Un-Bound and Upcycled, The Painted Books of Mike Stilkey

Eclectix first saw Mike’s work in person at the Art For The New World show in Bristol, UK. It was this huge work that greeted you as you came thru the door (above). A wonderful mound of books stacked on edge and painted with the image of a young gothic bride and groom couple. Just loved it! His characters have a nice old world feel, harking back to the Victorian-Edward Gorey-Poe eras, yet modern with a human sensitivity and compassion. Stacked into sculptures they re-imagine a bookcase full of possibilities.

Mike's Website 

This was originally posted on the Eclectix homepage, May 2011, in the Paper & Arts exhibit and issue.

KMNDZ at Fifty24SF, The Heaviest

Visited the new gallery space, Fifty24SF to see KMNDZ's new show - "The Heaviest" and loved it. KMNDZ ( aka Johnny Rodriguez) has a commanding painterly style, lots of texture and brushstroke against saturated darks and vivid colors. His images reminded me of Jeff Soto's works in the past, especially the robots, another artist whose works I admire. The exposed wood and collage feel of the backgrounds also spoke of Rauschenberg, especially where the images were layered, squared off and segmented within the whole. The excellent metallic sheen on his bombs and robots just pop out at you and the glistening refractions in the jewels and droplets are unbeatable. Really enjoyed the whole exhibit and the woman working there was a sweetie pie- friendly and helpful without being in-your-face. The space is a nice size, not very big- but big enough and they had a closet in which they hung some of KMNDZ's smaller works - a very cool little niche. Took some cropped, closer up, detail shots of the artworks for those of you who like to see a little more. Strongly recommend the show, it's up thru May 19th, located in the Lower Haight Street area of San Francisco.

Los Angeles Crimes Street Art

Happened upon this mural going up in LA, in the alley right across the street from Pink's Hot Dogs (Melrose and La Brea). The artists were busy working on it and what they had done was pretty cool. Not sure how the LA Times will feel about it, tho... Can't wait to see it finished.

Top Picks from "Everything But the Kitschen Sync" at La Luz in LA, Ends Today!

Every year La Luz de Jesus Gallery puts on this great group exhibit. One of my favorite shows to see each year and a great gallery. They have been exhibiting the "real" art in Los Angeles for years now, the great curator Billy Shire started it all,  more than 20 years ago. The gallery was originally on Melrose Ave. (where I became aware of it) and has since re-located to it's present location on Hollywood Blvd. Alongside Wacko this is the place to visit in LA for creative art, freaky & fun goodies and hip gifts. Not to mention there is a great Good Will is right next door! 
From their site: "This gigantic, no-theme show features works from some of the freshest and most relevant artists working today. Over 8,000 commercial illustrators, graphic designers, tattooists, scenics, students, animators and working gallery artists submitted their work for consideration, and after weeks of deliberation we narrowed it down to 123 artists showcasing just over 225 pieces."
Below are some of our faves from the show, although there were quite a few more that didn't photograph well for us. As usual, this is a jam-packed show full of fantastic and fresh new art. For all the works click on the gallery link above. Go see it today and snatch something up!

Loved both pieces by Matthew Couper

The sculptures by Greg Brotherton are wonderful!  He had another really clever race car piece here as well.

Matthew Couper

Sweet face by Antonio Roybal

Bryce Takara, elegant donkeys

Apricot Mantle, the vintage frame on this one is just outstanding. (The Formosa Cafe should be buying and hanging this one on their wall!)

Simon Sotelo, beautiful clayboard Katrina

Nicole Moan, sculpture extraordinaire

Dave Warshaw's lovely critter

One of the smallest (and best) pieces, by Miso

Apricot Mantle, great radio tube frame an added plus!

Gorgeous Marco Almera

Eclectix Picks: New Monograph From Marion Peck

From Porterhouse Fine Art Editions -
"Marion Peck: Animal Love Summer Special Edition Book"
This special edition of Marion Peck’s first full monograph features 118 of Marion’s finest paintings from 1993 to 2010. Each signed and numbered special edition book includes a signed and numbered print displayed in a beautifully embossed paper frame, different cover art and binding, and comes in a handmade, clothbound clamshell box.
You can flip thru all the pages here. Click on the pink button, "Detail Views"... beautiful classy design from Porterhouse, beautiful images from Marion...

Our Top Art Picks: From The Warhol Reimagined Exhibit in San Francisco

Dropped in to the opening of the Warhol Reimagined show in SF. This is the first show at Warholian's new gallery- Project One, a combined bar-club-gallery (a smart way to pay the rent now-a days). Nice large gallery space, hopping youngish crowd and plenty of parking- due to it being off-the-beaten track a little in the "design district".
Nice show with lots of solid pieces, a very fun theme, re-doing Warhol. Many superb local artists I recognized and some new to me. Really enjoyed the creative idea behind the "soup can" wall, where artists re-did their own Campbell's soup can imagery.
Couldn't find the images on their site, so thought I'd share photos of our favorite ones with you here. (sorry for the blurry ones...) The exhibit is up until April 19th, so check it out!

New Works by Jennybird Alcantara

Just received these wonderful new images from the ever fabulous Jennybird Alcantara. Hope you enjoy, I bloody well do! She has some new shows coming up so check her site to see if you can make them.
LINK

Crono Street Artists: Painting Portugal

Crono is a Portugese Urban Art project with the intention of pairing some of the best street artists with huge, beautiful (abandoned) buildings in Lisbon. The idea already has had a significant impact on the ‘look’ of the city and will continue to provide some amazing street art.

-Via LostAtEMinor

Upcoming Ray Caesar Exhibit in New York

If you are lucky enough to be in New York to catch this exhibit, you'd better do so! If only I could....

A Gentle Kind of Cruelty

New Work By 

RAY CAESAR

Jan 22nd to Feb 19th 2011

Reception Jan 22nd 6-8pm

Jonathan LeVine Gallery

529 West 20th Street, 9th floor

New York, NY 10011

212-243-3822

www.jonathanlevinegallery.com