David Mach’s Match Head Art

Using tens of thousands of matchsticks, David Mach creates detailed models of animals, symbols or historical figures.

David, from Scotland, has a passion for art and matchsticks, so he decided to combine them and create unique masterpieces. Using a clay mold he creates a plastic or fiberglass model of whatever he wants to create, and then begins the process of sticking matchsticks on it, one at a time. Most of his creations are made with tens of thousands of colored-tip matchsticks, imported from Japan, and take months to complete and only a second to burn!

David's Website

(Originally posted on the Eclectix homepage "BURN" Issue, August 2011,

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

Herakut in Culver City

On our travels around Southern California in early August, we spotted these great murals by Herakut. They were wrapping the corner of a vacant building in Culver City (maybe Washington Blvd.?)  So glad to spot these, they made the day so much happier with their art! Love the emotive and drippy works by this duo, hope it gets to stay.... maybe a great spot for an art supply store?

Herakut Website

Eclectix Visits The Art Gallery of Ontario

Eclectix visited the AGO, Art Gallery of Ontario in Toronto on our travels this summer and wanted to share some of our favorites. Really a place worth visiting with hours of great art viewing, much more than we can begin to share here. Many old school masterpieces by famous artists, some present day goodies and a lot of good local Canadian art, wildlife and scenic landscapes. Included are some detail shots of some of the pieces for closer examination of the images. Give yourself some time if you go!

Kathleen Munn

Kathleen Munn

Janieta Eyre, Androgyne

Master of the Kress Epiphany, Expulsion of the Money-Changers

Detail of above

Collection of antique perfume bottles

Mary Pratt, The Service Station

Just one of the many fantastic antiquities collections

Kent Monkman, The Academy

Detail from The Academy

Our favorite piece from the entire AGO was "Descent" by Fred Hagen, an incredible surreal narrative, (below). This one has to be seen in person!

Descent by Fred Hagan

When you are all tuckered out, ready to put your feet up and enjoy a pint, there is a wonderful little pub nearby, called "The Village Idiot". Good ale and munchies in tasteful vintage decor and open air comfortable setting.

The Village Idiot Pub

Village Idiot interior

David Ball & Locals in "The City We Love" Exhibit

This Saturday, Aug. 13th - an all locals group show opens at 941 Geary-  "The City We Love." It has a large line up of great artists, predominantly all male, some of which we have blogged before. From the gallery site:

"The show is co-curated by Justin Giarla and local graffiti practitioner APEX, and features new work from artists actively engaged in San Francisco’s graffiti and street art culture. The opening reception is on Saturday, August 13, 2011 from 6- 

9 pm, and the exhibition is free and open to the public for viewing through September 3."

Featured here are the works of one of the artists, David Ball. His surreal narrative works are sure to be one of the highlights - beautiful collage and mixed media spectaculars. When we asked David about his technique process, here's what he shared with us : "Acrylic, collage, and colored pencil. It starts with abstract paint, then goes to collage. From there it alternates between acrylic and pencil with the occasional collage addition, as it makes sense." And a wondrous sense they all make!

For a wonderful video on David and his insightful, non-toxic thoughts on art, click here.

For some informative tips from David on his mixed media technique, click here for the interview by Argot & Ochre.