Eclectix Arts

New Interview With Artist David Ball

2012-01-30T12:57:00.000-08:00

Eclectix just finished up a new interview with the mixed-media master, San Francisco artist - David Ball.

For the interview and a gallery of his works click here.

For his upcoming opening, Harum-Scarum at 111 Minna Gallery, click here.

For the Eclectix homepage and art events click here.

The Spirits of Tatomir Pitariu

2012-01-25T16:57:00.000-08:00

Tatomir was born in Romania and currently resides in Los Angeles. His heavy metal spirits borrow from Transylvanian rituals & traditions, Greek mythology, paganism, the elements and folklore. On Tantomir's website, there are fascinating texts & tidbits about each piece - explaining the subject, background and evolution of each image. Very inspiring and full of spiritual gusto.

This was originally published on the homepage of Eclectix,

in the Iconic issue, Jan. 2012

For the Iconic online exhibit, click here.

Lacey Bryant's Silent Country

2012-01-23T20:06:00.000-08:00

Lacey Bryant and one of her art dolls- "Mother" . This one totally reminded me of Jill Clayburgh, the actress...

We were happy to make it to the opening of Lacey Bryant's current exhibition at Modern Eden. Having seen her works numerous times over the last few years, at many different Bay Area venues, they always stood out with her identifiable style. Modern Eden graciously dedicated their entire gallery space to Lacey for this well-deserved solo exhibition - "Soliloquies from the Silent Country" .

Her works have a strong painterly feel, lots of wet brushstrokes and emotive subject matter. Bits of dark angst mingle with surreal animal transformations and fairy tales. They feature young women in various states of expression or contemplations - often interacting with nature in some way. I love the fact that her works accomplish such impact and feeling - without gratuitous nudity or sexual poses. It sets her works apart from the more predictable, sexy yet shallow, imagery out there. One feels that all these women are aspects of Lacey's pschye, floating and captured within their own moment of time.

Detail

In addition to the paintings are some very marvelous dolls (see very top photo & below). The subtle character expressed in the doll's faces give them a lovable, human aspect - their skin glows dirty with life and sass. They offer up special gifts, recessed in their hearts or in their peasant-like attire. Photographs do not begin to translate their charm in person.

Lacey is a sweet sprite, energetic and full of positive vibrations - open, non-pretentious and bubbling with humanity. It was a joy to meet her and all her artworks. This exhibition is up through Feb. 5th, 2012.

Lacey and "Accomplices"

This one was my personal favorite, titled "Doubt".

The musical entertainment was by provided by an alt-folk trio, The Wild Reeds and they provided some good ole' down-home comfort music.

The Wild Reeds

New Artist Interview With Mike Davis

2012-01-21T14:13:00.000-08:00

Fresh off the easel is a new Eclectix interview with the fantastic surrealist artist - Mike Davis, in San Francisco.

Link to the Interview & Gallery of Mike's Works

Thomas Woodruff Makes Us Swoon

2012-01-17T12:30:00.000-08:00

If you are lucky enough to find yourself anywhere near New York City in the next few weeks.... then you owe it to your eyes to get over to PPOW Gallery for their current show-

The Four Temperament Variations - Thomas Woodruff

Exhibition runs Jan 5 - Feb 4, 2012

Thomas's works just make us weak in the knees with their incredible poetic beauty. They are icons of anthropomorphic cross-dressers, adornments to our earthly kingdoms. With more than 24 paintings by Thomas in this solo show, it is sure to gratify and satisfy every heart aching for original inspirations.

The Surrealist Remedios Varo

2012-01-16T13:24:00.000-08:00

Remedios Varo is an incredible painter I have long admired and often wondered why she hasn't received more attention in art history and elsewhere. Could it be sexism?... Nah...

In addition to Leonora Carrington and Frida Kahlo she is one of the most engaging and astounding women surrealists. Born in Spain in 1908, she fled to Paris during the Spanish Civil War. During the Nazi occupation of France she then fled to Mexico City - where she remained for the rest of her life. She was close friends with Carrington, studied with Salvador Dali, and in Mexico she became acquainted with Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo. She died at 55 from a stress-related heart attack.

Currently at Frey Norris Gallery in San Francisco is a rare chance to see a few of her original works - paintings, sketches and drawings. They have a mystical, dream-like quality with scientific and spiritual allegories. Up close, her brushstrokes are tiny, many even seemed like scratch marks through the paint to the board below. Pictured here are a few pics from the exhibit - mostly cropped to share some detail. The show is up through Feb. 25th, 2012.

" The first exhibition of Remedios Varo to ever take place in the western United States, Indelible Fables illuminates the ever-imaginative and prescient world of this surrealist artist." - Frey Norris

(Frey also recently had a great exhibit of Carrington's works)...

To see a gallery of Varo's other incredible masterpieces click here.

Francesca Woodman at SF Moma

2012-01-16T09:26:00.000-08:00

Francesca Woodman committed suicide at the age of 22 in 1981. Her works are obviously that of a still-young photographer and it is sad that we will never see what caliber of imagery she could have produced, had she lived a "normal" life. And sadly, I wonder if she would have had a show of this magnitude at a major museum, if she hadn't committed suicide.

This huge exhibition contains all black and white prints, rather on the small side, mostly centered on the female human form, nudes - many set-up shots of her own body. Long exposures, vintage dresses, montages, blurred movements and stark, lonely abandoned rooms. Some stuck me as obvious student shots, amatuer in their subject matter and composition, not really museum quality. However, others were extraordinarily powerful, speaking of a woman's despair - about self doubts, body image, sexuality and isolation. These pieces are strong feminist rejections and obsessions of the male induced beauty image. Many are accompanied by hand written captions and commentary from Francesca which lead us to ponder the damage done by stereotyping, media and advertising.

The show at SF Moma is up through February 20, 2012 and we strongly recommend this powerful and haunting exhibition.

The Sacred Science of Aleksandra Mir

2012-01-12T12:01:00.000-08:00

Born in Lubin, Poland, Aleksandra is a citizen of both Sweden and the USA. She currently lives in London. Her collage series - The Dream and the Promise, combine religious iconography with images and symbols of space travel. They allude to the complicated, and not always contentious, relationship between science and faith.

“If angels and astronauts share the same sky,

isn't it time they were introduced?”

This was originally published on the homepage of Eclectix,
in the Iconic issue, Jan. 2012
For the Iconic online exhibit, click here.

An Ephemeral Visit With Arabella

2012-01-09T14:30:00.000-08:00

Arabella Proffer

Dropped into the SF opening of Arabella Proffer's new solo show and finally got to meet her after years of a web relationship. She kindly shipped many works to Eclectix for exhibits from her home in Cleveland. Arabella and her new works were both looking stunning and ever-so-fashionable. This is a great little space and Arabella's works were a good fit among the "Loved To Death" store inventory. I have my heart set on acquiring a fantastic black umbrella/cane I saw there. And Arabella could certainly use one for her hurt leg, although it didn't stop her from mingling with all the art lovers there. Many of the pieces were studies of lovely ladies going thru barbaric medical procedures from the Middle Ages, each with an interesting little bio next to the work. These are fantasy histories compiled by the artist to accompany each image. My favorite in the show was the Black Madonna (below) a wonderfully strong & commanding piece. It was one of the smaller iconic pieces - they are all such a bargain, get on down and snap one up before they're gone! Enjoy the pictures from the show in the meantime.

“Soliloquies from the Silent Country”, Lacey Bryant's Upcoming Solo in SF

2012-01-09T13:41:00.000-08:00

Modern Eden Gallery is hosting “Soliloquies from the Silent Country”, new paintings and sculptures by San Francisco Bay Area artist Lacey Bryant. This will be Bryant's debut solo exhibition in San Francisco.

"Theatrically posed and surrounded by lush, illusory environments, the subjects of Lacey's works are like illustrations in a picture book written in an unknown language. The images are somewhat familiar but certain elements remains foreign. Like a hazy dream of an imagined childhood long forgotten, the images strive to make you feel as if you just might have been there once, maybe. The stage is set in an imagined world of natural beauty beneath ominously stormy skies. It is a world poised between now and once upon a time. " - via Modern Eden

The opening reception will be held at Modern Eden on Saturday, January 21st from 6‐9 pm. It will be up through Feb. 5th, 2012.

A David Bowie Portrait Gallery

2012-01-08T13:53:00.000-08:00

Craig La Rotonda

David Bowie is often named (by artists I talk with), more than any other artist, as a huge inspiration. He has been a catalyst for so much music, fashion and art since he first appeared on the radar. One of the truly original, creative and amazing artistic personas to have graced our rock and roll world. He broke more social boundaries and influenced more art than anyone else in my lifetime. Been meaning to post on his birthday for the last few years, this collection of Bowie related art, and finally have done so.

Thanks for falling to our earth, David!

Andreas Reimann Tobias Hermeling

Carlos Ramos

Tara McPherson

Chris Wahl

Patricia Mitchell

Ed Van der Linden

Jordan M Designs

Justin Charles Seeley

Mark Hammermeister

Nachan, Deviant Art

Iain Reekie

Ring of Fire, Deviant Art

Jenny Dayton

Tim Gabor

Patricia Mitchell

Soljwf98, Deviant Art

Adam Beane

Unknown

Russell Pierce

Chris Zajko

Cassia Lupo

Gustavo Brigante

Lensable

Rex Ray

Gavin O Donohue

Alberto Russo

Arabella Proffer's "Ephemeral Antidotes"

2012-01-05T08:44:00.000-08:00

Arabella has a solo show opening Saturday with lots of new works, at Articulated Gallery in San Francisco. Her stoic & stylish portrait style has embraced the psyche of ailing women from the Middle Ages. Arabella was diagnosed with cancer last year in one of her legs and her frustration and pain led her to cope with it through her art. As a kind of therapy she researched all manner of antique medical techniques and equipment, coming up with "case studies' - individual women complete with their own story about their botched surgeries or tortuous treatments. Delving into the barbaric medical practices of the past enabled Arabella to deal with her own modern day frustrations.

“After having a section of my leg removed, I began researching medicine from the Middle Ages through the 18th century; this series was a good way for me to work out my anger and be even more thankful that what I’m going through is nothing compared to old remedies and techniques. My art and interests were in the way society lived in the past, but with emphasis on the defiant, glamorous, and eccentric — not daily strife. You could have been rich, important, or beautiful, but if sick, you would still receive brutal or worthless treatment.” - Quote thanks to Creep Machine

The opening reception is from 8-11pm, January 7th and Arabella is trekking all the way from Cleveland to be present.

Below is "Gretchen" with her sample biographic tale.

Gretchen

“An ambassador’s daughter with a passion for collecting, Gretchen’s menagerie was near complete when her father brought her the gift of a leopard cub from his travels. It was a sweet little thing, soft and playful, abiding to his mistress when she dressed it up in clothes meant for little boys. But, even the smallest of creatures will start to give in to their nature. It was thought that a flock of geese had spooked him during a game of fetch on the lawns. Gretchen was adamant the leopard knew not what he did, that his claws were bigger than his wits when he mauled her at the legs, dragging her before his final release. No potions, no humours, no herbs or witchcraft could save her. The legs would come off, and all one could do was pray. Pray for the surgeon, pray for the tools, and pray she did not die from enduring it all. Gretchen would never be same after that, lost to a world of darkness and time, languishing in bed, never speaking a word except a whisper to her pets.”

Arabella has a new book, "The National Portrait Gallery of Kessa: The Art of Arabella Proffer" available here or you can pick one up at the gallery.

She will also have a small series of modern day "Marys" in the show, which Eclectix plans to feature in the next update of the current Iconic issue.

Arabella's Website

Jill Greenberg Kickin' Some Artsy Ass

2012-01-04T21:42:00.000-08:00

Would love to see this show - so all you LAliens, get on out there!

Jill has a killer portfolio and a show titled "Commentary & Dissent" just leaves it wide open for delicious. Opens this Saturday.

Katherine Cone Gallery

"The Air We Breathe", Gay Marriage at SF Moma

2012-01-04T10:31:00.000-08:00

Over the holidays we visited SF Moma and were very pleasantly surprised by this exhibit, covering one long wall as you emerge from the stairs. You don't often see "gay art" in a museum and I guess SF is the place to do it. Sad that it is edited out or censored elsewhere, art is art, wherever and whatever it conveys. It was refreshing to see same-sex imagery, thrust in the art-going public's face and confronting the inane bigotry around who-marries-who.

The show is up thru Feb. 20th, 2012. From the museum's website:

"The Air We Breathe brings together visual artists and poets to reflect on the subject of equal rights for same-sex couples, including the right to marry. The exhibition features works by artists including D-L Alvarez, Simon Fujiwara, Robert Gober, Raymond Pettibon, Amy Sillman, and Allison Smith, along with new poetry by John Ashbery, Anne Waldman, and others."

The 3D piece titled after the exhibition, The Air We Breathe by Elliott Hundley was a show stopper! Composed of eclectic elements, collaged and many-layered - it was impossible to grasp the multitudes of tiny objects and textures in a single shot. Posted below are a few details at different angles. Just a wonderful, mind-boggling assemblage, worthy of a good long contemplation. Couldn't find a personal website for Elliott but he is all over the web if you care to search.

Serbian Painter Zeljko Tonsic

2011-12-29T08:09:00.000-08:00

Zeljko creates lovely symbolist beings in mythology and religion-based narratives. A loving quote about him from his bio: “And he continues to love and lets us feel that love. Love in the eyes of Archangel Gabriel, the bearer of good tidings, the comforter and helper of men. Love in the eyes of Eurynome, most important Goddess of Pelasgian myth. Love of all those, who were, and will be born on his white canvas, uniting religions, habits and understandings."

His Website Link

(Originally posted on the homepage of the Eclectix

"Iconic" Issue, Dec-Jan. 2012,

along with the permanent online exhibit of religion related art, LINK HERE.)

Announcing the New Eclectix Issue: "Iconic", Volume 11

2011-12-16T11:53:00.000-08:00

Art by Shawn Barber

This new Eclectix issue pays homage to icon related art. Religious, pagan, pop culture, altars, rituals, mythology, gods & goddesses.

Artworks, news, artist interviews, calendar events, online exhibition and religious trivia.

Link to the Eclectix homepage

Link to the permanent "Iconic" online gallery

Bonnie Reid’s Lovelies

2011-12-15T12:09:00.000-08:00

Artist Bonnie Reid has a plethora of lovely illustrative pieces with an vintage, anatomical or a bony bent. She hails from Vancouver and also freelances in animation. From her website: “Exploring the underpinnings, bumps, and anomalies in all manner of historical arcana, Bonni Reid’s subject matter reflects a dark underlying mythos that belies the innocence, wonder, and imagination of a hazy past.”

Bonnie's Website Link

(Originally posted on the homepage of the Eclectix

"Bad To The Bone" Issue, Sept-Dec. 2011,

along with the permanent online exhibit of anatomy-related art, LINK HERE.)

Laura Buss All Bundled Up

2011-12-12T12:24:00.000-08:00

Laura Buss

We got bundled up to visit the opening of Laura's show at Modern Eden Gallery on a cold and blustery San Francisco nite and so glad we did. Laura's "Bundles" are full of warm and golden colors, obviously painted with love and a surreal eye. Interesting compositions, formed to their individual shapes on cut-out panels, the narratives were striking and personal. Even though they were paintings of mummies, dead people and animals - they had life and morphed into their own rebirth under her brush. Animals and skeletal human remains hug and cuddle, swaddled in their wrappings. Little nests popped out of shrouds, hands caress body parts and books act as stepping stones. The documentation of the mummies swirl and unite the art into dynamic yet decorative statements. Images posted here are mostly cropped for detail - to see all Laura's works for sale - click the Bundles link above.

Also opening was the companion show of Woodland with many nature-based, trees, woodland animals - paintings and sculptures. Leilani Bustamante's trees painted on the walls behind the Woodland exhibit were a subtle and tasteful way to unite the works. Way too many pieces and artists to post here - so just some highlights, browse the link above to do your online shopping! These are all very reasonably priced, moving original works, all painted on wood - ready to go for Xmas gifts.

Woodland paintings on wood

Chelsea Brown

Calvin Ma

Leilani Bustamante

Kim Gordon

The openings were comfortably packed, the music and food were excellent and it had a welcoming, festive feel through the night. Both shows were extremely well curated and hung - the usual modus operandi for Modern Eden's shows. Attention to detail in their placement and the titled adornments were obviously done with time and care. Invaded later by the Santa Con crowd, red skirts with white fur were staggering everywhere! So fun.

Bundles & Woodland opening reception crowd

Link to Modern Eden

Scott Scheidly’s Lustrous & Bony Botany

2011-12-08T12:26:00.000-08:00

Artist Scott Scheidly was born in Ohio and currently lives in Florida. He produces some of the most beautiful paintings of skeletal art we’ve encountered - mixed with poetically rendered botanical subjects. From his humorous bio on his website, he also seems to share our fondness for eating paste in grade school. It hasn’t hurt his superb painting ability one bit!

Link to Scott's Site

(Originally posted in the Eclectix "Bad To The Bone" Issue, Sept-Nov. 2011,

along with the permanent online exhibit of anatomy-related art, LINK HERE.)

Bundles and Woodland Exhibitions at Modern Eden

2011-12-05T13:08:00.000-08:00

Two new shows coming up of note are the Laura Buss show and the Woodland show, opening on Saturday at Modern Eden, in San Francisco. We can't wait to see Laura's surreal new works and all the critters in the group show as well.

Laura Buss

About Laura's works, via Modern eden:

"Inspired by archaeology, Laura Buss’ “Bundles” present oil paintings inspired by ritualized burial. In burial, the mummy bundle of body is stripped of individuality, down to its basic humanity, and laid to rest with artifacts, the tools of culture. Through this juxtaposition, these painted forms emerge from their own humanity and culture, offering the archaeologist/viewer fragments of their lost stories."

Flyer art by Patrushka

Woodland features works inspired by the wintry woods, forest creatures, and nature landscapes. Exhibiting artists

include: Sergio Lopez, Leilani Bustamante, Jaclyn Alderete, Chantal deFelice, Steven Suiter, Kieran

Collins, Chelsea Brown, Cory Benhatzel, Lisa Alonzo, Kristin Forbes-Mullane, Shannon Amidon,
Kim Gordon, Karmene K-P Hassell, James Marc, Katie Bacigalupi, Daniel J. Valadez, Mary Syring,
Patrushka, Sarah Vanphravong, Prunelle, Michelle Waters, Shadoe Delgado, Angela Dominguez, Sheri
DeBow, Steve Javiel, Calvin Ma, Grant Gilliland, Catherine Moore, Michael Berninger, Jessi Kempin,
Helice Wen, Christine Benjamin, Erika Sanada, Timo Hanley, and Marisa Ware.

The opening receptions will be held at Modern Eden on Saturday, December 10th from 7-10pm.

The exhibition will be on display through January 15th, 2012 and is free and open to the public.

Modern Eden Gallery

403 Francisco Street

San Francisco, CA 94133

Event Links:

Modern Eden Gallery: http://www.moderneden.com/

Dan Harding Opens This Saturday at Articulated Gallery

2011-12-01T14:39:00.000-08:00

Dan Harding is in a dual solo show which opens this Saturday, Dec. 3rd at Articulated Gallery in San Francisco. It is titled "I See, You See" and features the photography of Joanne Augustine as well. Dan interprets the photos of Joanne in his paintings. The opening reception is from 8 -11 pm and both artists will be in attendance. The show runs thru the month of December.

For a nice preview from Creep Machine click here.

For the Eclectix interview and gallery of Dan's works, click here.

Dan's Website Link

Joanne's FaceBook Link

The Western Angst of Amy Guidry

2011-11-25T09:09:00.000-08:00

Amy paints our “wild west” while hinting at humanities’ sad ability to wipe out the “wild”.

About this series - she says: "In Our Veins" explores the connections between all life forms and the cycle of life. Through a psychological, and sometimes visceral, approach, this series investigates our relationships to each other and to the natural world, as well as our role in the life cycle. Concepts such as life and death, survival and exploitation, and the interdependence and destruction of living and nonliving organisms are illustrated throughout.”

For the Eclectix Interview with Amy and more of her fabulous works, click here.

For Amy's website, click here.

Some images posted here have been cropped.

(Originally posted in the Eclectix "Bad To The Bone" Issue, Sept-Nov. 2011,

along with the permanent online exhibit of anatomy-related art, LINK HERE.)

Local Art Exhibit for Black Friday

2011-11-25T08:40:00.000-08:00

Why not skip the mall and go see some monsters in Oaktown? The Collaborate Gallery has a tasty show up right now, overflowing with nice takes on the monster in us and around us. Lots of artists we love and some new loves in this show - Buddy Nestor, Alex Pardee, PureBred and Lisa Wood, just to name a few. It was our first time visiting this great space since they opened last June and it's a tall, open clean environ with a cool catwalk upstairs along one wall.

Collaborate Gallery, Oakland, CA

This is a nicely eclectic show, well-edited - all kinds of medium and styles. Pen and ink, sculpture, assemblage, paintings - large and small - just about something for everyone. For all the art images and artists, check out the gallery link (above). "Monsters" is up for the next few days until Nov. 29th and you might just find a great piece of art for someone on your list.

Chuck Light

Buddy Nestor

Lucien Shapiro

Nicolas Giraud

Rossella Scapini

Ben Clarkson

Paul Romano

Lisa Wood

Lisa Wood's art are very interesting and haunted little collage assemblages, bits of memorabilia, hair, vintage photos all mounted and framed by antique china dinner plates. Each "plate" came with a "case number" and on an accompanying card - a tale about the person or persons. These seemed like little artifact documents of real people and sad incidents in their lives. Not sure whether they are fact or fiction - they are very moving in either case.

Scott Wilson

Detail of large sculpture, Stacey Ransom

Jon Carling

The Spirit Board Show at Articulated

2011-11-14T12:20:00.000-08:00

Dropped into Articulated Gallery to see "The Spirit Board Show" and we have some pics to share. This gallery is located inside Loved To Death on Haight Street, which is a great oddities store full of beautiful and creepy collectibles. The gallery is aptly located up some eerie narrow steps, plastered with warning signs. "Spirit Board" is full of favorite artists and wonderfully ghostly art - special takes on the old school Ouija board and otherworldly visitations. Just a partial roster of the artists included: Edith LeBeau, Jennybird Alcantara, Buddy Nestor, Jessica Ward, Karyn Crisis, Monique Ligons and Caitlin Hackett. For all the artists and photos of all the art click here.

Jennybird Alcantara

Detail of Jennybird's piece- very cool little old school paper doll hands, fastened with brads, elevated in a 3D fashion.

Monique Ligons

Buddy Nestor

Edith Lebeau

Jessica Ward

Karyn Crisis

Caitlin Hackett

Science & Art in "Genus, Species"

2011-11-14T11:27:00.000-08:00

A tasty little show up at Modern Eden, "Genus, Species" makes commentary on odd and beckoning critters with a science bent. Our natural world collides with today's art in a fresh exhibition by local artists.

A few of our favorites are posted here - but they are all worth seeing and absorbing. An original and indie way to start that Xmas shopping! The show is up thru December 4th.

Featuring works inspired by scientific botanical and anatomical illustrations with artists’ own unique twist on the traditional style. Exhibiting artists include:

Robert Bowen, Chelsea Brown, Chamber Made, Steven Suiter , Cory Benhatzel, Sheri

Jurnecka, David Camisa, Katie Bacigalupi, Matthew J. Price, Archer, Genessa Kealoha, Sean

Sczepanik, Alison Trujillo, Max Kauffman, Lacey Bryant, Tiffany L. Pascal, Cody Vrosh, Bradley

Platz, Kim Larson, Emi Slade, Michael Foley, and Angela Willetts.

Sandra Yagi's Primal Opening

2011-11-14T10:27:00.000-08:00

Sandra is one of the foremost surrealist artists in the Bay Area and it was great to finally see such a huge collection of her works on exhibit here in her home turf, at Modern Eden.

A second exhibit titled, "Genus, Species" contains smaller works with a natural sciences theme and is delightfully organically inclined. (More to come on this show in a future post). Modern Eden is a fantastic space, clean, large and inviting - with lots of well lit and spacious walls - easily the cream of the local gallery crop.

Sandra's solo is aptly titled "Primal Renderings" and features a series of newer and older works, based on aspects of our inner ape and scientific morphed creatures with a pre-historic bent. Many of her subjects have been stripped of their skin, offering up beautiful anatomical studies of musculature dancing within skeletal form.

"Yagi’s recent paintings incorporate anatomical imagery to explore the human psychological condition, such as cutaway skulls portraying basic human drives and the thin veneer of humanity overlaying our animal nature. " -Via Gallery website

There is a whole wall of S&M and bondage related art, with skeletons acting out the partner in sexual games and foreplay.

These are delightful, fun quirky works which Sandra says she researched in person, visiting various houses of ill repute. How's that for homework?

This is an engrossing show, encompassing the breadth of Sandra's incredible works, each piece relaying a hinted narrative - enticing without being over stated. Smaller works and larger works as well as prints are available to purchase. Technically adept and studied, imaginative and interesting subjects which urge further contemplation. An artist worth collecting, her pieces will engage and satisfy for years to come.

Exhibition is on display thru December 4th, 2011.

For a previous Eclectix post with more of Sandra's images from the show, click here.

LINK - to Sandra Yagi's wesite

Fabulous Fernando Vicente

2011-11-10T13:50:00.000-08:00

Born in Madrid, Spain - artist Fernando Vicente’s massive portfolio contains an eclectic variety of incredible works. An illustrator and fine artist, he runs the gamut from cartoons to editorial, pin-ups to portraits, realism to fantasy, cartography to anatomy. The elegance of Fernando’s “Vanitas” series

(the ones with a green circle background), elevates anatomical art to a surreal and decorative - yet unusual beauty.

(Originally posted in the Eclectix "Bad To The Bone" Issue, Sept-Nov. 2011,

along with the permanent online exhibit of anatomy-related art, LINK HERE.)

Edward Walton Wilcox Interview, 10/19/11

2011-11-09T07:18:00.000-08:00

Edward’s art is a spiritual experience, imagery with such luminous light and aura to it that it refuses to be captured in a photograph. His colors are sepias, ambers and the warmest golds of sunsets – against the dark, murky depth of our world’s underbelly. Seeing his work in person hooked me – classical masterpieces of mood, physics and unearthly delights. Edward is not only a master painter but an accomplished sculptor as well – he shares some of his thoughts here with grateful Eclectix.

For the entire interview and a gallery of Edward's works, click here.

For all the Eclectix artist interviews go to Eclectix Etc.

SF Sculpture In The House at Varnish

2011-11-08T09:17:00.000-08:00

Nemo Gould

As Part 2 of Varnish Fine Arts re-opening at it's new space, a select group of fantastic sculpture, some animated and robotic. Many familiar names from past Eclectix exhibits and features - Nemo Gould, Elizabeth Dante, Jessica Joslin and Dan Romo and some are fresh discoveries. It is one of those shows you have to see in person, moving parts and lights, glistening metallic sheen and 3D elements are so lost in a flat photo!

For all the artists, check out the gallery link, above.

Jessica Joslin

Stanislav Szukalski

Exhibit Dates

Opening: Nov. 12th, 4-8 pm

Closing: Jan.7th, 2012

The pieces (below) look fantastic- my apologies that they are so small, I couldn't find bigger ones on the web. Just gives you all the more reason to get out there to see them!

Stephanie Morgan

Elizabeth Dante

Dan Romo

Sandra Yagi Stars at Modern Eden

2011-11-08T07:28:00.000-08:00

Sandra Yagi

Coming up this Saturday on Nov. 12th is a solo show of the wonderful Sandra Yagi, titled "Primal Renderings". Sandra's new works engage surrealist anthropomorphic scenes, strange sea creatures and beautiful skeletons floating in their combined realities. They hint of vintage science illustrations within a darker, more modern, environmental context.

Sandra Yagi

Complimenting Sandra's show perfectly will be "Genus, Species", a group exhibition full of favorite local artists, giving us their take on scientific and botanical inspired works. For a list of all the artists and more art, go to the gallery site link, below.

From the "Genus Species" show, a piece by Sheri Jurnecka

Opening Reception: Nov. 12th, 7-10 pm

Exhibit shows thru Dec. 4th, 2011

Modern Eden Gallery

403 Francisco St.

San Francisco

Sandra Yagi

Sweet Eye Candy

2011-11-07T14:46:00.000-08:00

We were stopped dead in our tracks by this ever-so-retro lady on a sandwich sign belonging to Cupcakes, in Vancouver, BC. Being a sucker for all things retro and vintage, as well as great graphics and design - this cute little cupcake shop pulled me inside. Everything was pretty in pink, well thought out and designed. It was a sweet treat on my eyes after the usual cold and corporate storefronts. From the signage and typography on the walls and in the windows, to the cute little gift tags and the queen and king - it was all sugary fun. I was a good girl and resisted the actual cupcakes, so no report on them, but the eye candy was over the top!

Juan Gatti Has Got It

2011-10-26T16:31:00.000-07:00

Argentine born Juan Gatti calls himself a graphic designer, humble enough to make no bones about creating for pay. But an artist he is, first and foremost - as all really good graphic designers must be. His talented eye has graced many areas of pop culture - Italian Vogue covers in the 1980’s, typography and graphics for Pedro Almodóvar's films and multitudes of posters and book covers.

"A good title sequence should be seductive," observes Gatti. "It should have a hypnotic quality that gets the audience into the mood of the movie."

His new exhibit in Madrid is titled Ciencia Naturales. Full of lush, tapestried collage work, mixing vintage human anatomy with natural forms. Showing through October 28th. To see all Juan’s magnificent works at La Fresh Gallery, click here, you’ll be entranced by the slideshow.

LINK to an interview with Vs. Magazine

LINK to an article in the New York Times on Juan’s graphics for films

(Originally posted in the Eclectix "Bad To The Bone" Issue, Sept-Oct. 2011,

along with the permanent online exhibit of anatomy-related art, LINK HERE.)

Vancouver Art: Troy Brooks and His Colossus

2011-10-24T14:37:00.000-07:00

While scouring Vancouver for cool art, we ducked into Adrenaline, a tattoo parlor, to see what they might offer. Artist Troy Brooks had a few prints on the walls which blew all the others out of the water. Very strong, commanding yet soft portrait based works with a dash of surreal narratives thrown in.

After checking out Troy's website, it is obvious this guy has his chops down. He has a huge new body of wonderful work, based on Sylvia Plath's "Colossus", (one of my favorite books of poetry.) Below are just a few gems (some are cropped) from his new works and the info for Troy's upcoming solo show in Toronto. It opens this Thursday - it looks to be a stupendous exhibition.

Troy Brooks

Colossus opening reception October 27, 2011,

Thursday 6pm to 9pm

@ Toronto's Pentimento Fine Art Gallery, 1164 Queen St East.

"Colossus" (artist Statement)
This series is inspired by the writing of Sylvia Plath. The characters in these paintings are not images of Plath herself. They're based on the archetype that surfaces for me in her poetry; the persona of a conflicted young woman with monolithic ruminations, trapped in simple, demure settings and the repressive social mentality of the 1950's. These paintings are about a woman, much bigger than the fatuous definitions imposed on her. She is, at once, expanding and in the process if imploding.

Vancouver Art: Surrealism at the Vancouver Art Gallery

2011-10-24T13:39:00.000-07:00

Eclectix was lucky enough to have timed our visit to Vancouver with the surrealism exhibition "The Colour of My Dreams" at the Vancouver Art Gallery. Not sure whether this show will travel elsewhere, but if it does, it is a must-see for all surrealism fans.

There were quite a few pieces we had already seen in person but surprisingly - a huge amount we had not seen! There were sculptures, paintings, writings, photography and movies - covering all the bases of surrealism. They had a nice side room dedicated to erotic surrealist's works as well. A large, well done hardcover book published for the exhibit is available for purchase here.

From the gallery notes; the exhibit -

"features 350 works by leading Surrealist artists, including André Breton, Salvador Dalí, Max Ernst, René Magritte, Joan Miró, Alberto Giacometti, Leonora Carrington, Brassaï, André Masson, Man Ray, Edith Rimmington, Wifredo Lam and many others.

André Breton wrote the first Manifesto of Surrealism in 1924, launching a movement which continues to exert a powerful influence. Inspired by Sigmund Freud’s own investigations, Breton was fascinated by dreams and set out to create an artistic process which would tap directly into the unconscious mind and dreams freeing artists from what he saw as “false rationality.”

The installation of the exhibition is designed to create a variety of environments and moods in which to contemplate the themes that the Surrealists explored over a period of three decades such as desire, androgyny, violence and transmutation. The exhibition also highlights the many techniques developed by Surrealist artists including automatism, frottage, fumage, Rayographs and ‘the surrealist object,’ an approach to sculpture in which several unrelated components—most often found objects—were joined together."

The Vancouver "art gallery" is really a museum along the lines of all the grand old buildings of Roman architecture. It has an added-on area for a garden cafe on the upper level which has a 1970's look to it. The food was so-so and over priced, surprising because most meals to be had at museum cafes are pretty darn good. Outside on the street was a "taco truck" and from the looks of the line and the smell emanating from the fresh fish tacos, that may be a better choice for lunch.

Vancouver Art: Shary Boyle's "Flesh and Blood"

2011-10-24T11:27:00.000-07:00

Eclectix visited Vancouver, BC in our summer travels and have some goodies to share. The first is artist Shary Boyle and her exhibition at the Vancouver Contemporary Art Gallery. We searched the city for solo shows of merit and this, sadly, was the only one! There was a plethora of boring, tourist art in most the galleries, lots of pretty, scenic waterscapes and not much else. Shary's show was a great surprise.

This was a truly eclectic show, Shary created delightful modern day sculptures with a vintage feel, strong paintings and drawings and a trippy, kinetic light installation (as the main focal point of the show). Her subject matter ranged through women's roles and self perceptions, the environmental woes, spirituality and humanity's follies- with verve, balls and emotion. Thankfully, Shary actually has something to say and is not afraid to express it.

Capturing the changing projections, the many-layered dimensions in the installation in the photos (below) was very difficult. It was a treat to immerse yourself in, in person, letting the shdows play over your own body. Much like the central, sculpted figure with her web - the viewer was involved in "catching" the imagery- pretty, flickering Easter Egg colors juxtaposed with peaceful yet moving statements, it was a 3D experience we really enjoyed and lingered in.

From the gallery's notes:

"Boyle creates installations that examine a range of psychological and emotional situations rooted in a fictional world. Her position is at once feminist, yet poetic, located within dreamlike states. Tense with troubled emotions, possessing an expressive immediacy and poised between grace and strangeness, her portraits and ‘genre scenes' read as allegories of the human condition. Their resolutely symbolic language raises bold perspectives on the present, revealing a conscience haunted by a consideration of the morals of our world today."

Interview With Karyn Crisis and SR2 Gallery Opening Photos

2011-10-24T10:14:00.000-07:00

Just published a new interview with artist extraordinaire Karyn over at the Eclectix Etc. site and we dropped into her current exhibition at SR2 Gallery for the opening of "The Major Arcana". Have a few pix to share of some killer new works, we didn't feature in earlier posts, and some opening night photos.

Link to the interview and a gallery of Karyn's works.

Opening night at SR2 Gallery

Beautiful Karyn Crisis

Detail from above

Details of Audrey Kawasaki and Femke Hiemstra

2011-10-12T14:16:00.000-07:00

Audrey Kawasaki

Still trying to catch up with posting all the art I saw last summer - this is from the dual show of Audrey Kawasaki and Femke Hiemstra at the Merry Karnowsky Gallery in LA, last August. Since you can see most the images on the internet (artists site links above) in their entirety, I've concentrated on close-in detail shots wherever I could. Femke's work is super small to begin with, so it was a bit difficult with her works. Both these artists have incredible skills and it is a treat to see the close-up textures in their works. Many images are cropped to show detail. Enjoy!

Audrey Kawasaki

So nice to see a boy! Isn't he beautiful? - Audrey Kawasaki

Audrey Kawasaki

Femke Hiemstra

Seth Siro Anton’s Beautiful Nightmares

2011-10-11T13:28:00.000-07:00

Seth is an artist from Athens, Greece and he covers all the bases in art - creating works from paintings, sculptures and digital photography - as well as music with his metal band Septic Flesh. His works have a darkly primal basis in anatomical breakdowns, de-structuring and peeling away - to reveal surreal textures, morphed beings and juxtapositions. They also have a clean elegance of design focus - hence he has created many killer album covers.

An excerpt from an interview with Paradise Lost:

“In my paintings, I usually start with something random and completely abstract. I take nude pictures as a subject whom I take through coloring and painting and eventually using Photoshop, I blend inside the painting. I add more painting on top of that with acrylics and other materials (oils, air spray etc) and I end up with a new picture. I am trying to create a composite technique combining sculpturing layout, painting and photography. I work the subject with digital processing using Photoshop and Painter. Naturally, I have been helped a lot by the experience gained when I was studying at the University of Fine Arts in Athens .” LINK

Seth's Website

(Originally posted in the Eclectix "Bad To The Bone" Issue, Sept-Oct. 2011,

along with the permanent online exhibit of anatomy-related art, LINK HERE.)

2011-09-28T14:16:00.000-07:00

You've a few days left to catch Kelly Tunstall's wonderful show at 111 Minna Gallery, it's up until Friday, Sept. 30th. These are new works by local artist Kelly and the show is titled "Secret State".

"The Secret State examines civilization’s long romance with the examination of the space that we inhabit and our scale within it; the exhibition itself is aimed not at providing any comprehension of our universe’s truths, but instead, at celebrating the joy of discovering new clues to their elaborate puzzles and the spaces between. Large and small works present a think tank of characters; a seer, a scientist/naturualist, an astronomer, and a doctor/engineer all bravely led by Alexander the Great and a shape-shifting machine."

Boy Oh Boy! Julie Heffernan

2011-09-28T13:53:00.000-07:00

Self Portrait Holding Up, (cropped)

Currently at Catherine Clark Gallery in SF is a solo show of Julie Heffernan's surrealist paintings, "Boy Oh Boy II". We love her art and was great to see these large and colorful works in person, the details really get lost on the web. The show is up thru Oct. 29th - be sure to get in there too see these. We took some detail shots from background and foreground areas for all you who might be interested. They are like little mini paintings within the larger work, incredible.

Detail from Self Portrait Holding Up (top)

Budding Boy

Detail from Budding Boy

Detail from above piece

Last Rites Double Header

2011-09-28T12:22:00.000-07:00

Shelf Life by Tin

Last Rites Gallery in New York has two great shows opening this weekend. Previously we posted about Laurie Lipton's "Carnival of Death" and Tin's exhibition is titled "The Internal Clock". Both of the artists have beautiful and interesting perspectives to share. A promising no-brainer for a festive start to our favorite month of October, if you are lucky enough to be in NYC!

Opening Reception: Saturday, October 1st, 7:00pm-11:00pm.
Show runs Oct 1st thru 23rd, 2011

LINK

Reunion by Laurie Lipton

The Mistress of All Pencil Pushers: Laurie Lipton

2011-09-28T07:55:00.000-07:00

Lachrymose Lace - Lipton

Born in New York and very well traveled, Laurie Lipton currently lives in Los Angeles. She creates wonderfully detailed and super tight renderings of haunted Victorian scenarios. Working mostly in pencil, charcoal and etchings. Laurie's surreal worlds contain narratives of ghostlands - staid skeletons, vintage housewives and Big Brother - all hold court in a tapestry of gothic science fiction. Modern postcards anointed with mischievous glee, political stabs, fancy lace perfection and witty twists.

Laurie’s upcoming solo show (above) opens Oct. 1st. at Last Rites in New York City, on view thru Oct. 23rd, 2011.

Link to Laurie Lipton's Portfolio & Website

(Originally posted in the Eclectix "Bad To The Bone" Issue, Sept. 2011,

along with the permanent online exhibit of anatomy-related art, LINK HERE.)

Varnish Re-Opens With A Kick Ass Show!

2011-09-26T08:46:00.000-07:00

New Varnish Fine Arts

This week-end Varnish Fine Arts had their grand re-opening after closing down their former location - when the city of San Francisco nabbed their space, (using "imminent domain") for a transit project. The exhibit has art by many Eclectix favorites and every piece is fantastic - a solid and fascinating array.

The killer pieces selected below are just a small sample of the quality and imaginative works packed into the new gallery. The space is a little smaller than their last, without a bar and is located very close to where their old space was. The best exhibition going on right now in the city, so get yur sweet selves out to see it!

Jennybird Alcantara

Jennybird Alcantara, John Mosbaugh and Al Honig

Isabel Samaras

Laurie Lipton

Wish we had a bigger pic of this one by Beth Bojarski

Craig LaRotonda

Here's the all-star line up of artists:

Chris Mars
Laurie Lipton
Annie Owens
Chuck Sperry
Edith Lebeau
Robert Bowen
Kevin Evans
Robert Williams
Isabel Samaras
Craig LaRotonda
Kevin Peterson
Aunia Kahn
Sri Zeno Whipple
Dylan Sisson
Jennybird Alcantara
Scott Musgrove
Nathan Spoor
Beth Bojarski
Ciou
Winston Smith
Skot Olsen

Karyn and Her Major Arcana

2011-09-19T20:20:00.000-07:00

Local artist Karyn Crisis has a whole new body of works based on The Major Arcana, a suit of 22 cards in the tarot deck. From the looks of the show announcement and the progress shots (below)- it will be a fierce body of work. The show is at Sacred Rose Tattoo's gallery - SR2 in Berkeley and it opens on Oct. 1st, just in time for our much loved haunting season. The opening reception is from 6-9 PM and the exhibition will be up until Nov. 1st. See you all there!

From Karyn's blog:

"I've found that in learning about Tarot, there are cards which have been misread by people no matter what time period they are speaking to or being used in. So with my deck, I would say my clairvoyance is taking me to the core of each card. Here is where, in updated symbolism (or symbolism that speaks to me and my inner language) I am "updating" cards with codes that carry the information in a way that speaks to me the story."

Bad To The Bone, Volume 10

2011-09-16T08:48:00.000-07:00

Card art by Laurie Lipton

Bad To The Bone, Volume 10

This issue is all about anatomy related art - bones, brains, brawn and blood. Both the meanings of “Bad” (evil and really good). Everything human anatomy comprises, from the flesh, right down to the bone. Images will be added as discovered.

For the permanent ongoing exhibit click HERE. There are new Eclectix homepage updates and events calendar posts every week or so.

New Eclectix Interview With Artist Dan Harding

2011-09-15T11:56:00.000-07:00

Just posted a new interview with the ever-so-creepy and wonderful artist Dan Harding over at Eclectix Etc. - LINK.

A large gallery of his horrific creatures to be found there as well. Check it out!

Lenn Cox’s Wax Woman Installation

2011-09-12T17:56:00.000-07:00

For the Arnhem Mode Biennale 2011 fashion show earlier this summer, Lenn Cox built this lugubrious lady lying in a fetal position on a bed. Not sure how long the candles were left to burn...

Link to her site and more pix.

(Originally posted in the Eclectix "BURN" Issue, August 2011,

along with the permanent online exhibit of fire-related art, LINK HERE.)

Burning Art: Alex Grey

2011-09-12T17:45:00.000-07:00

Alex paints wonderful psychedelic, anatomical explosions of color with a spiritual, druggy bent. He seems to frequent Burning Man and we found these images of his paintings on the web. It was too time consuming to find concise information about the works, so just enjoy.

For his trippy artful website click here.

(Originally posted in the Eclectix "BURN" Issue, August 2011,

along with the permanent online exhibit of fire-related art, LINK HERE.)