If there’s one other thing that Volcom does well (besides making apparel), it’s that they know how to throw a damn good party. In celebration of Todd Bratrud’s “Lizard Girl” series that he illustrated for the clothing brand, they threw another good one at the Volcom store on La Brea. This was the third (!?) stop on a world tour of Bratrud’s signature contribution. Making the scene were Todd’s fellow Minnesotans Clint Petersen and Seth McCallum along with a cast of characters from the skateboard industry and curious onlookers. The upstairs gallery featured the Lizard Girl prints that are available from Volcom as a pin-up calendar, and also a couple pieces by Devon Green. Other Bratrud merch included day-glo green and pink t-shirts, belts and sandals. The art itself is inspiring because of the curvy lizard women he created. It’s not very often in modern times that you see “real” women given this much credit. Sure, they’re, uh, lizards, but regardless, the pictures are beautiful. And some are “real girls” that Todd has known throughout his life. Todd Bratrud’s art should be celebrated every night. I’m certain that he’s off to greater things that we can’t even grasp at present time. I’m sure that he’ll find more inspiration as his Volcom tour winds through Brazil, Japan and France. Visit volcom.com for more info. And go buy some of his prints.

— Rita Nadhazy