Travis Louie

Travis Louie’s Custom Stan Skelves for Le Carnaval des Spectres, 9.13

With Le Carnaval des Spectres opening at Artoyz Paris in just under two weeks, Travis Louie is finally indulging us in what he has planned for the CP group exhibition. Kicking things off are a pair of custom Stan Skelves, who are sporting some pretty snazzy Cyclops eyes. “Here we spend all this time planning and perfecting [the eyes] and I’m scraping all that off and painting them entirely from scratch,” Travis laughs over the phone from his studio in Red Hook, NY. “I’m a lot happier with this batch … I feel like I’ve finally figured out how to paint these.”

Travis anticipates having nine custom Stans for the show, along with some small paintings. In other words: we have a lot to look forward to. Save your pennies!

Le Carnaval des Spectres opens Sept. 13th through Oct. 20th at Artoyz Shop + Galerie in Paris, France. The exhibition includes new works from Kathie Olivas, Brandt Peters, Chris Ryniak, Amanda Louise Spayd, Teodoru Badiu and, of course, Mr. Travis Louie.

Travis Louie x Circus Posterus ‘Ecto-Stan’ Bust Revealed at SPIRITS, 8.3

Travis Louie’s utterly awesome Spirits exhibition opened this past weekend at Stranger Factory and hidden among the paintings and drawings was his Ecto Stan bust, a surprise, 20-piece edition from Travis and Circus Posterus. Standing 7 inches tall and retailing for $250 per, the hand painted resin busts are a brand new platform from CP and it’ll be really exciting to see what they have planned for these, given this strong debut. We’ve had a taster of what can be done with giant Elizabeth and Skelve busts, so there’s no doubt that these smaller platforms should yield all kinds of toytastic magic — editioned and custom pieces alike!

Spirits is on display until Sept. 3 at the Factory and the exhibition is also live right here. For those hankering for more 3D goodness, be sure to check out Travis’ exclusive Uncle Six Eyes, and his Ghostly Stan Skelve, as well!

 

 

 

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!

Stranger Factory Presents: Travis Louie’s ‘SPIRITS’ 8.3


Travis Louie has always been a dreamer. Through the tiny, hyper-realistic drawings and notes in his journals, he’s painted a world inhabited by human oddities, mythical beings and otherworldly characters, all rooted in Victorian and Edwardian times and set to the tune of film noir and German expressionist cinematography.

And next month, they’re headed to Albuquerque.

Opening August 3rd is Spirits, a collection of new two- and three-dimensional works inspired by early American Spiritualism. But Travis Louie style. So expect the haunting apparitions, suited skeletons and stylish Cyclops.

An opening reception will be held at Stranger Factory from 6pm to 9pm Friday. Travis will be there! Join us as we delve into the realm of the supernatural and indulge in our curiosity of the dead…

** A rendering workshop will also be held in conjunction with the event; details to come!

Travis Louie was born in Queens, NY, about a mile from the site of the 1964 World’s Fair. His early childhood was spent drawing and watching “Atomic Age” sci-fi and horror movies. His paintings spawn from tiny drawings and notes in his journals, where he’s created his own imaginary world rooted in Victorian and Edwardian times and influenced by Film Noir and German Expressionist cinematography. A world inhabited by human oddities, mythical beings, and otherworldly characters, Travis’ subjects appear to have had their formal portraits taken to mark their existence and place in society.

The underlining thread that connects all these characters is the unusual circumstances that shape who they were and how they lived. Some of their origins are a complete mystery while others leave subtle cues: a man is cursed by a goat; a strange, furry being is discovered sleeping in a hedge; an engine driver can’t stop vibrating in his sleep, and so forth. Using inventive techniques of painting with acrylic washes and simple textures on smooth boards, Travis creates portraits from an alternate universe that seemingly may or may not have existed.

Circus Posterus x Artoyz Paris Present: Le Carnaval des Spectres 9.13

European friends, we’re coming to visit! For the first time ever, the Circus is packing up and heading to Paris for Le Carnaval des Spectres, a special gallery exhibition at Artoyz Shop + Galerie this September. Centered on the theme of ghosts and spirits, Le Carnaval will showcase all new works from Brandt Peters, Kathie Olivas, Travis Louie, Chris Ryniak, Amanda Louise Spayd and Teodoru Badiu (who’s celebrating his first showing with CP AND it’s on home soil. Excitement!).

And to answer a common question that’s been buzzing around the forums … YES, new figures will be releasing at this show!

What figures? Well … these might make their debut. There might also be a certain colourway of this. There was also something about some vinyl making an appearance, but those could be LPs for all we know ;)

There’s other stuff, too, which will be trickling out in the next couple of weeks; pieces for the show will be shipping soon, so with that photoshoots, more info and other things to make your eyeballs tingle.

Le Carnaval des Spectres opens Sept. 13th with an opening reception that evening. Brandt, Kathie, Travis and Teo will be in attendance!

Recap: Spectrum Fantastic Art Live!

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OK so SPECTRUM RECAP! In case you missed the earlier coverage, the Circus Posterus caravan (Kathie Olivas, Brandt Peters, Travis Louie, Chris Ryniak and Archer Dougherty) rolled into the fine city of Kansas City, MO, for the first-ever Spectrum Fantastic Art convention. Held at the Kansas City Convention Center from May 18-20th, the show was essentially an offshoot of the annual mag, celebrating the cream of the crop of the contemporary art community.

Not surprisingly, the level of talent in Bartle Hall was unprecedented: more than 200 creative professionals from all over the globe exhibited at the event. But that didn’t stop the Circus from making its presence known, with some fans lining up as early as 6am and most editions selling out in the first 15 minutes. (Biznass.)

Talking toys specifically, Spectrum saw the introduction of the Frostbite 4 Legged Masao and the first resin Calliope Jackalope handpaint from Kathie Olivas and Brandt Peters. Travis Louie brought along a trio of gorgeous custom Stan Skelves and Chris Ryniak let loose some custom Bubblegut and Crumbeaters.

And there was also some pretty sweet surprises: do you see what I see below?

IS THAT AN ULTRA SQUID GIRL?!

Indeed, it is! I’m going to wager that it’s one of the resin editions and details on this project will emerge soon. A Classic Stingy Jack, Octopus Girl and some Ghostly Stans also made an appearance. Seriously: I’m jealous, Kansas.

And if that wasn’t enough, the 2D art was off the hook, as well: small original paintings, drawings and prints from each of the artists. A nice change of pace; here’s hoping we see more of this at future cons.

That’s a wrap for this year! There’s a whole whack of event photos below and also via the gallery. Enjoy!

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!

Travis Louie’s ‘Three Amigos’ Stan Customs for Spectrum 5.18

Yep. This here would be the personification of shit getting real: frantic crowds, elbows flying, hopefully a good Crisco Twister wrestling match right in front of the booth. … Right. Sorry. *Straightens glasses.*

A few days ago Travis Louie hinted at having a few custom Stan Skelves with him at Spectrum this weekend and hot damn, here they are, hanging out in the Travis Louie Specter Studio, getting ready for their trek to Kansas City.

From the sounds of it, these will be the only Stan customs offered at the Con; a handful of regular ‘Ghostly’ editions will also be available. Pricing on the customs is TBD but Ghostly is $200, to give you an idear.

Spectrum Fantastic Art Live is on this Friday through Sunday at the Kansas City Convention Centre in lovely Kansas City, MO. Party’s in Bartle Hall; the CP booth is #919, near the main stage. Kathie Olivas, Brandt Peters, Chris Ryniak and Archer Dougherty will also be there for the action so stop by and share a weird story.

*To those who cannot attend, there is Kleenex on my desk. We’ll get over it. Eventually. *Sniff* ;)

Stan Skelve Customs from Travis Louie for Spectrum 5.18

Man, Spectrum is already shaping up to be a killer con, what with beautiful handpaints from Kathie, Chris and now Travis Louie. A handful of custom Stan Skelves will be up for grabs from Mr. Louie, including one similar to the custom Stan from the Bewitching Halloween show, and an amphibian-type that looks “straight out of Avatar.”

Travis will also have small paintings and drawings on hand for anyone looking to sex up their wall space. Prepare to sprint to booth #919 if you want to be one of the first to add these coveted pieces to your CP collection!

Spectrum Fantastic Art Live kicks off May 18-20 at the Kansas City Convention Center (Bartle Hall). Party up in hee-yah!!

Circus Posterus Gears Up For Spectrum!!!

Spectrum Fantastic Art is celebrating its first-ever convention later this month in Kansas City and the Circus is hitting the road to scope out the action!

Kathie Olivas, Brandt Peters, Chris Ryniak, Archer Dougherty and Travis Louie will be hanging out at the CP booth (#919), right near the main stage area (don’t get any ideas, guys). Like most Cons, they’ll probably have a little bit of everything on hand … and like most Cons, it’ll disappear in a flash so shuffle to their booth quick-like!

Sneak peeks and WIP shots to come. Spectrum Fantastic Art Live kicks off May 18th through the 20th in the Bartle Hall in the Kansas City Convention Center. Directions, membership info, exhibitor list and all that jazz can be found here.