Bay Area Townie: Miz Jennybird Alcantara's Art

I've been following Jennybird's art for at least 6 years (it just keeps getting better) and over the last few it has matured, really coming into it's own. Her work is quite arresting, full of vivid, deep colors, exploding symbolic imagery and expertly rendered. Why she hasn't gotten more recognition, is beyond me, she certainly deserves to be "up there" with the bigger Newbrow names. Maybe it's because she doesn't cater to the "half-naked-adolescent-girl-with-big-breasts" stereotype (yawn) or maybe because the old boy network is too busy patting itself on the back, to notice other artists anymore. Regardless, her art cranks. Varnish Gallery recently had a nice big solo of her works and it was breathtaking.

Her images are often part animal, part human - anthropomorphic compositions of union and conflict. Her creatures are often characterized with a side profile, just one eye is revealed, much like a whale's gaze. It has reminded me of illustrator Janet Woolley's early collage work.

Jennybird's compositions call to mind a spiritual side, arranged mandala-like and symmetrical, somehow reminiscent of Tibetan Buddhist art. They have an other-worldly feel, almost underwater in the way the images are suspended, floating ethereal, submerged and dis-connected. Mix this with the influence of vintage, anatomical science text illustrations, her wonderfully saturated hues, juxtapositions of animal & human life, symbols of life & death and end result is that of an apocalyptic, yet painfully beautiful panoramic narrative.

Jennybird also creates outlandish dolls with masterful aplomb. Some are mutant hybrids with insect limbs or wings spouting forth where arms might have been. With beautiful textiles, soft cottons, fun & furry hair-dos and shiny notions; the artist lures us past the darker side of a severed limb to experience beauty. So what if she has three breasts or eyes? So what if her intestines are on the outside looking in? Sure, her veins may be erupting outside of her skin but they are intricate, lacy veins waterfalling down a broken arm with painterly grace and abandon. And maybe her feet are on backwards but they're groovy in lace-up Victorian boots. Literally wearing her heart on her sleeve, it is surrounded by "satin n' tat" and who could do better than that?

Jennybird currently has two large dolls for sale, in the "All Dolled Up" exhibit at Eclectix Gallery. Try to see them in person, they are well worth the trip. Showing thru November 29th, 2009.

Halloween Art: The Kinetic Works of Nemo Gould

Recently visited all things Nemomatic at his studio & open house. Such a treat to see his workspace, as well as a number of his fantastic robotic & kinetic art sculptures. His studio was full of great tools, working surfaces and many collected objects on their way to becoming something else entirely.

Antique radio parts, display devices, metal bits and pieces culled from their former uses, discarded musical instruments, vintage paper memorabilia and eclectic framed shapes of wood and metal - all lounged about his shelves. Some were in the embryonic stage of being loosely arranged into a future creation. Most were just lying in wait.

Nemo's art is technically impeccable and asthetically lush. Don't let the snobbery of the "fine art" world detract from your appreciation. His art is not the usual maker faire, clumsy nuts and bolts inventions or folksy crafts goods. Rather, it is finely tuned sculpture, meticulously designed, elegantly assembled found objects, formed with a witty sense of play and an eye for vintage modernity. Weaving together eras - from streamlined Art Deco periods, designs reminescent of Norman Bel Geddes, to today's newbrow tentacles of science fiction and "Alien" inspired Geiger images. Nemo is a sculptural maestro of today's steampunk 3D art.

Experiencing his art in person is mandatory to appreciation. The precise execution, movement, the ambient glow of his lighting, the sensuous and gleaming surfaces of his metal finishes, to the mindplay juxtapositions of various components. Each anthropomorphic sculpture or diorama feels complete as it's own character or entity. He is a master editor, never under or over doing a piece, with an extraordinary sense of design. These are distinctly American pieces yet they've more than a hint of clean Japanese asthetic.

For a fun, step-by-step look at the evolution of one of his new pieces "Nowhere Fast", click here.

Nemo currently lives and works in the SF East Bay Area with a studio in Berkeley. He has two pieces, "One-Eyed Jack" and "Boogeyman" in the current Eclectix exhibit "Dementions". Do try to get in to see them in person.

A Nemo quote on what sparks his art -

"It was just a pure fascination with what else a thing could be, other than what it was."

Berlin Wall Art Gallery

Just blogged and posted a whole bunch of fantastic art from the Berlin Wall. This green monster dude fits the Halloween season very well.

Check it out at Eclectix Etc. 

"All Dolled Up"- An Art Doll Exhibit

An exhibit featuring the exquisite dolls of: JennyBird Alcantara, Anita Collins, Sheri DeBow and Kerry Kate.

Slightly twisted, painstakingly beautiful and hauntingly lifelike, these "art dolls" beg to be played with and fussed over. Quirky personalities that put Barbie to shame, the dolls are hand crafted wonders of moody, mixed media for the "big girl" (or boy) in you.

Exhibit dates: October 16th-Nov.29th
Opening Reception: Friday, October16th, 7 to 10 pm.
With live music by "Eclair De Lune" Catered by "Fume" Bistro & the "SweetRoll" truck will be rolling by...

Eclectix Gallery, 10082 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito, CA 94530
Voted “Best Gallery” in the Bay Area by SF Chronicle’s ‘Best of the BayList’
For Hours and More - Please go to: http://www.eclectix.com

Dementions - Halloween Art Exhibit

The Fourth Annual Halloween Show!

Jam packed with scary, fun, demented, surreal, strangely beautiful and emotive art! The ultimate in Halloween viewing, hung salon style. With works by more than 45 artists in all mediums: dark gothic portraits, monsters, sexy vampires, voodoo dolls, skeletons, devils, surreal landscapes, Day of the Dead imagery and cute pumpkins. From our own Bay Area Newbrow art stars: gleaming, anthropomorphic robotic sculptures by Nemo Gould, a dark surprise from Annie Owens, fantastic monster cake sculptures by Scott Hove and a Franken-Animal by Isabel Samaras.

Exhibit dates: October 16th-Nov.29th

Opening Reception: Friday, October16th, 7 to 10 pm.

With live music by "Eclair De Lune"

Catered by "Fume" Bistro and the "SweetRoll" truck will be rolling by...

Demented Artists: Patricia Anders, Christine Benjamin, Jude Berman, Ken Brose, Sean Chapell, Monica Crawford, Kristen Cumings, Jenny Dayton, Sheri DeBow, Jamie Fales, Missy Feigum, Dean Fleming, Jackie Gallagher, Mike Gallegos, Gabrielle Gamboa, Chris Gibbons, Heather Gleason, Nemo Gould, Chris Granillo, Dan Harding, Randall Heath, Dion Hitchings, Scott Hove, John Howard, James Ivey, Brooke Kent, Boris Koodrin, Frances Lerner, Alexis Lopez, Leon Loucheur, Polly Mania, Katie McCann, James McDaniel, Dean McDowell, Derek McKindles, Sonia Melnikova-Raich, Buddy Nestor, Onomar, Annie Owens, Barbara Rockhold, David Rose, Isabel Samaras, Xandria Sarmenta, Clee Sobieski, William Stoneham, Tina Tarnoff, Mark Thompson, Les Toil, Sam Vaughan , Sherwin Viray, Michelle Waters, Chris White, Anna Zusman

Eclectix Gallery, 10082 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito, CA 94530

Voted “Best Gallery” in the Bay Area by SF Chronicle’s ‘Best of the BayList’

For Hours and More - Please go to: http://www.eclectix.com

Christopher Conn Askew, Beyond Tattoo

Conn's works are dynamic vivid compositions, beautifully executed and graphic show stoppers. There are definite influences of Japanese art in his composition, solid and elegant line work, evident historically in Japanese watercolors and tattoo art. Also evident is an ode to classic, old time story book illustrations, rendered in decorative realism with a modern twist. There is also an element of European art deco poster design, his use of typography is masterful and clean, creating overall images of graceful yet bold design. Chris incorporates the traditional line work of tattoo with subtle hues and deft rendering, shading, shadows and modeling; to create some of the most beautifully luscious works out there today. One can see the painstaking time, thought and effort in each one of his pieces without any of the cliches of today's pop artists. No sexy adolescents or big eyed girls here, just consummate artworks that will last thru the ages.

I first came across Chris's art in a Haight Street tattoo shop while crusing for local artists for the (then up-coming) Tattoon Show. My eyes were riveted by an incredible watercolor on the wall of a parlor and I instantly recognized his style from an old issue of Juxtapoz. Always in the market for local artists, I was very excited to stumble upon such professional work, right here at home. (It is much "greener" to use local artists rather than artists who have to ship here using jet fuel.) After googling Chris it seemed he lived in SF, so finding his art felt like a score. Sometimes it can be a challenge to find enough quality local art for a solid exhibit. After several attempts to contact him, he finally responded. Sadly, he declined to exhibit any works in the show, oddly stating "I am not doing anything even remotely tattoo related, anymore". Too bad, his art was sorely missed and would have been a welcome and fitting addition to this great show.

For more of his beautiful works, go to his website: Christopher Conn Askew