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Recap: Kathie Olivas “Haunted” Solo Exhibition @ AFA NYC, 10.20

Kathie Olivas’s newest solo exhibition, Haunted, opened to a packed house at AFA gallery in lower Manhattan’s beautiful and bustling Soho neighborhood last Saturday. With 20 new paintings and eight custom sculpts, Haunted is Kathie’s largest and most ambitious collection of work to date and it did not disappoint. The evening kicked off with an artist walkthrough with the AFA staff and a brief Q&A period for the first hour.  Shortly after, the doors were unlocked and the wine uncorked. signalling the start of the celebration! A photo gallery of the evening’s festivities is posted just after the jump.

Haunted is on through December at AFA NYC. The full exhibition of works can be viewed here. Contact the gallery 212.226.7374 for pricing & availability.

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New In-Progress Magic from Amanda Spayd for ‘Origins of the Forest’, 9.7

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With Origins of the Forest just two weeks away, Amanda Louise Spayd’s studio is in full-swing production mode with little resin faces and plush bodies blanketing every conceivable surface. It also means a steady stream of WIP shots hitting Instagram, which always makes us tingle with antici … pation.

I’ll let the critters speak for themselves; Mandi’s WIP shots are nothing short of magical and for a show that seemingly crept up on all of us, it appears we are in for something very special.

Origins of the Forest opens Sept. 7th at myplasticheart with a reception with the artist from 6pm to 9pm. The exhibition is on view through Oct. 7th.

Doktor A’s ‘Ophelia Grimm’ for A Postcard from New Yorkshire, 10.12

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Doktor A has just put the finishing touches on all of the dimensional pieces for his upcoming solo show at myplasticheart this October, A Postcard from New Yorkshire. First to be revealed is this stunning original, Ophelia Grimm:

Chronic nyctophobe, Ophelia is terrified of the dark. Sadly, her grand house was inherited from an eccentric uncle who built it without windows, so she was forced to squander her fortunes on candles…

Miss Ophelia stands 9.5″ tall, or 11.5″ with the vintage brass dome. She and the (seriously impressive) candles are crafted from vinyl, ABS, rubber, lead, glass, styrene, polymer clay, vintage draughtsman’s tools & clock key, and other repurposed treasures.

A Postcard from New Yorkshire opens at MPH during NYCC weekend, Oct. 12, and is on view until Nov. 11th.

 

Chris Ryniak’s Spooky Leftovers for Le Carnaval, 9.13

Now isn’t this cool. Over the years we’ve seen Chris Ryniak tackle many a monster; we’ve seen his interpretation of Rayolas, of Stitches and of Buff Monsters. He’s even taken on YHWH. But it wasn’t until last year’s Late Season at Stranger Factory that I saw my first 100% genuine Chris Ryniak ghost.

This was really interesting to me. Up until then, I’ve always viewed Chris’ creatures as being very real, substantial, living creatures. They leave foot prints and trails of slobber, scavenge your crumbs and roam the wooded areas. But then I saw this and it changed everything:

This is Ryniak’s ‘How It’s Made’. It’s a ghost-type creature eating candy corn … and, uh, producing recycled leaf matter :)

I was instantly wowed when I saw this as it was the first time I had seen the tangible and phantasmal collide in Chris’ universe.

Fast forward to now and he teases this on Instagram (@chrisryniak), calling it “spooky leftovers”:

It’s armature, yes. But look at the sketch. “Spooky leftovers”? Sounds like a ghost with an appetite. Which would certainly fit Chris’ MO, not to mention that Le Carnaval des Spectres is creeping up real fast. Eeeee!

With themes centred around ghosts, spirits and early American spiritualism, the CP gang is sure to pull out all of their best tricks for this one. They live for this. And let’s be honest: we’re due for a good haunt.

Le Carnaval des Spectres is a Circus Posterus group exhibition featuring new works from Brandt Peters, Kathie Olivas, Travis Louie, Chris Ryniak, Amanda Louise Spayd and Teodoru Badiu.  The event opens Sept. 13th at Artoyz Shop + Galerie in Paris, France.

A Sneak Peek from Kathie Olivas for AFA NYC 10.20

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Aside from the 20 or so paintings that will grace the walls of New York’s AFA Gallery, Kathie also plans to have a parade of mischievous and enchanting little ladies hanging about the floor, as well.

Giant encrusted Elizabeth heads, custom Lizzies, and a brand new edition (below) will make an appearance at the show, among many other friends. October can’t come fast enough.

On Instagram? Follow @circusposterus for the latest reveals and progress pics … we’re just getting started!

Tonal Illustration Workshop with Travis Louie @ Stranger Factory 8.5

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As part of his Spirits exhibition opening next month at Stranger Factory, renowned fine artist Travis Louie is hosting a very special, small-group rendering workshop at the gallery on Sunday, Aug. 5th from 3pm to 6pm.

The class will introduce students to basic and intermediate multi-medium illustration techniques, as well as instruction in tonal rendering using graphite, liquid graphite, ink washes pastels and gouache on paper. The rendering of light and form will be explored, as well as drawing from a still life set up.

The cost of the workshop is $100 (supplies included) and space is limited to only a dozen spots. To RSVP, stop by or call the gallery at (505) 508-3049, or Paypal to kathieolivas@msn.com (make sure to add ‘Travis Louie Workshop’ as the subject line). A 50% deposit is required (non refundable).

** Bring a notebook if you want to take your own notes during the workshop. Photos and video must be approved by Stranger Factory staff in advance.

Don’t miss this rare opportunity to learn direct from the master in an up-close and intimate setting!

Amanda Louise Spayd for ‘Septenary’ @ OhNo!Doom 7.7

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Pom poms and party hats, polka dots and pretty lace … Amanda Louise Spayd’s trio of critters for OhNo!Doom’s seven-artist sculpture show, Septenary, are straight out of a circus from a bygone era.

Not sure if she’s still sewing life into more dumpy dudes over there, but these three will be in the exhibition, curated by OhNo! gallery mistress, Lana Crooks. The bill also includes fellow Circus mate Chris Ryniak, along with Melita “Miss Monster” Curphy, J.Shea, Melissa Sue Stanley, Jake Waldron and Lana. Show opens July 7th through August 4th.

 

Kathie Olivas ‘Haunted’ Solo Exhibition @ AFA NYC Oct. 20

Hot diggity damn, if there’s one thing that makes me squeal like a school girl it’s Instagram pictures from Kathie Olivas showing a barricade of easels resting new paintings, while every tabletop is blanketed by the weapons of her craft: brushes, tubes of paint, thinner, and the like. We have some serious magic being concocted and, New York City, I’m happy to report that it’s headed to you. Opening Oct. 20 at AFA Gallery, Kathie’s solo show, Haunted, features new 2D works that pick up where last year’s Sweet & Sorrow left off.

The exhibition is still a ways away so expect many more sneak peeks as Kathie prepares what’s already looking to be a stirring exploration of survival after the fallout.

Septenary Group Sculpture Show @ OhNo!Doom 7.7

Now THIS is interesting. Ms. Lana “Plushinator” Crooks, needle ninja of OhNo!Doom, recently posted this postcard on her Facebook page stating: “… oh and I am curating (am in) this sculpture show on July 7th.”

Amanda Louise Spayd, Chris Ryniak, Melita “Miss Monster” Curphy, Jake Waldron, Melissa Sue Stanley  and J.Shea are all tagged in the photo.

Dear lord, is this another Imaginary Menagerie-esque barnburner in our midst? Because that lineup is bound to melt faces and savings accounts and any ounce of self restraint you may think you have.

I’ll be keeping a very close eye on this — details are still emerging, folks, so keep it locked!

Green Blood Charity Group Show @ Dorothy Circus Gallery 6.14

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Opening next month at Dorothy Circus Gallery in Rome is Green Blood, a charity group exhibition benefiting Greenpeace and Oceana — organizations that focus on the preservation of nature and its wildlife. Curated by Alexandra Mazzanti and Tara McPherson, the bill includes CP’s master of class, Mr. Travis Louie, along with the formidable Kathie Olivas and Brandt Peters. Joining them are:

Tara McPherson, Jeff Soto, Martin Wittfooth, Lola, Brandi Milne, Leila Ataya, Nicoletta Ceccoli, Roland Tamayo, Ana Bagayan, Scott Musgrove, Yosuke Ueno, Sergio Mora, Dave Cooper, Paolo Guido, Afan, Alessia Iannetti, Anastasia Kurakina, Gary Baseman, Ixie Darkonn, Mr. Klevra and Corine Perier.

That’s some serious heat and for a great cause. I have no eye candy yet, but will be sure to share the goodness as soon as it hits my inbox. Green Blood opens June 14th with an opening reception starting at 7pm. Show’s until July 20th!