Where Food and Fashion Merge...

When the going gets tough, the tough go shopping... and eating. Apparently, these are ads for something?, by someone?... 

but I found no credits.

None the less, these tasty handbags will not go un-noticed!

(Via: Amazing Design World)

Surreal Collage by Carrie Ann Baade

"It's about making the unreal real, making it believable for someone else."



Recently found the art of Carrie and was floored by the dreamy, fantasy world yet somewhat creepy (in a good way) quality of her works. They are incredible multi-layered tapestries of hallucinatory scenery. She has transcended the crafty image of collage and pushed it into the sphere of surrealist masterpieces.  Intrigued by her method and technique, I tried to do a little hunting to see what I could find out. Many artists are very secretive and downright shut mouthed about their techniques. Here is a little of what I found on her process.

"There are very real things that I am not aloud to speak of in polite society, the more I translate them into elaborate images to spell out my rage, my dissatisfaction, my pain, my secrets, and my loves which may also be secrets."
"I collect images, I dive into my piles of cut outs that I have been archiving for the past 5 years. The composition of the collage can be immediate or go through 15 hours of revisions. It is like reading cards, the answer will come as I am searching and the answer is usually visually surprising."
"Idea!, snip, cut, and collect - with lots of cello tape!, play and laugh at how funny images can be, revisions for 12 years, prepare copper, transfer image, paint in grisaille....totally tonal image with no chroma, paint in color, glaze and glaze, agonize, tell the painting it is the most beautiful thing that I have EVER created, frame, eject from studio to be hung in the gallery never to be seen again....next!"

Some added words of wisdom for the struggling artist out there...
"Pretend that each letter of rejection means you get to go out to dinner. I have decided that I will have an exhibit of all my letters of rejection as soon as I have enough to cover a gallery. I am only 1/3 of the way there. Beyond that, my credo is: IGNORANCE AND BALLZ! I say ignorance because I don't ask questions. Never ask why you are doing this. Never question your ability. Never wonder if you would be richer or happier doing something else. Ballz is the momentum to keep doing it despite impossible odds."

Sources and more info:

Beinart Surreal Art Collective -
http://beinart.org/modules/Word-Press/2007/06/12/beinart-interview-with-carrie-ann-baade/

Phantasasmaphile -
http://www.phantasmaphile.com/2006/09/interview_with_.html

My ArtSpace -
http://www.myartspace.com/blog/2006/11/art-space-talk-carrie-ann-baade_08.html

"Fierce Fashion!"- A Group Art Exhibition at Eclectix

Exhibit Dates: Jan 16th Thru Feb. 22nd, 2009
A Theme Show Very Loosely Based On Fashion, Persona, Clothes & Attire
Fierce Artists Exhibiting:
Johnathan Baker, Bryan Barnes, Marie Barr, Bill Brewer, Slimm Buick, Sara Christian, Elizabeth Dante, Jenny Dayton, Patrick Deignan, Steven J.Gelberg, Edmund Grant, Louis Hansell, Dion Hitchings, Kerry Kate, Josh Lawyer, Edith Lebeau, Mike Maas, Daniel Malone, Polly Mania , Dean McDowell, Fletcher Oakes, Arabella Proffer, Janna Stern, Eric Trimble, Neil Verni, Carlos Villas, Michelle Waters and Joshua Witten
Card art "The Red Queen" by Edith Lebeau

Opening Reception: Jan. 16th, 7 to 10 PM
PLUS!
A FASHION SHOW BY FERAL ARTERY-Featuring comfortable & fashion with a fun edge! Designs with ray guns, zombies, devils and abominable snowmen.
AN ART CAKE BY SWEETFACE -A local bakery borne out of a devotion to perfecting specialty baked goods that could be enjoyed by fellow enthusiasts of all things sweet and delicious. Creating sweet perfection everyday!
LIVE MUSIC BY DENNIS FORTIN & FRIENDS - Gypsy swing & jazz ensemble.

Eclectix Gallery & Store
10082 San Pablo Ave. El Cerrito, CA 94530
(510) 364-7261
For More Info, Go To: http://www.eclectix.com

Eclectix Presents: The 50/50 Show

Eclectix Presents: The 50/50 Show, Nov. 14th-Dec.28th
Come One, Come All ... To See The Show!
Fifty artists exhibiting their works, all priced at fifty bucks!
An eclectic mixed media of goodies, ready to buy and take home, right off the walls. No theme, just lots of cool art. When one piece is sold, it will be replaced by a new piece. Be original and give the gift of art this season!
Make it an EclectiXmas!
Opening reception: November 14th, from 7-10 PM.
Live Music, Art & Thou.
At Eclectix Gallery, 10082 San Pablo Ave. (at Central Ave.), El Cerrito, Ca 94530
For more info: http://www.eclectix.com

Strange Brew Exhibit Reception & Mask Demo at Eclectix

Mask Making & Strange Brew Closing Reception
Artist Diego Rios will demonstrate his mask making skills for the Day of the Dead in the gallery from 4 to 5 PM. Come enjoy his artistry and celebrate the last day of the Strange Brew exhibit at the closing reception from 4-6 PM,Sunday, Nov. 2nd.

Exhibit Dates: October 3rd thru Nov. 2nd, 2008

The "Strange Brew" show features fantastic & strange art by strange artists, celebrating Halloween and El Dia de los Muertos.
Artists included are:-
Tricia Anders, Michael Arbulu, Barry Barnes, Therese Brown , Chris Buzelli, Chris Coles,Gary Comoglio, Kristen Cumings, Alicia DeBrincat, David Habben , Randall Heath, Rey Hernandez, Aaron Johnson, Eric Joyner, Aunia Kahn, Kerry Kate, Craig LaRotonda, Paul Lewin, JB Lowe, Erin Mayo, Katie McCann, Seth McClenahan, Iggy Medeiros, Marco Mejia, Valery Milovic , Mark Mothersbaugh, Patricia Mitchell, Fletcher Oakes, Eric October, Pfeiffer Sisters, Bradley Platz, Diego M. Rios, Joshua Robinson, Michael Roman, Saratoga Sake , Junkyard Sam, Isabel Samaras and Chris Trueman.

For more information about Eclectix wares and/or exhibits; or for opening day info & hours, please visit the website at http://www.eclectix.com.

Lowbrow Goes Newbrow! Eclectix Gallery Is Moving...

Come September, Eclectix will be able to accommodate the growing shopping and art opening crowds we've been getting by moving to a bigger, more spacious location at 10082 San Pablo Avenue in El Cerrito. The new space will feature more of the wonderfully eclectic items we are known for, as well as an expanded gallery space to host the upcoming and packed with great art "Strange Brew" show, that will take advantage of the larger area while allowing full enjoyment and appreciation of the art.

The "Strange Brew" show, will feature newbrow, lowbrow, fantastic & strange art by strange artists, celebrating Halloween and El Dia de los Muertos. The exhibit will open on October 3rd, California Arts Day, with the artist's reception from 7-10 PM.
For more information about Eclectix wares and/or exhibits; or for opening day info, please visit the website at:
http://www.eclectixgallery.com.

Our Quiet Earthquake: Aunia Kahn at Eclectix

A Solo Show of Hybrid Mixed Media Works

Aug. 8th Thru Aug. 31st, at Eclectix Gallery
Opening Reception: August 8th From 7-9 PM

Killer, emotive, beautiful and haunting images of an inner personal world.
In creating, Kahn often uses herself as a way to stay connected to her emotions, views and personal history, that affect her artwork. She builds characters, non-existent places, and dreams about them, executes them, and lets them breathe their own life in the visual world. Kahn’s work deals deeply with woman’s issues and is seen as a voice against domestic violence and spousal abuse.

Eclectix, 7523 Fairmount Ave., El Cerrito, CA
www.eclectixgallery.com