Eric LoPresti: Studio Visit / New Exhibition

While in New York, I had the opportunity to meet with Eric LoPresti in his studio in Brooklyn. I took some photos and talked with him about his upcoming show, "Different Country", running April 8th - May 8th 2011. The opening reception is at Like the Spice gallery on Friday, April 8th from 6:30-9:00pm. Eric was a guest on this blog back in 2009 - you can read that post here. He was also featured in the part of "Natural Causes" that I curated at Rule gallery last year.

Eric sketching out some of the graphic lines on a recent work with black tape - to be drawn in with black ink for the finished work.

tape

process

more process - the finished work below:

Rattlesnake (with Vectors), Oil and India ink on linen, 2011. 40" x 60"

A corner of the studio where Eric was working on drawings - in the frame is, "Sky Drawing B",
Graphite and India ink on paper, 2011. 11" x 14" - this drawing will be a part of the new exhibition.

on the wall of the studio (left):

Halo (Nez Perce), Oil on linen, 2011. 60" x 40"

From Like the Spice blog, "In his newest body of work, Eric creates beautiful American landscapes in his oil paintings and graphite drawings with; they feature soft hues and color gradients that outline test sites, wastelands, and wide open spaces. 'Maintaining his established focus on the physical and psychological aftermath of the Cold War, LoPresti renders landscapes bearing the scars of nuclear testing and subsequent environmental clean-up campaigns, especially those near where he grew up, in the desert steppe of eastern Washington state, near the Hanford plutonium production site.' His third solo show here at Like the Spice, in "Different Country," Eric pairs spectral color gradients with dark linear elements suggesting a division of territory within each work."

And finally, the view from Eric's studio building roof:

Josh Keyes Catalog and Print

Denver's own David B. Smith Gallery just released a editioned catalog of Josh Keye's last show -it comes with a signed print. The specs are as follows:

Exhibition catalogue for 'Sprout' at the David B. Smith Gallery | May 30th - July 3rd, 2009 | + Additional Images

12" x 9.5" Landscape | 48 pages (100 lb Velvet Cover) + Fold Out | Hardcover Edition of 1000 | Essay by George Melrod

Packaged with a Pencil Signed and Embossed 8" x 10" Archival Giclee on Hahnemuhle Velvet Paper

I've been posting about Keyes' work since 2007. If you haven't seen much of his work this catalog is a great way for people outside of the city to appreciate what was surely one of the best exhibitions of Denver's year. Get it here.

Josh Keyes "Sprout" closing soon

I'm seeing the current Josh Keyes exhibit at David B. Smith Gallery again today. If you haven't seen it yet - it's only up for a few more days (closing on the 3rd). It's a really exceptional show and will easily top my favorite exhibitions of the summer and probably the year. I've mentioned Keyes several times before after first encountering his work at the Limited Addiction group show in March of 2007.

In the current show, I recognized the subject matter source Keyes used on his painting called, "Entangle I" from our many trips to Moab, Utah. The graffiti on the side of the monument is clearly borrowed from these petroglyphs by the Delicate Arch in Arches National Park:

photo by Nathan Abelsdetail of "Entangle I" by Josh Keyes

detail of "Entangle I" by Josh Keyes"Entangle I" by Josh Keyes

Rudolf Stingel at Paula Cooper

two photos of the installation from flickr member ~~IIROBII~~

Jerry Saltz mentioned the current Rudolf Stingel show at Paula Cooper gallery while writing about the current state of the art world in reference to Lisa Yuskavage's work. He wrote, "Stingel escapes the irony and kitsch of the recent past and gives us an atmospherics of melancholy and love. I wouldn’t want any of these paintings individually, but together they charge the gallery with thoughts about what it takes to create shows in the wake of orgiastic abundance. Stingel’s installation is a requiem for the white cube and a fond farewell to the last fifteen years. These four shows make you understand that while the market is dying, art is in the process of being reborn. They may not be remembered in ten years, but right now that doesn’t matter."

I was never a fan of irony in art either - good riddance as far as I'm concerned.

Check out Tim&Vas blog for more installation views and visit the Paula Cooper site here.

Opening Tonight

Sliding Door Gallery presents two solo exhibits, February 6-28, 2009

Berndt Savig

A Forced Intimacy: Recent Painting and Sculpture

On display at Sliding Door Gallery beginning February 6, 2009 are recent paintings and sculpture by Berndt Savig. Returning to the female figure and visage as the primary focus in this body of work, the paintings are psychological studies of imagined individuals with introspective, pessimistic or emotionally withdrawn demeanors. The larger scale of the paintings creates a forced intimacy with the viewer.

AND

Rachel Hawthorn

Memory Houses

Memory Houses is an in progress series of images that continues Rachel Hawthorn's exploration of the way our domestic environments shape our memories and perception. Each image features a model of a house that Rachel lived in, constructed of only the parts remembered. Anything that is
forgotten has been left out. These models were placed in the landscape and photographed from different perspectives to enhance the experience of the distances between current perception and memory of the past.

Sliding Door Gallery

766 Santa Fe Drive

Denver, CO

~~~~~~~~~~~

Open First Friday 5 to 10

Open Third Friday 12 to 8

Open other Fridays and all Saturdays 12 to 5

AND by appointment: Berndt Savig 303.562.5097 or Rachel Hawthorn at 303.521.5012

Sliding Door Gallery has moved! Join us next First Friday, February 6, at our new home, at 766 Santa Fe Drive, Denver!

Two Postcards

Untitled Study (Chicago Mountain Lion), Ink, Graphite, Colored Pencil on Paper, 4x6"

Untitled, Ink, Graphite, Colored Pencil on Paper, 4x6"

I made a couple of small drawings for the Postcard Show at Artlink in Fort Wayne. They will be on display there and for sale with all proceeds benefiting Artlink's exhibitions. The postcards will be up during the Fort Wayne Photographers exhibit, December 12, 2008 – January 14, 2009. Artlink is the first gallery I showed at and has been exhibiting the occasional piece of mine since I was a teenager - I'm happy to support them and all that they have done for the small art scene there in Fort Wayne.

Boom Photos

Boom

Boomin'

Last night was the debut of Boom's nomadic gallery in a truck and I think it went well. Unfortunately, I missed the first stop, but was able to catch up with the truck at another artist-conceived-convention-related project called "Karaoke Convention". Now the idea of karaoke-ing campaign speeches may sound a little dry but it wasn't at all. The participating speakers read speeches that scrolled across a prompter verbatim - including any stumbling over words, dramatic pauses, and (of course) long applause. There was a degree of humor to it all, but I can also say that I noticed/absorbed the words that were being spoken much more than if I had simply been watching the speech given on network news. All the speeches to choose from can be rehearsed and read-over on their website. It was interesting to hear speeches from larger-than-life personalities like Obama or Clinton read by people with far less media coverage - regular people who just signed up to participate on the spot. If you're in Denver, take a look at the Karaoke Convention schedule and be sure to stop by one of their events. I talked to the artist last night, and here's the scoop - if you go to Karaoke Convention at JR's on Sunday, the BBC should be there. That's the rumor anyway - but there are a lot of rumors here during convention week, so don't hold me to it. ha ha. And speaking of schedules, Boom is putting together a schedule of where the art truck will be here. I'll take some pictures of the truck tonight...

"Twinkle, Twinkle" opening

Photos from the "Twinkle, Twinkle" opening have been posted at Plus Gallery.

"Twinkle, Twinkle" press

Susan Froyd of Westword writes, "So on the heels of Art Miami, Zeile presents Twinkle, Twinkle, a stunning group exhibition of works by seven of those exemplary emerging locals, including shining stars Nathan Abels, Mindy Bray, Travis Egedy, Martin Sammy Gardea, Noah Manos, Lela Shields and Leafe Zales. A performance of Egedy's $2.99 will add zip to tonight's opening reception, which runs from 6 to 10 p.m.; the show continues through January 19. Plus Gallery is at 2350 Lawrence Street" - Check out the whole blurb here.

Another First Friday Not To Miss

Kay Tuttle, “Collection Amusette-Alligator”, Acrylic on Wood, 2 x 4ft, 2007

Kay Tuttle, “Bird”, Acrylic on Wood, approximate dimensions 3 ft x 4ft, 2007

Kay Tuttle will be having a show called "Collection Amusette", at the one and only Sliding Door Gallery in Denver opening First Friday starting at 6 pm on the south end of the Santa Fe Arts District. This will be one not to miss - several paintings on wood, many of which are on unusually shaped panels. The show has a playfulness to it that balances line work/drawing with painting quite well. She also employs a large amount of text/handwriting in the pieces that make up this show, which adds to the depth and complexity of her work. The press release for the show elaborates,

"Collection Amusette is a series of oil and acrylic paintings that are painted on plywood. Some of the wood is cut into silhouettes of different shapes, for example a bird or a dinosaur. Other pieces are left in traditional rectangular shapes. All of the pieces are painted, sanded and repainted in a build up of imagery that is in some places sharp and detailed and in others erroded and blurred. The imagery is derived from scraps of popular culture that Tuttle has been collecting over the years, things like firework boxes, children's text books or aprons. Conceptually she is playing with ideas of how memories transform and change, gaining and loosing in significance as the years go by.

Tuttle was born and raised in Denver but lived away for 20 years, years that included an MFA and teaching at Arizona State University, and 3 year stays in both Germany and France. She will be featured in the upcoming Western States Edition of New American Paintings and was recently accepted into the Viewing Program at The Drawing Center in NYC. "

This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Kay's show will be accompanied by work from Tony Zellaha and Evan Borman called "You Guys", and a special exhibit of work by students at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design entitled "Mouth Amusements".

Sliding Door Gallery is located at 554 Sant Fe Drive, Denver, Co. The show opens Fri, Nov. 2, from 5-10 pm and closes Sun, Dec 2nd, 2007. Gallery hours are Fri, Sat, Sun, 1-5

Also

Be sure to stop by the Plastic Chapel on Colfax to see some fun and unusual work from Lauri Lynnxe Murphy called, "Incubator: Drawings and Snowglobes" - also opening on Frist Friday from 7-11pm - you can read more about it on the always up to date denverarts.org. Ken is doing a great job keeping everyone in Denver updated on openings and art events in the city. I see him regularly at openings, taking pictures and shaking hands. Be sure to check it out and bookmark it .

Opening at Andenken Gallery, Denver, CO

An overwhelming amount of paintings by Amanda Marie opened tonight at Andenken. Definitely a show worth seeing, here are a few of my favorites:


'Oh, Deer'
Acrylic and Spraypaint on panel

42.25" x 30.25" (in antique frame)

Acrylic and Spraypaint on Canvas
18" x 24"

Acrylic and Spraypaint on Canvas
4' x 5'

KARL HAENDEL Drawings / Installation

KARL HAENDEL : Last Fair Deal Gone Down (Installation View - Anna Helwing Gallery)

KARL HAENDEL : Last Fair Deal Gone Down (Installation View - Anna Helwing Gallery)

KARL HAENDEL : LAAC #6 (for Peter Jennings) 2005 pencil on paper 51 x 78 inches

KARL HAENDEL : LAAC #5 (for John Kerry)2005 pencil on paper 52 x 84 inches

I found out about this artist from coolhunting, and my first impression was not entirely positive. Some of his subject matter I found to be somewhat kitsch or bizarre (see sad clown drawing) I've been working on my own far-too-complex graphite drawing right now and I've been thinking about Haendel's work. It has grown on me - especially the installation of his recent exhibition at Anna Helwing. His choices in subject matter consist of everything from abstract geometric imagery to vintage magazine photography to text/typography and cartoons. I'm not exactly sure how to interpret the relationships between these images, but I'm intrigued.

When preparing for upcoming exhibitions I often find myself getting extremely hung up on the cohesiveness of the show. I have this compulsive need too make every exhibition of my work so cohesive that if it were a music cd it would surely be a what a friend of mine referred to as 'atonal'. Lately, I've been considering taking a more "various artists" or mix-tape approach to my exhibition - with some inspiration from Haendel's complex and confusing installation. I am planning on having some large scale paintings up, some new drawings and possibly some more abstract or simplified imagery. I've also been really interested in objects - as much as architecture or landscape. The exhibition is starting to coalesce but it is still in process. I'll keep you updated.

Nathan Abels @ shopSCAD in Atlanta

Installation views of my featured artist spotlight at shopSCAD

Denver First Friday : March

In a new, monthly segment I will be covering the highlights of the "First Friday" gallery exhibitions in Denver. By far, the most memorable gallery of the night was the inaugural group show of the "Limited Addiction Gallery." I generally refer to the genre of art they exhibited as the "Juxtapoz"-type art or west-coast art - though it does not consider every work being shown, those of you familiar with the magazine might understand the reference or genre. Their own description of what they show is "otherwise labeled Pop-Surrealism, Urban Contemporary and 21st Century Figurative Art." The gallery was packed (both with art and attendees) and represented many great artists from across the country including Tim Biskup, Dalek, Audrey Kawasaki, Dan McCarthy, Tra Selhtrow, Jeff Soto, and more. *Check the links to Dan McCarthy and Tra Selhtrow especially - they have great limited edition silk-screened prints available online for very reasonable prices*

The walls at Limited Addiction were hung salon-style, often four or five pieces high but there was enough similarity of genre to keep it from feeling disorganized or cluttered. I'm looking forward to future shows there. We have now added this signed print from Audrey Kawasaki to our collection:

Mia & Mai

giclee print on archival paper
13" x 22" on a 15" x 24" sheet
signed and numbered
limited edition of 100

The work of Josh Keyes at Limited Addiction Gallery was also quite interesting. It has a science text-book diagram type of feel. I especially liked these pieces:

"Interlock #3", 12"x9", 2007, pencil and gouache on bristol board


"Envelop #1", 2007, 9"x12", pencil and gouache on bristol board

Another artist worth mentioning from last night was Armin Muhsam - whose work can be seen at the Kanon Gallery on Santa Fe Blvd. I was especially taken back by this piece:

Armin Muhsam
"Recent Earthworks"
16x48 Oil on Panel(s)

There was also a strong opening by Tracy Barnes and Eric Havelock-Bailie a the Sliding Door Gallery. Being the most recent addition to the Sliding Door co-op, I was glad to see a good turn-out and well planned show. Here are a few shots of the opening: