BA of the Week Artist – Peter Max Lawrence

Every week we feature a different person from the community shedding a little light on their life of brokeitude. Who knows, maybe you’ll learn something about the human spirit — probably not.

Wanna be a Broke-Ass of the Week? Holler at us here and we’ll send you the questionnaire.

I first met Peter Max a decade ago when I was living in in a crazy eight bedroom place in the Western Addition. Peter Max was my downstairs neighbor and we became friendly in through the comings and goings of neighborly life. Six months after moving in our landlord evicted us, which was a shame since my roommate Ms. P (of Cacophony Society and Burning Man fame) had been there for 20 years. Seems like it’s happening all over again. Here’s what Peter Max has to say:

I’m a twelve year resident of San Francisco and have just recently been given my walking papers for my live/work studio and apartment by a career landlord who has systematically evicted everyone in my building over the last ten years. I fortunately have until late spring to remove myself from the premises and will be selling off a large portion of my archive, art and personal belongings. If you have any interest in keeping up with my great move-out and future events please email paperwasterpress@gmail.com to be included in my VERY RARE newsletter. Check out my petermaxlawrence.com and look forward to my rising from the ashes of a Bay Area artistic life in the early part of this century (I guess I could be more punchy but alas I’m still in mourning).

p.s. – here is a link to a film that can only help you dislike me further: https://vimeo.com/2956404

Read below to see his answers to our grueling questions:

Name: Peter Max Lawrence

Age: 36

Occupation: Artist/Filmmaker

What neighborhood do you live in?: North Panhandle formerly known as the Western Addition

Best money saving tip: $3 Chilean wine from Trader Joe’s

What do you refuse to spend money on: Clothes.

Most expensive thing you’ve ever bought: A college -education on borrowed funds.

How’d that feel?: Painful.

Favorite cheap eat: I’m a big fan of El Castillito Taqueria on the north side of church and market.

Favorite dive bar: Thieves Tavern

Best deal you’ve ever gotten: The abundance of free clothing and furniture on the streets of San Francisco starting in 2002 until now.

Favorite free thing to do: City hike to Lands End with a $3 bottle of wine and snacks.

If you woke up a millionaire, what’s the first thing you’d buy?: Land and Shelter and pay off my ridiculous college loans.

Despite not having money, do you still love your life?: I absolutely adore it. I try to live my life like a queer version of Henry Miller. This lifestyle is definitely not for everyone.

Do you own my book?: Nope but I’ve read it in pieces in other people’s bathrooms.

Best hangover cure: Hydrate before you pass-out.

Are you a hipster?: I self identify as an “artist/filmmaker” who happens to live in the heart of San Francisco during the year of two thousand and thirteen. I think the answer is obvious, non? I don’t really have a choice.