October 2012

A Rare Look into Kathie Olivas’s Studio as She Prepares for ‘Haunted’ @ AFA

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While vacationing in Albuquerque a couple of months ago, Kathie offered me the absolute pleasure of shooting some in-progress paintings for Haunted, her solo opening later this month at AFA NYC. It had been a little over a year since I had visited her studio, and the thought of documenting the work to later share with the fans was obviously a thrill. It’s why bloggers do what they do, after all, and it isn’t often that we get an intimate look behind the scenes at CP HQ.

Kathie’s studio is detached from the rest of their house in the mountains. Slipping out the sliding door of the sculpture studio and through a gate leading to the side yard, you then climb up the rocky facade of a small-but-steep incline that actually turns into cliff if you go the wrong way. Hanging a left, you soon see it: a large, glassed-in gazebo with wraparound deck. Ask Kathie about it and she’ll educate (and enterain) you on the perils of building into solid rock.

Despite its imposing size, the interior space of the gazebo is rather tight, with nearly every square inch occupied by easels, canvases, shelving and supplies. Shooting the art became a nerve-racking game of hopscotch as I tried to get the right angle without turning the canvases into dominoes.

The art shown here is only a sampling of what will be on exhibit at AFA. There are also the three-dimensional works, which were lurking in another studio in the house. Kathie’s workspace aside, there are also the toy and print studios, which I’ll document next visit. There’s also their rec room, where paintings and sculpts often spill onto tables, counter tops and any other conceivable surface. Pop into a washroom and you may see 30 some odd Stingy Jacks bathing in the tub. The art is everywhere and it’s incredible and inspiring how two artists have committed themselves so completely.

Anyway, without further adieu, enjoy the tour of Studio KO. Haunted opens Oct. 20th and runs through December at AFA NYC.

 Click through for more studio sneaks!

Read More »A Rare Look into Kathie Olivas’s Studio as She Prepares for ‘Haunted’ @ AFA

Important Preview Info for Bewitching II and Dead Wood!

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Freaks and geeks, witches and ghouls, our favorite day is upon us and is sure to make you drool! The boards are coming off the doors and windows, the candles lit and cobwebs dusted at Stranger Factory as we busily prepare for the opening of our biggest show yet: Bewitching II. Featuring the works of roughly 40 artists from all over the globe, this show may very well bring about the apocalypse. The teasers alone are enough to cripple all expectations, self-restraint and bank accounts and those were just a sampling of what’s to come.

And we musn’t forget the sheer brilliance of this year’s sideshow act: Gary Ham’s Dead Wood. This will certainly be an exhibition to remember, and for the souls around the globe who can only attend in spirit, I bid you to listen well …

As per every exhibition, locals get first crack at the goods starting tonight through this weekend. Online collectors, the request period opens TUESDAY, Oct. 9 at  12 noon PST. It’s been pushed back a day on account of Baby Tattooville. Given the volume of art on the preview, an email may not be sent out to collectors in time. That said, the list is being constantly updated on the Stranger Factory website so check in this evening for the full spread. Please avoid camping on the site as it creates a lag for everyone. Art from both shows will be compiled on the same page.

Bewitching II and Dead Wood open TONIGHT with an reception from 6-9pm. Gary Ham will be in attendance! The exhibits run through Nov. 4th.

 

Available Now! Skullboy by Stephane Levallois

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More smart art for the Halloween start. We are glad to showoff SKULLBOY, and we aren’t talking about Ryniak here. Alas this boy isn’t made of osseous tissue but an 18 x 15″ original painting by Stephane Levallois. Currently stalking the halls of Stranger Factory and tormenting Mikee, he is waiting for a new haunt. You can purchase Skullboy right here and add it to you Halloween or skull collection.

Seeing Your Veggies in a Whole New Way

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You know, when scientists have time and access to fun things, they will play. Of course, I NEVER do odd things in my lab, EVER. I dont have access to an MRI, but Andy Ellison does. Andy does a great blog of MRI scans and imaging of things you usually do not see in this fashion. Corn, cactus, lily, garlic,starfruit, and more are all part of his masterpiece using Magnetic Resonance Imaging of foods. It is really cool watching the corn come alive from layer to layer micron Z depth to micron Z depth. Have a look and then go get lunch.

 

 

 

“Glow Edition” Greasebat at The Designer Toy Awards

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Last night we told you how to obtain a DTA VIP Fan badge, and now we have more Designer Toy Award news. Only at the awards, can you get the new “glow edition” Greasebat! Designed and sculpted by our friends Jeff Lamm and Chauskoskis. This sofubi gem is super limited to only 7 so you know it will be sold out fast especially at only $75.

Designer Toy Awards
Oct. 13 at 8pm
Providence NYC
311 West 57th St.
New York, NY 10019

VIP Badges are Now Available for the Designer Toy Awards

The Designer Toy Awards Fan VIP badge is now live for purchase. With it you can feel like royalty. You get all kinds of good stuff from a raffle ticket for a big prize, a goodie bag (with rumors of a Healey piece in it), drink ticket, a laminate showing you rock,  early entry, and a bunch more.

These are limited so grab em up or weep later.

Get your badge on HERE.

You may pick up your DTA FAN VIP Badge at Clutter Magazine’s NYCC Booth #3004 OR at the doors of The Designer Toy Awards Ceremony at Providence NYC (311 West 57th St., New York, NY 10019). You will need your Order Number and a Photo I.D. to be able to pick up your badge.

 

“Paint Life” The Army of Snipers Documentary Teaser Trailer

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Last winter, documentary film maker Daniel Zana joined the all star artist cast of Army of Snipers consisting of Angry Woebots, J*RYU, Ritzy Periwinkle, Sheryo, and Peap Tarr on the humanitarian art mission known as The Little Lotus Project. Their journey took them to Thailand, Singapore, and Honk Kong, and all along the way, Zana was filming.

Finally we get a teaser trailer of the documentary. Please watch.

Don Your Best Rubber Face, Seymour’s Mascarade is Coming to Town!

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Some of you may recall Seymour’s nightmarish sideshow from Strychnin’s Emporium exhibition (with Doktor A and Skeleton Heart) earlier this year. But if you’re unfamiliar with the work of Berlin-based artist, now’s your chance to see him at his best.

Continuing the carnivale theme, Seymour presents “The Mascarade”, an installation comprised of eight polymer clay and resin figures all housed in a vintage wooden clock body. Customised to look like the front of an old house, the characters sit on the front steps, eagerly awaiting someone brave (or foolish?) enough to approach for candy. Oh, they’ll give you something, all right …

 The clock box measures 22 inches (it’s a big ‘un) and includes an internal light to show off the group of geeks loitering within. Something tells me they’ll be right at home at Stranger Factory.

 Bewitching II opens tomorrow (Oct. 5th) with an opening reception from 6pm to 9pm!   

Important Dates to Remember!

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This fall has been one of the most jam packed and event filled seasons I have ever seen. To keep us all from doing our heads in, here is a quick rundown of the Circus Posterus related shenanigans.

Oct. 5-7: Kathie Olivas and Brandt Peters at Baby Tattooville in Riverside, California.

Oct 5: Doktor A, FERG, Chris Ryniak, DrilOne,  Amanda Louise Spayd and many more amazing artists at  Stranger Factory’s Bewitching II.

Oct. 11-14: Dok A and Chris Ryniak at New York Comic Con

Oct 12: Dok A solo show “A Postcards from New Yorkshire” at myplasticheart.

Oct. 20: Kathie Olivas solo show “Haunted”  at AFA Gallery.

Nov. 3: Kathie Olivas, Brandt Peters, Chris Ryniak, DrilOne,  Amanda Louise Spayd, and more at Designer Con in Pasadena, CA.

Dec. 7: Circus Annual (Circus Posterus Group Exhibit) at Stranger Factory 



Amanda Louise Spayd Brings the Harvest Moon to Bewitching II

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Amanda Louise Spayd is one of those artists whose work consistently impresses and inspires me, and when the air grows cool and the trees become a mosaic of yellow, orange and red, she’s in her element. Magic happens. She reignites our imaginations and reminds us that while we wander the forests listening to the crunch of the leaves beneath us, the sound me not be from our feet alone.

Harvest Moon is a custom sprite that’s bound for Bewitching II, Stranger Factory’s annual Halloween haunt, opening tomorrow. Complete with hand-cast resin face, custom forehead adornment, seriously stylish leaf mane and Beetlejuice slacks, s/he’d make a perfect centrepiece for any Thanksgiving table. As always, I’m curious of the scent: cinnamon? Pumpkin pie? Dried leaves? Mmmm, creature therapy.