Sour Harvest

www.sourharvest.com - new domain now launched!

2009-07-20T13:04:00.000-07:00

www.sourharvest.com

Please reset your browsers / bookmarks to the above url.

Quick update:

All of the posts I put up on the new Sour Harvest site will also now populate over at my new blog on www.juxtapoz.com. You can check out my Juxtapoz based blog here and I’ll also be aiming to post a few Juxtapoz specific articles there each week.

In addition to that, I’ve also joined the writing team over at the amazing Arrested Motion. I’ll be contributing a good bit there in terms of articles/posts, but my focus will be a weekly recommended shows listing that will build off my LA centric one I do each week here on Sour Harvest. The Arrested Motion recommended listings post will aim to cover all the hot openings in many of the other major art centers around the world with a focus towards the new contemporary movement.

Sour Harvest - established 2004

Thank you all for the ongoing support!

Lil' video from KMNDZ & Ekundayo...

2009-07-20T11:09:00.001-07:00

Above is a great video documenting the mural that KMNDZ and Ekundayo rocked out for the 'Movers & Shakers' show that took place earlier this year at POVevolving in Chinatown. Shot by Job Alonso, the video came out just great.

Look for much more from both of these guys in the year ahead and if you are down in San Diego this weekend for ComiCon, keep your eyes peeled.

Do not miss the Clayton Brothers tomorrow night...

2009-07-17T18:18:00.000-07:00

THIS Sat, July 18th 6-8PM

Patrick Painter Inc.

2525 Michigan Avenue, Unit A8 & B2 in Bergamot Station, Santa Monica

“Jumbo Fruit” from the Clayton Brothers

(On view at both galleries through August 29th)

http://www.patrickpainter.com/

Be there.

Ryden to sign at ComiCon...

2009-07-17T18:13:00.000-07:00

Mark Ryden will be signing copies of his 'The Tree Show' book, 'The Tree Show Micro-portfolio', 'Sweet Wishes', and his new toy 'YHWH' (limited quantities available at the Last Gasp booth - figure shown above) at Comic Con 2009 in San Diego.

Ryden will be signing items at the Last Gasp Booth #1616 on:

Friday, July 24 at 2pm

Saturday, July 25 at 4pm

Expect a line out the door, this is really going to bring them in. Very cool of Mark to do this for his fans.

http://www.comic-con.org/

Recommended openings to catch this weekend...

2009-07-16T01:00:00.000-07:00

Suzannah Sinclair showing this Sat @ New Image Art

Thurs, July 16th 7-11PM
Gallery 1988 Los Angeles
7020 Melrose Ave in Los Angeles / 323.937.7088
‘Crazy4Cult 3D’ group show with over 100 artists paying tribute to classic cult films featuring the likes of Amy Sol, Greg ‘Craola’ Simkins, David MacDowell, Ana Bagayan, Andy Kehoe, Dan May, Charlie Immer, Eric Fortune, Jeff Gillette, Joe Vaux, Kelly Vivanco, Lola, Matt Dangler, Mari Inukai, Nathan Spoor, Shark Toof, Skot Olsen, Travis Louie, and many more – view site for full lineup of artists
(On view through August 8th)
www.nineteeneightyeight.com

Fri, July 17th @ 8PM
Royal/T Café
8910 Washington Blvd in Culver City
‘Crusaders & Haters’ group show curated by actor Daniel Franzese (Mean Girls, etc) with DJ set from Short Circuit – super hero attire encouraged!
www.zippercut.com

Sat, July 18th 7-10:30PM
Black Maria Gallery
3137 Glendale Blvd, Los Angeles / 818.613.9090
“The Kids Are Alright” group show curated by Beau LeBasse + new works from Courtney Brims on the project wall
(On view through August 8th)
www.blackmariagallery.com

Sat, July 18th 7-11PM
The Box Gallery
765 Saint Clair Suite B in Costa Mesa / 714.724.4633
“Roman Candles” featuring new works from Craig ‘Skibs’ Barker, Michael Pukac, and Jeff Felker
www.boxboxbox.com

Sat, July 18th 3-7PM
Carmichael Gallery of Contemporary Art
1257 N. La Brea Ave in West Hollywood / 323.969.0600
Release party for Issue #2: Pop Portrayal from www.slamXhype.com + live DJ action
www.carmichaelgallery.com

Sat, July 18th 7-10PM
LeBasse Projects
6023 Washington Blvd in Culver City / 310.558.0200
“A Distorted Lens” featuring new works from Dave Flores & Lisa Alisa
(On view through August 8th)
www.lebasseprojects.com

Sat, July 18th 5-9PM
Monkeyhouse Toys and Art Gallery
1618 ½ Silver Lake Blvd in Los Angeles / 323.662.3437
“Vamos Bien” curated by Blinky and featuring works from Ako, Blinky, 20MG, Bumblebee, The Nice Penguins, Phobia, Shark Toof, Smear, Smog City and many more + live painting from The Nice Penguins
(On view through August 2nd)
www.monkeyhousetoys.com

Sat, July 18th 7-10PM
New Image Art Gallery
7908 Santa Monica Blvd. in West Hollywood / 323.654.2192
“The Way Things Are Looking” featuring new works from Suzannah Sinclair + “Deep In The Hole I Own You” featuring new works from Kime Buzelli in the project room
www.newimageartgallery.com

Sat, July 18th 7-11PM
New Puppy Gallery
2808 Elm Street in downtown Los Angeles
“All Of The Above” group show curated by L. Croskey of Cannibal Flower & Thinkspace
http://www.newpuppyla.com/

Sat, July 18th 7-11PM
Nucleus Gallery
210 E. Main St., Alhambra / 626.458.7482
“Momentum” group show featuring works from Tessar Lo, Tiffany Bozic, Ina Kyung Lim, Veronique Meignaud, Brooks Salzwedel,, and Chigi aka Neri
(On view through August 3rd)
www.gallerynucleus.com

Sat, July 18th 6-10PM
OCCCA (Orange County Center for Contemporary Art)
117 North Sycamore in Santa Ana / 949.981.9817
“LA to OC – Emphasis Extreme” featuring works from Bert Green Fine Art, Crewest Gallery, Deborah Martin Gallery, Hive Gallery, Los Angeles Center for Digital Art, MONA, Pharmaka, Phyllis Stein Art, and Todd/Browning Gallery
(On view through July 25th)
http://www.occca.org/

Sat, July 18th 6-8PM
Patrick Painter Inc.
2525 Michigan Avenue, Unit A8 & B2 inside of Bergamot Station in Santa Monica
“Jumbo Fruit” from the Clayton Brothers
(On view at both galleries through August 29th)
www.patrickpainter.com

Sun, July 19th 4-8PM
De La Barracuda Gallery
7769 Melrose Ave in Los Angeles / 323.852.7179
“Family Tradition” group show curated by Ron English re-imagining ‘The Godfather’ featuring works from Chet Zar, Eric White, Travis Louie, Francesco LoCastro, Gibby Haynes, Mark Dean Vecca, Mike Shinoda, Triston Eaton, and many more
http://www.barracudashop.com/

Sun, July 19th 2-5PM
GR2
2062 Sawtelle Blvd in Los Angeles / 310.445.9276
“WTF Summer Tour with Bwana Spoons” – come play some 4 Square with Bwana in the GR Eats parking lot and be sure to bring your balls (this invite from the man himself) – expect the man and his pen to be sketching away, site specific exclusive toys, prints, original works, his new book ‘Welcome To Forest Island’, BBQ goodness, pencil fighting championships, good times and oh so much more
(Special one-day only event)
www.gr2.net

Collector interview: John Purlia

2009-07-15T19:57:00.000-07:00

An interview with collector John Purlia

This is the 1st in an ongoing series of interviews I will be conducting with a wide cross spectrum of art collectors. From your every day folk to rock stars and celebrities, these interviews will offer a glimpse into what initially got them into the new contemporary genre (ie: pop surrealism, low brow, graffiti, street art, etc.) in the 1st place and what fuels them to collect.

First up is Southern California collector and artist John Purlia. Pictured throughout the interview are selected works from John's amazing collection as well as some shots of the works living in their new surroundings.

"Dearly Departed" - Ana Bagayan

How long have you had an interest in art?
Like a lot of people, I think the history of my interest in art can be broken down into three phases: Awareness Phase, Influence Phase, Collector Phase.

In my case, the Awareness Phase can be directly tracked to growing up in a home with an artist mother, and two art major sisters. Art projects were in abundance.

Having grown up in the age of LP records and those big, beautiful 12" album covers, the Influences Phase captures years and years of buying records and absorbing every visual square inch of their glorious covers. I papered the walls of my college dorm rooms with enormous posters of album covers; not necessarily because of the music within, but because of the striking visual impact of a particular image.

It's only been within the past 10 years or so that I've jumped headlong into the Collector Phase of life's circle of art interest, which was triggered by a booth at Comic Con in 1999 when I first saw the work of Mark Ryden. I was totally hooked by a print of Princess Sputnik, and ended up buying two of the limited edition prints from The Meat Show.

"Faith And Reason" — Daniel Martin Diaz & "Meatcake" — Camille Rose Garcia (main entry view)

Does anyone else in your family collect or create art?
My grandfather was a true undiscovered folk artist, who painted, sculpted and created all kinds of interesting things for his own use and pleasure. One of my greatest possessions is a tiny painting he made titled I Was Born Naked. My mom painted and fired up ceramics, and both of my sisters created all kinds of drawings and paintings. My oldest sister is becoming quite the connoisseur of hand crafted art on Etsy.

Elizabeth Hoffman "Pay"

Besides art, is there anything else that the collector bug in you searches out regularly?
Yes, I'm always on the lookout for old records, toys, vintage books, radios, record players, robots, or other interesting things that maintain a certain timeless aesthetic. My house is filled with various collections that I live with, much in the same way I live with the art on my walls.

"Transmissions From Venus" - Aaron Marshall (dining room view)

With artists like Mark Ryden, Todd Schorr, Camille Rose Garcia, Shepard Fairey and The Clayton Brothers all having major retrospective museum shows in the past year or two, the future is definitely wide open for this our little bubble of the art world. Where do you see this genre of art (new contemporary, urban contemporary, pop surrealism, outsider, lowbrow, etc) going over the next 5-10 years?
I think we're just coming out of a period wherein the art scene popularized by the Rydens, Schorrs and Claytons has been diluted, to some degree, by a lot of recycling of themes, styles and ideas. One day the world woke up and realized that something pretty cool was going on in this genre of art, which was both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, some amazingly talented artists began to gain broader recognition. Unfortunately, popularity sometimes breeds poor imitation, and for a while there you saw a lot of sub par repetition, as new artists entered the scene without either the skill or freshness of voice of, say, Camille Rose Garcia or Shepard Fairey.

Hopefully, the next 5-10 years will see a maturation of the genre to kind of weed out the heavy recycling we've seen over the past couple of years. While imitation is inevitable, it tends to weigh down the development of an emerging art movement, which otherwise needs some space to grow in new directions.

"The Mentalist" — Shag + "Mother" — Ana Bagayan + "Princess Sputnik" Iris print - Mark Ryden (dining room view)

First piece purchased and when/why?
My first prints were the aforementioned Ryden IRIS prints of Princess Sputnik (shown above) and The Debutante at Comic Con. Since then, I've concentrated my collection almost exclusively on original paintings and drawings.

The first painting I almost acquired was a great Aaron Marshall piece I saw one afternoon at La Luz de Jesus while I was shopping with friends. It was the only piece still remaining from his first solo show and I thought it was the coolest thing ever! But the price (over $1000) at the time seemed like such an extravagance! I regretfully left the gallery and wandered up the street, where I purchased a really fun mixed media piece by Elizabeth Hoffman titled Pay, which now hangs in my library.

When I returned home to San Diego, the Aaron Marshall piece continued to pester me, and it wasn't long before Irrational Desire won the easy battle over Common Sense. I called the gallery to then discover that I was a day late and the piece was gone.

Hence, I learned my first painful lesson of collecting art: Reverse buyer's remorse is to be avoided at all costs. You see it, you like it, buy it.

"The Irrationality And Inevitability Of Being A Puppet" — Ana Bagayan (front entry installation - look at how the work is positioned as if though it's lifting the head off the doll on the table - awesome)

Do you have any sculpture in your collection?
Just one, a very nice Tibetan Buddha from the 1930s that stands in a dining room window that looks out into my back garden.

"There In Time" - Brandi Milne

What was your biggest score of 2009 collecting wise? Best score to date?
2009 has been a busy year for new art, and in the first half of the year I've made a number of exciting acquisitions: a drawing from Mark Ryden's "Snow Yak" show in Tokyo (shown towards end of this post), a new Ana Bagayan painting, and Nouar's happy-happy "Lemonade Parade" (also shown below) from her New York show all immediately come to mind. The biggest score, though, was one that I thought had gotten away - "There In Time" by Brandi Milne (shown above), which had already sold by the time I made it up to LA to see her recent show at Thinkspace. "There In Time" immediately caught my eye as the strongest piece in the show. I really loved the composition, the color, and the feeling of comfort present in the piece. It was, of course, already sold, so I spent 30 minutes narrowing down an alternate selection from several other pieces I really liked. Still, I kept drifting back to that one piece... When the show closed, it turned out that the original buyer backed out on the purchase, and the gallery luckily remembered the interest I'd shown in the piece. Voila! I had a second painting from the show, including the one I wanted in the first place! Perhaps this was Karma's way of cutting me a break so many years after losing that Aaron Marshall piece!

"Mona And The Metal Men" — Mark Bryan (living room view)

Favorite piece you currently own?
This is a really difficult question! And in order to properly provide an answer I just now took a room-to-room walk throughout my house looking at all the paintings in my collection. It's hard to pick a favorite in each room, let alone the entire collection. But if I were inclined to have some sort of single elimination, head-to-head March Madness style Tournament of Fine Art... I think the winner would be "Dearly Departed" by Ana Bagayan (shown at the start of this post). I just love that painting, and it hangs in my master bedroom where I see it everyday. It's from Ana's first solo show, painted while she was finishing up school art Art Center in Pasadena, and I think it's a very significant piece. In person, it's really gorgeous.

"Retreat Syndrome" — Camille Rose Garcia

"I Am Your Pinata" — Gary Baseman (library view)

"Atlas" - Mark Ryden

Best score to date collecting wise?

My best score to date has to be "Atlas" by Mark Ryden (shown above), an illustration piece not a lot of people are familiar with, as it was one of the paintings from Mark's 2001 "Amalgamation" exhibit at Outre Gallery in Melbourne. I managed to get on the waiting list very, very early, and had to wait out only one other collector before securing the piece. If you haven't seen it, it's an 11x14" color oil of Atlas holding a giant human heart on his back. The piece is the centerpiece of my bedroom, and to this day I have other people who were farther down the waiting list contacting me asking if I'd be willing to sell.

"Kate" — Mark Ryden (library view)

What inspired you to share your collection on-line for all to see? Really enjoy your site.
Thanks! I feel very fortunate to be in a position to fill my everyday life with art, and I see it almost as a responsibility to share images from my collection on the web. I've always enjoyed visiting museums, and when I see great pieces of art standing behind velvet ropes and bulletproof glass, I can't help but wonder about the painting's provenance before it found its way into the public view. I mean, it was owned by someone and likely held a place of honor in a living room or a dining room, hidden away from public view, only to be enjoyed by the friends and family of the owner. These same wonders occur to me today when I see new pieces in a gallery that hang on public display for a month or so for all to enjoy, until that closing day when the exhibit is dispersed to private collectors here and there and there. I like to view the sharing of my collection on the web as hosting a virtual museum. The original pieces may be locked away, but the whimsy and joy those pieces bring can be shared across the globe with anyone who points a browser at my web site. It sort of gives the art a public life in perpetuity, beyond the original gallery run. It gives me great satisfaction to connect others with the art I've collected in this way that a museum connects with its patrons.

"The Lemonade Parade" - Nouar

Who is at the top of your want list?
Probably Todd Schor. I really like the detail in Todd's work, but the timing of his shows have never quite worked out with my art budget. This year, for example, there were a pair of paintings available to me during his recent show at Merry Karnowsky... but after I'd already bought 5 or 6 pieces over a 3 month time period. His previous show took place about the same time that I bought my house ‹ and I didn't think I'd be able to afford my water bill, let alone my mortgage. I had visions of pushing around all of this great art in a giant shopping cart while my home was being taken away by creditors (I'm paranoid that way).

"A Wonderful Place To Be (In Green Pastures)" — The Clayton Brothers (master bedroom view)

If you could add any piece of artwork to your collection, from any time period, which work would that be?
I'd like to have Jan Van Eyck's "Ghent Altarpiece" ‹ especially since one of the original panels was stolen 75 years ago. If I had it, it would no longer be stolen, though I fear I'd have no room large enough in my home to actually put it on display! I'd build a tasteful new room to display the work if the Cathedral of St. Bavon would be so kind as to allow me to take it off their hands.

"Yak With Babies" - Mark Ryden

My wife and I would love to donate our collection to some sort of establishment, be it a museum or otherwise, so that the vision remains intact. We're really creating a snapshot in time. With this in mind, do you see yourself ever stopping buying art and supporting artists? Even if your walls fill up? You are so young, that it's bound to happen soon, but this is an addiction as we all know. So just curious of other's long term plans.
I can't imagine a time that I would stop supporting the arts. Collecting, for me, satisfies the desire to experience the thrill of new discovery. Experiencing the work of a previously undiscovered talent ‹ whether it be painting, music, or writing ‹ is terribly intoxicating! The anticipation of "what else they have done or might do" is energizing, exciting, and always something to look forward to. So as long as there are new artists connecting with the creative part of my soul, I'll be in the game.

Now, as to how one manages the physical articles as collections grow... good question! Luckily, I do have some blank wall space left to fill. After that... I wish I had a clever answer! I suppose I'll have to rotate work in and out of circulation, or loan pieces out for museum shows and retrospectives, as I've done frequently in the past. Or maybe I'll win the lottery and expand my house ‹ more walls equals more art, yes?

"Reverie" - Jeni Yang

Please name an artist that might be off many collector's radar, but that you enjoy and would like to offer some props to.
One of my recent favorites is Jeni Yang (shown above), who has created her own fun little world of feline sandwiches, vegetable trees and people packaged in cellophane bags like fine candies. She's a smart and talented artist, and I really love her work!

"Yak With Babies" - Mark Ryden + "Percy's Unlucky Day" — Ana Bagayan + "Lucky You" — Brandi Milne + "The Music Box Song Club" — Femke Hiemstra... all waiting to be hung.

Look for more collector interviews to be posted here every other week or so moving ahead. I've over a dozen interviews already in the works and many more to follow. Some pretty amazing collectors have agreed to let me pick their brains and let me into their homes. I'm honored to be presenting this awesome series of interviews for all to enjoy and learn from.

Great article in the new issue of Art Ltd...

2009-07-14T23:38:00.001-07:00

There's a great article in the new issue of Art Ltd. called "Blurring The Lines" that was written by Gabe Scott. The article helps to shed light on the burgeoning new contemporary movement and serves as a true testament to the heat and momentum that is building around our lil' segment of the art world.

Check out the intro to the article below:

The vast landscape of the lowbrow art world can potentially be put into a number of pluralistic categories: Pop Surrealism, the emotive, highly stylized illustrative community, graffiti (in its most pure form) and its urban/street subcultures, punk art, surf and skate indulgences, and those from the comic world. As all of these categories have seen an increase in popularity—and a good deal of critical acclaim—in recent years, the discussion about lowbrow’s validity has progressed to an interesting point. Within the last five years or so, a number of regional museums have begun to recognize the abilities of the leaders of the lowbrow movement by giving their work careful consideration within a traditional museum setting. It has been nearly 50 years since the contemporary lowbrow scene’s inception, through comic and hot rod artists planting their anti-art-establishment roots. Now we are gaining the opportunity to gauge the progress and sophistication of the first few generations of that movement on a more level playing field.

Check out the full article on-line here and be sure to pick up your copy at a news stand near you before it's too late.

So wish I could get up to Schorr's opening reception this Thursday up in San Jose, but I'll have to make do by checking out pics and getting up to the exhibition before it comes down for sure. Not every day one of the leaders of our movement gets a big retrospective... but something tells me this will become more and more common place as the years progress and those we all admire and collect gain more and more recognition. It's an exciting time to say the very least.

Studio visit with the Clayton Brothers...

2009-07-13T22:10:00.000-07:00

Had a chance to visit the studio of the Clayton Brothers a couple weeks back as they prepared for their first major show in Los Angeles in six years. This will be their first major collection of works in Los Angeles since they rocked La Luz De Jesus back in 2003 with their epic 'Six Foot Eleven' show. I still remember how blown away I was by that show. Simply epic in every sense of the word. For those that missed that one, do all you can to make it to Santa Monica this Saturday.

'Jumbo Fruit' will open this Saturday, July 18th at both of Patrick Painter's galleries within Bergamot Station over in Santa Monica. Very ambitious and as you can see below, Rob and Christian have more than stepped up the challenge. I can not wait to see these works all finished and hanging in all their glory this Saturday. A big thanks to Rob & Christian for having me out.

The Clayton Brothers work together closely to construct objects that are both narrative and deeply personal in nature. Front and center are the unique people, animals, and places that occupy the outskirts of the American psyche. These works are created in an obsessively rich, cartoon-inspired manner and often incorporate related audio elements.

They've a rich history and I highly recommend picking up any of their books. Enjoy the pictures below that offer a glimpse into the creative process behind the works that will make up their 'Jumbo Fruit' exhibit(s) opening this Saturday. Above, view a picture of the pinch pot that was the initial point of inspiration for this show, found at a thrift shop, it's now a cherished item in their studio. Sometimes the simplest things can be the catalyst for amazing works.

Tools of the trade.

Rob Clayton at work in the studio.

The big one in progress... this one is going to blow minds this Saturday.

Christian Clayton at work in the studio.

Oh, and book your tickets to Wisconsin now...

MMOCA Madison Museum of Contemporary Art

Rob and Christian Clayton: Inside Out

September 10 through December 19, 2010

The Madison Museum of Contemporary Art will present the first major museum exhibition dedicated to the bold, colorful drawings, paintings, and sculptures of Rob and Christian Clayton.

"Jumbo Fruit" from The Clayton Brothers

This Saturday, July 18th 6-8PM
PATRICK PAINTER INC.
2525 Michigan Avenue, Space B2 in Santa Monica

(On view through August 29th)
www.patrickpainter.com

Crazy4Cult this Thursday @ Gallery 1988...

2009-07-13T21:54:00.000-07:00

Dave MacDowell has taken it to the next level for this Thursday's 'Crazy4Cult 3D' show at Gallery 1988. He's combined a cult movie, with a cult artist AND a cult album cover. Shown above, his 'Willy Wonka and the Chocalate Factory' inspired piece pays homage to the amazing work of Robert Williams, that also happens to grace one of rock n' roll's greatest albums of all time (as well as being the influence for the album's title), Guns 'N Roses "Appetite For Destruction". View the original work here from Robert Williams, which was on view at this past December's Art Basel in Miami. A true grand slam of pop culture goodness from Mr. MacDowell for sure.

So looking forward to having MacDowell back next year for a couple group shows and a proper follow up in early 2011. MacDowell is getting better and better, and continues to turn heads for good reason. Keep an eye on him and be sure to head out this Thursday, July 17th from 7-11PM to Gallery 1988 out on Melrose (at LaBrea) to catch this year's Crazy4Cult 3D.

Full lineup here and add'l details here.

Thurs, July 17th 7-11PM
Gallery 1988 Los Angeles
7020 Melrose Ave in Los Angeles / 323.937.7088
www.nineteeneightyeight.com

Get ready for 'Beyond Eden' this October...

2009-07-13T18:02:00.001-07:00

More on this very soon... save the dates, you will NOT want to miss this one.

Ladies night @ Thinkspace...

2009-07-12T14:02:00.000-07:00

(l-r) Catherine Brooks, Stella Im Hultberg, & Hannah Stouffer

The ladies rocked the house this past Friday and made a big impression upon all that came through. We were packed from about 8PM on and went well past midnight. Thank you to all that came out and showed support. Some amazing works are still on hand, but not many, so be sure to check out the links to all the work from each show on our homepage.

Opening night photos are now posted, check 'em out here.

Check out some additional coverage at these awesome sites:

Juxtapoz preview here and opening night coverage here

Dailydujour interview w/Stella here and opening night coverage here

Arrested Motion set up here, studio visit here and opening night here

Nylon preview here

SlamXHype opening night coverage here

My Love For You... preview here

BoingBoing preview here

The shows are up through August 7th, so be sure to come on through.

TONIGHT @ Thinkspace...

2009-07-10T00:02:00.000-07:00

Stella Im Hultberg 'Memento Mori'

Watch the show coming together here.

View the works in the show here.

Catherine Brooks 'The Seeded Wind and Silent Beauty; An Oeuvre Of Beetled Beauty'

Watch the show coming together here.

View the works in the show here.

Hannah Stouffer 'Twilight & Fate'

Watch the show coming together here.

View the works in the show here.

TONIGHT - Fri, July 10th 7-11PM

thinkspace

4210 Santa Monica Blvd in Los Angeles / 323.913.3375

(All shows on view through August 7th)

www.thinkspacegallery.com

Recommended openings to catch this weekend...

2009-07-09T02:04:00.001-07:00

Thur, July 9th 7-9PM
Bert Greene Fine Art
102 West 5th Street in downtown Los Angeles
“Cardboard Town” featuring new works from Barron Storey (the man who taught David Choe and many others / recently featured in Juxtapoz)
(On view through August 15th)
www.bgfa.us

Thur, July 9th Noon-9PM
Downtown Art Walk
www.downtownartwalk.com

Thur, July 9th 7-10PM
Carmichael Gallery of Contemporary Art
1257 N. La Brea Ave in West Hollywood / 323.969.0600
“The A to Z of Change” featuring new works and an installation from Eine + new works from Frerk and Marc C. Woehr in the showcase space
(On view through July 30th)
www.carmichaelgallery.com

Fri, July 10th @ 7PM
Rothick Art Haus
170 S. Harbor Blvd in Anaheim
New works from Jophen Stein
(On view through July 31st)

Fri, July 10th 7-11PM
thinkspace
4210 Santa Monica Blvd in Los Angeles / 323.913.3375
“Memento Mori” from Stella Im Hultberg + “The Seeded Wind and Silent Motion; an Oeuvre of Beetled Beauty” from Catherine Brooks + “Twilight & Fate” from Hannah Stouffer
(On view through August 7th)
www.thinkspacegallery.com

Sat, July 11th 7-11PM
Cactus Gallery
4534 Eagle Rock Blvd in Eagle Rock / 323.256.6117
‘Girls! Girls! Girls!’ featuring works from Douglas Alvarez and Kelly Thompson + group show
(On view through August 5th)
www.electriccactus.com

Sat, July 11th 7-11PM
Cerasoli Gallery
8530-B Washington Ave in Culver City / 310.558.091
“Crime & Charity” from MEGGS + “Urban Myth” group show featuring works from Pure Evil, Zeus, Mysterious Al, Inkie, Steff Plaetz, Chu, China Mike, MauMau, Eco, Andy Council, Sickboy & SHOK-1
(On view through August 1st)
www.cerasoligallery.com

Sat, July 11th 8-11:30PM
Copro Gallery
2525 Michigan Ave, Space T-5 at Bergamot Station in Santa Monica / 310.398.2643
“Monster?” curated by Travis Louie and featuring works from Audrey Kawasaki, Brom, Kris Kuksi, Ron English, Lola, Ana Bagayan, Kris Lewis, Dan Quintana, Isabel Samaras, Chet Zar, Brian Despain, Mari Inukai, Chris Ryniak, Heidi Taillefer, Dave Chung, Nouar, Donato Giancola, Tessar Lo, Fred Harper, Attaboy, Ekundayo, David Stoupakis, Mark Elliot, Tristan Elwell, Dic Tsutsumi, Vincent Nguyen, Robert MacKenzie, Willie Real, Amanda Visell, Peter Nguyen, Francesco LoCastro and many more + live music from The Hollywood Squartet
(On view through Aug. 1st)
www.copronason.com

Sat, July 11th Noon-10PM ($5 admission before 4PM / $8 afterward)
The Funk Rumble
947 N. Broadway in Chinatown area of downtown Los Angeles (as a starting point)
Art, bands, live art, food, vendors, DJ action, rafles, and so much more featuring a group show curated by Cannibal Flower & Thinkspace's L. Croskey and live painting from Mear One, Food One, Kofie, Codak, Stuter, Eye One & more – full details at their site www.myspace.com/funkrumble and www.facebook.com/thefunkrumble

Sat, July 11th 6:30-10PM
GR2
2062 Sawtelle Blvd in Los Angeles / 310.445.9276
“Printed Matter: Prints To Take Home!” huge group show with prints on hand from Apak, Bigfoot, Ryan Bubnis, Buff Monster, Michael Hsiung, Matt Furie, Susie Ghahremani, Le Merde, Saelee Oh, Martin Ontiveros, Bwana Spoons, Albert Reyes, Deth P. Sun, Aiyana Udesen, Marci Washington, Andrew Jeffrey Wright and many more
(On view through August 5th)
www.gr2.net

Sat, July 11th 7-10PM
CSUF Grand Central Art Central
125 N. Broadway, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Parking in lot at 3rd and Sycamore
'R.Crumb's Underground' - curated by Todd Hignite
(On view through August 16th)
http://www.grandcentralartcenter.com/ArtGallery_gcartgallery.php

Sat, July 11th
Japanese American National Museum
369 East First Street in Los Angeles / 213.625.0414
“Kokeshi: From Folk Art To Art Toy” featuring “Custom Kokeshi” - a group exhibit curated by Christina Conway featuring over 75 customized wooden kokeshi dolls from the likes of Travis Louie, Amy Sol, Stella Im Hultberg, Catherine Brooks, Tara McPherson, APAK, Caia Koopman, CJ Metzger, Dan May, Edwin Ushiro, Yoskay Yomamoto, Ferris Plock, Jen Lobo, Julie West, Kelly Tunstal, Kelly Vivanco, Kent Williams, Ken Garduno, kozyndan, Kukula, Lilly Piri, Mari Inukai, Miss Mindy, NC Winters, Tessar Lo, Noferin, & many more
http://www.janm.org/exhibits/kokeshi/

Sat, July 11th 8-11PM
Merry Karnowsky Gallery
170 South La Brea Ave. in Los Angeles / 323.933.4408
“Gameland” featuring new works from Victor Castillo
(On view through August 8th)
www.mkgallery.com

Sat, July 11th 7-9PM
Mid-City Arts
5111 W. Pico Blvd in Los Angeles
“Miami Graffiti” group show featuring works from Crome, Typoe, Acme, Enve, Murder, Afex, Kemo, Cynic, Gere, Flojoe and others + the show will celebrate the release of Jim and Karla Murray’s “Miami Grafitti” book
www.midcity-arts.com

Sat, July 11th 7-10PM
Billy Shire Fine Arts
5790 Washington Blvd. in Los Angeles / 323.297.0600
New works from Lou Beach, Hudson Marquez, Jayme Odgers & Mel Weiner
(On view through August 1st)
www.billyshirefinearts.com

Sun, July 12th Noon-8PM
SURU
7662 Melrose Ave in Los Angeles / 323.655.0770
“Celeritas” a group show to benefit ‘Riders For Health’ featuring customized elements from motorcycle racing culture including the likes of Barry McGee, Futura, Audrey Kawasaki, James Jean, Stash, Joe Hahn, Mike Shinoda, Estevan Oriol, Mark Dean Veca, Alex Pardee, Usugrow, Jeff McMillan and many more
www.suru-la.com

An interview with Stella Im Hultberg...

2009-07-08T23:52:00.000-07:00

An interview with Stella Im Hultberg

Please talk a lil' bit about the general idea/vibe behind your new series of works for "Memento Mori”?
I think i was thinking about dualities - being that "memento mori" means "be mindful of death",
there being death, thus life, how they have a little bit in each other. like ouroboros, the snake eating its own tail.

it seems to be the case with many opposites - female and masculine, light and dark, yin and yang. i'm interested in the identity that gets lost or found in the penumbra where the dualities get obscured and overlapped. bones and flowers are similar that way, they seem to contain both immense frailty and amazing strength, so i keep coming back to them - same with female body.

I know you are a huge music fan. Do you have a current favorite that inspires?
Lately i've been more inspired by npr podcasts - mostly radiolab and this american life. it makes me feel a little less isolated from the world, it seems. looking at my playlist and what my husband matthew has been playing, recently there's more of the kinks, the zombies, blonde redhead, sugarcubes, the pixies, radiohead, and the yeah yeah yeahs.

If you could stand by and watch the creation of any piece of artwork from over the years, which would it be and why?
I'm sure i'll feel differently at a different time, but lately i have goya lingering in my head. if i had to choose one, it'd have to be one of the black paintings on his walls.

What do you consider your biggest overall influence?
To be really broad - it's people and their relationships - relationships with each other, to the world, to their lives. an artistic overall influence... has to be egon schiele, because after seeing his works in person my perspective on art has changed forever.

Please describe your perfect day out in Brooklyn.
A perfect day here would not be without bike rides - and coffee, drawing, friends, picnic by the river, hopefully ending the night at a rooftop party.

If you had an unlimited budget and time was not an issue, what grand artistic vision would you look to bring to life?
i don't think i ever though up that grand a vision that would need so much budget and time, although that would be quite nice. plus in new york city, space is more of an issue. :) but the closest i can think of is... i have been dreaming of building something huge - a really large scale sculptural version of my paintings, maybe - it could even be an enormous painting. an installation of sorts. it'd be fun to convert an entire space into a giant piece of art.

also, i don't know if this counts, but it would also be really nice to set up an after school art program for inner city kids. i think funding is the biggest reason why programs like that have a hard time sustaining.

Your debut NYC solo show is next summer at Joshua Liner in the Chelsea district. Any big plans for this important show?
Unfortunately i haven't planned the specifics that far ahead - but i have timidly started some larger canvas paintings, so if these go well, i think it may be shown at the show. hopefully with even larger pieces as well. i hope i can get them out my door. i also would like to put some sculptural works as well, so i must start early.

Check out a sneak peek from the good folks at Arrested Motion here as well.

Andrew Michael Ford also recently interviewed Stella. Check it out on Dailydujour here.

Fri, July 10th 7-11PM

Get there early and receive a FREE Gelaskin from Stella!

thinkspace
4210 Santa Monica Blvd in Los Angeles / 323.913.3375
“Memento Mori” from Stella Im Hultberg + “The Seeded Wind and Silent Motion; an Oeuvre of Beetled Beauty” from Catherine Brooks + “Twilight & Fate” from Hannah Stouffer
(On view through August 7th)
http://www.thinkspacegallery.com/

MEGGS invades Culver City this Saturday...

2009-07-08T02:14:00.000-07:00

'Crime & Charity’ is a selection of mixed media on wood works by MEGGS, one of Australia’s pioneering street to gallery artists. Pop culture references tinged with nostalgia for childhood heroes and villains, Meggs’ eclectic works explore the notion of duality and the on-going question of morals, rights and authorities. Reflecting on personal experience, Meggs produces energetic depictions of heroes, villains, and subverted collages of pop culture symbology.

Meggs’ work has been exhibited internationally and is included in the National Gallery of Australia’s permanent collection.

In 2007 Australia’s Victorian State Government passed the ‘Graffiti Prevention Act’. This legislation extended the government’s zero tolerance approach to Graffiti and provided police new authority to search any person, vehicle or object they suspect to possess a Graffiti implement, within close proximity of public transport. Ironically, this legislation was passed while Tourism Victoria was using Graffiti and street art to promote Melbourne Tourism on television and web advertisements. Melbourne’s laneway’s are a big drawcard for tourism and it is undeniable that the diverse artwork is part of the city’s broader cultural appeal.

Graffiti and street art will never disappear. Despite the State Government’s negativity, there are well documented social contributions and benefits provided by many artists, cultural tourism being one. Unfortunately these are only recognised when it is conveniently leveraged for commercial gain.

‘Crime & Charity’ depicts the frustration Megg’s feels in the face of this hypocrisy. The characters depicted in his artwork are hybrids of guilt and innocence, both frustrated and persecuted for being part of a culture that is simultaneously celebrated and condemned.

Sat, July 11th 7-11PM
Cerasoli Gallery
8530-B Washington Ave in Culver City / 310.558.091
“Crime & Charity” from MEGGS + “Urban Myth” group show featuring works from Pure Evil, Zeus, Mysterious Al, Inkie, Steff Plaetz, Chu, China Mike, MauMau, Eco, Andy Council, Sickboy & SHOK-1
(On view through August 1st)
http://www.cerasoligallery.com/

Stella Im Hultberg has arrived into LA...

2009-07-08T00:58:00.000-07:00

Stella Im Hultberg has arrived into Los Angeles from Brooklyn, NY and is currenlty in the thick of things, laying down the foundation for her mural instalation in our front entry area...

Stella shows us her sketchbook containing a rough idea for her mural for 'Memento Mori'...

Look for our interview with Stella to be posted here come tomorrow evening... the new show is just stunning containg 32 total new works, ranging in size and price... something for everyone with this show and we're super proud of the depth of work in the show as it really shows off her talent in a major fashion.

Fri, July 10th 7-11PM
thinkspace
4210 Santa Monica Blvd in Los Angeles / 323.913.3375
“Memento Mori” from Stella Im Hultberg + “The Seeded Wind and Silent Motion; an Oeuvre of Beetled Beauty” from Catherine Brooks + “Twilight & Fate” from Hannah Stouffer
(On view through August 7th)
www.thinkspacegallery.com

EINE @ Carmichael this Thursday...

2009-07-07T23:29:00.000-07:00

Celebrated UK based artist EINE is in town for his first ever solo show in Los Angeles. Swung by Carmichael Gallery today to get a lil' sneak peek. EINE was in the thick of installing numerous installation elements to the front gallery (see above) as the staff at the gallery finished things up on the colorful geometric grid pattern that is taking over the back portion of the gallery...

Find more coverage over at http://arrestedmotion.com/ where I'll now be contributing some writing moving ahead. Super stoked to be a part of their team as I feel it's one of the top art sites going and is updated 3-4 times per day.

Victor Castillo's debut U.S. solo show opens this Sat @ Merry Karnowsky...

2009-07-06T20:50:00.000-07:00

"Thirsty Animal"

2009, acrylic on canvas, 50 x 50 cm, 19.5” x 19.5”

Merry Karnowsky Gallery is the proud host of the debut U.S. solo show from Chilean artist, Victor Castillo, which opens this coming Saturday. The show is one to be envious of if you're a gallery owner, as Victor has been causing waves over in Europe for sometime now and his work is just screaming to be seen in person out here in Southern California. The demand for his work is high at the moment, and this new series is looking just amazing.

Victor, who now resides in Barcelona, Spain, illustrates an impressive balance between the conflicting extremes of juvenile innocence and macabre violence in this latest body of work.

Come see for yourself this Saturday and be sure to ask about the meaning of the hot-dog shapped noses. Much thought and concept goes into each piece.

Sat, July 11th 8-11PM
Merry Karnowsky Gallery
170 S. La Brea Ave in Los Angeles

"Moonshadow"

2009, acrylic on canvas, 100 x 100 cm, 39.5” x 39.5”

Let's get ready to rumble!!!

2009-07-06T19:37:00.000-07:00

Sat, June 11th Noon - 10PM ($5 till 4PM / $8 after)
THE FUNK RUMBLE BLOCK PARTY
Art, bands, live art, food, vendors, DJ action, rafles, and so much more!

Featuring a group show curated by Cannibal Flower & Thinkspace's L. Croskey.

Live painting from Mear One, Food One, Kofie, Codak, Stuter, Eye One & more.

In the Chinatown area of downtown Los Angeles (947 N. Broadway as a starting point)

Don't miss the rumble... a great way to kick off this Saturday's AMAZING line up of art shows and happenings... look for the full list to be posted here later this week.

Cannibal Flower turns nine next month!!!

2009-07-06T19:32:00.000-07:00

Get ready - the mother of all art parties celebrates its 9th anniversary next month!!! Dates and details to follow soon.

Cannibal Flower - helping the underground thrive since 2000.
www.cannibalflower.com

Stella Im Hultberg interviewed by Juxtapoz.com...

2009-07-06T09:09:00.000-07:00

Stella Im Hultberg was just interviewed by Andrew Michael Ford and the feature came out great. It's been posted over at Juxtapoz here and has also been posted on AMF's blog and over at Dailydujour.

Look for our interview with Stella to be posted here tomorrow. More soon as the show starts to come together for this Friday...

An interview with Catherine Brooks...

2009-07-03T21:22:00.000-07:00

An interview with Catherine Brooks

Catherine Brooks has been working tirelessly to expand her artist "vocabulary". Through her successes and failures, Brooks feels like she has finally learned what is important to her art, and what it is to explore during the creative process. Brooks has developed her own personal mythology, based around the legends and tales passed down and weathered through oral tradition and the rise and fall of empires. They reflect her ideas on love, memory, and the inexplicable human talent for personifying assigning responsibility to the cycles of life, and its manifestations. It was, for the artist, a beginning, a birth. It is a collection of pearls and remnants, an allusive menagerie of natural diplomacy, sensual symbiosis, and hints of great tales and legends to come.

Brooks has a BFA in Fine Arts from the Pratt Institute of Art and Design in Brooklyn, NY and completed a residency at Campus Hanoi in Vietnam. She has shown regularly in galleries over the past three years. Highlights of her resume include a solo in NYC at The Proposition Gallery in 2007 and taking part in last year’s SCOPE London.

Please talk a lil' bit about the general idea/vibe behind your new series of works for "The Seeded Wind And Silent Motion; An Oeuvre Of Beetled Beauty”?
I felt a little brave giving my show such a wordy complicated title, but that is exactly what i wanted it to be. Most often the show titles seek to reinforce the mood or narrative in the body of work, some hint of the feelings or physics in the universe we unfold for the viewer. I wanted it to describe the creative space my work was conceived in. This title has a very literal meaning for me and for you I'll bare open it's meaning. I should first mention that all my analogies of life tend to be nature based, I was raised in an all female landscape business that was founded and run by my mother, for years we shared generations of stories over the tops of the flowers we cared for. Those ecosystems provided a framework and context to talk about the more complicated parts of life. That is where my imagery comes from. The concept of the seeded wind comes from the idea of pregnant creative whims. You can work in your garden never noticing that a plant has volunteered and grown tall right in front of you, it's your garden, and you define what is a weed and no one else. So much of life is chance, every moment is a freeze frame full of things free falling, ungerminated, but an instant from their realization. Beetles and insects have a primal role in the health of a garden, they germinate flowers, transport seeds, and compost the soil. Before bees had evolved, there were beetles. Magnolia trees for instance evolved to be pollinated by beetles. I have always viewed them as workers silently making something without protest or the need to communicate their intentions just existing and making. Making work for me is not often an active intentional thing, I constantly feel like some one else made it. The works feel completely unfamiliar when I am finished with them. After the years of "beetling away" in my studio i have grown to associate the image of the beetles in my work as the hand of the artist. It represents the aspect of myself that's unfamiliar to and independent from my social construct.

If you could stand by and watch the creation of any piece of artwork from over the years, which would it be and why?
This is such a difficult question, there are so many classical pieces that i thirst for, that standing in their presence makes me feel vivid and alive, i want to peel away each brush stroke one at a time. But, ultimately paintings are illusions, despite my often inconveniently veracious curiosity, I prefer some things to keep their gowns on. When i was working for the Barnacle Brothers here in LA (they are a amazing fabrication studio making sculptures for museums and other artists). I fell in love with how they made things. I would have loved to sit next to Louise Nevelson while she made her Sky Cathedral. Also it would have been amazing to witness from the conception to the unveiling of the Statue of Liberty, which is one of the biggest public sculptures I am aware of that didn't require the support of slavery or a cast system to build. I also think the politics and logistics of a project on that scale would be amazing if not ridiculous. I would settle for an HBO drama about it.

What do you consider your biggest overall influence?
I'm not sure if i can answer that. I feel so unaware of myself as artist. Maybe music. It is, if anything, the key to my creative process. When I shared my studio with the stupendous ZOSO, we would listen to the same music, he once pointed out that whenever he turned the music on or off I would immediately stop or start working, like my on-off button was crossed with the stereo.

You recently relocated back to Virginia. How are you adapting to the new vibe of things out there? Major difference between California and Virginia?

Moving back to Richmond, VA was almost as awesome and influential for me as leaving it. The hot damp southern air, wraps a quilt of pungent odors and lightening bugs around me when I take my break laying in a hammock at 7:30 every evening. I love it. In my hometown there is so much historical lamina, patched and anchored. That quilt doesn't get put away in the fall it gets another layer. It is so vivid. Having seasons again is righting my internal timing already. The Major difference has to be time. I didn't experience that when i lived in NY (everything that was different revolved around space). Socially they are so similar, Richmond and Los Angeles, both are like floating islands and will do things their own way damn the rest. Maybe it sounds weird to people local to LA, but its like another dimension with its own set of physics. I sometimes think they could be the same city in different realities. The revitalization downtown is happening so similarly to the gentrification of Downtown LA, they are writing about it in the local newspaper (which is another can of worms). Maybe we will have better luck with our community gardens. The timeless otherworldly qualities of Los Angeles makes it feel like reality is bendable, like you will never have to pay back those three hours you got on the flight over. Like its suspended forever, or that I was pick-pocketed for time on the 101.

You have a great lil’ ferrit as a pet and you often had him with you during your openings and such when you lived out in Los Angeles. How long have you had ferrits as pets? What brought you to them in the 1st place, as they are a rather rare pet?
Awww, my ferrets! Its a dangerous thing to get me on this topic. i serendipitously rescued my first two ferrets from a party the summer of my sophomore year in art school. Its was a bit awkward, as my roommate also bought two baby jills on an impulse the same day. We had a big place out in Brooklyn, but the sound of all 16 feet pattering down the hallway was often accompanied by someone yelling "INCOMING". For the next 7 years I have always had one (or two) they went to figure drawing classes perched on my shoulder and road trips, they got their own pedestals at my senior thesis show, and have co-piloted many road and motorcycle trips. I'd say they are pretty worldly beasts. Shiki, our current familiar, has been to about every gallery worth going to in LA. She couldn't come on this trip because she is currently charming hearts in NYC with my fiance. This was a bit of a relief for me if you consider all the knocked over paint cups and foot prints in my studio right now. Would it be silly to say i feel a little naked without her? Does anyone want to lend me their ferret for the opening reception? I'll send them back well trained.

Shiki - Catherine's pet ferret and studio mate

If you had an unlimited budget and time was not an issue, what grand artistic vision would you look to bring to life?

My love of gardening and of simulated environments always give me terraforming level art ideas. If I could really have my way I would acquire a huge empty oil tanker, park it in the middle of the Pacific trash float, and convert it into a sustainable ecosystem. A fully powered, independent community complete with a mangrove reef around it. Recycling the plastics we harvest into massive transparent floating sculptures akin to icebergs. Since life is so inventive and random i would love to see how different organisms adapted such structures to their own uses. That could be called process works or an environmental experiment but to me it would be the biggest greatest art project yet. Then I would do paintings of them for fun.I also just thought this afternoon it would be pretty sweet to go to a really hot desert and make giant drip castles with sand melted into glass in some sort of forge suspended on a crane. It would probably not cool evenly and crack , which would make it dangerous and forbidden. I love the idea of that, like a thunderstorm, something intense and beautiful but best viewed at a distance.

What have you got coming up in terms of shows and/or projects after your show with us this July?
Should this be one of those mysteries reveled on layer at a time? I would hate to ruin the suspense of Salome's veils, besides the magic and wonder that happens at Thinkspace and the Kokeshi doll show at the Japanese American National Museum here in Los Angeles. On the east coast I'll be showing a multi-media collaborate project with my best friend Tamara Cervenka about identity and mythology, we have an enormous artistic vocabulary between the two of us and we have both picked one new medium to learn. She is learning needle work and embroidery, and i am learning glass blowing, I will leave you to speculate on how we will combine the two.

'Til the next veil.

Process shot of the pieces for Catherine's install coming together

Process shot of the pieces for Catherine's install coming together

Process shot of the pieces for Catherine's install coming together

Artist blog: http://thearborgeistproject.tumblr.com/

Sneak Peek at 'The Seeded Wind and Silent Motion…': http://www.flickr.com/photos/thinkspace/sets/72157617936915467/

Catherine's customized kokeshi doll for this weekend's show at the Japanese American National Museum

Catherine Brooks
'The Seeded Wind and Silent Motion; an Oeuvre of Beetled Beauty'

July 10th – August 7th @ thinkspace

Opening Reception: Fri, July 10th, 7-11PM

Catherine will be in town for the opening reception, so be sure to say hi when you come by.

thinkspace

4210 Santa Monica Blvd in Los Angeles / 323.913.3375

http://www.thinkspacegallery.com/

Beautiful Decay 'Book 1' now available...

2009-07-02T21:33:00.000-07:00

Beginning as a hand-photocopied, black and white 'zine over ten years ago when copies used to be available at early Cannibal Flower events, Beautiful/Decay has always proudly put artists-and quality content-first. After recently hitting issue 'Z', the time has come for a change. Beautiful/Decay is relaunching in the form of an expanded, limited edition, more voluminous publication. B/D will now be published three times per year a book-style format.

To celebrate their new expanded format, Issue 1 will feature a hand-drawn, original artwork by previously B/D featured artist Kyle Thomas (see example above).

The new format has eleminated all traditional advertising and they've increased the page count by 50%, meaning 164 pages of pure, unfiltered art goodness. Articles now run an average of 16-20 pages, providing some of the most in-depth coverage of emerging artists available today.

Released in limited edition format of only 1,500 copies, each copy will be hand #'d and will come with a limited edition collaborative artist project, ranging from inserts and stickers to posters and original artwork. All this will be presented in a new format & size, including French flaps and multiple printing processes throughout the publication.

'Book 1: Supernaturalism' explores a group of artists who conjure notions of the uncanny with their hauntingly off-putting works. Whether introducing distortion, violence, the grotesque or the ghostly, each artist alters traditional (super)naturalism to create visions that teeter on the boundaries of the comedic and the downright diabolical. Hinting to a level of existence beyond the scientifically visible universe, the artists in 'Book 1: Supernaturalism' examine the potential for alternate, darker realities.

To watch a preview of 'Book 1' and to read about the featured artists, please go here.

To order your copy now, click here.

Hannah Stouffer next Friday at Thinkspace...

2009-07-02T20:24:00.000-07:00

Hannah Stouffer - "The Time Has Come"

20x20" / Watercolor & Ink on paper

The heart of darkness exists within the light. Black Dawn, Dawn After Dawn Tepid Neon, Frozen Clarity. This contrast, and the ever present existence of the two is constant. Macabre Elegance. Darkness Falls Forever... Since The Beginning.

"The Conquest Of Two Worlds"
20x20" / Watercolor & Ink on paper

Los Angeles-based illustrator Hannah Stouffer finds a great deal of comfort in imagery- it's an admiration that is often times overwhelming. With an infatuation for icons and images that reflect and categorize historical eras, genres and subcultures, her work is an opulent, elegant and beautifully intricate mixture of illustration and design. Her densely-packed compositions consciously recall classical elements from our past and combine them with our modern attractions, creating cohesive yet opposing array's of imagery and embellishment. She focuses on the contrasts between periods in time, subcultures and social trends - and merges them together with a high regard for traditional decoration.

If you missed it, we posted a great interview with Hannah not long ago. Check it out here. It's a great read and she has SO much going on. Truly inspiring.

Great features can also be checked out on Juxtapoz.com here and here.

"Island Of Fire, Sea Of Flame"
20x20" / Watercolor & Ink on paper

Hannah Stouffer
'Twilight & Fate'

Additional 'sneak peek' shots from the show can be viewed here.

Opening Reception: Fri, July 10th 7-11PM
*Artist will be in attendance

Show runs: July 10th - August 7th

Thinkspace
4210 Santa Monica Blvd (near Sunset Junction)
In the Silver Lake area of Los Angeles

Recommended openings to catch this weekend...

2009-07-02T00:12:00.000-07:00

Fri, July 3rd 7-11PM
C.A.V.E. Gallery
507 Rose Ave in Venice / 310.428.6387
“Just Because” featuring new works from Lesley Reppeteaux, Rebecca Hahn, Jenna Colby, Melissa Moss, Cherri Wood, Melissa Contreras, Renee Lawter, Tina Darling, Yuki Miyazaki, Kendra Binney, Juri Ueda, Jeni Yang, & more
(On view through July 25th)
www.cavegallery.net

Fri, July 3rd 8-11PM
La Luz De Jesus Gallery
4633 Hollywood Blvd. in Los Angeles / 323.666.7667
New works from Miles Thompson and Dale Sizer
(On view through August 2nd)
www.laluzdejesus.com

Sat, July 4th 8PM-12:30AM ($8 admission at the door)
Hive Gallery
729 S. Spring St in downtown Los Angeles
Monthly Group show and Performances featuring the ‘Beerotica’ themed show featuring erotic pieces inspired by our favorite insects, bees! Curated by Heidi Bluegirl and also a huge group show in the main room with featured artists Rebecca Hahn, Hembert Guardado, Antonio Roybal, Gyorgy Bp. Szabo and an installation from Big Toe and so much more – always a ton going off down at the Hive. Check website for full details to be safe.
www.thehivegallery.com

Little bit of a slow weekend for shows due to the holiday. Next weekend will more than make up for that - huge array of events coming up. Have a safe 4th of July weekend everyone!

"R. Crumb's Underground" invades the Grand Central Art Center next week...

2009-07-02T00:01:00.000-07:00

'R.Crumb's Underground'

Curated by Todd Hignite

July 11- August 16, 2009

Opening Reception: July 11, 7-10pm.

*Admission is free

On July 11th the Grand Central Art Center will become the only Southern California venue to exhibit the Yerba Buena's Center for the Arts traveling exhibition, R.Crumb's Underground. Curated by writer Todd Hignite, founder of Comic Art Magazine, the R. Crumb's Underground salutes local San Francisco treasure and comic genius Robert Crumb with an eclectic exhibit of early work, collaborations old and new, and the world premiere of his "spool" drawings. Beginning his artistic career in the 1960s, illustrator Robert Crumb is universally acknowledged as the founder of the underground comic scene. Crumb gained cult popularity for pioneering Zap Comix and creating unique characters such as "Fritz the Cat" and "Mr. Natural". In 1994, he propelled to stardom with the Terry Zwigoff video documentary, Crumb. Extending far beyond comics, the YBCA traveling exhibit demonstrates how his work has grown in philosophical complexity, and highlights his collaborative artwork, including recent work produced with wife Aline Kominsky-Crumb.

CSUF Grand Central Art Central

125 N. Broadway, Santa Ana, CA 92701

Parking in lot at 3rd and Sycamore

http://www.grandcentralartcenter.com/ArtGallery_gcartgallery.php

Last days to catch our June exhibits...

2009-07-01T21:49:00.000-07:00

Kelly Vivanco and Sarah Joncas in the midst of Sarah's installation

This Thursday and Friday from 1-6PM are your last chances to view our current exhibits from Sarah Joncas, Kelly Vivanco and Tran Nguyen.

All three really delivered and it has been a great month to walk around the gallery and take in all this beautiful work over and over. So proud of them all.

View the pics from the opening here and all the works from the show can be viewed via the links below.

Sarah Joncas "Beneath The Seams"

Kelly Vivanco "The Conservatory"

Tran Nguyen "Portraits of the Unknown"

Don't miss 'em before they come down this Friday evening.

Thinkspace
4210 Santa Monica Blvd (near Sunset Junction) in Los Angeles

Stella Im Hultberg featured in new Juxtapoz...

2009-07-01T21:07:00.000-07:00

Stella Im Hultberg has a 'Profile' feature in the new issue of JUXTAPOZ hitting news stands next week (with Clayton Brothers on the cover - see below).

Our interview with Stella will be posted here soon. I'll be posting a link as well to a nice interview that Andrew Michael Ford just completed and should be posting any day now.

Stella arrives into Los Angeles Tuesday and I can't wait to catch up with her in person. Get ready for our 2nd solo show with her opening next Friday. We just posted some great new 'sneak peek' shots here. More soon...

Dennis McNett special event this August @ Thinkspace...

2009-06-30T22:31:00.000-07:00

Dennis McNett will be trekking across the U.S. from New York to the west coast beginning in July. He has a few special shows and works shops along the way and we're honored to be hosting one of them coming up in August.

Confirmed Dates/Places:

Frogmans - South Dakota, July 5th-12th - one week mask and sculpture making workshop

Fecal Face Dot Gallery - San Francisco, CA - opening July 18th 7pm-10pm and 19th 12-4pm (weekend show only)

Thinkspace Gallery - Los Angeles, CA - opening August 8th 7pm-10pm and the 9th from 12pm-4pm (weekend show only)

Space 1026 - Philadelphia, PA - opening October 2nd (installation up for the month of October)

Dennis McNett was born in 1972 and grew up in Virginia Beach, VA. He moved to New York in 2001. He has been carving the hell out of surly block prints for over 17 years. All of his encouragement as a young kid came from his blind grandfather, who told him over and over again that his drawings were good. Later influences came from the raw high-energy graphics pouring out of the 80's skateboard and punk rock scene. Dennis has been fortunate enough to show work both nationally and internationally, design board graphics for Anti-Hero skateboards, design shoes for Vans, participate in the Deitch Art Parade, and do collaborations with Cannonball Press. His work has been featured in The New York Times, Juxtapoz Magazine, Thrasher and Complex Magazine. He holds an MFA from Pratt Institute, where he now teaches as a printmaking professor at the graduate and undergraduate level. He wants to live until he dies. Breathing is good.

Amazing layered detail in McNett's wood carved and collaged works...

Sizes range from 4 foot by 8 foot tapestry size woodcuts to smaller 8" x 11" lino-cut prints... and print prices will range from $1,500 to $10. Also on view will be several one-of-a-kind drawings, collages, masks and sculptures.

Look at that carved detail... these pieces sceam to be viewed in person this August.

Examples of McNett's beautiful wood cut block prints (above & below)

Dennis McNett 'Year of the Wolfbat' (special weekend-only event)

Exhibition run dates: Sat, August 8th & Sun, August 9th

Opening Reception: Sat, August 8th 7-11PM

Keep tabs on McNett here.

For add'l 'sneak peeks' from 'Year of the Wolfbat', click here.

Thinkspace Gallery
4210 Santa Monica Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90029

http://www.thinkspacegallery.com/

Stella Im Hultberg in the final stages for her solo next Fri...

2009-06-30T00:32:00.000-07:00

Above is a shot of Stella's studio out in Brooklyn as she finishes things up for our 2nd solo show with her here at our gallery. The canvas pieces are on their way to us now for framing with the paper and wood works to follow later this week. Can't wait to see this new series in person!

Stella arrives in town next Tuesday, so look for progress shots of the show coming together to be posted here soon, as well as on the show's Flickr set here. There will also be a special interview posted in the coming week with Stella as well, so be sure to watch for that.

Stella Im Hultberg
'Memento Mori'

Opening Reception: Fri, July 10th 7-11PM
*Artist will be in attendance

Show runs: July 10th - August 7th

Thinkspace
4210 Santa Monica Blvd (near Sunset Junction)
In the Silver Lake area of Los Angeles

CA/Boom recap + coverage from NotCot...

2009-06-29T23:40:00.000-07:00

This past weekend we took part in the annual CA/Boom design show out in Beverly Hills (years prior they were at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica)... a very rewarding experience for sure and we made and met many new fans of the gallery and had a great time checking out all the amazing furniture and design items on view. Thank you to all that came by our booth to say hi and take in the new works we had on view.

For some great coverage, be sure to check out NotCot. Check out their coverage here. Thanks Jean!

For additional pictures from this past weekend's CA/Boom show, check out our Flickr set here.

Yosuke Ueno prepares for his solo in Japan this Nov...

2009-06-29T08:43:00.000-07:00

The first glimpse of new work to come out of Yosuke Ueno's studio as he prepares for his solo at Unseal Contemporary in Japan this November. More sneak peeks into his studio soon...

This November @ Unseal Contemporary
16-1 Kabutocho Nihonbashi, Chuoku Tokyo
http://unseal.jp/

Annual Print Fair tomorrow at Self Help Graphics & Art...

2009-06-27T13:26:00.000-07:00

Come meet the artists and take home one-of-a-kind pulled prints - from monoprints and etchings to linocuts and wood blocks.

Sun, June 28th Noon-5PM
Self Help Graphics & Art
3802 Cesar Chavez Avenue in Los Angeles
(at the cornger of Gage and Cesar Chavez)
http://www.selfhelpgraphics.com/

Tonight @ Subliminal Projects...

2009-06-27T12:42:00.001-07:00

I know we've already hyped this one a couple times, but it's worthy of one more shout out as we head into Saturday evening...

"Park Life: The New Utopia", curated by Studio Number One, opens TONIGHT at Subliminal Projects!

The grouping aims to offer varrying representations of utopias from a very diverse group of creative folk from artists and designers to writers and musicians and more.

Curated by Studio Number One, the exhibition is the second installment of their annual 'Park Life' series and will feature works from:

Shepard Fairey, Florencio Zavala, The Date Farmers (work shown above), Cleon Peterson, Zach Gibson, Michael Muller, Jessica Williams, Hellovon, Kristian Henson, Casey Ryder, Jesselisa Moretti, Tanya Rubbak, Gail Swanlund, Jeremy Landman, Simon Steinhardt, Philip Lumbang, Ernesto Yerena, Marissa Textor, Adrianne Reade, Amanda Fairey, Jeremy Kaplan, POW WOW, Seth Ferris, Sage Vaughn, Maya Hayuk, Eric Elms, Mansi Shah, Z. James, Devin Gallagher, Fighting, Nicholas Bowers, & Spencer Elden

Sat, June 27th 8-11PM

Subliminal Projects

1331 W. Sunset Blvd in the Echo Park region of Los Angeles

“Park Life: The New Utopia” - curated by Studio Number One

(On view through July 25th)

http://www.subliminalprojects.com/

Come see us at CA Boom this weekend in Beverly Hills...

2009-06-26T10:24:00.001-07:00

We'll be on hand this weekend in Beverly Hills at the annual CA Boom Design Show exhibiting works from Brett Amory (shown above), Rebecca Hahn, Nathan DeYoung, Damon Soule, Yosuke Ueno, Cherri Wood, Hannah Stouffer, Seth Armstrong, Tony Philippou, Matthew Feyld, Craig "Skibs" Barker, and Dan-ah Kim. More details here.

The CA Boom Design Show (www.caboomshow.com) is North America’s only multi-discipline non-traditional design trade fair exhibition combining the highest caliber of architects, designers and design manufacturers on the West Coast. The show brings together the best of modern and contemporary design and architecture in a unique exhibit, conference, and tour format. A favorite place for incubating companies and products to make their debuts, the show draws both the design trade and design savvy consumer, and has become a must-attend event for specifiers of quality design and architecture.

CA Boom 2009 takes place this weekend - Friday, June 26 through Sunday, June 28 - in the former Robinsons flagship department store in Beverly Hills. Friday is “Trade Only Day,” with the show floor opening up to the general public Friday evening at 6PM for the opening gala. Admission is $20 per day in advance or $25 at the door, with Friday reserved as a “Trade-Only” day, and Friday evening open to the general public as a preview night.

LOCATION:
The Former Robinsons Department Store

9900 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Friday Evening Event: Open to the public ($20 in advance, $25 at the door)

6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. - Complimentary Sparkling Wine

Saturday and Sunday - General Admission: ($20 online $25 at the door) open Sat. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Advance Tickets online at www.caboomshow.com (enter code MC in the discount field to get a 20% discount on behalf of Thinkspace).

Recommended openings to catch this weekend...

2009-06-25T00:27:00.000-07:00

APAK - this Sat @ Tinlark (details below)

Fri, June 26th / Sat, June 27th / Sun, June 28th (times / add’l info below)
Thinkspace presents:
CA Boom INVASION
The Robinsons Store in Beverly Hills @ 9900 Wilshire Blvd
http://www.caboomshow.com/

Featuring new works from:
Hannah Stouffer, Seth Armstrong, Brett Amory, Rebecca Hahn, Matthew Feyld, Nathan DeYoung, Tony Philippou, Craig “Skibs” Barker, Cherri Wood, & Dan-ah Kim

Thinkspace is pleased to announce its participation at this year’s CA Boom Show, the West Coast’s largest design & architecture show. The show takes place in Beverly Hills, June 26th-28th, and combines the best of modern design, furnishings, artwork, design panel discussions and architecture tours into three action-packed days. Friday is ‘trade only day’, but the Friday night opening gala and all of Saturday and Sunday are open to the public.

Fri, June 26th 6-10PM (opening event)
Sat, June 27th 11AM-6PM
Sun, June 28th 11AM-5PM

Discounted advance tickets are available at http://www.caboomshow.com/ for $20 ($25 at the door). Thinkspace guests receive an additional 20% off the preshow sales price by typing MC in the discount field (only $16 after discount).

Fr, June 26th 7-10PM
Arbor
102 Washington Blvd in Venice
The Arbor Collective and Venice Eco Fest invite you to a special night of art and music featuring the works of Blaine Fontana, Yoskay Yamamoto, Peter Goetz and Mike Benninghoven + catered food from The Green Truck, drinks from Fat Tire and Elvino Organic Wines + Honest Beverages and Patisseraw will be on hand….
RSVP to cynthiar@arborcollective.com

Sat, June 27th 7-10PM
Corey Helford Gallery
8522 Washington Blvd in Culver City / 310.287.2340
“Echo” featuring new paintings from Korin Faught
http://www.coreyhelfordgallery.com/

Sat, June 27th Noon-4PM
Gallery 1988 Los Angeles
7020 Melrose Ave in Los Angeles / 323.937.7088
An Afternoon with Greg Simkins event with the release of a special print, laser etched skate deck and Simkins will be painting live (with the piece to be auctioned off at day’s end to benefit cancer research in the name of Jensen’s dad)
http://www.nineteeneightyeight.com/

Sat, June 27th 7-9PM
Riverside Art Museum (RAM)

3425 Mission Inn Ave in Riverside
“Strips, Scripts and Scapes: Contemporary Comix in Southern California” featuring Sammy Harkham, Johnny Ryan, John Pham, Mike Bertino, Travis Millard, Rusty Jordan, Souther Salazar, Brent Harada, Walt Holcombe, Martin Cendreda, Mary Fleener, Taylor McKimens, Roberta Gregory, and Megan Whitmarsh
(On view through Aug. 22nd)
http://www.riversideartmuseum.org/

Sat, June 27th 11AM-4PM
Royal/T
“Poketo Pop-Up Show”
(On view through July 18th)
http://www.royal-t.org/
http://www.poketo.com/

Sat, June 27th 8-11PM
Subliminal Projects
1331 W. Sunset Blvd in the Echo Park region of Los Angeles
“The New Utopia” from Park Life
(On view through July 25th)
http://www.subliminalprojects.com/

Sat, June 27th 6-8PM
Tarryn Teresa Gallery
1820 Industrial Street, #230 in Los Angeles / 213.627.5100
“Suspended Animation” featuring new sculptural works from Dave Bondi
http://www.tarrynteresagallery.com/

Sat, June 27th 6-9PM
Tinlark Gallery
6671 Sunset Boulevard, #1512, Hollywood / 323.463.0039
“Rainbow Garden” featuring new works from Apak
(On view through July 25th)

http://www.tinlarkgallery.com/

Hi-Fructose Vol. 12 to hit stands in early July...

2009-06-24T23:18:00.000-07:00

Hi-Fructose Volume 12 will feature an extensive feature on Todd Schorr, a cover feature on the powerful paintings of Josh Keyes, a look inside the world of Luke Chueh, Yu Jinyoung’s haunting sculptures, the brilliant meditations of painter Michael Hussar, survive a ride on Michael Page’s maelstrom, explore Fuco Ueda’s disturbing dreamscapes, visit Travis Lampe’s world of weeping pulps, spend some time at Mike Shine's Art Shack, get exposed to Scott Hove's Cakeland and much more. As usual, another great issue awaits!

For a sneak peek at Volume 12, click here.

Poketo Pop-Up shop opens this Sat @ Royal/T

2009-06-24T22:56:00.001-07:00

Sat, June 27th 11AM-4PM
Royal/T
“Poketo Pop-Up Show”
(On view through July 18th)
www.royal-t.org

www.poketo.com

There will also be an additional event to follow on July 10th - a Poketo Karaoke Dance Party. Mark your calendars now for that craziness. Poketo's residency at Royal/T will include new product launches from artists APAK, James Gulliver Hancock, Devil Robots, Wonderful Design Works!, and Motomaho. Poketo will also be curating a special menu inspired by Japanese street foods for the Royal/T cafe.

LA premiere of "Herb & Dorothy" coming up in July...

2009-06-24T22:25:00.000-07:00

Arthouse Films present 'Herb and Dorothy', a new award winning documentary that will debut in Los Angeles, on Friday, July 10 at the Landmark Nuart on Santa Monica Boulevard. For those of you out in the OC, there's a special screening tomorrow night at the Orange County Museum of Art (OCMA).

The film tells the extraordinary story of Herbert Vogel, a postal worker, and Dorothy Vogel, a librarian, who managed to build one of the most important contemporary art collections in history with very modest means. They lived off of Dorothy’s salary and used Herb’s to collect art. They only had two requirements when purchasing art: the piece had to be affordable, and it had to be small enough to fit in their one-bedroom Manhattan apartment. Over the decades they collected over 2,000 pieces of art, (keeping all of it in their tiny apartment) and became patrons of artists like Sol LeWitt, Christo and Jeanne-Claude, Richard Tuttle, Chuck Close, Robert and Sylvia Mangold, Lynda Benglis, Pat Steir, Robert Barry, Lucio Pozzi, and Lawrence Weiner.

You can also find out more about the film at the film's site: http://www.herbanddorothy.com/

More details on the July 10th premiere will be posted here soon.

ComiCon: special events from Murphy Design and Planet Illogica...

2009-06-22T22:56:00.000-07:00

'Scribble08' Film Premier and Art Exhibition

Thursday, July 23rd 6:30PM – 11:30 PM

Featuring 25 artists curated by Mark Murphy (of Murphy Design) and the premiere of a 48 minute art documentary film featuring the Clayton Brothers, Martha Rich, Jeff Soto, Joe Sorren, Tim Biskup, Camile Rose Garcia, and Kevin Christy.

Wonderhaus @ 1600 National Avenue in San Diego : CA : 92113

RSVP to murphy@murphydesign.com

More details on the event location here:

http://www.wonderbreadhaus.com/

Be sure to RSVP for this great event held at a Andy Warhol styled warehouse space minutes away from the San Diego Comic-Con convention hall.

Featured Artists: Jesse M Balmer + Tim Biskup + Cathie Bleck + Matthew Bone + Marc Burckhardt + Sas Christian + Kevin Christy + Christian and Rob Clayton + Robert Connett (work featured above) + Tony Fitzpatrick + AJ Fosik + Femke Hiemstra + Hiru Kurata + James Jean + Chris Mars + Jeff Soto + Gary Taxali + Thesis + Mark Todd + Damon Soule + Esther Pearl Watson + Kent Williams + Martin Wittfooth

Sponsored by http://www.planetillogica.com/ : create : participate : contribute

'Planet Illogica Extravaganza and Art Exhibition'

Friday, July 24th 6:30PM – 12:30 AM

Wonderhaus @ 1600 National Avenue in San Diego : CA : 92113
RSVP to murphy@murphydesign.com
More details on the event location here: http://www.wonderbreadhaus.com/

Please join the folks from Planet Illogica for a major art happening that delivers fine art, major live music (shhhh it’s a secret), cash bar, food and great friends.

Featured Artists: Brandt Peters + Kathie Olivas + Matt Stallings + Marco Wagner (work featured above) + Raudiel Sanudo + David Van Alphen + Lola + Nathan Spoor + Leslie Ditto + Amy Crehore + Dan May + Chris Ryniak + Chris Buzelli + Jason Limon + Jon Todd + Travis Lampe + Jonathan Bergeron + Molly Crabapple + Joel Nakamura + Mike Maxwell + Steven Daily

For all the latest on both events, keep an eye out here on Murphy's excellent blog.

Anthony Clarkson to show in SF this weekend at 1988...

2009-06-22T22:33:00.000-07:00

Anthony Clarkson "Star Light, Star Fright" - Acrylic on panel

Our very own Anthony Clarkson will be making the trip north this weekend for a group show at Gallery 1988SF.

'Battle Royal' also features the talents of Joshua Clay (his new works are awesome), Gene Guynn, Walt hall, Martin Hsu, Aaron Jasinski, Marcus Schafer, Jeremy Tinder, Julian Callos and Patrick Gannon

"Gift From The Heart" - acrylic on panel

Keep tabs on Clarkson via his MySpace here.

Catherine Brooks hard at work on 'The Seeded Wind and Silent Motion'...

2009-06-22T20:19:00.000-07:00

Catherine Brooks is hard at work in her studio out in Virginia on her debut Los Angeles solo show... and things are looking amazing so far. Can't wait!!!

Catherine Brooks - The Seeded Wind and Silent Motion; an Oeuvre of Beetled Beauty - coming up next month in our project room

Keep tabs on Catherine via her blog:

http://thearborgeistproject.tumblr.com/

Catherin's pet ferret Shiki lends a hand in the studio...

Check out a Sneak Peek at 'The Seeded Wind and Silent Motion…': http://www.flickr.com/photos/thinkspace/sets/72157617936915467/

Look for an interview with Catherine to be posted her soon. In the meantime, check out a great gathering of past works here from a recent artist feature that Creep Machine did on her.

Close up of work in progress for this July...

July 10th – August 7th @ thinkspace

Opening Reception: Fri, July 10th, 7-11PM

Catherine will be in town for the opening reception and it will serve as a homecoming of sorts, so please be sure to mark your calendars now and plan to come out next month to support.

thinkspace
4210 Santa Monica Blvd in Los Angeles / 323.913.3375
http://www.thinkspacegallery.com/

Reuben Rude debut LA solo show tomorrow night...

2009-06-22T19:42:00.000-07:00

"RIP, V8" - acrylic & collage on board - 12x28"

Reuben Rude was born in San Francisco, as the sun was setting on the Free Love era. His bohemian parents then moved "back to the land" to the woods of Northern California, where he spent the better part of his childhood without a television. This lack of technology forced him to spend almost every waking hour drawing and painting. When he moved back to the city to attend art school, he got into all the usual trouble with graffiti writers, skateboarders and art students. He now lives in San Francisco with his wife and eight-year-old daughter, and yes, a television. However, he still spends most of his waking hours drawing and painting. Sometimes he even gets paid for it.

"Basic Communication Theory"

acrylic and collage on canvas -28 x 72"

"Do Something True"

acrylic and collage on paper8.75 x 10.75"

Join Reuben tomorrow night to help him celebrate the opening of his debut LA solo show. The sneak peeks offered above only hint at the goodness to come tomorrow.

Tue, June 23rd 7-10PM
Gallery 1988 Los Angeles
7020 Melrose Ave in Los Angeles / 323.937.7088
“Americana” featuring new works from Reuben Rude
(On view through July 11th)
www.nineteeneightyeight.com

'Back Talk' feature with Tran Nguyen @ Juxtapoz...

2009-06-20T13:21:00.000-07:00

Juxtapoz just posted their new 'Back Talk' interview segment with Tran Nguyen here. Tran is quite the character and it really comes out in this fun set of questions.

If you haven't checked out the interview I did with Tran yet, you can check it out here.

Check out Tran's blog here.

Artist website: http://www.trannguyen.org/

View the work from 'Portraits of the Unknown':
http://www.thinkspacegallery.com/2009/06/project2/works.php

Currently on view through July 3rd

Thinkspace
4210 Santa Monica Blvd. (near Sunset Junction) in Los Angeles
www.thinkspacegallery.com

June Art Adventure (Black Maria, Roberts and Tilton, BSFA, Tony Alva, POV, New Puppy)...

2009-06-18T19:56:00.000-07:00

Last weekend we headed out for a tour of Los Angeles, and hit about every corner of the monsterous city as we took in a full night's worth of art. We started out the night at Black Maria, and checked in our weapons at the door as requested...

Below is a lil' photo recap of the evenings art tour....

Jason Hernandez

Michael C. Hsiung

The work of Sam Saghatelian

The project wall next door in Black Maria's shop that was curated by Ally Takeuchi

From Black Maria, we headed east to catch Andrew Schoultz' show at Roberts & Titlton...

The show's massive wall mural....

This piece is MASSIVE and so detailed - this picture doesn't even begin to do it justice.

Get out and see Schoultz' show before it comes down... these have to be seen in person to really appreciate the layers of collage elements in many of his works.

The man of the hour - Andrew Schoultz

From Roberts & Tilton we headed across the street to BSFA to take in the new works of Carrie Anne Baade and Christopher Ulrich...

The amazing work of surrealist Carrie Anne Baade...

Also in the show was the macbre yet wonderul work of Christopher Ulrich

Ulrich's piece above had a crowd of shocked Culver City gallery goers parked in front of it most of the time we were in attendance...

From Culver City we got back on the road and headed up Fairfax to Tonly Alva's shop to check out a special show where artists painted their renditions of classic Wynn Miller photographs...

Legends on the tables - Keith Morris of Circle Jerks & Shepard Fairey

Nate Frizzell

Dennis McNett

Shepard Fairey

Shawn Barber

From the Fairfax district we headed over to China Town to POVevolving to catch Attaboy's debut Los Angeles solo show...

J. Shea #9's amazing collaboration with Attaboy...

The Goo Berry install in all its glory... we had to rescue one of these lil' buggers. Too cool. The return of the pull string... they are very rude lil' creatures once you pull their string.

The artist - Attaboy alongside one of his works on acrylic

From China Town we got back on the highway and headed north east to find the New Puppy Gallery, where my partner in Thinkspace, LC of Cannibal Flower, was curating a special wine & Cheese tasting that featured Michael Pukac rocking the live painting action (shown above & below)...

The amazing work of Joe Bravo... yes, those are tortillas. Each treated and preserved, Bravo's work is in several prominent collections and has shown at LACMA as well as many other major institutions...

One of Pukac's finished oil works... all in all another great art adventure.

VIMBY post great video on Gary Baseman's latest show...

2009-06-18T19:53:00.000-07:00

VIMBY - Gary Baseman

Great new exhibit opening next week at Riverside Art Museum...

2009-06-18T19:25:00.000-07:00

The Riverside Art Museum keeps cranking out the quality exhibitions. Opening next Mon, June 22nd is 'Strips, Scripts and Scapes: Contemporary Comix in Southern California'.

Opening Reception: Sat, June 27th 7 - 9PM

Exhibition runs June 22nd - August 22nd

Since the turn of the century, a heterogeneous cadre of artists has been churning out contemporary comics (often referred to as comix) in their basements, bedrooms or studios to a hungry fan base with an insatiable appetite for their work. Flying below the radar of the general public only familiar with superheroes in long-underwear, this uncategorizable scene of visionary artists have no guidelines to delineate their work beyond their interest in the intersection of contemporary art, storytelling and flirting with comic strip conventions.

Today’s contemporary comix grow from a diverse lineage including but not limited to George Herriman, Will Eisner, Charles Schultz, R. Crumb, Gilbert Shelton, Spain Rodriguez, Harvey Kurtzman, Art Spiegelman, Harvey Pekar and Gary Panter. As the contemporary art world has tended to focus on increasing inclusion of up-to-the-minute technology, many of these artists still rely on or at least reference the handmade mark-making process. In recent years, much activity has centered in Southern California, with standouts including the Comicon convention in San Diego, Giant Robot magazine and store, Family Store, Hope Gallery, Ooga Booga and numerous one-off events and zines.

Work exhibited in 'Strips, Scripts, and ‘Scapes' comes from an umbrella cast of artists influenced by or working in the Southland, but it is by no means comprehensive. It serves as a tasty sampling of printed, hand-drawn and collage comix art, in addition to sculpture and installation work by artists working within the vocabularly of comix.

The exhibition features the work of:
Sammy Harkham, Johnny Ryan, John Pham, Mike Bertino, Travis Millard, Rusty Jordan, Souther Salazar, Brent Harada, Walt Holcombe, Martin Cendreda, Mary Fleener, Taylor McKimens (pictured above), Roberta Gregory, and Megan Whitmarsh.

Riverside Art Museum
www.riversideartmuseum.org
3425 Mission Inn Ave in Riverside
(951) 684-7111

IZ THE WIZ - RIP

2009-06-18T19:10:00.000-07:00

Crazy. Just saw on TheWorld'sBestEver that the legendary NYC graffiti writer IZ THE WIZ passed away yesterday.

IZ THE WIZ
November 8, 1958 – June 17th, 2009
RIP

Recommended openings to catch this weekend...

2009-06-17T23:40:00.000-07:00

Skullphone tags another 'dead' gas station (on LaBrea)

Look for his work to grace the walls of Scion this Saturday

Fri, June 19th 7-10PM
alife
1520 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Suite 10 in Los Angeles
Arkitip #51 release party with a special installation from Shepard Fairey + Shepard will be spinning along with special guest DJ’s – be sure to check out Shepard’s huge billboard too (check it out here).
(On view through July 12th)
Please be sure to RSVP to: rsvp@alifepresents.com
http://arkitip.com/magazines/0051-shepard-fairey.php

Sat, June 20th 7-10PM
LeBasse Projects
6023 Washington Blvd in Culver City / 310.558.0200
“Seasonal Change” group show featuring new works from Tessar Lo, Yoskay Yamamoto, Nate Frizzell, Joe Black, Alexandros Vasmoulakis, Thomas Doyle, James Roper, Morgan Slade, Edwin Ushiro, Rebecca Urias, Meryl Donoghue and Michael Steele
www.lebasseprojects.com

Sat, June 20th 5-10PM
Miracle Mile Art Walk
Evening art walk profiling galleries along LaBrea & Beverly Blvd
Full details here: www.midcitywest.org

Sat, June 20th 7PM
N.O.M.A.D. Gallery / Art Compound
1993 Blake Ave in Los Angeles
“Print Heavy – Group Printmaking Show” featuring gallery works and limited edition prints from Eduardo Benedetto, Scott Saw, Old Chola, Travis Lindquist, Clint Peterson, Dave Tree, Colin Burns, Kiyoshi Nakazawa and more + a live set by Friend Slash Lover
www.nomadlosangeles.com

Sat, June 20th 7-10PM
SCION Installation L.A.
3521 Helms Ave in Culver City / 310.815.8840
“This Must Be The Place” curated by Faesthetic Magazine and featuring works from Skullphone, Gluekit, Maxwell Loren Holyoke-Hirsch, Damien Correll, Joel Speasmaker, Dan Funderburgh, Matt Curry, and Jemma Hostetler
(On view through July 11th)
www.scion.com/space

Sun, June 21st 7-10PM ($10 advance / $12 at door)
Baby Tattoo presents: Dr. Sketchy’s Los Angeles Session #001 @ The Medusa Lounge - 3211 Beverly Blvd in Los Angeles (21 and up only) Featuring models Julie Bolene and Lavendar La Rue posing in and out of sinister fashions by Louis Fleischauer with tunes provided by DJ Alphabeast (Tim Biskup) – after party from 10PM-1AM (free admission for after party)Full details here: http://www.drsketchyla.com/

Coming up next week:
Tue, June 23rd 7-10PM
Gallery 1988 Los Angeles
7020 Melrose Ave in Los Angeles / 323.937.7088
“Americana” featuring new works from Reuben Rude
(On view through July 11th)
www.nineteeneightyeight.com

Dr. Sketchy's returns this Sunday...

2009-06-17T21:43:00.000-07:00

Baby Tattoo presents
Dr. Sketchy’s Los Angeles
Session #001
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Cabaret Life Drawing 7:00 - 10:00 PM
After Party 10:00 PM - 1:00 AM

Medusa Lounge
3211 Beverly Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90057
21 and up
Street and valet parking available

Featuring models Julie Bolene and Lavendar La Rue posing in and out of sinister fashions by Louis Fleischauer

Tunes provided by DJ Alphabeast (Tim Biskup)

Membership is $10 in advance at http://www.drsketchyla.com/ or $12 at the door / Admission is FREE after 10:00 PM

SURPRISE GIFT with purchase of advance membership at http://www.drsketchyla.com/

Come to draw. Come to network. Come to have a blast!

Todd Schorr @ San Jose Museum of Art details...

2009-06-17T19:51:00.000-07:00

Todd Schorr: American Surreal is the first mid-career retrospective of the Los Angeles-based artist. Schorr is a leading figure in Southern California’s cartoon-based movement, which embraces low-brow culture and a ribald graphic style indebted to pop sources such as Mad magazine. Schorr’s astonishing, highly polished realism, (inspired by Bosch, Brueghel and Dali), sets him apart from his best-known peers such as Camille Rose Garcia, Gary Baseman, and Mark Ryden. The exhibition, curated by SJMA’s Senior Scholar and Curator of Collections Susan Landauer, will be accompanied by a new book published by Last Gasp, San Francisco.

The show opens this weekend, but the real event is coming up next month, so plan now to head up to San Jose on Thursday, July 16th. Add'l details to follow soon - but there will be a book signing for Todd's new book, a panel discussion, live music, Ed Hardy Vodka will be flowing and much more... can't wait!

Todd Schorr: American Surreal

Thurs, July 16th 7-10PM ($8 cost)

June 20th - September 16th @ The San Jose Museum Of Art

110 S. Market Street in San Jose
http://www.sjmusart.org/

An interview with Brett Amory...

2009-06-16T22:23:00.000-07:00

An interview with Brett Amory

Brett graduated from the Academy of Arts in 2005 and has shown his work all over the country. In 2006 Brett along with five other artist published a book called 'Convergence' and had book signings in New York, Los Angeles and at the SFMOMA in San Francisco. Amory currently works as a graphic designer at an environmental company in San Francisco and continues to show his work in galleries across the country.

Please talk a lil' bit about the general idea/vibe behind your new series of works for Fecal Face's special “In-N-Out” exhibition series.
I will be showing 12 paintings. Eight of the paintings are from a dream I had which tell a story of a girl that is stuck between our world and the spiritual world. In the end her spirit is set free. The other four are from the 'Waiting' series.

Speaking of, your recent ‘Waiting’ series (pictured throughout this interview) is just stunning. What led to this series and inspired you to capture that moment of ‘waiting’?
Thank you. I started the 'Waiting' series in 2000. I was working in Emeryville and living in San Fran, so I was commuting via bart. I became really interested in how people looked in the morning especially on monday after the weekend. I noticed how everyone seemed to be somewhere else, not at all in the present. I also started noticing a disconnect. The bart would be packed shoulder to shoulder but there would be no communication and minimal eye contact. Back then the series was all about bart and I was taking a more traditional approach to painting. It was more paint what I see or what the photograph detailed. I stopped the series in 2003 and experimented with a few different types of mediums and styles of painting. In the summer of 2007 I came back to the 'Waiting' series but it had evolved from all the experimenting I did. I started thinking more about what's going on while we wait and why we do so much of it. I thought by stripping out the environment and replacing it with this over steralized graphic world it would come across as being more than just a guy waiting for the bus or someone sitting in traffic.

What’s your earliest memory involving art or creating art?
I remember painting with water color when I was around three. I did a lot of art when I was really young but forgot about it when I started skateboarding. I didn't pick it back up until I was 21.

When are you most productive / when do you normally work on art?
I love painting as soon as I get up. Unfortunately I have a 9-5 monday-friday job so I only get to paint in the mornings on the weekends. Right now I paint whenever I can. I Usually start around 7 pm or so and go till 1:30am.

Please tell us a lil’ something about yourself that someone would never guess in their wildest dreams.
I used to be a coin/antique collector.

Do you listen to music while painting/drawing? If so, do you have a current favorite that inspires?
I'm a little manic when it comes to music while I paint. I'm constantly switching my playlist based on my mood and what I'm working on. Lately I've been listening to Amon Tobin, Boards of Canada, Mouse on Mars, Matmos, Sonic Youth, Zu, Slayer, Black Flag and Hugh Mundell.

If you could stand by and watch the creation of any piece of artwork from over the years, which would it be and why?
Damn, thats a hard question. I guess it would have to be one of Antonio Lopez Garcia's paintings probably "View of Madrid from Capitan Haya". He has a very honest approach to painting. He paints everything from life and works in seasons. He spends up to ten years on his paintings. His paintings are f#cking amazing and he has to be one of the best artists ever.

What do you consider your biggest overall influence?
My family and friends are my biggest influences and main source of inspiration. I've learned more from the guys I went to school with and continue to hang out with than any book or teacher. Studio visits are rad.

You were included in the book 'Convergence' alongside Mars-1, Oliver Vernon, Damon Soule, Nome Edona and David Chong Lee. How did the book initially come about?
I've known David Lee for about ten years. He was one of the first artist I met and really look up to. I had classes with Mario (Mars-1) back when I was just starting out. We've been friends ever since. When they were putting 'Convergence' together Mario asked me if I wanted to be apart of it. I looked up to all those guys so of course I was in.

What have you got coming up later this year in terms of shows after the Fecal Face show? We are already looking forward to hosting your debut LA solo show next year.
I will be in a couple group shows this summer in San Fran. Thats if for now. Looking forward to the show next year.

Fecal Face Dot Gallery puts the call out to local artists every summer seeking submissions to fill a select number of exhibition slots for our summer series, 'IN-N-OUT'. For 5 weeks, FFDG will be hosting a new show every week with receptions every Thursday 6-9pm.

Brett Amory

Opening Reception: Thurs., June 18th (6-9pm)

Show runs June 17th - June 20th

FECAL FACE DOT GALLERY

66 Gough St @Market

* Studio photos courtesy of Shaun Roberts.

Thinkspace invades the CA Boom Show in Beverly Hills next weekend...

2009-06-16T19:30:00.000-07:00

Thinkspace is proud to present:
CA Boom INVASION

The Robinsons Store – Beverly Hills, CA
9900 Wilshire Blvd
June 26th – 28th

www.caboomshow.com

Featuring new works from:
Hannah Stouffer
Seth Armstrong
Brett Amory
Rebecca Hahn
Matthew Feyld
Nathan DeYoung
Tony Philippou
Craig “Skibs” Barker
Cherri Wood
Dan-ah Kim

Thinkspace is pleased to announce its participation at this year’s CA Boom Show, the West Coast’s largest design & architecture show. The show takes place in Beverly Hills, June 26th-28th, and combines the best of modern design, furnishings, artwork, design panel discussions and architecture tours into three action-packed days. Friday is ‘trade only day’, but the Friday night opening gala and all of Saturday and Sunday are open to the public.

Fri, June 26th 6-10PM (opening event)
Sat, June 27th 11AM-6PM
Sun, June 28th 11AM-5PM

Discounted advance tickets are available at www.caboomshow.com for $20 ($25 at the door). Thinkspace guests receive an additional 20% off the preshow sales price by typing MC in the discount field.

We look forward to seeing you at CA Boom!

The Thinkspace crew

Gen Art to celebrate their 15th Anniversary next Wed...

2009-06-16T15:23:00.000-07:00

Gen Art has asked us to help them spread the word on their big 'I Heart Gen Art: 15th Anniversary Benefit'. We've put a few of the artists we work with in the show and it looks to be an awesome event...

Wed, June 24th
7-11pm (VIP Preview from 7-8pm)
7 West 34th Street, 11th Floor
(Near 5th Avenue)

'I Heart Gen Art: 15th Anniversary Benefit' will feature an exhibition of works from over 50 of today's most exciting artists including the likes of Camilla d'Errico, Kris Lewis, Tony Philippou, Sarah Joncas, Brandi Milne, DJ Spooky, Claw Money, Ricky Powell w/Daze, Martha Cooper, Nathan Spoor, Caroline Hwang, Chris Mendoza, Kime Buzelli, Anne Faith Nichols, Dan May, Amir H. Fallah, Erik Otto, AIKO, and many more. A full list of all participating can be found here.

All of the original works of art for sale fall in the range of $125 to $5,000, so be sure to attend and be ready to add to your collection.

All proceeds from the evening will benefit the Gen Art Foundation, whose ongoing mission is to support undiscovered talent and providing a platform for emerging artists to garner increased exposure to a loyal audience. This event, and the raising of proceeds in connection with it, is critical to Gen Art's survival through this summer.

Tickets start at $90 and are available here:
http://genart.org/special-programming/i-heart-genart-benefit-event

Support by becoming a GEN ART MEMBER:
http://www.genart.org/memberships

Special Shepard Fairey event this Fri at alife...

2009-06-15T23:11:00.000-07:00

The word is definitely out on this one, but just in case you didn’t already hear about the upcoming release of Arkitip 51 featuring Shepard Fairey, above is a picture of a billboard right in the middle of Los Angeles to make sure all are in the loop. The location of the billboard and special event is 1520 N. Cahuenga, between Sunset and Hollywood Blvd.

The release party for Arkitip 51 will take place on Fri, June 19th at alife and will feature new installations from Fairey.

Please be sure to RSVP to: rsvp@alifepresents.com

Celebrating the official launch of Issue No. 0051 featuring Shepard Fairey, Arkitip link up with alife for a special event commemorating the issue release, which will be accompanied by a signed 7.5 x 10 in. silk screen print, designed and printed specifically for this issue edition. Longtime Arkitip and Shepard Fairey supporter alife will host the release of the issue event (June 19th 7-10pm) at their onsite 'alife Presents' gallery space, footsteps from their Hollywood retail location. The new issue edition will be available along with special Obey x Arkitip x alife commemorative t-shirts.

alife @ 1520 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Suite 10 in Los Angeles

Stella Im Hultberg studio visit...

2009-06-15T19:20:00.000-07:00

Stella Im Hultberg is hard at work at her new studio in Brooklyn, NY on the new body of work that will make up her 2nd solo with Thinkspace, coming up this July.

Keep up with Stella as she prepares for her return to Los Angeles this July here:

http://stellaimhultberg.blogspot.com/

Be sure to check out the 'Sneak Peek' set on our Flickr too for add'l pics:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/thinkspace/sets/72157618025058584/

Watch for more information, additional sneak peeks and an interview with Stella to follow in the weeks ahead leading into her 2nd solo show with us.

Stella Im Hultberg

'Memento Mori'

Opening Reception: Fri, July 10th 7-11PM

*Artist will be in attendance

Show runs: July 10th - August 7th

Thinkspace

4210 Santa Monica Blvd (near Sunset Junction)

In the Silver Lake area of Los Angeles

Opening night pics from Sarah Joncas, Kelly Vivanco & Tran Nguyen openings at Thinkspace...

2009-06-15T00:23:00.000-07:00

(l-r) Kelly Vivanco, L. Croskey (Thinkspace), Shawn Vezinaw Hosner (Thinkspace), Andrew Hosner (Thinkspace), Sarah Joncas, and Ann Kornuta (Sarah's friend)

Check out a great video of the installation process for Sarah's show as well as the opening night festivities shot and edited together by Sarah's friend Ann Kornuta. Thanks Ann!!!

All shows are on view through July 2nd @ thinkspace

View a full set of pics from the opening night here. Thank you to all that came out to show support!!!

'MOCA Contemporaries' membership drive this Tue...

2009-06-14T23:42:00.000-07:00

The MOCA CONTEMPORARIES invites you to an exciting night of art meets fashion.

DATE: THIS Tuesday, June 16, 7-9pm
PLACE: Catherine Malandrino Maison (651-653 N. La Cienega Blvd. in Beverly Hills)

Please RSVP asap to: mocacontemporaries2008@gmail.com

Guests can expect cocktails, appetizers and music from DJ L. Croskey of Bitter:Sweet and live painting from Michael Pukac in the courtyard of the beautiful surroundings of the Catherine Malandrino Maison cafe/boutique. Please join us to learn more about the MOCA Contemporaries and all we do for the MOCA and how you can become a member.

The MOCA Contemporaries: One of the Southland's premier cultural support organizations, the MOCA Contemporaries provide financial support for the museum through a variety of fundraising programs, and cultivate future leadership for MOCA by nurturing the next generation of art collectors and community leaders.

More details on the event location here:
http://www.catherinemalandrino.com/

TONIGHT @ Thinkspace...

2009-06-12T13:27:00.000-07:00

Thinkspace is proud to present, Beneath the Seams, the debut solo exhibition from Canadian artist Sarah Joncas. Her debut solo exhibition features 18 new works including oil on canvas and graphite on paper, as well as a very special installation in our front entry area, and marks her largest body of work to date both in size and scale. Next level in every regards, as Sarah has knocked the new works out of the park in our opinion.

Opening in conjunction with Joncas' show is an exhibition from San Diego based artist Kelly Vivanco. This will be the artist's first solo exhibition in Los Angeles and will be showcased in our project room. She has just done an amazing job and it's been awesome to watch Kelly grow with us over the past few years.

Alongside Vivanco's work in the project room we will also feature new works from Vietnamese artist Tran Nguyen as part of our 'Fresh Faces' series. This is Tran's first showing with our gallery and we look forward to many great things to come from this young artist.

All shows are on view June 12th - July 3rd

Opening Reception TONIGHT - Fri, June 12th from 7-11PM

Thinkspace - 4210 Santa Monica Blvd in the Silver Lake area of Los Angeles

Both Sarah and Kelly are in town for the opening, so please help us welcome both to LA!!!

Sarah Joncas - Beneath The Seams PREVIEW:

http://www.thinkspacegallery.com/2009/06/works.php

Kelly Vivanco - The Conservatory PREVIEW:

http://www.thinkspacegallery.com/2009/06/project/works.php

Tran Nguyen - Portraits of the Unknown PREVIEW:

http://www.thinkspacegallery.com/2009/06/project2/works.php

If you are interested in any of the works, please get in touch via email at contact@sourharvest.com.

Arrested Motion posted a lil' preview of the show as well here.

As did Dailydujour over here and Juxtapoz over here.

Look for opening night action to be posted here this weekend. Interviews with each have been posted here over the past week, so please be sure to look for those and check 'em out.

Hope to see some of you tonight!

Recommended openings to catch this weekend...

2009-06-11T01:25:00.000-07:00

Sarah Joncas "Stroke Of Midnight" (14x18" / oil on canvas) - featured in her debut solo show, 'Beneath The Seams' opening this Fri @ Thinkspace (details below)

Thursday, June 11th 6-9pm
Look Gallery (at the LA Mart)
1933 South Broadway (corner of Washington) in downtown LA / 213.748.1113
“Locals Only” curated by Mat Gleason featuring Oliver Arms, Linda Arreola, Stephanie Mercado, Carolin Peters, Lola Ramona, Roy Thurston, Tim Youd, Jaime “GERMS” Zacarias, and Eric Zammitt
(On view through July 11th)

Thurs, June 11th 7-10PM
Upper Playground LA
125 E 6th Street in downtown Los Angeles / 213.623.4300
“So-Called Arist: Art by Augor” is a new collection of works on canvas from Augor. Following his installation based show last month, Augor is back and rocking back-to-back mini solo shows at this skid row hot spot
http://www.upperplayground.com/

Fri, June 12th 7-11PM
C.A.V.E. Gallery
507 Rose Ave in Venice / 310.428.6387
“Curious Oddities” featuring Jenna Colby, Jim Darling, Josh Taylor, Paul Chatem, Renee Lawter, Walt Hall, Amy Botello and many more with live painting from Max Neutra
(On view through June 27th)
http://www.cavegallery.net/

Fri, June 12th 8PM-1AM
[Seven Degrees]
891 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach
“Cute and Dangerous” group show featuring Jon Burgerman, Mugen Suzuki, Angela De Reis, Le Merde, Nathan J, Meomi, Skaffs and more + Jon Burgerman will be live painting the night of opening
http://www.seven-degrees.com/

Fri, June 12th 7-11PM
Thinkspace
4210 Santa Monica Blvd in Los Angeles / 323.913.3375
Sarah Joncas “Beneath The Seams” (pictured above) + Kelly Vivanco “The Conservatory” in the project room & “Portraits Of The Unknown” from Tran Nguyen as part of the ‘Fresh Faces’ series
(On view through July 3rd)
http://www.thinkspacegallery.com/

Sat, June 13th 7-10PM
Black Maria Gallery
3137 Glendale Blvd, Los Angeles / 818.613.9090
“Knights and Hunters” featuring new works from Ken Garduno, Jason Hernandez, Michael C. Hsiung and Sam Saghatelian + the “Swoon” group show on the project wall curated by Ally Takeuchi featuring works from Andrew Bell, Brent Nolasco, Dear Earthling, Jenna Colby, Jen Lobo, Jeremiah Ketner, Julie West, Kendra Binney, Walt Hall and many more
(On view through July 11th)
http://www.blackmariagallery.com/

Sat, June 13th 6-9PM
Cerasoli Gallery
8530-B Washington Ave in Culver City / 310.558.0911
“Out Through The In Door” from Matt Phillips + “Some Are Here and Some Are Missing” from Mario Wagner + “Beyond A Shadow” from Seth Curcio
(On view through July 8th)
http://www.cerasoligallery.com/

Sat, June 13th 7-11pm
Exhibit A Gallery
1086 South Fairfax Ave. in Los Angeles
“The Detournements of Wynn Miller” is a tribute show of sorts featuring Wynn’s photographs as interpreted by Shepard Fairey, Shawn Barber, Greg Gossel, Nate Frizzell, Chloe Trujillo, Lauren Bergman, Jon Chase, Dennis McNett and more with guest DJ Keith Morris (Circle Jerks)
http://www.exhibitagallery.com/

Saturday June 13th, 2009 8pm - 11pm (7-8PM wine & cheese tasting - $25 admission)
New Puppy Gallery
2808 Elm Street in Los Angeles
“In The Realm Of The Senses” group show and wine & cheese tasting event prior to art show opening – presented by Cannibal Flower and Blind Tiger with works from Snow Mack, Joe Bravo, Michael Pukac, Cate Rangel, Delphia, Yuki Miyazaki, Bill Bronson, Vincent Sandoval, Nicole Bruckman & more
*For reservations for the wine & cheese even please RSVP to 818.752.9168 or email blindtiger310@gmail.com with number of guests and daytime phone number
http://www.newpuppyla.com/

Sat, June 13th 6-10PM
POVevolving
939 Chung King Road in Los Angeles
“A Touch Of Evil” featuring new works and an installation from Attaboy
http://www.povevolving.com/

Sat, June 13th 6-8PM
Roberts and Tilton
5801 Washington Blvd in Culver City / 323.549.0223
“White Noise and Silence” featuring new works and an installation from Andrew Schoultz
(On view through August 1st)
http://www.robertsandtilton.com/

Sat, June 13th 7-10PM
Billy Shire Fine Arts
5790 Washington Blvd. in Los Angeles / 323.297.0600
“Intemperance” from Carrie Ann Baade + “The Fourth Enochian Key” from Christopher Ulrich
(On view through July 4th)
http://www.billyshirefinearts.com/

Sour Harvest - for over 5 years we've been recommending to you the best shows & cultural events that the Los Angeles new contemporary art scene has to offer. Be sure to sign up for our weekly e-mail blast to get all this info sent directly to you or stay up with us via our Twitter here.

An interview with Kelly Vivanco...

2009-06-10T21:31:00.000-07:00

An interview with Kelly Vivanco

Kelly Vivanco was born and raised in front of a sketchpad and a box of colors in Southern California. She later received her BFA with honors from LCAD in Laguna Beach. In 2004 Kelly became a Studio artist at Distinction in Escondido and currently maintains a working studio there. Her work has shown in numerous galleries and is held in collections across the U.S. and abroad. Kelly enjoys setting whimsy to work in many mediums and pulls inspiration from the natural and imagined world, vintage photographs, children's literature and the oddness of her dreams.

Hard at work on the installation for 'The Conservatory'

"Rather than try to make a statement with my art I paint scenes and characters that draw me in and resonate with something deeper inside. Most of my paintings are inspired from something intangible like the complex feelings knocking around inside of me; or simple like the pose of a child in a vintage photograph or the quizzical tilt of a bird's head. I enjoy portraiture without parameters and a sliding scale of exaggerated features for the subjects of my paintings. It is not an intention of mine to create a tableau of symbolism or encode some secret meaning in my paintings. They take shape spontaneously and develop organically. I like to paint and see where it goes. I often don't have answers to questions posed by my finished works. People ask me what a painting is about, I just ask them what they think it's about. Their answer is as valid as mine, in my opinion. To me, painting is like magic; it's like in a child's world where animals can talk and doorways have personality and anything can happen. Through painting I hope to engage the innate sense of wonder I believe is in everyone." - Kelly Vivanco

"Tender Shoots" / Acrylic on wood panel / 16x16"

Please talk a lil' bit about the general idea/vibe behind your new series of works for 'The Conservatory'?
A conservatory can be a place where people create music and art, as well as a place where people nurture things to grow. I was compelled by the idea of a place for reflection and creation and it was a wonderful, invented setting for creating pieces for this show. Many of the characters are set in interior spaces but still close to the natural world, with doors or windows to the outside, and a few are seen venturing outdoors to collect or observe things to bring back to the conservatory.

Close up of 'The Conservatory' installation element

"Love Note" / Acrylic on wood panel / 6" in diameter

What’s your earliest memory involving art or creating art?
I remember tracing my hands in preschool to make 'turkeys' for Thanksgiving, making circles and drawing little "wailing beans" (alien beings?) figures with crayons and finger-painting with chocolate pudding. Though, that last one may have been from last week.

Working on the "Dollhouse/Dreamhouse" installation

When are you most productive / when do you normally work on art?
I am most productive after 7PM, which means some pretty late nights! It's a tad inconvenient for dealing with the living/morning people so I have been trying to paint in the afternoon as well. It always seems that I get the most absorbed in creating things after the sun goes down.

"Terrarium" / Acrylic on wood panel / 24x16"

Please tell us a lil’ something about yourself that someone would never guess in their wildest dreams.
I was a teen wolf. Wait, no. I abhor poorly photoshopped dvd covers. I've been told I do good impressions, but never do them when asked.

Works from 'The Conservatory'

"Gone Astray" / Acrylic on wood panel / 16x24"

Do you listen to music while painting/drawing? If so, do you have a current favorite that inspires?
I do, quite a bit actually! I have had Department of Eagles, Yppah, Grizzly Bear, Quantic, Sigur Rós, Boards of Canada, Jel and Pinback among many others circling through my ears recently.

"Dollhouse/Dreamhouse" installed... this has to be seen in person.

If you could stand by and watch the creation of any piece of artwork from over the years, which would it be and why?
I would want to watch someone work in a medium I am unfamiliar with. It would be interesting in the respect that I would be watching a talented individual in their creative environment and learn about the process at the same time. Dale Chihuly's glass sculptures and Ron Mueck's giant hyperreal figures come to mind.

"Handfuls" / Acrylic on wood panel / 10.5x21"

What do you consider your biggest overall influence?
My curious mind and love of color!

Putting some finishing touches on the install

You recently curated the show ‘Infinity Squared’ this past winter at Distinction Gallery in Escondido, CA. Any plans to curate again in the future following the success of this show?
It was great to connect with so many artists and to facilitate exposure of their work to a new audience. One of the hardest things about the curating experience was limiting how many artists I asked; I admire so many of them. I wanted to bring them all in, but it would have become unmanageable. I would love to do it again, I learned a lot from 'Infinity Squared'. I have my eyes on lots of different artists I would like to invite as well as some I would have back again.

"The Conservatory" / Acrylic on wood panel / 16x16"

What have you got coming up in terms of shows after your solo show with us? We are already looking forward to having you back in some high profile group shows next year and for a big follow up in early 2011.
Coming up at the end of July I have the opportunity to show with the talented Jason Limón at Subtext in San Diego. I will have a few pieces for the 'Kokeshi Show' at the Japanese American National Museum and then the 'Crazy for Cult' show at Gallery 1988. Then I have a solo show in October up in Seattle at Halogen Gallery. Busy times, but then I get some time to start gathering new ideas and inspiration for next year and beyond!

"Vapors" / Acrylic on wood panel / 16x32"

The good folks over at Hi-Fructose recently posted a great interview with Kelly Vivanco as well - check it out here. Conducted by CommandaX of Erratic Phenomena, it's a nice compliment to the interview above.

In additon to that, Jack from Dailydujour came through for a visit last night during the installation process and just posted a nice lil' recap here.

The preview for her debut Los Angeles solo show is now live. Click here. We're now in pre-sales, so please be sure to shoot a mail over to contact@sourharvest.com with any works that may catch your eye.

Kelly will be up from the San Diego area for the evening's festivities. So please come on out and say hi.

Kelly Vivanco

'The Conservatory'

Opening Reception: Fri, June 12th 7-11PM

Thinkspace

4210 Santa Monica Blvd (Silver Lake area of Los Angeles)

Andrew Schoultz returns to LA this Sat @ Roberts & Tilton...

2009-06-10T21:07:00.000-07:00

Andrew Schoultz
'White Noise and Silence: New Paintings and Drawings'

Opening Reception: Sat, June 13th 6-8PM
On view through August 1st

Roberts and Tilton
5801 Washington Boulevard in Culver City

Schoultz has been busy on the art fair circuit of late and his installation at last year's Pulse (during Art Basel), with the Morgan Lehman Gallery, was a site to behold and a highlight of the fair for many. View images of this epic install here.

With the full main gallery of R&T's beautiful new space at his disposal, expect mixed media installations & murals of the grandest scale. So can't wait to check this show out!!!

You can also catch his work over at the current House Of Campari event (on view through June 14th). Schoultz was recently named the recipient of House of Campari's 2009 Commission Award. Located at 8783 Beverly Boulevard in West Hollywood.

Attaboy @ POVevolving this Saturday...

2009-06-10T12:58:00.000-07:00

Daniel Seifert, better known as Attaboy, presents his first solo show in two years at LA's POV Evolving Gallery in LA's Chinatown. Atta presents an onslaught of meticulously handcut shadow casting spray varnish stenciled plastic pieces (see below), elaborate "exploded view" drawings (shown above), and a Gooberry Patch in the back room, where visitors can pick an unripened talking pull string Gooberry Plush and take one home to abuse. After 5 years of waiting, they've finally arrived, and they're still not ripe.

There will also been a fantastic sculpture installation of Atta's Brine Queen character as interpreted by artist J.Shea #9. If you come out to the show early enough you will be able to snag some iPhone, iPod and laptop skins of Atta’s recent work from the good folks at Gelaskins to embellish your electronic life...

Attaboy @ POVevolving Gallery

Opening reception: Saturday June 13th 6 - 10 pm

939 Chung King Road in Los Angeles

An interview with Sarah Joncas...

2009-06-09T10:37:00.000-07:00

An interview with Sarah Joncas

Sarah Joncas was born in 1986 and grew up within both Hamilton and Niagara Falls, Ontario. Her interest in the visual arts developed at an early age, starting with the dedicated drawings of dinosaurs and lizards. Eventually the study and enjoyment of working from existing images stirred up the need in Sarah to create images of her own; ones that could reflect the world, yet also appease the personal feelings/ideas that she herself maintained. With this, her direction changed gradually from the world of animation, towards a path in fine art. Sarah is currently working and finishing up her BFA at the Ontario College of Art and Design, in Toronto.

Progress of 'Beneath The Seams' coming together...

"Ultimately, I used this show as an opportunity to push my portraiture into a realm that involved more consideration of narrative. Though there are still some smaller portrait pieces included, I've used the larger works to develop these intentions." - Sarah Joncas

Sarah Joncas in the middle of her installaton

Please talk a lil' bit about the general idea/vibe behind your new series of works for 'Beneath The Seams'?

I used this show as an opportunity to push my portraiture into a more narrative realm, referencing cinema/noir as a way of dramatizing and constructing the pregnant moment. Working with my usual atmospheres of anxiety and melancholy, I wanted to turn vignettes of the private-mundane into spaces more haunted. The actual title, 'Beneath the Seams', was inspired by the phrase “Behind the Scenes” – that kind of cinematic voyeurism, looking into the private-interior. I like the drama of settled name though, and the word ‘seams’ since it felt a little more intrusive, like peering into something meant to be closed. It also sounds like ‘seems’, which is another curious ambiguity.

Progress of the installaton for 'Beneath The Seams' coming together...

"Dinner and a Movie" / Oil on canvas / 30x60"

You recently completed your final semester of school and only have a couple classes left overall – how does it feel to be finished? What’s the single most important thing you feel you learned while there?
I actually feel very mixed about everything right now; excited, nervous, ambitious, confused… All, probably normal! I’ve wanted to be out of school so bad for the last 4 years, mainly because I was unhappy with my courses, but this final (full) year was a real turn around. I met a lot of great people, made good progress in my work, and for the 1st time had profs who seemed sincerely engaged with my crits… I had gotten threats about being labeled as illustrative previous to even entering thesis, but what I got was quite the opposite and surprisingly open minded.

I think the most important thing I’ve taken from school had nothing to do with my academic education though, but rather in maturing and taking on challenges. No matter how much people hate hearing the cliché ‘hardship builds character’, it does. I wouldn’t have learned nearly as much about myself if I decided to stay comfortably at home.

Progress of 'Beneath The Seams' coming together...

Your new works for 'Beneath The Seams' feature a marked growth in the use of narrative that really help add new life to your paintings. Care to comment further on this aspect of your work and perhaps talk about a piece or two from the new series?
Before planning any kind of thematic approach to using narrative in these works, I just knew I wanted to push myself in an area I wasn’t quite so great or comfortable with. Looking at my older works, the one thing that always seemed lacking to me was the environment I placed my girls in – was so focused on the figure that I neglected what setting could do for it all. As far as talking about individual pieces, I’d rather keep it general and say my narratives really just come from a culmination of everything in my life; personal, cultural, social… All that good stuff that makes up our little world.

"Intermission" / 20x24" / Oil on canvas

I know you are a huge music fan. Do you have a current favorite that inspires? Favorite band overall – new? – old?

No absolute favourite, but many. I wouldn’t claim myself to be a music geek either (since I don’t obsess), I just really love my tunes ~ find a lot of comfort and inspiration in them! This past year has really been about listening to movie scores for me (Virgin Suicides, Fight Club, Blade Runner, Requiem, Donnie Darko etc.), but rock and alternative music are probably my favourites. Adore Radiohead, Portishead, P.Floyd, Led Zep, APC, Tool, Air, Beatles, Velvet Underground etc, etc... I’ve been really into Bat for Lashes the past year too. Tending towards more mellow stuff lately.

Progress of 'Beneath The Seams' coming together...

"Stroke of Midnight" / 14x18" / Oil on canvas

If you could stand by and watch the creation of any piece of artwork from over the years, which would it be and why?
I’ve never thought about that one? I’d feel a little weird watching over someone’s shoulder like that, to be honest (and jealous because I’d want to be painting too!). I’d love seeing any of Joe Sorren’s pieces in evolution though. He had some stuff on his blog awhile back showing the steps taken with one piece called “The Overture”– started out as this lovely abstract, and slowly came into focus as this amazingly intricate and lush wonderland... I am absolutely in love with his paintings!

"Paper Trails" / 24x36" / Oil on canvas

What do you consider your biggest overall influence?
Hmm… Life? Haha. Yep, that’s a big one!

What have you got coming up in terms of shows after your solo show with us? We are already looking forward to showcasing you this December during Art Basel.
Until Art Basel, I’ll be off the radar for a bit, but I have a solo coming up with Roq la Rue in February, will be in a show at m-modern for April, and then am back with you guys here at Thinkspace come next September. So, in between all of that is a whole lotta good ol’ painting!

Progress of 'Beneath The Seams' coming together...

You’ll be in town for the opening reception, any shout outs for your west coast fans? Any plans while in LA to get out and do some touristy stuff if time permits?
Oh yes, definitely come out and say hi at the opening night! Always a pleasure meeting everyone and it’s not an opportunity I get very often being a full country away!

On the tourist stuff, I’m not so well informed as to what people do there? Not totally interested in the whole ‘sidewalk of stars’ business, but I definitely want to see some art. The ocean again, too! Maybe check out ‘Whisky A Go-Go’. Someone told me I should get to Topanga Canyon if possible… Hey, send me must-see tips in the comments, if you got them!

"White Noise" / 18x24" / Oil on canvas

Hi-Fructose recently posted an interview with Sarah as well conducted by CommandaX of the Erratic Phenomena blog here.

As did Juxapoz, their '20 Questions' feature with Sarah can be checked out here.

Peep the 'Sneak Peek' set for the show here.

View all the works from 'Beneath The Seams' here.

If you see anything you would like to discuss further, please don't hesitate to shoot an email to contact@sourharvest.com and we'll follow up with you right away. Sarah's really taken her work to another level with this show, we can't wait for all to see them in person this Friday, as the size of the works really needs to be seen to be appreciated.

Sarah Joncas

'Beneath The Seams'

Opening Reception: This Fri, June 12th 7-11PM

Thinkspace

4210 Santa Monica Blvd. (near Sunset Junction)

In the Silver Lake area of Los Angeles / #323.913.3375

http://www.thinkspacegallery.com/

Camilla d'Errico update (new plush, book, shoes & more)...

2009-06-07T17:27:00.000-07:00

Camilla d’Errico just released her first-ever plush fashioned after the cute yet evil character, "Kuro", from her self-published book, 'Tanpopo'. "Kuro", aka Poodle, is the willing and scheming companion who has promised 'Tanpopo' love, happiness and human emotion. Don’t let his cuteness fool you; he is after 'Tanpopo'’s soul! The plush is 6” tall, his total darkness hidden by a naively white mask. Cute, cuddly, and with a most peculiar feature: a too-cute-to-believe booty that would make even J-Lo jealous, this little guy has received squeals of delight at recent conventions, where the prototype was displayed and promoted.

Make sure you also pick up the original storybook, 'Tanpopo', to get the lowdown on who Kuro is, what the saga of 'Tanpopo' is all about, and join the huge group of fans who have discovered and fallen in love with the story and characters. 'Tanpopo' is available via your favorite local comic store.

Another pretty cool thing to tell you all about is the 'Sparrow' series of books will be issuing an edition from Camila this July! 'Sparrow' is a super respected series of art books. Past editions have profiled Phil Hale, Glenn Barr, Kent Williams, Ashley Wood, William Wray, Rick Berry, and many more. You can pre-order the book via Amazon here now.

Oh, and her shoe just went up for sale here as well (see above). The girl just doesn't sleep!

As if all that wasn't enough, mark your calendars now and get ready for Camilla's return to Los Angeles... coming up this September @ Thinkspace alongside Caia Koopman. More details and sneak peeks on the show's progress will be posted here soon.

Keep tabs on Camilla via her site here and her blog here.

An interview with Tran Nguyen...

2009-06-07T12:07:00.000-07:00

"Yoke" / 12x15"

An interview with Tran Nguyen

Tran Nguyen is a Vietnamese illustrator and painter specializing in fantastical and surrealistic imageries. In her work, she frequently visits themes that evoke introspection, combining the world of illustration and art therapy. Tran is fascinated with creating imagery that can be used as a psycho-therapeutic support vehicle. Based in Savannah, Georgia, she enjoys the aesthetics of nature and the out-doors which is commonly incorporated into her work. She is currently enrolled at the Savannah College of Art and Design where she will graduate with a B.F.A in illustration.

Artist statement for 'Portraits Of The Unknown':

My current body of work consists of traditionally executed illustrations based on surrealism. "Portraits of the Unknown" focuses on melancholy as an aesthetic emotion that evokes calmness, allowing one to reflect. I believe exposure to such imagery is a therapeutic vehicle for individuals in need of alleviation. It is my intent for the viewer to find a sense of self-connection with the image, in turn, foster recollection and well-being. To mirror the emotion's complex traits, highly rendered figures are juxtaposed with graphic forms. As for media, I enjoy working with graphite, color pencils, and light washes of acrylics. This media is most crucial because of its subtleness and precision.The overall mood I try to convey is one that best illustrates a dream. I find that there's little pleasure in drawing within the limitations of reality. Illustrating dreams and the unknown is what stimulates the mind. Like Francis Bacon has stated, the "job of the artist is always to deepen the mystery."The intent of my work is to create a place that easily invites reflection, where the viewer can recollect their own memories relevant to the image. This uplifting yet somewhat solemn feeling makes, what I believe, melancholy most astonishing. This series of work has furthered my endeavors in creating imagery that can be used as a mean of psycho-therapeutic support. I see art is a powerful tool that motivates others to pursue their life endeavors. Thus, my primary focus as an artist is to illustrate visuals that will educate, encourage, and inspire others who have yet to find their own purpose.

"If Time Progresses Without Me" process sketch

Please talk a lil' bit about the general idea/vibe behind your new series of works for 'Portraits Of The Unknown'?

Portraits of the Unknown explores the countless incidents of melancholy that individuals, such as ourselves, may encounter in daily life. Whether it be the inevitable departing from a dear friend or lover, our innate yearning to hold onto youth, or the manners of losing ourselves in the chaos of uncertainty, it focuses on the positive as well as negative aspects of heavyhearted occurrences. In summation, the series is intended to unveil an eerie realm of glum that contrastingly evokes feelings of nostalgia, contemplation, and hope.

You were born in Vietnam and currently reside in Savannah, Georgia where you are finishing up classes at The Savannah College of Art & Design. What made you choose Savannah? What are your plans for after graduation?

Besides the alluring scenery, architectural designs, and art scene, Savannah has some of the darnest awesome-looking dogs. I mean, man, they know how to groom their dogs here. Sometimes, better than themselves. As for graduation, following it is a desperate search for employment due to the thousands of dollars I accumulated in the past three years at SCAD. Would you like to hire me?

"If Time Progresses Without Me" progress shot

What's your earliest memory involving art or creating art?
It was a horrific drawing of my mom with the letter "w" forming the curvature of her boobs.

"If Time Progresses Without Me" / 12.5x16.5"

For those new to your work, can you give us a lil' background on where you are aiming to take your work and what you hope viewers gain from it?
I've always been particularly interested in therapeutic imagery. I think art can be used to better lives rather than pure aesthetic purposes. As a person and as an artist, being able to create something that can bring about well-being and contentment is all that matters. Life is stressful enough, so I guess you could say my work could serve as one of those Tempur-Pedic beds.

"As I Lay Here, Dying" / 10.5 x 8.5"

Please tell us a lil' something about yourself that someone would never guess in their wildest dreams.

I'm quite the closet geek: Video games, Dance Dance Revolution, Magic: The Gathering, Street Fighter, Harry Potter, various Anime, Tetris, etc. I despise people that take things for granted. They make me want to hadouken them into the next Street Fighter generation. Oh, and I've eaten chicken poop before.

"For The Lost and Unfound" process sketch

Do you listen to music while painting/drawing? If so, do you have a current favorite that inspires?

Of course. No matter what mood I'm in, I always find my way back to Augustana, Keane, and Coldplay. It's feel-good music that makes me feel like I'm riding on a Care Bear cloud.

"For The Lost and Unfound" / 13x17.5"

Are you reading anything right now?
Where the Wild Things Are. I'm very much looking forward to the movie adaptation.

"Furiae" / 16x10.5"

When are you most productive / when do you normally work on art?
Because I love the outdoors, I can't bare to spend my days inside unless I have to. Thus, my mind schemes the best around the early AMs. Coffee around 5pm, then work, bed at 4am, then a torturing wake-up for 8am classes.

"Hello and Goodbye Is What They Said" progress shot

Favorite artist (living or dead) and what makes them special to you? Biggest overall influence?

It's a tug-o-war between Gustav Klimt and my older brother. Though my brother didn't pursue an artistic degree, he introduced as well as taught me the art of image-making. Later on in my early years of education, I stumbled upon Klimt's work. His juxtaposition between surrealistic figures and vibrant shapes are just stunning.

"Hello and Goodbye Is What They Said" process sketch

We are very much looking forward to hosting your debut Los Angeles solo show next year. What have you got coming up in the meantime in terms of shows after your small showing with us this June?

I haven't got much lined up...yet. hint hint.

"Hello and Goodbye Is What They Said" / 13.5x10.5"

What are you doing right after this interview?

Awaiting the final diagnosis of my computer, who decided to abruptly end our three-year relationship the other day...and he wouldn't give back any of my belongings either.

"Wrath In Disguise" / 8.75x18"

Check out Tran's blog here.

Artist website: http://www.trannguyen.org

Sneak Peek at 'Portraits of the Unknown':

http://www.flickr.com/photos/thinkspace/sets/72157616447366716/

View the work from 'Portraits of the Unknown':

http://www.thinkspacegallery.com/2009/06/project2/works.php

If you see something you like from the show, please shoot us an e-mail to contact@sourharvest.com and we'll follow up asap.

Opening Reception: Fri, June 12th 7-11PM

Thinkspace

4210 Santa Monica Blvd. (near Sunset Junction) in Los Angeles

www.thinkspacegallery.com

Know Hope opens debut LA solo show @ Carmichael...

2009-06-05T18:02:00.000-07:00

Israeli artist Know Hope (pictured above) opened his debut LA solo show, ‘the times won’t save you (this rain smells of memory)’, at Carmichael Gallery last night to a very enthusiastic crowd.

The focal point of the show was his 400 sq ft installation featuring over 30,000 hand-cut rain drops, a handmade city constructed of old cardboard boxes and several life size renditions of his signature characters. As a whole, it was breathtaking. With the lighting low, the mood that was set was just perfect.

Know Hope installation close up views (above and below)...

It was awesome to see his 'The Anytimes' paper worked into the installation. The gallery should have some copies of this special paper still on hand, so be sure to roll through and grab a copy.

In addition to his incredible install, Know Hope also presented a series of smaller works all on cardboard, that complimented four of his larger framed works that all highlighted his dizzying diorama skills. All in all, a great debut solo show for Know Hope and one that is sure to have folks talking for a while. Don’t sleep on this guy, so much great and affordable work in this show.

Close up of one of Know Hope's intense diorama pieces...

While talking to Know Hope I learned he’d be going on to NYC now after this, for a special installation project at a non-profit venue that just popped up. So watch for more on that soon…

The crowd grew thick as the night drew on...

Also opening last night, and causing much discussion, was the ‘Moodswings’ group show in the back, where the large new work from Asbestos (shown above) stole the show.

Also featured was some amazing new works from Imminent Disaster (above and below). The new work is showing continued growth and maturity and we're eager to see what she creates for her return to Los Angeles next year when she hits Thinkspace again alongside ARMSROCK.

Though not to be outdone, the up and coming Bumblebee rocked things and had but one piece left when we left at 1030PM (see images of his work below). Go Bumblebee!!!

The ever elusive Bumblebee...

One of his signature hive pieces installed in an old vacant phonebooth. AMAZING.

Detail shot of the above phonebooth piece. This lil' roller, is created from a nail, a paperclip and some sculpey modeling clay. Insane detail and looks so good.

Bumblebee flies high over LA...

Both shows on view through July 2nd

Carmichael Gallery

1257 N. La Brea Avenue in West Hollywood

www.carmichaelgallery.com

Kelly Vivanco interviewed over at Hi-Fructose...

2009-06-05T16:14:00.001-07:00

The good folks over at Hi-Fructose just posted a great interview with Kelly Vivanco here. Conducted by CommandaX of Erratic Phenomena, it's a great read.

We'll also be posting our short interview with Kelly here next week, so keep an eye out for that.

The preview for her debut Los Angeles solo show is now live. Click here.

We'll begin pre-selling works next Monday, so be sure to shoot your wish list over to contact@sourharvest.com and, come Monday, we'll start following up with everyone. Please do plan to come on out next Fri, June 12th for the opening, as Kelly will be up from the San Diego area for the evening's festivities.

Kelly Vivanco
'The Conservatory'

Opening Reception: Fri, June 12th 7-11PM

Thinkspace
4210 Santa Monica Blvd (Silver Lake area of Los Angeles)

Kofie returns tonight to The Ronin Gallery...

2009-06-05T09:24:00.000-07:00

The Ronin Gallery is proud to present:
'METALLUM'
An Exhibition of Architectural Patterns on Found Metal Objects
from mixed media artists: Kofie and Codak

Highlights include:
Interior & exterior mural collaboration, an edition of 20 2-color screen prints, over 40 painted file boxes & 40+ new works on found metal by the pair.

Opening Reception: TONIGHT - Friday June, 5th from 7-11pm

The Ronin Gallery
1924 Echo Park Ave in Los Angeles (Echo Park area) / #323.284.8782

Recommended openings to catch this weekend...

2009-06-04T00:07:00.000-07:00

Sage Vaughn "Mudfight" / 22x30" / Oil & Mixed Media

Featured at Richard Heller this Friday

Thurs, June 4th 7-10PM
Carmichael Gallery of Contemporary Art
1257 N. La Brea Ave in West Hollywood / 323.969.0600
“The Times Won’t Save You (This Rain Smells Of Memory)” featuring new works and a massive installation from Know Hope + “Mood Swings” featuring new works from Bumblebee, Imminent Disaster, Asbestos, Cena 7, Fefe Talavera, Labrona and Oddzoo
(On view through July 2nd)
www.carmichaelgallery.com

Thurs, June 4th 6-10PM
Ghetto Gloss
2380 Glendale Blvd in Los Angeles / 323.912.0008
“Travels In Time and Space” featuring new works and prints from Christopher Bettig
www.ghettogloss.com

Thurs, June 4th 7-10PM
MOCA Grand Avenue, Sculpture Plaza
250 South Grand Avenue in downtown Los Angeles / 213.621.1745
‘Color Chorus’ by OJO – part of the special ‘Engagement Party’ series at MOCA this summer featuring social events and performances by LA-based artist collectives – in ‘Color Chorus’, OJO will lead a participatory musical performance organized by the interplay of primary colors and the thump of an 808 drum machine, with the audience being split into 3 groups, with each audience member being assigned a specific color upon entry… it goes on, just know this sounds like a very cool interactive art experience and definitely a series worth keeping an eye on.
www.moca.org

Thurs, June 4th 7-10PM
The Art Show @ NEXT
8447 Wilshire Blvd., Penthouse in Beverly Hills
Benefit art show featuring a silent auction consisting of works from Mel Kadel, Retna, David Hinnebush, Oliver Pojzman, Alan Aldridge, Dominick Giullemot, and many more
RSVP to malikl@nextmodelmanagement.com

Fri, June 5th 7-10PM
Harvey’s Melrose
7955 Melrose Ave in Los Angeles / 323.795.9000
“Cheers Big Ears – An Art Show Celebrating Our Favorite Mouse” from Disney Bloc 28 featuring works from Chaz Bojorquez, Mike Kungl, Noah, Trevor Carlton, David Garibaldi, Suiko and Tim Rogerson + the launch of the summer ’09 seatbelt bag collection from Disney Couture

Fri, June 5th 8-11PM
La Luz De Jesus Gallery
4633 Hollywood Blvd. in Los Angeles / 323.666.7667
New works from Mark Bryan, Daniel Elson, Krystopher Sapp & Magda Trzaski
(On view through June 28th)
www.laluzdejesus.com

Fri, June 5th 7-10PM
Poketo Studios
510 S. Hewitt St, #506 in downtown LA
“F*ck Cancer – We Love Justin” a benefit show for artist/designer Justin Van Hoy featuring works from Christopher Bettig, Derek Albeck, Jeremy Baker, Sheli Ben-Ner, Tim Biskup, Kime Buzzelli, Ryan Callis, Josh Cochran, Michael Coleman, Leah Chun, Shepard Fairey, Jason Filipow, Sarajo Frieden, Zach Gibson, Matt Goldman, Josh Hart, Kristian Henson, Caroline Hwang, Jordan Isip, Katsuo Design, Mel Kadel, Phillip Lumbang, Blake E. Marquis, Bill McRight, Travis Millard, Jesselisa Moretti, Saejeen Oh, Saelee Oh, Jared Purrington, Ye Rin Mok, Casey Ryder, Ashkahn Shahparnia, Damion Silver, Skyrocket Studios, Jeana Sohn, Sumi Ink Club, Marissa Textor, Amanda Visell, David Weidman, Ernesto Yerena, Marco Zamora, Florencio Zavala as well as prints from Dalek, Saber & Giant and products from Poketo, Obey Clothing & Swindle – silent auction ends at 9PM / winners take their works home at 10PM – come out and support and some great names in the mix / please note auction is cash or check only, so come ready to spend and support
http://cancersuckshelpjustin.com/

Fri, June 5th 7-11PM
Ronin Gallery
1924 Echo Park Ave in Los Angeles
“Metallum” featuring new works on metal from Kofie and Codak
www.theroningallery.com

Fri, June 5th 5-8PM
Richard Heller Gallery
2525 Michigan Ave, Space B-5A at Bergamot Station in Santa Monica / 310.453.9191
New works from Derek Albeck, Hiro Kurata, Mars-1, G. Bradley Rhodes, Britton Tolliver, Sage Vaughn and Oliver Vernon – curated by Jeremy Kove with support from Vans
(On view through July 3rd)
www.richardhellergallery.com

Fri, June 5th 8-10PM
Secret Headquarters
3817 W. Sunset Blvd in Los Angeles (Silver Lake area)
“Guilty Pleasures” featuring new drawings from Aiyana Udesen
http://www.thesecretheadquarters.com/

Sat, June 6th 7-10PM
Chango
1559 Echo Park Ave in Los Angeles
“Nuovo Mundus” featuring new works by Paul Torres
(On view through June 30th)
www.myspace.com/changocoffeehouse

Sat, June 6th 8-11:30PM
Copro Gallery
2525 Michigan Ave, Space T-5 at Bergamot Station in Santa Monica / 310.398.2643
“The Glass Menagerie” from Nathan Spoor + “Death and Taxes” from Joe Ledbetter + “Immortality” from Vincent Cacciotti
(On view through June 27th)
www.coreyhelfordgallery.com

Sat, June 6th 2-5PM
Corey Helford Gallery
8522 Washington Blvd in Culver City / 310.287.2340
Special signing event with COOP featuring his books ‘The Big Fat One’ and ‘The Devil’s Advocate’ as well as a chance to pre-order his new “Lil’ Mort” figure
www.coreyhelfordgallery.com

Sat, June 6th 6-9PM
Crewest
110 E. Winston Street @ Main St in Los Angeles / 213.627.8272
“The Legendary Belmont Tunnel: A tribute to the birth of Los Angeles Graffiti Art” featuring works from Acme, Aloy, Antonio Pelayo, Axis, BaBa, Besk, Bumper, Cab, Cale, Charlie, Cre8, Dash, Danny D, Defer, Duster, Earnone, Elser, Eriberto Oriol, Fearo, Fever, Frame, Frank Martinez, Gabe, Genius, Ghostone, Gilone, Graf One, Grande, Hex, Hyde, Jero, Jiro, Kopy, Make, Mandoe, Man One, Mosh, Nuke, OG Abel, Omega, Pale, Panic, Relax, Relic, Retna, Rickone, Risky, Ruets, Saber, Sacred194, Shandu, Siner, Size, Skept, Skyone, Sleez, Swan, Teler, Volt, Vox, Vyal, Wisk, Zender & many more...
(On view through June 28th)
www.crewest.com

Sat, June 6th 9PM-Midnight
Hairroin Salon
1553 N. Cahuenga in Los Angeles
“Bye Bye Birdy” featuring new works from Vanae Rivera with special guest DJs
www.hairroinsalon.com

Sat, June 6th 8PM-12:30AM ($8 at the door)
Hive Gallery
729 S. Spring St in downtown Los Angeles
Monthly group show and performance with featured artists Treiops Treyfid, Steven Sattler, Brian Smith, Sara Brum, Marlon McWilliams and Muffinhead + live painting, music, burlesque dancing, DJ action & cash bar
(On view through June 27th)
www.thehivegallery.com

Sat, June 6th 7-10PM
Kinsey / DesForges
6009 Washington Blvd. In Culver City / 310.837.1989
New works from Cole Sternberg
(On view through July 11th)
www.kinseydesforges.com

Sat, June 6th 7-10PM
New Image Art Gallery
7908 Santa Monica Blvd. in West Hollywood / 323.654.2192
“Constant Flow” featuring new motion works, paintings and sculpture from David Ellis
www.newimageartgallery.com

Sat, June 6th 7-11PM
Nucleus Gallery
210 E. Main St., Alhambra / 626.458.7482
“The Art Of Bob Peak” – a retrospective collection from the late illustrator Robert Peak featuring original works and a rare selection of iconic movie posters and advertising work
(On view through June 25th)
www.gallerynucleus.com

Sun, June 7th Noon-6PM
33Third / Mid-City Arts Gallery
5113 West Pico Blvd in Los Angeles
Live painting and art exhibit from Retna & The Mac

www.midcity-arts.com

Andrew Hem gets up in Culver City...

2009-06-03T22:00:00.001-07:00

Spotted this during this past weekend's Art Walk, a great new piece from Andrew Hem.

Keep taps on Hem via his blog here.

Know Hope tomorrow night @ Carmichael Gallery...

2009-06-03T21:06:00.000-07:00

Israeli street artist Know Hope's debut LA solo show opens tomorrow night at Carmichael Gallery out on LaBrea. 'The Times Won't Save You (This Rain Smells Of Memory)' will feature a 400 square foot installation comprised of 30,000 handcut paper rain drops, a hand made cardboard city, birds, hundreds of small 'signs' and all of it populated by life-size cardboard cutouts of his iconic figure.

The work in the show runs the specturm, with the majority being very affordable and a great gateway into Know Hope's world. He's one to get on board with now, as only great things lay ahead. We're huge fans and own a few pieces already from prior shows.

Below are some sneak peeks of the show coming together, as well as a shot of his ambitious homemade newspaper project, 'The Anytimes'. Be sure to pick one up while at the opening tomorrow night, or keep an eye out about town, as he's been putting them into weekly newspaper boxes about town this past week as well.

Know Hope at work...

An army of interns worked on creating these for days...

Can not wait to see this complete tomorrow...

Know Hope's 'The Anytimes' underground newspaper... a great keepsake from the show, don't forget to grab yours at the opening tomorrow.

Opening Reception: Thur, June 4th 7-10PM

Carmichael Gallery @ 1257 N. La Brea in West Hollywood

Kelly Vivanco to open debut LA solo show next Fri @ Thinkspace...

2009-06-03T01:03:00.000-07:00

"Gone Astray" / Acrylic on panel / 16x24"

Kelly Vivanco
‘The Conservatory’

Debut Los Angeles solo show

Opening next Fri, June 12th 7-11PM @ Thinkspace

"The Conservatory" / Acrylic on panel / 16x16"

An interview with Kelly that was conducted by CommandaX from Erratic Phenomena will be published over at Hi-Fructose soon. We'll be sure to post a link to that here once it goes up and we'll also be posting a short interview here with Kelly as well, so watch for that.

"Rabbit Ears" / Acrylic on panel / 16x24"

Artist Website: http://www.kellyvivanco.com/

Sneak Peek at ‘The Conservatory’: http://www.flickr.com/photos/thinkspace/sets/72157616356581283/

Thinkspace Gallery
4210 Santa Monica Blvd. in Los Angeles (near Sunset Junction)

David Ellis this Saturday @ New Image Art...

2009-06-02T22:33:00.000-07:00

'Constant Flow'

New motion work, paintings, and sculpture from David Ellis

Opening Reception: Saturday, June 6th 7-10pm

New Image Art

7908 Santa Monica Blvd. in Los Angeles / (323) 654-2192

http://www.newimageartgallery.com/

Images of Ellis hard at work on his installation...

For more on David Ellis, click here. Pictures courtesy of New Image Art.

The Clayton Brothers are coming...

2009-06-02T22:22:00.000-07:00

Mark your calendars for their first major show in Los Angeles in six years.

PATRICK PAINTER INC.

2525 Michigan Avenue, Space B2 in Santa Monica

www.patrickpainter.com

More on this special show soon... can't wait!!!

A tribute to the legendary Belmont Tunnel this Sat @ Crewest...

2009-06-02T22:08:00.000-07:00

This legendary exhibition will feature photographs, paintings, prints and giclees by the following exhibiting LA artists:
Acme, Aloy, Antonio Pelayo, Axis, BaBa, Besk, Bumper, Cab, Cale, Charlie, Cre8, Dash, Danny D, Defer, Duster, Earnone, Elser, Eriberto Oriol, Fearo, Fever, Frame, Frank Martinez, Gabe, Genius, Ghostone, Gilone, Graf One, Grande, Hex, Hyde, Jero, Jiro, Kopy, Make, Mandoe, Man One, Mosh, Nuke, OG Abel, Omega, Pale, Panic, Relax, Relic, Retna, Rickone, Risky, Ruets, Saber, Sacred194, Shandu, Siner, Size, Skept, Skyone, Sleez, Swan, Teler, Volt, Vox, Vyal, Wisk, Zender & many more...

With the influx of Hip Hop culture from the East Coast in the early 1980's, the graffiti movement began to take shape in Los Angeles. Young graffiti artists began searching for their own voice and spaces to create. One space that became crucial to that development was the Belmont Tunnel. Due to its central location in Downtown LA and open layout surrounded with massive walls, it quickly became the city's most popular urban canvas. Over the next 20+ years, Belmont became a meeting place for hundreds of developing graffiti artists to hone their craft, settle their differences through graff battles, and pass on codes of ethics to the next generation. Although the tunnel no longer exists and has now been turned into The Belmont Station apartments, the impact it had on the development of Los Angeles graffiti art will not be forgotten.

Opening Reception: Saturday, June 6th 6-9PM

Crewest Gallery
110 Winston St. in Los Angeles

(213) 627-8272