When communication imitates art or the art of communication imitates work, I believe it is essential that we embrace the evolution of the PR industry and always think outside the box. But, we must look backward to see where we’ve been in order to comprehend where we’re possibly going.

Several months ago, I brought home a typewriter to display in my office.  When I introduced this machine to my 11-year-old step-son, I found it extremely humorous to watch his reaction as he tried to type, “This thing is ‘um… how do you spell’ prehistoric! – There’s no spell check!” Click here to view one of the videos of Alex using the typewriter

As times have changed, so have the image and use of a typewriter.  This September, Tom Hanks is debuting a new movie called California Typewriter, which is hitting theaters as we speak. With that said, many have let the keys of the typewriter die.

Ironically, just after I purchased my own typewriter relic for my office, I was introduced to an amazing Los Angelonian artist, Louise “LA” Marler by a photographer whom I hired in New York.  Marler has a connection to St. Louis as well – she was born here and has recently purchased space for a new studio on Cherokee street.

Over the last couple of months, Chemistry PR and Multimedia has successfully represented LA Marler.  She is the daughter and granddaughter of typewriter salesmen, repairmen and collectors in St. Louis, Missouri. Check out this quick video our team produced to help tell her story…

Marler has documented and transitioned her family’s nearly 100-year dedication to the typewriter industry into a passionate art form. Her unique style of art is sought after by writers and art collectors, and has been a primary force in the resurgence of interest in typewriters.

Louise Marler’s artistic statement has been called “iconic modern photographic.” This unique approach has led to art exhibits and community Type-Ins, which celebrate and integrate various aspects of the typewriter such as history, education, use, art, repair, and entertainment. Other works of art highlighted by Marler include vintage cameraERAs, KeyWord art, and retro radios photographic pop art.  Her artwork is available for purchase at her LA Marler Etsy site.

LA Marler’s work has been featured in the documentary film, “The Typewriter in the 21^st Century,” the movie “Friends with Benefits,” and on TV shows including “Two and a Half Men,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “The Mentalist,” “Criminal Minds,” “Reba,” “Bernie Mac,” “Rules of Engagement,” “Hawthorne,” “The Newsroom,” “A to Z”, and on Nickelodeon.  In 2016 actor Tom Hanks added Marlers’ artwork to his personal collection.

Committed to serving the communities where she lives and works, Louise enjoys sharing her typewriter art, as well as the history of technology and this method of communication. She educates about the predecessor of personal computers, women in the workforce as it relates to the feminist movement, and how to unplug and use machines. She engages writers of all ages in fun activities to ignite interest in and appreciation for print methods of communication.

In addition to our short marketing video above, the Chemistry PR & Multimedia worked to get her story featured on KSDK Channel 5 and in the River Front Times.  We truly wish Marler success in her future endeavors as she is a very talented artist of amazing work I truly love!