September 2013

Update: Muse No. 1!

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Oh, this is great news! Over the weekend. Brandt Peters gave us an update on his highly anticipated and fully funded Muse. No. 1 Kickstarter project. MUSE 1 marks the very first artist sketchbook release under the Circus Posterus Studios sketchbook series, and the proofs have arrived in Albuquerque.

From the looks of it, there are only a couple minor tweaks before the project heads to its printing printer.  The book is actually much thicker than originally planned and a professional book binder had to be brought in. Brandt wasn’t going to sacrifice any of his vision – so a slight delay did happen, but we can live with that seeing how epic this release is going to be. Check out the gallery below!

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Progress shots from Cathy Carr for Bewitching

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If you haven’t realized yet, we love studio shots and in progress work! These glimpses into an artist’s process and mind help us get an understanding of the finished piece…and we also like reassuring ourselves that other artists are messy too. Plus, we think it is really fun to see where the magic happens.

For Bewitching III this October, Cathy Carr has graciously showed us what she has been working on in her surprisingly neat studio. Well skilled in sculpture, plush, and painting with a Halloween influence, Cathy will fit in well with the rest of the Bewitching group show. From the progress shots, it looks like we are in store for some horned devilish sculpture goodness, all balancing on a jack o’lantern!
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Carr_Studio2Bewitching III opens October 11, at Stranger Factory with a reception from 6-9pm.

Introducing Katie Carillo!

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If you’re a regular visitor at Stranger Factory, you might have run into the giant smile and smooth dance moves of our paint assistant, Katie Carillo! A recent graduate from the University of New Mexico, and a rising talent in the Albuquerque art scene, Katie works hard to bring you many of the recent editioned works from Circus Posterus.

However, we wanted to chat to her about more of her own artwork, which is a delightful exploration of scientific and environmental themes. Katie’s art will be debuting at Stranger Factory in Bewitching III, opening October 11th!

Circus Posterus: Tell us about what you do at Stranger Factory!

Katie Carillo: Mainly I ogle at all the amazing art. But really, I do whatever they let me do at Stranger Factory! I am Kathie’s assistant, or paint monkey (that’s a title I have given myself) and have done some graphic design work. I love learning about everything that goes on though, and I’ve had the opportunity to help with a lot of different things. The best part is being able to spend time with and learn from Kathie, Brandt, Aubrie and Mikee, who are some of the most creative, smart, funny, generous, all around beautiful people I’ve met. That sounds like brown nosing but it isn’t because it’s true.

CP: How did you end up working with Kathie and Stranger Factory?

KC: I went to school with the fabulous Valency Genis, and she knew how much I loved the gallery, Brandt, and Kathie, and put in a good word for me (probably a lot of them actually) when she knew she would be moving. Then I had a sort of painting try out and they let me work there!! I’m so excited to be there and I pinch myself daily. I am not joking, just ask my friends.

Flash, from a small body of work titled Desert/Sea

Flash, from a small body of work titled Desert/Sea

CP: What’s the concept behind your paintings for Bewitching?

KC: My pieces for Bewitching are views out of the windows of a haunted submarine… They each show how remnants of Halloween have made their way to the bottom of the sea and how the creatures living there react to them. I am also playing with the idea of porthole-petri dishes and showing what may happen on a cellular level because I am an environmentalist and also a nerd.

A preview of one of Katie's pieces for Bewitching III.

A preview of one of Katie’s pieces for Bewitching III.

kc_jellyCP: What are you currently obsessing over? What is inspiring you right now?

KC: I love plankton, and I just learned about this really cool citizen science identification project called “Plankton Portal”… obsessed!

My inspiration generally comes from the dialogue that I have with my incredible friends, looking at new art and learning about scientific discoveries daily, and being in a really awesome work environment… However, right now it’s mostly the deadline for the show.

CP: Congrats on your recent graduation(and your double major)! It’s been really cool to see your art and science backgrounds fusing together. When did you first realize you could pursue both paths in your work?

KC: Hey, thank you! Art and science have always been intertwined for me. I think everything I’ve learned in science has become creative fodder in some way. I am very passionate about our role in our planet’s diversity and ecology and I feel the need to communicate aspects of that through art. Also, the world is just fascinating and I want to paint it!

CP: What are we going to see next from you, after Bewitching?

KC: I am beyond excited and honored to be showing some pieces at the Winter Salon at Stranger Factory in December, will be participating in a fundraiser show for a local art center, and have some ideas incubating in my head for a larger body of work soon, centered around lab rabbits.

 

Get Ready for Halloween Again!

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honeycalliope-692x1024Have you started decorating for Halloween yet? Well, if you are in the planning stages and need some items to adorn your abode, we have got you more than covered. Since we love Halloween and this time of year, the Circus Posterus store is packed full of toys and art perfect to creep out and inspire your party guests. Actually, we think it will show them what great taste you have!

Above we have Kathie Olivas’ Calliope “wicked”  version. Being mischievous in fall colors this 9″ tall vixen is a low edition of only 80.
Below are those pumpkin headed creations from Brandt Peters‘ “Toxic Marshmallow” and “Old TimeyStingy Jacks. With respective editions of 100 and 120, that will be gone soon since very few are left.
bp_stingyjack2oldYou can find all these Halloween sofubi right here along with much more.

 

Stan Manoukian for Bewitching III

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SM1What adorable doe-eyed creature do we have here? Apparently, it is a cute antlered critter from the likes of Circus Posterus artist Stan Manoukian for the Bewitching III group show! Continuing with Bewitching’s Halloweeney theme, Stan has made a splendid creature of the night for all the trick or treaters out there.

Big eyes, antlers, pouty expression, and tail, oh my! Who can resist giving this little dude some candy? But that isn’t all…
SM2Stan also went creepy with another awesome sculpt. It looks like this fella is having a parasite problem, but lucky for him, they are happy smiling parasites. He doesn’t look too alarmed, but it looks like Stan caught him off guard while taking this picture with his favorite pumpkin for Bewitching!
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Baby Tattooville 2013

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babytattoovilleslide Baby Tattooville 2013 is almost upon us! This celebration of the contemporary art community is a delightfully intimate weekend in a gorgeously strange venue – if you haven’t been to one of these, you should definitely attempt to do so at least once in your lifetime! Circus Posterus is a proud sponsor of this year’s Baby Tattooville, and Travis Louie is a featured artist, along with Chet Zar, Alex Pardee, The Sucklord, and more! Brandt Peters and Kathie Olivas will also be present.

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Baby Tattooville exclusive GID 6″ Cyan Boo from Circus Posterus!

A ticket will give you scheduled and spontaneous activities with the event’s featured artists, creative partners and surprise guests. In addition to social and creative interaction with fellow participants, Baby Tattooville attendees receive an eclectic assortment of collectible gifts courtesy of the participating artists and sponsors. Attendees are also given an exclusive opportunity to purchase original art and limited edition merchandise created by the event’s featured artists. The price of the event includes Friday and Saturday night hotel accommodations, several meals including a Sunday brunch buffet, an eclectic assortment of unusual panels and presentations, and access to all of Baby Tattooville’s strange goings-on. For more information, visit babytattooville.com.

Still Available at Monsters & Misfits III

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Monsters & Misfits III is still going strong until September 26th in Takayama, Japan, but all the artwork is currently online. A good portion of the show has sold, but there are still plenty of amazing pieces left by such talents as Kathie Olivas, Brandt Peters, Stan Manoukian, Andrew Bell, Ragnar, and Dok A. We compiled a few of our favorites that are still available to purchase here, but know there are plenty more right here.

Rabid Rabbit Pulltoy by Kathie Olivas

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Rabid Rabbit Pulltoy by Kathie Olivas 480mm tall / oil, acrylic, on epoxy resin, cast resin, wood USD800

Elizabeth the Trick or Treat Robot

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b8b765f0167a11e3a5bc22000a9e2899_7DrilOne has been keeping us updated from his rusty rec room on some of the derelict robots he is creating for Bewitching III, and one of them seems to use Kathie Olivas’ wonderful Elizabeth platform!!! Adding the patina and rustic feel of Dril’s style to this lovely base is a process we love to see unfold.
28eb3bb00c6e11e383d022000aaa0956_7Elizabeth was getting too old to Trick or Treat in her town. She was not allowed to Trick or Treat anymore by her mother. She told her – “It is embarrassing because you’re too old”. Elizabeth loved candy more than anything, so she had to figure out something. Elizabeth created a robot of herself to collect baskets full of Halloween candy. That is how the Trick or Treat Robot was created.
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Better snatch her up at Bewitching III when is opens October 11th or she will snatch all your candy.

Get Ready for Halloween

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IMG_3150We are determined to give you all the tools you need to create the perfect spooky atmosphere for your Halloween. We will continue to give you some haunting suggestions from the CP Store up until the big day! This week, we have Gary Ham’s Pumpkinhead Letterpress. This pumpkin take on the wooper looper is 6×6″ signed and numbered festive print for your holiday decor. Limited to only 31 and a low $30, it is a fun addition for Halloween activities. You can find it right here.