Sculpture

September at Stranger Factory with Creeptoons, Fika Art, Sumrow, and Stephan Webb!

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This September
at
STRANGER FACTORY
Creeptoons & Fika Art, BENEATH THE MIRE / Sumrow, DAWN OF THE DOUGHNUTS / Stephan Webb, FRACTURED MINDS will run from
September 7th – 30th, 2018

Opening Reception: Friday, September 7th from 6-9 PM

Beneath the Mire showcases new work from artists Creeptoons and Fika Art. The show explores themes of Good vs. Evil, hidden motives, and what lies beneath. Vibrant vixens with dark secrets and mischievous mutants with sprightly smiles adorn the landscape of Beneath the Mire. Sometimes things aren’t always what they seem…

Creeptoons is the emerging creature brand by Florida based artist Matt Duncan. His 2d illustrative works begin as automatic drawings which develop as big strokes of drippy landscape and ink blotches that transform into dark and mischievous characters hoping to add chaos and misfortune to his apocalyptic landscapes.

Fika Art is a the illustrated brand of emerging artist Stefani Rabideaux. Her colorful 2d works combine elements of darkness and isolation with vivid contrasting tones that are nostalgic of vintage illustration. Her delicate female characters evoke hope and optimism in dark times.

Dawn of the Doughnuts is a show filled with spooks and sweets. Sumrow joins us for his first feature exhibition, bringing along his army of Mr. Jimmies, the Undead Doughnuts, to thrill and fill the gallery with sprinkles and terror.

John Sumrow is an Albuquerque based illustrator. His focus is with fantasy and science fiction. He spent almost two decades as a graphic designer in the higher education industry, switching gears in 2009 to to focus more on his first loves: painting and illustration.

In Fractured Minds, Stephan Webb explores the inner workings of the human psyche and the forces that are imposed on an individual. What affects the behavior and characteristics of an individual? Join Stranger Factory as Webb tries to investigate the mind by displaying various figurative and expressive forms, as well as geometric elements that produce a surreal composition of the human figure, revealing the inner psyche.

Webb, a local Albuquerque favorite, melds biology themes with intricately cast bronze pieces to create meticulously detailed pieces of art. His degree in biology and love for metal working create a thought-provoking narrative that explores evolution, psychology, and process in an expression that leaves viewers intrigued.

All three exhibitions are free and open to the public.

Stranger Factory
3411 Central Avenue NE
Albuquerque, NM 87106
505-508-3049

 

April at Stranger Factory: Jen Musatto, Fearsome Beast (aka Katherine Walsh), and Calan Ree

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APRIL 2018

CARNIVAL OF LOST DOLLS II / Jen Musatto, MEMENTO VIVERE / Fearsome Beast (aka Katherine Walsh), and REALM / Calan Ree
will run from
April 6th – 29th, 2018
Opening Reception: Friday, April 6th from 6-9 PM


Jen Musatto creates “Them Dollz”, a line of handcrafted plush dolls that evoke a sometimes melancholy and gloomy image of the fleeting nature of childhood where innocence and the longing for companionship take a most unusual form.

Her “rag doll” figures are nostalgic and reminiscent of the sewn faces of characters from her childhood like Raggedy Ann.

In her first solo feature at the gallery, Los Angeles based embroidery artist Fearsome Beast (aka Katherine Walsh) will be exhibiting her highly detailed embroidered works on fabric panels. Her small, framed two dimensional works are reminiscent of traditional embroidery with a dark spin.

Her obsession with tiny skulls and crowns obscures the narrative of a historically “feminine” craft.

Calan Ree creates contemporary ceramic and mixed media figurative sculpture.  Clay is her first true love, so even when working in bone or metal, there is more often than not, ceramic binding the elements together. She finds the natural world just as intriguing as the folk lore that tries to explain it.

Her work is figurative in nature and often expresses the hidden spirit that resides within the subject.

Stranger Factory
3411 Central Avenue NE
Albuquerque, NM 87106
505-508-3049

The OUTER LIMITS gallery tour comes to Stranger Factory this August with Kathie Olivas and Brandt Peters!

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The OUTER LIMITS gallery tour comes to Stranger Factory this August

with Kathie Olivas and Brandt Peters!

Internationally recognized fine artists and toy designers Kathie Olivas and Brandt Peters launched their highly anticipated OUTER LIMITS gallery tour earlier this Summer of 2016 across three cities from the “mile high” city of Denver, Colorado (Sally Centigrade Gallery)… to Old Route 66 in New Mexico (Stranger Factory Gallery), to across the pacific ocean to the capital city of Manila, Philippines (Secret Fresh).
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Stranger Factory is pleased to host the second stop for their OUTER LIMITS TOUR at their flag-ship gallery in Albuquerque, NM. Outer Limits opens On August 5th with an opening reception with the artists from 6-9 PM (both artists in attendance).

Outer Limits presents the most recent collaborations and individual new works from this artist couple. Often known for their hand made art toys and limited edition vinyl figures, both Peters and Olivas have also spent the last 20 years developing their careers as narrative painters. This current series of work is inspired by cosmic travelers, psychic healers, futuristic utopias, and a potential zombie apocalypse.

This exhibition tour marks the first time Peters and Olivas have shown together as a two-person exhibition in over 6 years.
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About the Artists:
Kathie Olivas is an internationally exhibited multi-media artist from New Mexico. Through her current body of work she explores society’s insatiable desire to assign ‘cuteness’ and our discomfort with the unknown. A dark blend of early American portraiture set in post apocalyptic times, her paintings and hand-made art toys are a satirical look at how fear affects our sense of reality.

Brandt Peters is an award winning internationally recognized and accomplished visual artist, designer, story developer (animation-film), illustrator, character and toy designer. His work hearkens back to the earliest days of comics and animation, with a seeming simplicity that hides layers of intricate back story. His humor and unerring sense of composition, combined with a strong narrative thread that has consistently woven through all his work for the past decade, has made him a favorite of art and toy collectors the world over.
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The show will run August 5 – 28th.
Opening Reception on August 5th (6-9 PM)

Stranger Factory
3411 Central Avenue NE
Albuquerque, NM 87106
505-508-3049

FRIDAY, May 20th: Otto Bjornik’s Exclusive Stranger Factory Bai Chu (Li-Fu! Edition)

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bai
Otto Bjornik’s Exclusive Stranger Factory Bai Chu (Li-Fu! Edition)

Releasing Friday, May 20th at Noon PST is Otto Bjornik’s Exclusive Stranger Factory Bai Chu (Li-Fu! Edition) with a 1:7 Gold Variant!

 

The Tale of Bai Chu the Bloodthirsty!

Hundreds of years ago, there lived an infamous Commander General named Bai Chu. Bai Chu was feared by enemies and friends alike, for he was a fierce and ruthless leader, and he inspired the utmost dread in those who would oppose him. Incredibly ambitious, he hungered for power and plotted to take over the world with his army of fearless warriors. Tales of how Bai Chu would behead his foes and drink blood from their still-beating hearts were especially terrifying, and mothers would tell them to frighten disobedient children. “If you are bad, Bai Chu will come for you in the night!” they would caution a wide-eyed child.

One dark and stormy evening, in unexplored forested lands of Calinan after a bloody battle, Bai Chu lay restless in his tent. While devising plans to gain more strength and conquer more nations, he thought he heard mournful voices outside. Instantly alert, he quickly came out to investigate, and very soon he was lost in a huge forest where the very trees seemed to whisper in the wind. Suddenly, an old lady appeared in front of him.

“Help me, O great warrior, for I hunger so”, she croaked. Bai Chu scoffed and raised his weapon in anger! “Fool crone! Know you not who I am? I am Bai Chu the bloodthirsty, the long-lived, the mighty! I will put you out of your misery!” But before he could lower his weapon to take her head, the old woman vanished, the wind seemed to beat and howl, and in her place a beautiful diwata appeared. She spoke with the voice of the wind:

“O Bai Chu, in your arrogant pride you have become so small. From this day forth, I curse you to hunger, to be insignificant and ignored!

Bai Chu the bloodthirsty: I make you a blood drinker.

Bai Chu the long-lived: I make you immortal.

BAi Chu the mighty: I make you smaller than a tiny child’s plaything!

The spell shall only be broken when your heart becomes true, It is done!”

And that is how Bai Chu the Bloodthirsty became the cutest, smallest vampire to ever exist. He refers to everyone he meets as his Dark Minions. As he is too small to really drink a large human’s blood, he subsists on blood oranges, which he finds are surprisingly delicious. It is not uncommon to find blood oranges near him, with two tiny tell-tale teeth marks. Bai Chu is still quite fearless, and likes to run at his enemies ferociously screaming his own name: “Bai Chu! Bai Chu! Bai Chu!” From a distance, it sounds like a small voice is yelling “Biteyoubiteyoubiteyou!” from somewhere around your ankles.

Will you be Bai Chu’s jailer, or his accomplice? Will you try to change his wicked ways, or help him achieve world domination? Whatever you choose, you better have some blood oranges ready before he comes home with you!

Bai Chu: (Bite You)
Talisman: “I Hunger!”
Height: 5 1/2″ inches
Material: Resin Body and Magnet
Edition Quantity: 35pcs

Available at www.circusposterus.com

The miniscule vampire stands approximately 5 ½” tall (you may need to stoop down quite low to hear him shouting “Biteyoubiteyoubiteyou!”as he is very very small). He is cursed with a rigid resin body emulating the smooth vampiric skin of his kind, and a neodymium magnet that pulls him towards your refrigerator (an indignity Bai Chu will probably never forgive you for).
His magnetic restraining talisman with the words “I Hunger” written in beautiful Chinese calligraphy is removable, and you may need to reattach it should Bai Chu prove too much to handle!

Gold Variant 1:7
Li-Fu : Nature
Green Li-Fu contains the mighty power of nature. Forged in the forest and tempered in verdant environments, the Li-Fu edition communes with nature spirits to hone in on Bai-Chu’s targets every single time (however, being green, he is a bit gullible).

BaicGold Bai

 

Monsters & Misfits IV:A Circus Posterus Exhibition at Shibuya Hikarie, Tokyo

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blog sized

Monsters & Misfits IV

A Circus Posterus Exhibition at Shibuya Hikarie, Tokyo

Tomenosuke + Circus Posterus (T+CP) is delighted to announce Monsters & Misfits IV, an exhibit of new work presented in collaboration with Tomenosuke-Syoten. This is the first Monsters and Misfits in Tokyo (Japan) and will be on display at Shibuya Hikarie at Creative Space “8/” from April 1st – 7th.

Monsters and Misfits IV will feature returning artists Brandt Peters, Kathie Olivas, Amanda Louise Spayd, Chris Ryniak, Andrew Bell, Stan Manoukian, and Carisa Swenson. Shing Yin Khor, Leslie Levings, Lana Crooks, and Kevin Titzer join the returning exhibition as new additions to the roster.

This museum level exhibition will bring you through a parade of strange and fantastic creatures and characters from these top contemporary designers, toy makers, and fine artists. This year’s group of Circus Posterus’ artists and guests present a hand-made sideshow of beady eyed night critters, devils, reptilian oddities, mouse kings, kappa skulls, ghost children, and more that promise to leave you awash in starry-eyed wonder. The fourth installment of this show features primarily hand made toys and sculptures inspired by cryptozoology and an idealized, re-imagined  animal kindgdom. Andrew Bell, Stan Manoukian, Kathie Olivas, Brandt Peters, Amanda Louise Spayd, and Chris Ryniak will be attending the opening reception on April 1st.

To purchase original artwork and, or view the Monsters and Misfits IV exhibition online, please visit www.tomenosuke.com on April 2nd (11 AM local Tokyo time) when the web preview is launched. Please contact Tomenosuke.com directly for any Monsters and Misfits IV purchase related questions.

Press images and additional promotional artist information are available upon request from our Press Manager.

The exhibit will run April 1st to 7th at Shibuya Hikarie in Tokyo, Japan, with an opening reception on April 1st.

Shibuya Hikarie (Creative Space “8/”)
2-21-1 Shibuya
Shibuya-ku
Tokyo, Japan
150-8510
03-5468-5892
http://www.hikarie.jp/en/

www.tomenosuke.com
www.circusposterus.com

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Shots from the making of Calliope!

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Brandt Peters and Kathie Olivas were on set this past weekend of their first stop motion short film, Calliope. As you can see the stage is literally set for the filming of this soon to be epic film! We still don’t know too much about the plot or anything yet, but we have a hunch that all will be revealed very soon.

Take a look at some behind the scenes images of Calliope!
image1fBrandt getting in on the action.
image1The details are so precise and tiny!
image3fSpeaking of tiny!

image4More of the developing set.
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Unicorns and Dodo birds!!!
image2rThis merry-go-round is looking amazing. Could this be our star’s home?

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And we get to see a puppet!

We will have more from Calliope very soon. Keep watching our twitter feeds for more behind the scenes.
https://instagram.com/circusposterus/
https://instagram.com/brandtpeters/
https://instagram.com/strangerfactory
https://instagram.com/circusposterusfilms//

Designer Con Releases Round 5

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How about another quick Designer Con post before I Iose the plot completely!

Three new artists we are bringing to Pasadena, CA this weekend with us are Tim Lee, Brandan Styles, and Stephan Webb. All three are planning to pack our booth full of original works of art and amazement! This will be one awesome weekend!

See you at booth #700

Here are some examples of what they will have in tow:
Brandan Styles Brandan Styles4Brandan Styles’ Woodcuts

Stephan Webb 4 Stephan Webb 5

Stephan Webb’s bronze sculpts
(many are wearable)

Tim Lee TimLeepropmo1Fan favorite Tim Lee returms with woodcuts and Skelve masks!

Designer Con
November 8 and 9
Pasadena Convention Center 
Exhibit Hall A & B
300 East Green Street
Pasadena, CA 91101

The making of Joe Scarano’s Candy Corn Goblins

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Joe Scarano gave us a very special treat for Bewitching IV, he let us into his studio with a visual tour through every step of his brilliant Candy Corn Goblin creation. We got to see the development from sketch to finished product over many weeks, and we are excited to share with you!

Follow this amazing visual journey of Joe’s from the original sketch design to sculpt, mold making, and final painting of his Candy Corn Goblins.

You can see them in all their glory when Bewitching IV opens at Stranger Factory on Friday, Oct 10 at 6PM.

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21 22 23 24See AMAZING!

 

Cabbageworts are ready to be picked

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Cabbage

Chris Ryniak has been hard at work gardening in his monster den, and we are happy to say the “Cabbageworts” are all done and heading off to the Circus Posterus group show “Traveling Circus” at Rotofugi Designer Toy Store & Gallery in Chicago, Feb. 15th.

Big eyes, two toothed, and with a fun scarf these heads aren’t going to last long!

Scaleybugs Dressed for the Chicago Cold

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bluesweater_scaleybug2Trust us, we know how cold it has been in Chicago recently, and fortunately, Shing Yin Khor has prepared her scaleybugs for for the harsh weather.

Dressed up in blue and orange sweaters, the scaleybugs will be “snug as a bug in a rug” when Circus Posterus’ “Traveling Circus” takes over Rotofugi. Honestly, we can’t say the same about the collection of artists traveling to the show(Brandt, Kathie, Amanda, Chris and Travis)! They might be popsicles by the end of the weekend! But – they will thaw eventually and these adorable not so little bugs will be happy to come to your warm home after the show.

orangesweater_scaleybug3

Circus Posterus’ “Traveling Circus” at Rotofugi opens February 15 and runs through March 9th. Exhibiting artists include Stan Manoukian, Tim Lee, Chris Ryniak, Amanda Louise Spayd, Joe Scarano, Stephan Webb, Shing Khor, Katie Carillo, Jen Musatto, Brandt Peters, Kathie Olivas, and Travis Louie.