Closing Reception for NEWTON'S THIRD

Newton's Third was a great show.
If you don't believe me, click HERE for a lovely article by Aimee Murillo in OC Weekly (thanks Aimee!)

(a few of us...from left: Steven Pillai, Nicole Goux, Aaron Brown, meeee, Micah Kersh, and Steven Hawking's THE UNIVERSE projected on us. photo by Julius Tanag!)

In fact, it's so great, we're having a closing reception this Friday, October 25 from 7-10.
Here is a link to the event page:

https://www.facebook.com/events/527978293955001/?ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming

Thanks to everyone for sharing their incredible work, and thanks to everyone for coming out!

NEWTON'S THIRD

Every action has an Equal and Opposite Reaction

Newton’s Third Law echoes through my head every single day. Nothing exists in a vacuum and everything we do has a consequence or side effect. (As Hans Dose pointed out the other day—a hangover is a perfect example.) While it’s easy to see this theory as good connecting to bad, I like to emphasize the flip side to that exchange: bad things can have unexpected positive effects.

I have been creating work based on my own beliefs and misunderstandings of physics and astro physics, trying to visualize the ways science shapes my personal theology. When given the opportunity to show at F Plus Gallery, I decided to share this exercise with some artists I'm particularly keen on. It’s a lot like having my favorite band cover the song that’s been stuck in my head for months.


NEWTON’S THIRD features work in a variety of media from over 30 artists. It is the first show I have curated outside of work since Girls!Girls!Girls! at Phone Booth Gallery. Against my instincts, I will refrain from expounding on the love I have for each of these artists and their limitless talents and just say— it's all killer and no filler with this crowd. Lots of those names are links, so please click!
In case you even thought about doing anything else on the 12th, check out the list:

Aaron Brown
Alex Gardner
Autumn Buck
Camilla Taylor
Catherine Yi
Chantal deFelice
Corrie Walton
CR Stecyk !!!
Crystal Floyd
Diana Danielis
Fred Rose
Hans Dose
Javier Beltran
Jenn Reifsneider
JOSHR
Julius Tanag
McLean Fahnestock
Megan LeMaster
Micah Kersh
Nancy Chiu
Nicole Goux
Nicole Sloan
Patrick “Duffy” DeArmas
Patti McCandless
Paul Alvarez III
Paul Aguilera
Sara M Lyons
Steve Pillai
Susanne Melanie Berry
Trace Mendoza
Ya’el Pedroza
Yevgeniya Mikhailik



NEWTON'S THIRD opens Saturday, October 12 from 7-10 pm
F+ Gallery
661 Poinsettia St.
Santa Ana, CA 92701

Skate Deck and a love for the LBC

Hey!  It's been a minute.  Here's a quick review of what'sagoinon:
The magnificient Mickey Kyle is revamping my website.  Soon I will be so professional.  You won't even recognize me.
My coffin for Boxes of Death sold to a good home.
Bad Cop/Bad Cop is in the studio again, recording some new jams.
I have work in 2 fun events this Saturday:

First - Plywood for Peace: A Benefit for Bridge To Skate
This is a silent auction, raising money to buy skateboards for disadvantaged kids.  A ton of fun paintings on recycled skate decks will be available.  Mine is titled "Pigboy" and may or may not be based on real persons.

Plywood for Peace opens at 7:00 pm at the ARTery

inside The LAB, 2930 Bristol Street, Costa Mesa, CA 

Next, Phone Booth Gallery is hosting LOCALS ONLY: Long Beach themed art from Long Beach based Artists.  The flagship image for this show is from the amazing Ryan Milner, and I believe a limited run of prints will be for sale at the opening.  I am buying at least 2.  So wait for me.

LOCALS ONLY promises to be a comprehensive exhibition of Long Beach pop illustrators, and a hell of a party.  So don't miss it!  I'm exhibiting a piece from my "permanent collection" (read: hangs in my home because I am a narcissist).  Not saying exactly which piece, but it does feature my favorite Long Beach resident of all time.  

Locals Only opening reception is from 7-10 PM

Phone Booth Gallery, 2533 East Broadway, Long Beach, CA 

Chroma GoGo: a tribute to Lisa Frank

Oh. Heeeey.
This Saturday at the Hive Gallery, I am a “featured artist” in Chroma GoGo, the Splendor Device tribute to Lisa Frank. Honestly, I can’t think of a more capable group of artists to tackle this heavy issue.

As a girl, I knew Lisa Frank was talking directly to me. It’s great to feel acknowledged as a very young person. I also appreciate that Lisa Frank is one of few brands focusing more on what appeals to girls, rather than trying to shape them.


I've always preferred art and over-shooting school projects with my engineer Dad to horses, dolls or paperback series. Even as an adult, it has not been easy finding common ground for my love of both glitter and power tools.
In addition to installing some of my more typical pieces, I have created a body of work meant to playfully challenge gender divisions set forth in children’s toys.

"Lollisaw" 16"x10"x2" acrylic and glitter on mixed media

"25' Pug Tape" 6.5"x6.5"x2.5" acrylic, glitter, mixed media on 25' tape measure

"Unisaw" 21"x11"x3" acrylic, glitter and mixed media on hand saw

"Tiger Beat" various sizes on 36"x36"x12" riser acrylic and glitter on mini drum kit

On a side note, it has been really cute to see all my male Lisa-Frank-loving artist friends coming out of the woodwork.

Chroma GoGo opens at 8:00 pm Saturday, August 3 at The Hive Gallery

Boxes of Death approaches...

Welp. I am officially totally excited. Been checking out the images of what the other artists are submitting to Boxes of Death Four, and they are super cool. AR4T sent out these photos, from left to right: Scott Hove, Nick Simich, and Corey Smith.

For purchase, please visit boxesofdeath.com
BOD4 will be travelling to four different locations throughout the summer.
So that's FOUR potential parties you should put on your calendar.
If you are in the area(any of them) be BE SURE TO CHECK IT OUT! There are over 50 incredible artists involved, it is guaranteed to be a great night. Here's the schedule again:

SEATTLE - June 15 - the Piranha Shop
PORTLAND - July 13 - NEMO Design
SAN FRANCISCO - August 9 - Gauntlet Gallery
LAGUNA BEACH - August 17 - Artists Republic For Tomorrow (AR4T)

My piece is titled "We are All the Stuff of Stars," it is made of wood, gold leaf, metal, urethane foam, paper, charcoal, magic sculpt, and a light fixture. The finished size is 27"x17"x5". And here are one million photos. The last 3 are with the light off to better show the drawing.

Boxes of Deathhhhhhhh!

Ohai.  It’s been a while.  Busy year! 

I’ve been graciously invited to participate in a traveling art show called Boxes of Death. 

This is the 4^th year for BOD and there are 60 artists participating.  Duffy of ElectricCoffin (go check that out right now) built a bunch of 2’ tall coffins and distributed them to the artists. 

The show will open in Seattle at The Piranha Shop on June 15^th, before hitting Portland at NEMO Design on July 13^th, San Francisco’s Gauntlet Gallery on August 9^th and finally, Laguna Beach’s AR4T on August 17^th. 

If any of that is local for you, please go check it out.  There are some super cool artists in this show and I’m honored to participate.

Here’s some of the mess-in-progress:

Those things on the right are on their way to becoming tiny planets.  (Heads up: my Carl Sagan kick is far from over.)  I'm not finished yet, but here's another...  

What Happens in Cocoa Beach...

probably involves some leathery locals and amazing alligator souvenirs

I’m back home from 8 days in Cocoa Beach, Florida with a buncha cool new tanlines and some serious inspiration. I flew out to set up a Hurley art wall at the Ron Jon Beach and Boards Fest, (an amateur surf competition) and had the pleasure of painting with some truly incredible artists.


While I was there, I got to paint with Stink from Costa Mesa—who taught me about a million apps I need to get on my phone if I ever hope to keep up with the kids. (above: Stink/Jennie/Shaun collaboration inspired by aggressive wind at the beach)


Shaun Thurston from Jacksonville, FL (above: Shaun is crazy with a can…and I am regular with a brush. GO TEAM!)

and INOPE, based out of Savannah, GA, pictured below as the grand master of spray cans. Shaun and Inope were some of the fastest, bravest painters I have ever seen. It was a serious treat meeting them and working with them on this project!

I hope to find good and lucrative excuses to get both of them out to California to share their art!

SPRING BREAK!

Kind of? I'm heading out to Cocoa Beach, Florida on Monday to paint at the Hurley Art Wall for the Ron Jon Beach & Boards Fest! I'll be out there painting on the beach from the 6th-10th. If you're in Florida...come say hi!



Joining me on the wall are some killer artists you may already be in love with (if not, go check 'em out!) the adorable and prolific STINK will be painting on the 6th and 7th. Florida's very own Shaun Thurston will be killing it on the 7th and 8th, and INOPE is closing it out on the 9th and 10th.



Lastly: do get down to Laguna Beach on Saturday to peep This Wilde Abyss. There's some fantastic work from some super cool ladies on display!

Double Whammy at AR4T this Saturday!

Just for you, this Saturday I will be using all of my creative talents in one convenient location:
AR4T, for the opening reception of Splendor Device’s newest group exhibition THIS WILDE ABYSS.

Check out this fantastic flyer with art by Jennifer James. Splendor Device is an all-female art collective headed by Kelly Castillo. THIS WILDE ABYSS will feature work from some of my personal favorites: Sara Haase, Jel Ena, Allison Peairs, Elizabeth Caffey, Kristi Bockrath, Amy Kaplan….I could go on, read the flyer. All of those ladies are dripping with talent. It’s gonna be good, you guys.

The fabulous musician/artist Sara M Lyons and I are performing at the opening reception as Library Sciences. This will be the first-ever live Library Sciences show and we’ll be practicing all week. Our illustrated audio zines will be for sale at the reception as well. (In case you love it.)

I’ve got a NEW piece in the show that is borne of my watching and rewatching Carl Sagan’s COSMOS over the past several weeks.
It’s called Cosmology, and it is inspired by the existence of parallel universes.
Charcoal and acrylic on wood with glitter and light fixture. Yes I said glitter. It is all over my house forever. Sometimes you make sacrifices for art.

I posted one photo of this and have had a rash of people freaking out about this representing duplicity or mutation. I would first like to say: RELAX. It's okay if art makes you uncomfortable, but I also don't think this deserves to be labeled "disturbing." The figure is meant to be reflected as well as connected--referencing the possibility of another us in another universe, amidst infinite other universes and possibilities. At the center, I tried to visualize the creation of worlds, with a swirling movement to echo the shape of many galaxies. The figure is reflected again in a pool of stars, to imply again that these universes are infinite.

Boom. Artist statement.
SEE YOU SATURDAY!

This Wilde Abyss opens Saturday, March 2, 2013 from 6-9pm
Artists Republic For Tomorrow (AR4T)
210 N. Coast Hwy
Laguna Beach, CA
92651

LA Zine Fest and a Bunch of Crap

Thank you, LA Zine Fest for showing us a kick ass time, again. I hope everybody who came out had as much fun as we did. Library Sciences made some dough and had some laughs and enjoyed our corner filled with very good friends like Corrie Walton and Diana Danielis, David Chien and Yumi Sakugawa; The boys of Cheese Eggs & Potatoes: Steven Pillai, Chris Lim, and Spenser Garden, Kelsey Short and Harry Diaz.

My fellow scientist, Sara M Lyons, cleaned UP with her original art. Go check her out and spend some money here.

Last week JOSHR and I finished our fifth mural of 2013, over in Hurley’s Retail offices. This is a record. At least for us. We’re on fire. And we’re gonna mural all over you, so stay out of our way.

I feel like the Powerpuff Girls

(When I look at that first picture.)

There's a little sidebar in the February issue of Rivera Magazine... Go getcherself a copy:
Incredible superwoman Chantal deFelice talks with Kelsi Maree about the Orange County art scene.(and looks like a model in the photo, PS). In discussing our emerging art community, Chantal lists 3 fellow artists whose work she admires….and it’s me and my pretty BFFs Yevgeniya Mikhailik and Nancy Chiu!!! I’m dying. It’s so cool. I love these ladies so much. (Nancy just opened up an awesome Etsy shop, go here to check it out!)

Ohhhh Chantal. You are such a bad ass. Malcolm Gladwell pointed out that something like 5% of people are responsible for 100% of the action, and I couldn’t agree more. If you ask me who's pulling a lot of the weight in the Orange County art community, I would list Chantal, Torrey Cook of AR4T and OCAR, Kelly Castillo from Rothick Art Haus and Dr. Sketchy’s OC, Amy Kaplan from F+, and Yevgeniya’s work with Grand Central Art Center. Meet these women. Check out their work. Give them a high five and thank them for making things happen.

Also,
At work, for my real job…at Hurley, JOSHR and I finished our FOURTH mural of 2013 (this one is ours, the other 3 were Daleks) for our friends in the Finance Department. Here it is. Thanks to Derek Bahn for the photo!

Dear 2013,

You are pretty rad so far. I did almost nothing for nearly a month….except put out a record. If you wanna see that click here. I’m gearing up for a few group shows opening in March. Here are some process shots of a piece I’m working on for This Wilde Abyss. The 3D element is meant to be a swirling vortex of creation. I’m sure that’s coming across EXACTLY as planned…

This Wilde Abyss is a Splendor Device group show opening at AR4T in Laguna Beach Saturday, March 3. More to come on this and other projects soon. Love, Jennie