November 2013

New Work by Kathie Olivas for ‘Before Midnight’ @ AFA Las Vegas

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601602_10152014145031327_60518461_n“Go big or go home”, Kathie took this too literally since she went big and this new work for AFA Las Vegas is still in her home, but we don’t mind one bit. Is this little lady a medic in her post-apocalyptic conformity or is it her alter-ego? Besides the sheer size of this painting, the colors are simply brilliant!

See all of Kathie’s children come out to play November 30th at AFA Las Vegas (Located in the Grand Canal Shoppes at the Palazzo, across from Ralph Lauren).

Move over Wampa, Stan brings the Snow Monsters

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SnowMonstersWinter is coming.

Well, it actually is, and so are the monsters. Not the White Walkers…but more lovable and cute ones from the glorious mind of Stan Manoukian. Alright, this is more appropriate…Winter Salon is coming! With most of us getting hit hard with dropping temperatures and pesky flakes of crystalline water that falls from clouds, it is a good time to look at amazing art. It doesn’t look like they are all into hibernating for the winter but rather have started coming out to enjoy it!

Stan has spun the harshness of winter and themes of snow and fur into his magical illustrations of creatures. The first image we get to see for the exhibit incorporates both of those elements. A diverse group of creatures aren’t hibernating for the winter, but are coming out to welcome it. Some still brushing off the blanket of white on top of their heads while others have started their season change of fur coats. I don’t think they will be inside all winter hiding, but they will be up to no good playing in the frozen forest!

One image just won’t do for this. The level of detail Stan has poured into this one piece is extraordinary. Here are several close-ups of the Snow Monsters to show you just how skilled and incredible this is.
SnowMonsters01 SnowMonsters04SnowMonsters05For an even better look, come to The Winter Salon III running December 6th – 29th, with an opening reception on Friday, December 6th from 6 – 9 PM.

More Reveals from Them Dollz

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Are you ready to give your eyeballs and plush heart a much needed jump for today? We have not one, but two, reveals from Jen Musatto‘s show this December in Stranger Factory’s Project Room. Grab your best attire, and look at Them Dollz below.
AbelUp first is Abel Pettymore who sits dapper and coy with his long mane and top hat. Don’t let this gent fool you, behind those sullen eyes and bow tie is a true badass. Only badasses wear stripes like that (like Beetlejuice).
IrisNot necessarily his partner in crime is Iris Von Straus. Iris prides herself on her beautiful, lush hair and fast living lifestyle. Able to put all patrons of the dance floor to shame, Iris’s version of the Charleston and Shimmy drop all the jaws. Look out, Albuquerque!

For more on Jen Musatto and Them Dollz, see Jen’s Project Room exhibit at Stranger Factory December 6th – 29th, with an opening reception on Friday, December 6th from 6 – 9 PM.

Kathie Olivas at AFA Las Vegas

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Olivas-GraphicsIf your idea of a fantastic Thanksgiving dinner is an opulent Las Vegas buffet, then you’re in luck! Opening Thanksgiving weekend in Las Vegas, Kathie Olivas’ “Before Midnight” promises to be a beautiful and bedazzled look into Kathie’s off kilter world.

 

 

Imaginary friends take form and narrate their own fleeting moments in a new series of surreal portraits by contemporary artist Kathie Olivas. The Artist will unveil her newest collection, entitled “Before Midnight”, at AFA of Las Vegas on November 30th. The new exhibition includes original paintings and sculpture, inspired by early American portraiture that often depicted children as small adults in an idealized new land. The characters parallel this vision within their own sense of post-apocalyptic conformity, uniquely documenting their own stories in a mysterious brave new world. Before the shadows escape into the night, impractical dreamers take part in a world only discovered by their own imaginations. Before the stroke of midnight, the alter egos and spirit guides become intertwined as high spirits for lonely misfits.

 

WHAT: “Before Midnight” exhibition opening and reception for Kathie Olivas / Free and open to the public
WHEN: Saturday Nov. 30th 1-4 PM  / On exhibit through December
WHERE: AFA (Located in the Grand Canal Shoppes at the Palazzo, across from Ralph Lauren)
MORE INFO: afanyc.com / info@afanyc.com / Telephone: 702.998.6975

 

 

Don’t eat the yellow snow!

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There really isn’t a middle ground with snowmen. You either have a Dapper chap telling stories or a bad B-movie style killer version, but Tim Lee looks to bridge that gap for Winter Salon III.
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Snowman_tleeLooks like this frosty guy has had his share of rough days with  sled dogs using him as a tree, but he is still all smiles. Tim is experimenting with sculpting more and more, and the results are spectacular. This pseudo creepy top hat wearing piece is a prime example. Also, it looks like Tim is also doing more woodcuts for Christmas trees of sorts in the top image. More on those soon.

The Winter Salon runs December 6th – 29th, with an opening reception on Friday, December 6th from 6 – 9 PM.

The 2nd Annual Turkey Hands Contest

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hand-turkey1Back by popular demand! Chris Ryniak is hosting the 2nd Annual Turkey Hands contest over on the Circus Posterus forums.

It doesn’t matter if you have museum quality art skills or pathetic ones like I do because all are welcome (just become a member of the forum).

Just in time for Thanksgiving, so get started tracing those hands!

The rules are simple –

1.TRACE YOUR HAND
2.Then turn your hand drawing into something else, doesn’t have to be a turkey. The more creative the better. Hell, you might even want to pander a little…maybe something CP related (just a suggestion).
3. Post your image on the Circus Posterus contest thread by the deadline – Saturday NOVEMBER 30th!

(Limited to 3 entries per person.)

Chris will be picking a winner on his own criteria…including possibly humour, skill, lack of skill, the fate of your turkey hand drawing is entirely in his very large and decisive hands. But the prize will be worth it – it’s a random bundle of CMR goodies, including an original drawing!

This contest is open to EVERYONE(regardless of post count), so if you’ve been meaning to join in the fun and hilarity of the Circus Posterus Sideshow, this is the time!

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Them Dollz goes conjoined

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twins

Who doesn’t love something conjoined? For her show this December at Stranger Factory, Jen Musatto aka Them Dollz has brought the conjoined dolls out from under the stairs. Dressed in their best cherry red and turquoise collar dresses, these two are not impressed by my attempts at writing.

Conjoined at the hip with two arms and four legs, this doll will be a hit when it arrives at Stranger Factory soon.

Jen’s Project Room exhibit will run December 6th – 29th, with an opening reception on Friday, December 6th from 6 – 9 PM.

Wrap Up Designer Con

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Designer Con is sadly now over – it has been such fun hanging out and working with this brilliant bunch of artists, fans, and friends. It turned out to be a gorgeous weekend with an enthusiastic crowd including many new faces. We seriously can’t thank everyone enough.

Do to the long lines and a slight brain freeze, not too many images from our end were taken, but in a haste some were quickly snapped (not very well at all) for a slight recap.

Click more for a short recap.
Read More »Wrap Up Designer Con

Work in Progress shots for Winter Salon from Carisa Swenson

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All the artists involved in Winter Salon III are hard at work completing their pieces for the show. After some minor sleuthing, we found some progress images of Goblinfruit Studio aka our very own  Carisa Swenson.
16c9aa06497811e3928d12ca4fdf17b7_7 93cb259e4a3511e3a67012d965504916_7Carisa appears to be working on some of her amazing “Jackibous” and “Marottes”. Of course, these are the early stages and she is sculpting away, but we know what she is capable of. Winter Salon might turn into Winter Battle Royale with all the great work coming!

The Winter Salon runs December 6th – 29th, with an opening reception on Friday, December 6th from 6 – 9 PM.