Camille Rose Garcia - Ambien Somnambulants

This weekend Camille Rose Garcia opened her newest awe-inspiring show (can you tell we like her?). At Jonathan LeVine Gallery in New York, Ambien Somnabulants made it's debut featuring some of Ms. Garcia's favorite imagery with brighter, more vibrant colors than usual, and a new theme. The paintings in this show hint at a world with a sleepwalking populace dulled into complacency by monolithic corporate giants. This takes place against a backdrop of a dissolving environment, a theme Ms. Garcia has explored recently.

In Ambien Somnambulants, tragic sleepwalkers wander along beautifully bleak post-apocalyptic dreamscapes, inspiring dissent from a dire dystopia. Garcia’s stunningly subversive images expand upon her signature style of elaborate socio-political narratives, hidden beneath layers of fairy-tale charm. The artist creates human and animal characters, influenced by a vintage animation aesthetic, which aid in her epic visual storytelling, rendered in a palette of psychedelic color, glitter, and glazed-over collaged wallpaper. Her use of bright color serves as a visual distraction from painful realities, while her use of silver leaf as a decorative element, references an age of abundance and opulence, slightly tarnished to represent the twilight years of our civilization.

Ambien, the sleeping pill, is used as a metaphor for our sedated populace being controlled by corporate empires such as the pharmaceutical industry, while the world crumbles around us. The complacency of our culture and lack of outrage over the current state of affairs (loss of liberties, soaring national debt, and depleting natural resources) form central themes, told in a series of disjointed tableaux, in which the artist describes how “a powerful witch delivers apples poisoned with sleep elixir to the ambien somnambulents, a sleepwalking army of fancy dressed revelers, innocent and content in their dream world of complete denial.” With the absence of sustainable capitalism and renewable energy sources, our self-destructive society sinks deeper into its own demise, controlled by fear and distraction through fantasy propaganda and escapism. World catastrophes both environmental and military, threaten even the most privileged of lives, as over-population and overindulgence lead to an inevitable fate of gloom and global disorder.

Couldn't have put it any better ourselves.

These paintings are among the most beautiful of Ms. Garcia's remarkable oeuvre, and assuredly more beautiful in person than here. She typically uses gold and silver leaf in her paintings, creating a layered, rich look that is impossible to see in a digital image. If you get a chance and you're in New York, don't miss this in person.









Camille Rose Garcia's "Ambien Somnambulants" at Jonathan LeVine Gallery

Baby Tattooville - For the Ultimate Fan

Boing Boing has a post about the upcoming Baby Tattooville ultimate art fanboy/fangirl event. It costs a pretty penny, but you get to spend a weekend at famous funky Mission Inn in Riverside, CA, hang with some of th every best artists, and walk away with lots of great art and swag. This year's participants include Ana Bagayan, Glenn Barr, Dave Cooper, Bob Dob, Joe Ledbetter, Brandi Milne, Daniel Peacock, Shag, Amy Sol, Michael Whelan, and potentially a special guest artist or two.

Without the time constraints of a typical personal appearance, or the crowd control issues of a standing-room-only event, artists and collectors will have a weekend-long opportunity to discuss and explore their mutual interests. Original work will be created and celebrated around-the-clock. No one will leave empty handed. Only 18 out of 50 event packages are still available, and they are selling fast.

Are you a true fan? Only 13 spots left!

Baby Tattooville

Summer Salon IV now up at Sloan Fine art

Jean-Pierre Roy


The final part of Sloan Fine Art's successful Summer Salon series is now up and some work might still be available. Alix Sloan brought us a fantastic four-part series of small group shows this summer, and we hope she does this again. The remarkable series is completed with the art of Mia Brownell, Cara Enteles, Greg Hopkins, Jean-Pierre Roy and Kristen Schiele. The show closes in less than two weeks (September 13th), so don't miss it.


Cara Enteles

Summer Salon IV at Sloan Fine Art

Robots and Donuts and Toys - Eric Joyner

Eric Joyner's paintings make us laugh. And after that first burst of happiness, we are captured by their artistry. And we think you'll feel the same way if this is your first time seeing his work.

Mr. Joyner opens his newest solo show, "Artificial Enlightment," at Corey Helford Gallery in Culver City tomorrow night, Saturday, September 6th at 7PM.

Inspired by science fi ction, toys, and Brandywine artists and illustrators of the 1900’s, Joyner’s award-winning imagery of robots and donuts has been transforming landscapes and faraway galaxies for the past eight years. His second solo show at the Gallery will reveal the grittier side of robot life: mysterious donut factories, runaway
steam trains and vintage motorcycles.

SWAG ALERT: the first 400 visitors will receive a free 18" x 24" Eric Joyner poster! The reception will include the release and signing of his new book Robots & Donuts: The Art of Eric Joyner, published by Dark Horse.



Eric Joyner's "Artificial Enlightenment" at Corey Helford Gallery

Anne Faith Nichols at La Luz

Some great shows open this weekend in L.A. -- Let's start with Anne Faith Nichols at La Luz de Jesus (more to follow later today, we hope).

Rising star (and now L.A.-based) Ms. Nichols has her first solo show at La Luz, and it looks to be a stunning one. The show is called "Neofolk," and here Ms. Nichold explains:

"Neofolk" is a new kind of folk art inspired by the narrative paintings of early colonial American and European folk art and the subconscious roots of Surrealism. "Neofolk" is the perfect way to describe multi-talented artist Anne Faith Nicholls' current style. "I like the way folk artists used paintings as a way to chronicle their day to day lives. So now, I am doing the same with my experience in Los Angeles. It's about change, relocation, growth, uncertainty, emotion, fear, love and perseverance. The show is unapologetically autobiographical and a great opportunity for a collector to obtain a deeply personal work," states Nicholls, whose story is as colorful and unique as her art.


"Neofolk" consists of oil and acrylic paintings, drawings, installation and sculpture. The artist uses distressed wood and canvas for an antiquated look and feel that is part of her signature style. Drawings and supportive imagery will also be on display along with an installation that will give some insight to her creative process. Each work, true to her illustration background, has a story or mystery to it. Like a dreamscape, several different scenes appear to happen concurrently within one piece. Heavy with mood, her work is emotional and symbolic with her signature characters and imagery.

She says that she wants to win over her new hometown, L.A., with this show. No worries there. You had us at "Neo."





Anne Faith Nichols at La Luz de Jesus

"Loved" at Lab 101

Keith Obrien

Lab 101 in Culver City, CA is now showing "Loved," featuring small (and affordable!) works by Amy Ruppel, Trish Grantham, Julianna Swaney, and Keith Obrien. All the works are for sale on the website, and the prices are great.

Go buy a work of original art for $75 - $495!


Amy Ruppel


Julianna Swaney


Trish Grantham

"Loved" at Lab 101

Mary Blair's Alice in Wonderland?!

Wow. Boing Boing has a post today about a new book of "missing" concept art by the great Mary Blair for Disney's Alice in Wonderland.

When Disney conceived of making its psychedelic masterpiece Alice in Wonderland, it asked master illustrator Mary "It's a Small World" Blair to draw up a series of concept sketches for the art direction of the film. Blair's art was never used, alas -- for she made some of the most striking and lovely and just plain weird-ass art that anyone had ever done in the Alice canon...

The book is available here.

Mary Blair's Alice in Wonderland

Katy Horan Mini-Profile (at Sketchypad)

Sketchypad has a great new mini-profile of artist Katy Horan:

Her art is influenced by folk art, and the figurative work revolves around themes of magic, domestic arts and  femininity. Katy’s art is playful and fairy-tale like, while at the same time exploring the idea of the traditional feminine vs the sacred feminine.


Go and see!

Katy Horan Mini-Profile at Sketchypad

I am 8-Bit Show Online

Gerald de Jesus

Today we bring you the link for the I am 8-Bit show currently at the World of Wonder Storefront Gallery in Hollywood. Many of these pieces are still available.

Click here for images and prices. Interested in buying? Inquiries can be sent to derek@iam8bit.net. Enjoy!


Nate Frizzell


Thorsten Hasenkamm


Tessar Lo


Nathan Stapley


Joe Vaux


Amanda Visell


Thomas Han



I am 8-Bit Online Gallery

Two Shows Go Online

Mark Brown

The last two weeks saw the opening of two fun group shows -- I am 8-Bit at World of Wonder, and Crazy 4 Cult 2 at Gallery 1988, both in L.A. Finally both shows are online. Today we've got the ling to the Crazy 4 Cult show. Tomorrow we should have the 8-Bit link. So check the link and feast your eyes. Lots of art still available. here are some picks (or pics). Can you guess the movies?


Kathie Olivas


Edwin Ushiro


Shepard Fairey


Ben Walker


Gris Grimly


Camilla d'Errico


Shaunna Peterson


Leontine Greenberg


Carlos Ramos


Alex Pardee


Krista Huot


Erica Gibson


Brandi Milne


Travis Louie


Crazy 4 Cult 2 Show Online

Andrew Brandou Opens the Funk Drawer

Grass Hut Gallery brings us another fantastic surprise show, this one from master Andrew Brandou. In this mini-show, "From The Funk Drawer," Mr. Brandou brings us items that have been stored away from sight. Now, lucky us!, Grass Hut is putting them up for sale.

From Grass Hut:

Andrew Brandou is a flipping wizard in a large cone-shaped hat when it comes to brushwork. He has the skill-set to paint anything in any style he chooses. Lush natural settings, brightly colored flowers, day of the dead, or even Audoban nature/pop art scenery. His more commonly reoccurring characters in the vein of vintage Richard Scarry and Gustaf Tenggren, but always with a twist. His characters look so innocent, but often are doing something a little sinister.

The show opens tonight, August 31st, 2008. Go here to see the show when it appears.



Andrew Brandou's From the Funk Drawer at Grass Hut Gallery

United Airlines Commericials

Did you see United Airline's new commercials during the Beijing Olympics telecast? They almost made us want to get on a United flight again. Until we remembered that last time we did we paid an extra $15 per bag, $5 for a crappy "snack", $2 for a soda, and were not even offered an envelope in which to contain the myriad tickets and boarding passes we needed for all of our flights. The customer service rep claimed that the abolition of ticket envelopes was an attempt to save paper and trees. And yet the so-called e-tickets are converted into 10 separate pieces of paper upon check-in. Hypocrites AND cheap-skates. Great combo.

Anyway, we almost forgave United when they put out a series of three gorgeous animated commercials, each designed and directed by Academy-Award-winning-or-nominated animators. Art and design blog Two if by See has a post containing video and images from the three spots, as well as some info about the creators. Our personal fave is "Sea Orchestra" by South African directing team Shy the Sun. See the full one minute spot here.

United Airlines Campaign at Two if by See

Banksy's Beauty in New Orleans

First, sorry for the lack of posts recently. PopDrawer was on vacation. But we're back, and posting should be much more prolific.

We return with Banksy. What better way to come back? Thanks to Amy Crehore's blog for pointing us in the right direction. British street artist and museum-collected fine artist Banksy has been hanging around New Orleans apparently, as some poignant and beautiful works are popping up all over the city. It's really amazing stuff. Take a look at more at Wooster Collective.







Banksy in New Orleans

Blab! the Art Show

Tim Biskup

Few people have been as big a part of the Pop Surreal movement as Monte Beauchamp. As the publisher and editor of the Blab! art and comic anthology. The Blab! books are consistently amazing, regularly including stunning art and graphic writing by the best in the business, including Gary Baseman, Tim Biskup, The Clayton Brothers, Daniel Clowes, Joe Coleman, Camille Rose Garcia, Peter Kuper, Mark Ryden, and Chris Ware.

Thanks to Julie Rasmussen at A Little Birdy Told Me, we bring you a preview of the fourth Group Annual Art Exhibition featuring work from the next issue of Blab! And the list of artists is as phenomenal as always. This year's roster includes Baseman, Shag, Travis Louie, Ron English, Luke Chueh, Gary Taxali, Kevin Scalzo, Mark Todd and a whole lot more.

The show opens September 6th at 8 PM at Copro/Nason Gallery. And here's the preview. All art is for sale.


Shag

The Blab! Show at Copro/Nason