Saturday, December 20, 2008

More Last Minute Gifts, and a Special Appearance!

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PopDrawer favorites Bwana Spoons and Amanda Visell offer up some of the most unique holiday gifts one could ever get for their discerning artistic loved ones. From Bwana there's the Wildasaurus Rainbowasaurus resin toy, or Steven the Bat Belt Buckle. From Amanda there's the Apocalyptic-Ephunts or the Pink Elephant Belt Buckle. Put them together and what have you got? Bibbidy-Boppity-BOOM! -- a two print set from Amanda's Switcheroo Workshop, where each went hog wild with the other's characters. Two signed giclees for $140.

But wait, there's more! If you act NOW (meaning tonight, Saturday December 20th) you can see both Bwana and Amanda together at the Switcheroo Workshop in Pasadena from 7-10 PM, absolutely FREE! You heard me -- FREE! Switcheroo presents and evening with Bwana Spoons, featuring the release of the rainbowasaurus, original art, secret projects, and fun!

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Switcheroo Workshop

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Holiday Gift Edition, Vol. 1

Black Friday is coming, but this year they're calling it Gray Friday, due to low expected sales and mediocre consumer confidence (although it did bounce back surprisingly this morning). But in these uncertain times, why spend your hard-earned, rapidly deflating dollars on more mass-produced, uninspired consumo-gunk? Especially when there are one-of-a-kind (or few-of-a-kind) alternatives that say you cared enough to send the very unique.

So for as long as we can, we will seek out the original, the artsy, the PopDrawer-ishest goods we can find for you to give to your REAL loved ones -- the ones who might just give you something truly priceless in return (definition of priceless may be subject to federal and state laws, depending on the legality of hot loving for cash in your country of residence).

Today's edition: Original Pet Portraits by Molly Crabapple and Metal Apocalyptic-Ephunts by Amanda Visell and Fully Visual.

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Original Pet Portraits: I once described here how I gave and received the best give ever simultaneously with a family portrait by one of my favorite artists. But admittedly this was an expensive endeavor. A far more affordable gift is a portrait of your loved one's best friend -- their pet (especially if your best friend IS your pet)! Superfantastic artist Molly Crabapple is here to help you with that this holiday season, and at a special price!! Molly will create an 8.5" x 11" pen, ink and watercolor portrait of that special pet in your life for the incredible price of $350. Email Molly now at Molly@MollyCrabapple.com to beat the holiday rush.

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Apocalyptic-Ephunts by Amanda Visell and Fully Visual: Artist and toy-maker Amanda Visell has teamed up with metalsmiths Fully Visual to create shiny new metal toys for the holidays. What could be more yuley than an army of killer elephants? We can't think of a thing. The Apocalyptic-Ephunts are available in four metal colorways -- silver, gold (See? Silver and Gold? Very Rankin and Bass Rudolph, yes?), black nickel and copper. The sets of six pieces are limited to 60 each and go for $99.

And while you're shopping in the crowd-free aisles of Fully Visual, take a side-trip to the Bwana Spoons section, the Gama-Go section, and the Buff Monster section, while supplies last, of course.

Original Pet Portraits by Molly Crabapple

Metal Apocalyptic-Ephunts by Amanda Visell and Fully Visual

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Get Yer Cosmos Killer!

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Bwana Spoons has new figure just out, and it's one of his best. Designed by Bwana and hand-painted by Gargamel, the Cosmos Killer doesn't look like it would hurt a fly, let alone an entire cosmos, but then Phil Spector looked pretty harmless too.

Cosmos Killer comes with a signed and numbered giclee as well! Can't beat that with a stick! Well you could, but it might destroy you.

And if you want to REALLY impress your friends, get yourself a gigantic sleeping killer , a four foot long fiberglass monster for your home or yard. It's the new lawn jockey!

Cosmos Killer by Bwana Spoons and Gargamel

More CLOWNS!

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Gary Baseman

Here are some more images from CLOWNS! at Corey Helford Gallery. Some pieces still available.

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Audrey Kawasaki

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Paul Frank

CLOWNS! at Corey Helford Gallery

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Clowns!!

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Andrew Brandou

Clowns.

BRbrbrbrbrhhh...

(That was supposed to be the sound of a shiver.)

Point being, they're scary. And yet for some reason Corey Helford Gallery has decided to have whole show of those creepy, painted serial-killers. They've invited an A-list of amazing artists to paint their own interpretations (and some of them are actually not oogie) and are now in the process of hanging them in the gallery.

The aptly-named show, CLOWNS!, opens Saturday November 15th, from 7-10 PM. Artists include Gary Baseman, Shag, Dave Kinsey, Tokidoki, Audrey Kawasaki, Gary Taxali, Natalia Fabia, Paul Frank, Buff Monster, Joe Ledbetter, Andrew Brandou, D*Face, Colin Christian, Brandi Milne, Carlos Ramos, Donovan Crosby, Anthony Ausgang, Travis Louie, J. Otto Siebold, and lots of others. What a line-up!

Hope to see you there. I'll be the one standing outside peering in the windows.

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Natalia Fabia

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Brandi Milne

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Shag

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Carlos Ramos

Hopefully we will post more images in PART 2 soon.

CLOWNS! at Corey Helford Gallery

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Dame Darcy's "Gasoline"

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Artist/Writer Dame Darcy, creator of graphic novels and paintings, has tackled subjects a diverse and strange as the songs of Tori Amos, collections of fairy tales, and Jane Eyre. With her new graphic novel "Gasoline," she moves away from re-inventing the past and delves into a bizarre, frightening, and goth-romantic future. Read for yourself:

"In a post-apocalyptic world, the search for precious gasoline pits a family of orphaned witches against conniving nihilists who lurk in the decaying urban sprawl…”

Starting Wednesday, November 19th, from 7 to 9 PM, Sloan Fine Art in Manhattan will be presenting original artwork from "Gasoline". That night's reception is free and open to the public, and Dame Darcy will be present signing books.

With the manuscript’s emotional story and Dame Darcy’s intricate,
romantic style, the original works from “Gasoline” stand alone as
compelling individual pieces. Installed in succession in the gallery,
they create a powerful visual narrative of “danger, heartbreak and
the perseverance of magic and love.


The show runs through December 20th, which makes "Gasoline" an excellent and timely Christmas gift for your artistically-inclined friends and family. But if you can't get to New York, just drop Sloan Fine Art a line. We can't be sure, but we bet they'll be happy to send you a copy. If there are any left...

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Dame Darcy's "Gasoline" Exhibiton at Sloan Fine Art

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Liz McGrath Works Available!

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Okay, coming down from the election high. First post since last week. Trying to get back in the swing of things. No idea how successful we'll be. But gotta to start somewhere. So, in a brief follow-up to a post from a few weeks ago, we alert you to the availability of some new pieces by Liz McGrath that you can buy in advance of the undoubtedly rebounding economy that will be ushered in with some new American blood. (Alright, it might not happen right away, but it's time to think about investing in your future! Art is the only stable investment we own after the recent market crash).

From Liz McGrath's stupendous Barcelona-based "Tears of the Crocodile" show at Iguapop Gallery comes a small group of still available works for purchase. Here are just a few, but you can go to the full catalog and take a look. You just might get lucky.

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Liz McGrath's "Tears of a Crocodile" Catalog

Thursday, October 30, 2008

SORRY FOR THE LACK OF POSTS!!

... obsessed with upcoming election. ...spending all hours reading political blogs. ... not eating ...not sleeping.

... sometimes look at pretty pictures

... like these

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Audrey Kawasaki

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Amy Sol

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Brian Viveros

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Catherine Brooks

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Nomi Chi

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Stella Im Hultberg


... the drawing room... at thinkspace ... curated by Audrey Kawasaki ... Friday, Nov. 7th

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Tiffany Bozic Does it Again

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Tiffany Bozic's new show Symmetrical Balance opened last night at San Francisco's Fecal Face Dot Gallery, and every indication is that it is another remarkable exhibition from Ms. Bozic. Art blog my love for you is a stampede of horses has a nice post about it here.

Tiffany Bozic's Symmetrical Balance at Fecal Face Dot Gallery

Friday, October 24, 2008

Lola - The Wondermental

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Corey Helford Gallery brings us another great show -- this time by SoCal native artist Lola. Her new solo show, "The Wondermental", is ripe with her signature surreal, darkly playful images, and opens Saturday (October 25th) and is described just so:

...an enchanting visual adventure about a young boy’s journey into the unknown. Exploring themes of innocence, self-discovery and independence, Lola’s carefully-tendered tableaus reveal life’s unexpected treasures and charming mysteries. For the exhibition, Lola paints from a deeper color palette than before, blending delicate imagery with surrealism to create a series of twenty two acrylic-on-panel works. Each painting represents a unique piece of the puzzle in “The Wondermental’s” magical narrative.

Caveat: Lola's rich paintings need to be seen in person to truly appreciate their beauty. So get your ass over Corey Helford in Culver City and get some wondermental for yourself.

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Lola's "The Wondermental" at Corey Helford Gallery

Lola's Official Website

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Sketch for Change - Art for Obama

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Jeff Soto

Okay, this blog is not supposed to be political. Sure, we are passionate partisans when it comes to politics. But when it comes to art, we don't believe in blue paint, we don't believe in red paint, we believe in red, white and blue paint (and every other color of paint).

Having said (written) that, we at PopDrawer will be plum tickled to post an "Art for McCain" event somewhere in a red state, if one exists, and if the art is halfway decent. Barring that unlikelihood, we will limit ourselves to the fantastic art for Obama events that have been occurring left, right and center. So here's the latest (and one of the greatest).

Ana Bagayan and Ara Devejian have created Sketch for Change - Art for Obama, an online event in which 21 World-Class Artists created a Sketch for Change to benefit Barack Obama. The sketches are currently on auction on eBay and will be closing sometime on Saturday, October 25th. All proceeds raised will benefit Barack Obama's Campaign for Change.

So who's participating? Check out this superstar list! Gary Baseman, Tim Biskup, Jeff Soto, Glenn Barr, Daniel Peacock, Shag, Dave Cooper, Ana Bagayan & Ara Devejian (natch), Amanda Visell, James Jean, Bob Dob, Gris Grimly, Brandi Milne, Thomas Han, Joe Ledbetter, Lola, Luke Chueh, Mark Murphy, Julita Januszewska, and Nathan Spoor. (Phew, my link finger is tired).

In addition, anyone is invited to submit a sketch for a group art show that we will put together in uber-battleground state Nevada the weekend before the election. (More info to come). Currently the sketches are running between $31 and $480, but the prices are bound to rise quickly. You should bid, too! Don't you want to be part of history? These are no mere talking points!

P.S. Scattered in this entry are links to our favorite political sites on all sides of the ideological spectrum. Take a look -- no matter your political stripe, these are sure to intrigue.

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Gary Baseman

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Tim Biskup

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Ana Bagayan and Ara Devejian

Sketch for Change - Art for Obama

Tears of the Crocodile

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PopDrawer fave Liz McGrath opens her latest show at Iguapop Gallery in Barcelona tomorrow, Thursday, October 23rd. Entitled "Tears of a Crocodile" it is another stunning compendium of Liz's beautiful, scary, freaky, goth-romantic sculptures and shadow box tableaus.

Just in time for Halloween. Take a look at the preview. And enjoy.

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"Tears of the Crocodile" by Liz McGrath at Iguapop Gallery

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

The Art of Kevin Scalzo

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About five years ago, I bought a painting by artist Kevin Scalzo at an auction. It has a proud place on my dining room wall, and it always elicits appreciative comments from friends. Since then I have been watching for Mr. Scalzo to have a solo show so I could send these friends to buy a piece for themselves. I now have that opportunity, as Kevin Scalzo has his first L.A. solo show opening this Friday, October 24th!

"Recent Paintings and Drawings" opens this Friday at Secret Headquarters in L.A. with a wealth of Kevin Scalzo magic. "Recent Paintings and Drawings" is a collection of, um, recent paintings and drawings by Mr. Scalzo. For the preview of the show, take a look at Mr. Scalzo's flicker stream. To purchase artwork contact SHQ at (323) 666-2228 or email at shq@thesecretheadquarters.com.

Hope to see you at the Secret Headquarters show. But in case you miss it, you can see more of Mr. Scalzo's fantastic work at his blog.

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Preview of "Recent Paintings and Drawings" by Kevin Scalzo

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Free Original Art

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Can't let this one pass by. Amy Crehore is having a sale at her website, and any order of prints or Uke T-shirts from now until Halloween will include a (small) signed original drawing! Now that's a Halloween treat.

Amy Crehore Sale

We are humbled

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Jeff Soto's studio on Arrested Motion


Sometime last month, a new art blog called "Arrested Motion" popped up on the web. And we have been hooked ever since. AM follows many of PopDrawer's favorite artists, but has been posting regularly (almost obsessively) and has been posting great images and text.

In particular, check out AM's coverage of art-geek-orgy Baby Tattooville, an amazing annual event about which we wrote but did not attend. But AM attended, and got some great shots.

Check AM daily. There's always something worth seeing.

Arrested Motion Art Blog

Pencil me in

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Kirsten Ulve

What if humble pencil were the only medium available to artists, if color and texture simply disappeared from the art world? It might be a very bleak world indeed. But Gallery Hanahou in New York has posed that question to a group of talented artists and gotten results that prove the above assumption flatly false.

"Spread the Lead," Gallery Hanahou's new show opening tonight, October 16th (from 6-8 PM), collects a group of artists that includes Kirsten Ulve, Apak, and Kenzo Minami, among others, with works done only in graphite. And as an added bonus, each work will be sold with the pencil that the artist used to create the work. But the show is tonight, so get the lead out! (Ugh).

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Apak

Spread the Lead at Gallery Hanahou

Friday, October 10, 2008

New Bwana Spoons Print TODAY!

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It's almost Halloween! That means two things. 1) Bwana Spoons has a new Halloween-style print being released today, and 2) malls will be putting up Christmas decorations this weekend. And in one of those perfect confluences, Bwana's new print would make a great Christmas present.

"The Great Pocket Globby Pumpkin Tree" will be released at Noon Pacific Time today (Friday, Oct. 10th) at Bwana's site. There will also be 10 custom pocket globby for sale first to SARS members earlier in the morning, and then what's left will go to the public at noon as well. The customs will include one tiny globby painting as well (a section of the bigger great globby pumpkin tree piece).

The Great Pocket Globby Pumpkin Tree Print

Free Kill Pixie Merchandise!

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If you live in SoCal, get yourself to Burbank at 4 PM today (Friday, October 10th) to get some awesome swag. At the Vans Store at the Burbank Town Center, you can snag a limited edition Vans / Kill Pixie collaboration t-shirt if you're one of the first 50 to show.

Plus awesome street/fine artist Kill Pixie who has been popping up everywhere these days will be doing live art. Can't beat that with a stick.

Kill Pixie's Official Site

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Tim Biskup's Operating System

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Better than Windows Vista (what isn't?) and more aesthetically-pleasing than Mac's Leopard is Tim Biskup's new operating system - O/S. Actually, this O/S is Tim's new show at Paris gallery Addict Galerie. The exhibition opens October 11th, and is a bold new move for Tim wherein each piece is actually an intricate system of painting and pedestal. The paintings are each packed into crate which when reassembled becomes the pedestal itself.

From the gallery: These "systems", as the artist calls them, constitute a fusion of Biskup's aesthetic style and his conceptual theories. The pieces are intended to represent the interconnection between art itself and the peripheral elements that allow it to exist. As a metaphor, the "systems" ask the question of weather [sic] the peripheral elements actually add to or distract from the the artwork being presented.

Included in the show is the previously announced 30-color serigraph "Tree of Life." The print will be available for purchase Friday, October 10th, 12 Noon, Pacific Time, is HUGE at 36" x 26", comes in a edition of 100, and goes for $600.

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Tim Biskup's O/S at Addicte Galerie

Monday, October 6, 2008

Joe Ryckebosch at my love for you is a stampede of horses

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Meighan at my love for you makes another fantastic discovery at Etsy. His name is Joe Ryckebosch, and although we can't pronounce his name we are already big fans.

From my love: Joe uses 95% recycled materials found at thrift stores, yard sales and scrap yards in his work. his combination of colored tape, old magazine images and photographs are brilliantly placed... Joe says this about his work:

"i want the viewer to see these familiar and not so familiar images in a different manner. i try to leave the focal point of the image intact, while adding colors and patterns that could have always been there, but just never seen until now.


And now that we've done a citation within a citation, we can shut down the blog forever. Good-bye.

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Joe Ryckebosch at my love for you...

Joe Ryckebosch's Etsy Store

Sunday, October 5, 2008

Under Fluorescent Light

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Showing now at Los Angeles' GR2 Gallery through the middle of October is a fascinating show featuring the work of artist Masakatsu Sashie. Mr. Sashie, an artist and designer from Kanazawa, Japan is professor of art at Kanazawa College of Art, and began his career as a participant in Takashi Murakami's GEISAI exhibitions (wherein Mr. Murakami showcases rising artists whom he wants to promote).

Masakatsu Sashie's works are often called "orb paintings" since he paints details from his youth as very detailed, compact spheres. Hailing from Kanazawa, Japan, his art captures the scope of his youthful activities and the orbs often represent memories that fade away from the world.

Unfortunately all of the works on display at GR2 are already sold, but keep on eye on Mr. Sashie for your chance to own one of his still affordable pieces in the future.

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Masakatsu Sashie's "Under Fluorescent Light" at GR2

Friday, October 3, 2008

Two, Two, Two Artists in One

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Charlotte Walton + Fawn Gehweiler at Grass Hut

There are so many amazing shows this weekend we feel terrible that we aren't covering each one. We will do what we can, but here is a quick rundown of the general awesomeness on display:

Nathan Ota and Joel Nakamura at La Luz

Joshua Petker at Corey Helford Gallery

Park Life Group Show at Subliminal Projects (featuring Jordan Crane, Shepard and Amanda Fairey, Mel Kadel, Luke Ramsey, Florencio Zavala, and dozens more)


And maybe the coolest of all, Hut on an Island, the collaborative group show at Grass Hut Gallery. Once again, Bwana and Scrappers at Grass Hut have knocked it out o the park with another original show. According to Grass Hut:

This whole show was an experiment. We wanted to see what would happen when a bunch of artists who didn’t know each other collaborated on art together. Some amazing work came for it. Half of the artists are from Islands Fold and the other half is from Grass Hut.

Here's the Grass Hut and Islands Fold artists we teamed up:
Spencer Hibert + Marco Zamora, Johnathan R. Storm + Dawn Riddle, Luke Ramsey + Jill Bliss, Zeesy Powers + Scrappers, Ben Jacques + Le Merde, Irana Douer + Betsy Walton, Bwana Spoons + Theo Ellsworth, Charlotte Walton + Fawn Gehweiler, Oliver Hibert + Owen Plummer, Maseman + Arbito, Shawn Wolfe + Kinoko, Howie Tsui + Apak


The pieces are available now. Affordable and unique, they are all must-buys.

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Nathan Ota at La Luz

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Joshua Petker at Corey Helford

Hut on an Island at Grass Hut Gallery