Isabel Samaras - In Da' House at Eclectix Gallery, June 20th!

If you're not familiar with Samaras's art you should be. A fixture in the Newbrow (or lowbrow) art scene for many years, Isabel has contributed her feminine wiles to the (more-often-than-not) male contemporary art world with fantastic and creative masterpieces of pop-surrealism. Her new book is titled "On Tender Hooks", just released by Chronicle. In it, you will be able to journey thru her works, past and present. Pulling images from pop culture, classic novels, TV shows, music and movies, she intelligently plays with icons and symbols of our youth and history. Putting well-known characters in fun, erotic, political and evocative situations we can only try to fantasize about. With witty settings and twists on personas, she leads us through her imaginative land of strange and wonderful juxtapositions. Painting in a lush and vibrant style, borrowing heavily from famous Old Master paintings and classic surrealist imagery, she merges  "now" into the old. 

In her latest body of work, "Into the Woodz", Samaras turns her keen eye and thoughtful humor towards classic fairy tale characters and plots. Plucking well-known types such as Little Red Riding Hood and Goldilocks from their traditional settings, she injects them full of today's bling and sting. 

Blogged here, are just a few of her paintings, however she has a whole book full! The web can hardly do justice to her art (or any art for that matter), so to view some REAL paintings in person and to meet the REAL live artist herself, come on down to Eclectix on June 20th. A connected, down-to-earth, involved, wonderfully fun person, she's a treat to meet! You may grab a copy of her book there and have the diva do a little doodle in it. Also, check out the very cool, limited edition "Nutz" china plates by Samaras. "Bling Squirrel", anyone? Plenty in the house for you all to eat up! Buy one for Papa Bear, after all Father's Day is the 21st, (he can always use more bling) and you can help support Eclectix as well!

Saturday June 20th, 6-8 pm

http://www.eclectix.com

http://www.astrocat.com/samaras/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZ0j7N90kyg

A Look at Laurie Hassold's Art, Meet the Artist, June 20th

Laurie  Hassold's masterful works cry out in their own little wiggly world. At first glance, I was struck by their symmetrical, flowering grace and elegant composure. Somehow, one knows a woman created them, both beautiful yet somehow painful. At closer look, the juxtapositions in her imagery start to smack you around. They are delicate yet grisly, feminine yet macho, organic yet mechanical, cerebral yet sensual, fun but also dead serious. The ying and yang of her works are reflective of life itself and it is her singular creativity, which holds our interest and makes us want more. Sculptures which resemble organic creatures of the Alien variety, they are composed of sometimes humorous, often symbolic and always strangely wondrous recycled items. 

"Their elaborate bone-like structures give the appearance of predatory fossils from the future, aggressive bodies without minds that leave one to ask “what will reign at the top of the food chain after the human race has become extinct?” In my artistic practice, I explore the symbiosis of apparent opposites to suggest that the tension between mind and body is precisely what makes us uniquely human."

It seems she begins with a formed wire base, molded with epoxy clay and florist tape. From there the piece evolves into it's own incarnation and along the way, items are incorporated. Enamel paints, life casts, fur, chiffon, jewelry, elephant tusks, toys, found objects, lace, dolls, beads and skull parts, to name but just a few.

"My core interest in making art lies in blurring the boundaries between art, science, literature and psychology, by focusing on how these disciplines each negotiate the split between mind and body. Growing up in a physician’s household, I was exposed at a very young age to the body’s visceral workings, and by the age of eleven had witnessed a range of surgical procedures, from minor mole excisions to full hysterectomies. I continue to be fascinated with our complex, yet efficient biology, and how we, as a species, mediate our corporeal existence within an increasingly advanced technological world. Technology enables us to surpass the limits of our physical form, but how does it affect our psyche, our spirit? By using the body, both literally and symbolically, I fuse scientific with artistic practices in an effort to blur the boundaries between my own mind and body."

Laurie currently has four pieces on display in the "All-Gurlz" Exhibit at Eclectix Gallery. A Southern California resident, she will be in town at the Closing Reception on June 20th, from 6 to 8 pm.

For more info: http://www.eclectix.com

Entomology: McCann's Ladybug Collection

A must see at Eclectix, Katie McCann’s latest body of works, “Entomology”, comprise elegant insects, Victorian images and recycled materials into her specimen creations & “Lady Bugs”. Using collage, beads, fabric, old photos and paint she weaves a wonderful web of eclectic personas.  

Giuseppe Arcimboldo - Italian Foodie Art, Old School!

Giuseppe Arcimboldo was an Italian painter best known for creating portrait heads made entirely of such objects as fruits, vegetables, flowers, fish, and books — that is, he painted representations of these objects on the canvas arranged in such a way that the whole collection of objects formed a recognisable likeness of the portrait subject.

The Milanese and the Hapsburgs couldn't get enough of him during his 16th century lifetime but, after his death, Giuseppe Arcimboldo's works languished unnoticed in some moldering closet of art history for over 300 years. Until, that is, the Surrealists came along, drew inspiration from his anthropomorphic paintings and touted the artist's name once again.
Vertumnus (Portrait of Rudolf ll) is one of the latest, and perhaps the very best surviving example of the artist’s ‘composed heads’. He painted it in 1591, during his final visit to his native Milan.


via- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giuseppe_Arcimboldo

"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