Travis Louie

The Mystery Tooth gets pulled at Rotofugi

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The Mystery Tooth
4×6
acrylic on board
oval frame convex glass

They creep into bedrooms at night and remove rotten teeth from sleeping humans’ mouths. They then replace the tooth by embedding themselves into the jaw line.

These creatures are mostly harmless and are actually stronger than regular teeth. They give off a sweet minty odor and often mask the smell of tooth decay and gum disease.

Most people who have them only notice them when they eat ice cream or an ice chilled drink because it loosens their grip on the gums which may cause them to fall out.

This slightly derpy guy from Travis Louie makes me smile every time I look at him. I think he will too for all of you attending Circus Posterus’ “Traveling Circus” at Rotofugi this weekend.

Travis Louie’s curious Seaweed Pod comes to Rotofugi

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Travis Louie’s Seaweed Pod is an organism discovered in the Sargasso Sea in 1928.

At first, the bioluminescence of these small creatures was thought to be a lure to catch prey. On close inspection it was revealed to be a defensive weapon. These 5 inch diameter floaters can generate an electrical charge, firing a spark even underwater when in danger.

Catch a rare glimpse of the Seaweed Pod, or take him home when Circus Posterus’ Traveling Circus comes to Rotofugi in Chicago this Saturday.

Travis Louie’s “Strange Discoveries” at Merry Karnowsky Gallery 11.9.13

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Travis Louie’sStrange Discoveries” at the Merry Karnowsky Gallery on Saturday, November 9th. If you are attending Designer Con, why not come down and see the amazing surreal paintings by our very own Travis Louie.

In his own words, Travis tells us about “Strange Discoveries”

I’ve always thought of the Victorian era as an age of discovery. As there was almost a second “Industrial Revolution” sometime between 1840 and 1870, many new things were invented and discovered. While all manner of steam driven machines, boats, trains, etc, . . . were allowing for great transitions in industry, I am still fascinated most by early photography. Often to mark the existence of new species and the recording of important events, 19th century photography became the great equalizer. Photographs were new enough that people thought of them as verifiable proof even though they could be altered by crude means during the developing process. I think of “spirit photography” and the wonderful hoax put on by Elsie Wright and Frances Griffiths in 1917 where they claimed to have taken actual photographs of fairies.

I painted these images to look like old photographic portraits, as a sort of “proof” that the accompanying stories may or may not have happened. These paintings are mostly about people making strange discoveries; a primate is found in South America that can act and is brought back to perform on the West End stage, a man finds an incredibly large bug attached to his house, a woman is convinced that an unusual helmet can protect her from harmful thoughts, an entomologist makes a startling discovery when he finds strange moth in his house, . . .

An odd thing for me about this show is that I believe these paintings are tighter than any I’ve done before and I always get anxious thinking that maybe I’m the only one that notices this. The paintings are mostly transparent layers of acrylic paint applied to smooth grounds over a light, but very finished graphite drawing.

These paintings are dedicated to my father who passed away in April. He was a dreamer who never got to fulfill his dreams. He made it possible for me to work on mine and for that I am eternally thankful.


Mr-Franklin

MERRY KARNOWSKY GALLERY
170 S. La Brea Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90036
323.933.4408

Four New Prints in the Circus Posterus Store!

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Oh, do we have a treat for you this hectic Monday. We have four, yes – FOUR new prints in the Circus Posterus Store!

Up first, are two prints by Travis Louie that are both 13″ x 19″ and come signed and numbered for $100 each. The Duelist and Coelacanth is one of Travis’ most iconic images, and the Hypno-Doll sets an appropriately creepy stage for the Halloween season!
YoungDuelistThe Duelist and Coelacanth


hypno_dollHypno-Doll

Next, we have a marvelous duo of prints by Kathie Olivas that are 13″ x 19″ for $75 each. They come signed and numbered. You will notice the Night Parade print from this year’s Monsters & Misfits, as well as the fan favorite Calliope Jackalope herself.
Parade_smNight Parade
Calliope_smCalliope

All prints can be found right here.

Baby Tattooville is right around the corner!

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BTVille_eCard_LOUIE_smCircus Posterus is a proud sponsor of this year’s Baby Tattoovilleand we have some updates from our previous post. It looks like there are some additions to the already stellar artist lineup with Luke Chueh and KRK Ryden now in the mix. This is going to be one epic show! Can you imagine how awesome the art jam will be? Only 13 tickets left for this very intimate gathering of artists this coming weekend. You can get your tickets here.

Because they loved it so much last year, Kathie Olivas and Brandt Peters will also be there showing their support!
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Meet Grimsley

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Grimsley2 150dpiMeet “Grimsley” by Travis Louie. We aren’t sure if he really isn’t into having his portrait painted or that is just his normal resting face, but we do know that Travis has captured every perfect expression. Continuing with a follicle theme for his exhibit “Tiny Theater of the Absurd“, Travis blends highly detailed concepts of hair with his well known creatures. Be it the pencil stache or the wispy chops, Grimsley is manicured as best he can for his portrait.

You can see all of Travis’ work along with Jean Labourdette in their Tiny Theater of the Absurd when it opens at Stranger Factory on September 6. An opening reception takes place at the gallery on the 6th with Travis in attendance.

 

 

Meet Marvin by Travis Louie

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We would like you to meet “Marvin” by  Travis LouieAnother fine member in the “Tiny Theater of the Absurd” coming to Stranger Factory.

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Dressed in a suit, he looks like an uncle we all probably have. Travis keeps outdoing himself, and the “Tiny Theater of the Absurd” looks to be a testament to that.

The curtains get drawn on the theater for Travis and Jean Labourdette – September 6th – 29th, with an opening reception on Friday, September 6th from 6 – 9 PM. Travis will be attending!

Now those are some Monster Chops by Travis Louie

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When one hears “Monster Chops”, I would hope an image like this one by Travis Louie pops into your head.

Once again, Travis brings us photo-like imagery from a Victorian era of creatures not of this world for his show “Tiny Theater of the Absurd” at Stranger Factory.. All dressed up in his formal wear, this gent most definitely has the mutton chops of infamy. He probably lives in a land called Williamsburg or Park Slope.

You can see these chops in all their glory along with many more pieces by Travis and Jean Labourdette – September 6th – 29th, with an opening reception on Friday, September 6th from 6 – 9 PM. Travis will be present!

Travis Louie’s Confused Critters

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We’re getting a peek at some of Travis’ work for his show with Turf One in September, and they are delightful. As Travis says – “Had to think about what a “Theatre of the Absurd” would have, . . . so I immediately thought of root vegetables and confused monkeys in suits. I like the idea of people making strange biological discoveries in their own backyards.”

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Travis will certainly be delivering a cornucopia of oddities to the doors of Stranger Factory. Above is a multi-eyed, and surprisingly dapper, creature, probably discovered under a particularly distinguished leaf. Below, is a sketch of one of Travis’ aforementioned “confused monkeys” – we’ll show you the finished painting next week, so stick around!

Marvin sketch 150dpi

 

 

Travis Louie’s and Turf One’s Tiny Theater of the Absurd runs September 6th – 29th, with an opening reception on Friday, September 6th from 6 – 9 PM. Travis Louie will be present!