sculpture

Scott Radke’s Brilliant ‘King Killian’ Commission

Jaw. On. The. Floor.

Scott Radke was recently commissioned by indie filmmaker Jim McKenzie to bring two of his characters to life, Roach and Fred the dog, from McKenzie’s fantasy-drama short, King Killian.

I could go on and on about how fabulous these sculpts are, but your time would be far better served watching the film. It’s the most powerful 2 minutes and 23 seconds you’ll experience today.

I know. Hits you right where it hurts the most. The Killian project was McKenzie’s labour of love for two years, working on it while attending college and then eventually finishing it as part of his degree. If you’re interested in the project, check out the King Killian blog for some insight into the process.

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.

Doktor A’s ‘A Postcard from New Yorkshire’ Solo @ myplasticheart 10.12

Oooo, this oughta be good. It’s been a little over a year since Doktor A’s stellar UK solo exhibition, Mr. Whistlecraft’s Tarnished Daydreams, and he’s now tuning up for a retrobotic steampunk soiree at myplasticheart in NYC this October with A Postcard from New Yorkshire.

“I will have some more adventurous pieces on show,” Dok writes from his studio in the UK. “I have been pushing some boundaries and learning some new skills for this one. More involved and intricate constructions than I have undertaken in the past.”

The show will feature more original creations than custom toys, as well as a new series of ink drawings to complement the dimensional pieces. The Doktor also promises some surprises as he explores new avenues and territories that have been on his bucket list for some time.

A Postcard from New Yorkshire opens Oct. 12th with a reception from 7pm to 10pm. And yes, the Doktor will be in to visit!

Scott Radke’s Covey of Quail

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Scott Radke’s been on a tear recently. Totems, little ladies, raccoons … and now a covey of quail. This would definitely be one of those ‘cover my eyes and point’ situations as these fall into that grey area with art multiples: conceptually, they’re an edition. Yet the sculpts are each handmade and (clearly) unique, giving them all the same appeal as a one-off. In other words: they all look great, are priced great, and the only not-so-great thing is having to choose.

The quail each measure 14″ tall by 8″ wide (give or take) and retail for $350. Not bad, right? And since tomorrow’s Friday, I encourage you indulge in a wee bit of spoiling of yourself. Half of them have already sold (yeah, get on it!) and only numbers 2, 3, 6 and 8 are left. Photos of each quail can be seen on Scott’s site here.

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.

 

‘Raccoon #2’ from Scott Radke

New from Scott Radke is Raccoon #2, a new, whimsical clay sculpture. Covered in sprayed burlap and featuring a hand painted clay face, the freestanding Raccoon #2 (here’s #1) stands 18″ and is 13″ wide.

He’s available on Scott’s site as we speak. Shoot him a line at scott@scottradke.com to make adoption arrangements!

Three New Ladies from Scott Radke

New from Scott Radke is an ensemble of three hauntingly beautiful ladies who are now available for purchase. Looking pretty in pink, each whimsical sprite is crafted from burlap, clay and twigs and stands about 26″ high. For pricing and availability, contact Scott at scott@scottradke.com.

 

 

Chris Ryniak’s Bug-Eyed Bee Commission

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Your daily dose of cute on this fine Tuesday comes compliments of Chris Ryniak, whose latest Bee commission is about as adorable as it is severely confused. There’s some serious wandering eye syndrome going on, here or he’s dizzy from flying in circles).

Fashioned from a Skelve body and KO bird head, this little bee is on its way to a collector with a refined taste for buzzers. ;)

 

Recap: Chet Zar’s ‘Le Petite Mort’, Charlie Immer’s ‘Scuffle’ & Stephan Webb’s ‘Sinister Dexterity’

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Stranger Factory celebrated First Friday with three solo exhibitions featuring new works from Chet Zar, Charlie Immer and local artist Stephan Webb. Thanks to all who stopped in — there’s a whole spread of opening night photos below!

Le Petite Mort, Scuffle and Sinister Dexterity are on view until July 2nd. Inquiries can be made via email at strangerfactorysales @ gmail.com starting Mon., June 4th at noon PST. Shop the pieces here!

Urban Decay III @ Workhouse Arts Center 6.2

Urban Decay is celebrating its third year at the Workhouse Arts Center in Virginia this June with a large group exhibition showcasing the talents of a ton of contemporary and lowbrow arteests.

Circus Posterus’ own Kathie Olivas, Travis Lampe, Scott Radke and DrilOne are among the roster of participating artists. Festivities kick off June 2nd with a reception from 7pm to 11pm that’ll include food and live music and art talks and live painting … sounds like quite the hoedown.

Peeks at the exhibited works is available via the Urban Decay Flickr account; pieces are just starting to trickle in now.

So who else is exhibiting?! Why, I’m delighted you asked:

Kevin Gosselin, RSIN, Gregg Deal, Jeremy Gann, Camden Noir, HKS181, Matt Anderson, Gabriel Pons, Carlos Aguilar, Graham Franciose, Tyler Coey, Betsom, Bryan A. Collins, Daryll Peirce, Jesse Smith, Drilone, James Walker, Asad ULTRA Walker, Jack Labadie, Sylvia Ortiz, Kenny Brown, Kevin Murphy, Jc Rivera, Kevin Rodrigue, Nick Zimbro, Drew Storm Graham and ElStabo.

Urban Decay III runs through June 24th at the Workhouse in Lorton, VA!