throwback Lewks Remixed By Sküt At The Other Art Fair Los Angeles

Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me Kill Me, Fresh Art + Throwback Lewks Remixed by Sküt, Booth 105 At The Other Art Fair Los Angeles April 4–7, 2024, in the Barker Hangar, Santa Monica, CA.

Join us for a weekend of art, vibes, and festivities in The Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, CA, for the The Other Art Fair Los Angeles 2024.

Sküt is at booth #105, conveniently located near the bar & food trucks.

Grab Tickets 👉🎟️ theotherartfair.com

Use promo code “ALLACCESS” for complimentary opening night entry. If that doesn’t work, use “SKUTINVITE” (limited availability) or “20SKUT” (20% off).

Sküt debuts "Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me Kill Me" (HMTMKMKM), a new collection of art works based on four symbols (rainbows, unicorns, hearts, and skulls) ranging from sculpture to custom painted skate decks and a graphic series of archival fine art prints in vibrant colors and eclectic designs.

HMTMKMKM is a retrospective nod to some of Sküt's most popular designs, including the "You Are Not Alone" street art and a selfie wall of happy hearts derived from the "Happiness" mural he installed at Skybar, Mondrian Los Angeles, in 2023.

The centerpiece of the collection is a 3D sculpture "Unicorn Origami" which itself is an offshoot of the original 2D aluminum wall float that debuted at The Other Art Fair DTLA in 2019. Unicorn Origami, realized in three dimensions, is a pair of prototype one-of-a-kind custom painted sculptures. The smaller of the two is approximately 10x10x4", with the larger iteration stands at 20x20" tall and long. Each facet of the geometric design is hand panted with viscous acrylic in Sküt's signature 8-color kaleidoscopic palette. Creases and graphic highlights are hand drawn, with a final dual coat UV resistant clear sealant and triple thick glaze added for durability, longevity, and presentation.

Over 140 artists are exhibiting this year at The Other Art Fair Los Angeles edition. Presented by Saatchi Art, this is a perfect opportunity to get inspired, meet new people, and grab some new art for your life.

Update: April 7, 2024 – Booth photos below. Thx everyone who pulled through! I had a blast chatting with y'all. Share your selfies and tag me on IG @inkedbyskut and I’ll repost your glam shots in front of the happy heart selfie wall. xoxo Sküt

Sküt Designs Artwork For West Hollywood Mayor John Erickson

Incoming 2024 West Hollywood Mayor John M. Erickson @johnericksonwh asked me to create original #art for his and Incoming Vice Mayor Chelsea Lee Byers @chelsealeebee installation ceremony, for Tuesday January 16, 6pm in the City of West Hollywood City Council Chambers (625 N San Vicente Blvd).

Original artwork “Soaring Joy” designed by Sküt for incoming 2024 West Hollywood Mayor John Erickson

John is a champion the arts, and has always supported me and so many creative causes in the city, so of course I said yes. I call this design “Soaring Joy” and I hope it makes you smile as we usher in a new era of leadership in this magical little creative city of Weho. 🥰🌈💯

Here’s a little art speak about my design: “A sparkling pop-inspired winged heart, this beacon of community adorns effervescent pillars of brilliant color, symbolizing the seven Core Values of the City of West Hollywood, as we soar into 2024.” 💋 xoxo Sküt

Join us Tuesday January 16 @ 6pm for the 2024 City of West Hollywood City Council Reorganization and Installation of the incoming Mayor John Erickson, Vice Mayor Chelsea Lee Byers, and Council Members Sepi Shyne, John Heilman, and Lauren Meister at the West Hollywood Council Chambers.

There will be a reception and celebration immediately following in the West Hollywood Library (625 N San Vicente Blvd).

I will have complimentary commemorative 4x6 mini #art prints of the inaugural design for everyone in attendance. Hope to see you all there! 🎨💕

xoxo

Sküt

Read more about the artwork and event on Weho Times.

Artist Sküt Unveils Happiness Mural at Skybar in Mondrian West Hollywood

Come celebrate Happiness with Sküt! 🥳🎨💕

Join us Wednesday August 9, 7-10pm for an artist reception (yeh, it’s party y’all!) in Skybar at Mondrian Los Angeles with golden hour cocktails.

See you then!

xoxo Sküt

Mondrian, 8440 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069.

Article continues below…

“Happiness” Mural by Artist Sküt at Skybar, Mondrian Los Angeles, presented by Artlounge Collective and Dunn Edwards Paints. Photo Credit Sküt @inkedbyskut

Artist Sküt (Scott Lewallen) unveiled a new mural dubbed “Happiness” at Skybar in the Mondrian Los Angeles hotel on the historic Sunset Strip of West Hollywood, California. The project is presented by gallery Artlounge Collective with a lush paint palette generously donated by Dunn Edwards Paints.

“Artlounge, Mondrian, and Skybar approached me to create a design,” says Sküt. “I saw the blank wall and instantly visualized a bright, bold, graphic parade of emoji inspired happy hearts to welcome people into this historic nightlife destination.”

Mat Yuriditsky, Director of Nightlife at Skybar and the Mondrian Hotel, adds "The happy hearts mural brings our Sunset entrance to life, greeting our guests with fun and playful energy as the first touchpoint of their Skybar experience."

The mural, a series of eight enormous candy colored smiling heart faces, covers a thirty-by-ten foot wall along the entrance to Skybar, where patrons enter the venue known for popular pool parties and DJ headliner events. Sküt completed the project in four days.

“I live and breathe design,” explains Sküt. “I snapped photos of the wall, sketched ideas on my iPad, and crunched numbers to quickly scale and tackle this challenge.”

Artist Sküt stands in front of his “Happiness” Mural at Skybar, Mondrian Los Angeles, presented by Artlounge Collective and Dunn Edwards Paints. Photo Credit Sküt @inkedbyskut

The artwork incorporates eight original rainbow colors from Gilbert Baker’s LGBT Pride Flag commissioned by Harvey Milk in 1978.

“As an openly gay artist I pay homage to trailblazers who made it possible for us to thrive. It’s important to understand how we got here,” Sküt elaborates “The mural incorporates universal icons with an ambiguously subtle queer context. I felt compelled to integrate some DNA of Pride history into the design.”

The resulting street-pop-art style is heavy with graphic detail and bold lines, creating an instant opportunity for visitors to snap keepsake selfies in front of the mural. Sküt admittedly found inspiration in some of his favorite artists and pop culture icons.

Sküt adds “I love cartoons, anime, and pop art. My aesthetic is heavily influenced by Nintendo and similar zeitgeist brands. Imagine Hayao Miyazaki and Takashi Murakami colliding in a Mario Zelda fantasy world. I love those vibes.”

"As a small, local art business, Artlounge Collective prides itself on finding opportunities for our artists," states gallery founder K. Ryan Henisey. "The mural projects at Mondrian Los Angeles are a perfect example of marrying the entrepreneurial spirit of our artists with the communities they serve. Sküt brings a vibrant, contemporary style of public art to the Skybar entrance with his happy hearts while hearkening to both LGBTQ roots and West Hollywood's historic neighborhoods. We are delighted to have partnered with him previously in The Magic Box exhibits featured in the hotel lobby and look forward to enjoying his mural for the year to come."

“I want to make you smile and feel a type of way through art. When you experience this mural, I hope you find a bit of joy. That’s why it’s called Happiness, and we all need more in our lives,” concludes Sküt.

About The Artist

Sküt @inkedbyskut (Scott Lewallen) is a LA native, featured West Hollywood local artist and muralist, and member of Artlounge Collective. He has exhibited at Mondrian Los Angeles, Aquarium of the Pacific, TAG Gallery, The Other Art Fair, and V Wine Room Weho. You know Scott as original designer and Co-Founder of Grindr (the world's largest social network for gay, bi, trans, and queer people) and advocate for LGBTQ and environmental causes. Sküt teaches paint & sketch art classes in local venues like Or Bar Weho and The Studio Lounge at The Artist Tree. Sküt is currently exhibiting at Artlounge Collective, on La Brea at Beverly, in Los Angeles.

Artist Sküt Has a New Mural Installation at Skybar at The Mondrian

By Paulo Murillo for Weho Times July 23, 2023

Art Mural by artist Sküt (Scott Lewallen) at Skybar at The Mondrian Hotel - WEHO TIMES

Artist Sküt (Scott Lewallen) has a new mural art installation on the Sunset Strip at Skybar at The Mondrian Hotel, located at 8440 Sunset Blvd. The new art project has been commissioned by Dunn Edwards Paints in collaboration with Art Lounge Collective.

“I worked with heart lounge collective and Mondrian,” Sküt told WEHO TIMES. “I had an exhibit here last year called Skull Pop. They said, ‘We’re going to redo the Sky Bar entrance mural, do you want to paint something?” And I said, ‘Yeah, I’ve got the perfect idea.”

Art Mural by artist Sküt (Scott Lewallen) at Skybar at The Mondrian Hotel – WEHO TIMES

Sküt says the artwork is a homage to the Gilbert Baker’s original gay flag. “It’s the original eight colors from the 1978 design. I just wanted it to be these really happy, sort of anime-inspired, almost like Nintendo anime hearts.

He said he created the artwork with the Sky Bar patron in mind who would be walking through the side entrance to enter the pool area. “I want it to welcome people into the Sky Bar,” he said. “They’re sort of pop off of the wall. I wanted it to be a selfie moment because obviously, Sky Bar is a famous nightlife destination here and people love the pool and they love the bar. So as people are coming in here, they’ll be able to take selfies and remember their wonderful experience in West Hollywood.”

Art Mural by artist Sküt (Scott Lewallen) at Skybar at The Mondrian Hotel – WEHO TIMES

Art Mural by artist Sküt (Scott Lewallen) at Skybar at The Mondrian Hotel – WEHO TIMES

Work on the mural began on Tuesday, July 18th and was completed by Friday evening, “It’s a very rapid-fire mural. You know, my style is pretty graphic and because I’m a graphic designer, I know how to execute it. So it’s just a rapid, get-it-done, make-it-pop. I hope it brings some joy to people.”

Art Mural by artist Sküt (Scott Lewallen) at Skybar at The Mondrian Hotel – WEHO TIMES

There will be an official unveiling on Wednesday, August 9, 2023, from 6:30pm – 10pm. He said he hopes members from the City Council will join on the unveiling. More details to come closer to the date.

To learn more on Artist Sküt visit: https://www.inkedbyskut.com/about

Meet Marsha by Serve Robotics featuring original Pride Month art by Sküt

On Friday June 9, 2023, we unveiled Marsha to the world. Read the full announcement below…

West Hollywood Artist Sküt and Serve Robotics Debut Pride Month Art Collab “Marsha” Delivery Robot

June 9, 2023, West Hollywood, CA

Artist Sküt (Scott Lewallen) and Serve Robotics debut Marsha, a new delivery robot art collab, rolling out at Pink Dot to the streets of West Hollywood featuring original artwork to celebrate Pride Month.

"We're honored to partner with Sküt for our first artist collaboration, honoring LGBTQ history for Pride Month,” says Ali Kashani, Co-Founder and CEO of Serve Robotics. “West Hollywood has been our community since we started, and at Serve we recognize its diversity as a strength. This is one small way we can amplify that story.”

The Artist Sküt (Scott Lewallen) poses with his art collab “Marsha” Pride delivery robot by Serve Robotics at Pink Dot debut in West Hollywood California for Pride Month 2023. Photograph by Mike Pingel for Weho Times.

Sol Yamini, owner of Pink Dot on the Sunset Strip adds “As one of the founding companies to utilize Serve, we are excited and honored to host this new Pride delivery robot Marsha in the innovative and creative city of West Hollywood.”

“I see these robots all over Weho,” explains Sküt. “So I pitched a Pride art collab to Serve. Their team loved the concept and we ran with it.”

The artwork merges artist Gilbert Baker’s original 1978 eight-color Rainbow Pride Flag with the modern 2018 “Progress Pride” flag by Daniel Quasar highlighting Trans and POC communities.

“As a designer I love to solve problems visually. I looked at historical pride flag iterations, and wanted to upgrade those colors for a variety of modern mediums,” Sküt elaborates “I crafted this harmonious spectrum into a pop-art inspired graphic illustration to honor the past and embrace the present with a fresh 13-color ‘Pride Fusion’ design.”

The artist Sküt (Scott Lewallen) @inkedbyskut poses with West Hollywood Mayor pro tem John Erickson, Pink Dot owner Sol Yamini, Serve Robotics VP Vignesh Ganapathy, and Weho Council Member Chelsea Beyers at the unveiling of “Marsha” Pride Month delivery robot art collab design by Sküt. Photograph by Mike Pingel for Weho Times.

Marsha, the Serve Robotics Pride delivery robot, is named after the late Marsha P. Johnson, a queer liberation trans activist and self-identified drag queen who was prominent in the 1969 Stonewall uprising. Johnson was a courageous and inspiring advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and is remembered as a hero and icon.

City of West Hollywood Mayor pro tempore John Erickson adds “I’m so excited to see Serve and Pink Dot partnering with WeHo’s very own Sküt to honor our history’s past with this amazing design of Marsha. I look forward to seeing her prideful colors all around West Hollywood.”

“We pay homage to trailblazers who sacrificed so much for us to champion our rights, liberties, and ongoing progress today,” concludes Sküt. “Love is Love, and art is vital to celebrating humanity through creativity and happiness.”

About The Artist

Sküt @inkedbyskut (Scott Lewallen) is a LA native, featured West Hollywood local artist and muralist, and member of Artlounge Collective. He has exhibited at Mondrian Los Angeles, Aquarium of the Pacific, The Artist Tree, TAG Gallery, The Other Art Fair, and V Wine Room Weho. You know Scott as original designer and Co-Founder of Grindr (the world's largest social network for gay, bi, trans, and queer people) and advocate for LGBTQ and environmental causes. Sküt teaches paint & sketch art classes in local venues like Or Bar Weho and The Studio Lounge at The Artist Tree. New art by Sküt is currently showing at Artlounge, on La Brea at Beverly.

Press

Weho Times “Serve Robotics Debuts ‘Marsha’ Pride Delivery Robot by WeHo Artist Sküt”

WehoVille “Delivery robot Marsha is blazing trails for LGBTQIA+ community”

Photos by Photographer Mike Pingel for Weho Times

Shoutout LA Interview: Meet Sküt (Scott Lewallen) | Artist, Designer, Entrepreneur

Original article via Shoutout LA: LOCAL STORIES Meet Sküt (Scott Lewallen) | Artist, Designer, Entrepreneur

Every day we ask our contributors and interviewees questions designed to spark meaningful conversations.  We ask questions about life, work, love, parenting, finances, and more. Questions like how you think about risk-taking, work-life balance, or online dating. We ask entrepreneurs why they started their business and we ask artists what their work is inspired by.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sküt (Scott Lewallen) and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Artist Sküt @inkedbyskut (Scott Lewallen) stands in front of his mural creation at Micky’s West Hollywood

Artist Sküt @inkedbyskut (Scott Lewallen) stands in front of his mural creation at Micky’s West Hollywood

Hi Sküt, how does your business help the community?

I made a conscious decision in my art career to benefit charitable causes and organizations that I feel strongly about. The best way to make an impact is to help others, and for me that’s through my voice as an artist. I’ve contributed to the Los Angeles LGBT Center via proceeds generated from a collection of Pride-themed rainbow art, in and around West Hollywood. During my solo and curated animal-themed exhibitions for Earth Day 2021, I was able to raise money for the World Wildlife Fund, Birch Aquarium at Scripps, and Aquarium of the Pacific. When I create a new piece I ask myself “who can this help?” and the rest flows naturally.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

I enjoy experimenting with new mediums that I’ve never used, or that I know I’m uncomfortable handling. I approach art as a problem solving experience, using technology and design to achieve my goal. When I have a vision, I figure out what steps to take and what materials to try, to bring that idea to life. I love learning about what I don’t know.

I’m stoked about using experiments from the past year to make new art. During COVID I was in my studio daily, playing with concepts, making a mess, figuring out how to physically manifest ideas. I played with pigment, texture, and coating. You see a lot of color play in my recent works.

My solo exhibition Deep, April 2021, celebrated ocean animals with an immersive installation. I used canvas, paint, sculpture, sound, and light to exploit art through technology. I played with reciprocal mirrors to show endangered creatures appearing and dissolving into your reflection. I built sculptures with up-cycled materials (cans, leftover Ikea bits, plastic scraps) and covered them in reactive paints to blur the line between natural and surreal. Everything was saturated.

Professionally, I think my keys to success are persistence and innovation. I used to be terrified of mistakes. Life taught me the value of fault; now I embrace the unfamiliar and welcome new experiences to find alternative paths forward. I love to fail because I learn from it. I build, grow, and evolve from that flashpoint.

As for my story, it’s still being written. I’m really happy with what I’ve accomplished so far. Launching Grindr was a once in a lifetime opportunity, and I’m proud of designing what I think fundamentally changed human interaction, in LGBT microcosms and global communication at large. I use that experience in my artistic endeavors.

Doing good and being kind, for me, are eternal rewards. I am most happy and fulfilled when I see tangible effects and direct impacts from my projects. My adventure continues through creation, and I want to help underserved and marginalized groups through art.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

Oh, you’ve never been to LA? I’m a native. We do the beach, a lot. Redondo, Hermosa, Huntington, Laguna, Malibu, et al. We’ll hit a few of those, and yup, you have to dip in the ocean.

Then we hike Griffith Park. It’s huge, we’ll be there for hours, wandering through a maze of obvious and obscure paths, looking for rattlesnakes, and eventually make it to the Hollywood sign for your selfie moment.

We spend a day at Long Beach at Aquarium of the Pacific. It’s one of my happy places; they do a phenomenal job of educating people on ocean conservation.

We’ll hop LA Metro subway from Hollywood to Downtown and explore The Broad contemporary art museum, along with galleries and local watering holes.

A night out in West Hollywood is mandatory, stuffing our faces with bites from neighborhood restaurants, ending up at the gay bars. It’s the best night life in Los Angeles, and is the ultimate LGBT destination.

Finally, we dine at Terrana, a cliffside resort in my hometown, Rancho Palos Verdes. It’s built on the former site of Marineland, an oceanarium that closed in 1987. My dad took me there as a kid. We spent hours at home recreating whales, sharks, and other sea creatures out of construction paper on the floor. It sparked my artistic passion, and thirst for nature, and I dedicated my recent art show to its legacy. My mom encouraged me to create daily and nurtured my ability. So I feel very fortunate that my love letter to Los Angeles began at home.

Your LA tour concludes with a glass of wine in the company of my folks, as we sit on the porch and watch the sunset. Sound good?

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
One place, and three people deserve credit.

I graduated from the Annenberg School for Communication, University of Southern California. That education, time, and life experience were keys to my career, and I am grateful to have a strong connection with my alma mater. Fight On!

Big shout to my best friend and confidante Dex Franco @dexfranco. We make stuff together. He’s an insanely talented actor and writer with an endless flow of charisma, creativity, and inspiration. He shines in front of, and behind, the camera. We’re constantly pushing each other to create new things and test our limits. You’ll see some of his works soon.

My colleague K Ryan Henisey @kyryanhenisey led me into the art world. I met him at WeHo in Paso, an exchange between City of West Hollywood Arts Division and Paso Robles. Ryan asked me to join TAG Gallery Los Angeles. I applied, became Vice President, and now we run the cooperative together with forty incredible member artists showing fine art with unique monthly events.

Finally, Stefano Rosso @gatorosso is a bold entrepreneur, and my personal cheerleader. I met him in 2009 shortly after I launched Grindr, and asked him to collaborate at LA Pride. He said yes and we’ve been friends ever since. Most recently he asked me to design and paint a 30-foot-tall mural at Micky’s West Hollywood to celebrate their grand reopening. I was able to donate leftover budget funds to benefit the Los Angeles LGBT Center.

Website: https://inkedbyskut.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/inkedbyskut

Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/company/inkedbyskut/

Twitter: https://twitter.com//inkedbyskut

Facebook: https://facebook.com/inkedbyskut

Image Credits
Dex Franco, Monique Ramirez, Kevin Winston (Digital LA)

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Deep by Sküt at TAG Gallery, Los Angeles, April 13–May 8, 2021

Deep, my SKÜT labor of love for the better part of a year, is alive and on display at TAG Gallery Los Angeles, April 13–May 8, 2021.

I’m a #nature nerd. I love animals. The #ocean is a driving presence in my life force. From that day my dad took me to Marineland of the Pacific, I was hooked on everything maritime and aquatic.

I created #Deep as a multidimensional #animal art #exhibition to champion those salty waters and the creatures I adore.

Sea Dragon, Dolphin, Mako, Orca, Trigger, Emperor, Clown, Jelly, Lag, Vaquita, Tiger, and Bubbles the Pilot Whale come together in an immersive celebration of our oceans.

They’re all here. They make me happy. I hope you smile when you see them.

If you’re in Southern California I invite you to visit the #gallery to enjoy #art and reflect on your role in helping our great planet. We’re open Tue-Sat, 11a-5p, adjacent #LACMA & La Brea Tar Pits.

If you’re beyond, please dive into this online experience and interact virtually.

I’d love to hear from you.

“The #sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.” – Jacques Cousteau

Proceeds from this show benefit Birch Aquarium at Scripps, Aquarium of the Pacific, and Sea Shepherd Global.

taggallery.net/skut-deep

#EarthDay