Secret Still

Long time comrade in arms Tessar Lo tipped me to a new solo show he’s opening at Jaski Gallery in Amsterdam. The show, titled The Dying Wishes, opens to art lovers everywhere, or at least everywhere in Holland, on Saturday, October 22. What I love about having been in and around this community for so long is that I’ve gotten to watch artists’ styles change over time, watch their works evolve. Tessar is definitely on of those whose work has evolved, and equally as definite is that the evolution has brought new complexity and depth. There is an odd juxtaposition in that depth, as the compositions themselves have simplified in some ways, like in the representations of the figures, which have slowly become more childlike and primal. This simplification is, however, a source of power for the paintings, similar to Chagall’s work. Even better is that Tessar is still a young man in his prime, and on this track he’s set to become an even greater artist as time goes on. I, for one, can’t wait to see where he goes next. As for where you should go next, the answer is simple: Jaski Gallery on October 22 from 4-7pm. Until then here are some preview images to tide you over.

I got the hot tip on Ryan Heshka’s new solo show opening at Seattle’s Roq La Rue gallery, and it is sure as shit a barn-burner. If you’re not familiar with Heshka’s pulp mag inspired images, then do yourself a favor and fill your eye holes to the brim with his amazing work. Then lend me a couple grand that I’ll never surely pay back, so I can stare for days at one of these awesome paintings on my wall, marveling at how much more awesome my life is for having it. And if you’re in the Seattle area, make sure to get over to the gallery on Friday night (November 12) to get the first person view. There’s also a Femke Hiemstra show opening that same night, so you really win big.

Preview of Ryan Heshka: Super Things

I’m pretty unpredictable. Sometimes. And what I mean by that is that I’m often not sure what my reaction to something is going to be. Take emails for example. I get some emails from people asking me to post their work or their show opening, and I’m generally pretty affable about it. Sometimes I don’t post it because I’m not a fan of the work. Sometimes I don’t post it because it’s already been mentioned on half a dozen websites that get 30 times the traffic. But sometimes I have the 15 year-old rebel reaction, where the first thing I think of is “Don’t tell me what to do.” Thankfully I’m a grown-ass man, so I’ve been overcoming that voice for years now. That’s all just pointless insight into my thought processes, which the internet makes too easy. I didn’t have any conundrums when I was asked by London Miles Gallery to post about their upcoming show. I can’t be there because it’s in England, but I like the artists involved, and so far England has only been good to me. Plus there’s the added bonus of Fernando Chimarelli being one of the three artists in the show… and hey wasn’t I just talking about him? And that wraps everything up nicely.

The show opens Friday, October 8 at London Miles Gallery, and features the work of Ekundayo, Morning Breath, and Fernando Chimarelli. So, if you’re in London, try and get down to the Gallery sometime between 7 and 11 on the 8th. You’ll dig all the work, I promise. And if you don’t, you can’t really do anything about it as I’m all the way over here in America. And that wraps me up nicely.

For the first time maybe ever in my life, I find myself wanting to be in Atlanta. Not to stay, hell no, but for just long enough to attend the Living Walls events that are going down August 13-15. The whole idea of the Living Walls conference is kind of a free form, fly by the seat of your pants event that brings Street Artists from all over the world together to do what it is they do best: make some art on the streets. There are lectures and whatnot, but the real draw is the legal walls to mess around with, and, of course, the not legal walls that will also get used. You can’t put that many street artists together in one place and not expect something amazing to happen. If I could afford it, I’d hop a plane to Atlanta, and join in the fun. Instead the ATL and I will remain, as always, quiet enemies.

Living Walls

Without a doubt, the Secret Still number 1 favorite artist is Riverside, CA loc dog Jeff Soto. He’s been steady at the top of my list for nearly a decade now, to the point where I was surprised I didn’t nervously vomit on him a little when I met him a couple years ago. Just a bit. I kept my cool, showed him the tattoo I have of his Juxtapoz cover. He was a nice guy, and from what I saw, a great dad. And this year he’s given us all a fantastic Father’s Day present in the form of a new show at Jonathan Levine Gallery called Lifecycle. Like the title implies, the show’s pieces center around the various stages of life from birth through falling in love all the way to death. And no one symbolizes ideas better than Mr. Soto. His usual set of imagery is there, but transmuted and added onto in a thousand colorful ways to create a new dialog. His new work to me is always an hours long heart attack of analysis and amazement, and internet images never do it justice. There are so many little details that float around in the background that make me squeal like a delighted little school girl. Then comes the overly excited vomiting again. Just a bit.

Jeff Soto: Lifecycle

Brighton FreakShow from Johnny McCulloch on Vimeo.

Ballpoint ninja and Secret Still Vato Loco por Vida Will Scobie wanted me to drop some knowledge on you about the show he’s a part of titled “The Brighton FreakShow.” Taking place in Brighton (duh), the show is like the special forces of Brighton illustrators, the cream of the crop if you will, all mixed together into a deliciously concocted stew. That video up there should give you a pretty good idea of the magic involved. If you are lucky enough to already be in or around the Brighton area, then get your lazy ass over to that show every Saturday in May. If you aren’t even in the UK, tough shit, because that volcano ain’t gonna let you in. But you can still enjoy the pretty pictures on the website.

Brighton FreakShow

Superhumanly powered paintress Allison Sommers (previously mentioned) has an action packed sneak-peak of her upcoming show at Thinkspace Gallery titled “Schlaraffenland.” Opening May 7, the show looks like Allison’s greatest artistic endeavor to date. There are paintings, drawings, bronzes, and other sculptures; and if you can’t get lost for hours in the details of her works in progress then you have no business reading this website. Schedule an hour at least to pour over her new works, learn about her process, and pick up some ideas and technique tips for yourself. This woman is your new powerhouse, Art world. Ya’ll better know that.

Allison Sommers: Schlaraffenland

If that title didn’t tip you off, Aaron Nagel (previously mentioned) is opening a show of new works at the Shooting Gallery in SF. You’ve seen a couple of them from his website, but for the most part these are all glimpsing the light of day for the first time on Saturday. That’s this Saturday, March 6th, from 7-11pm, when the show opens to what I’m assuming will be the usual attractive 20-30’s crowd of SF art lovers, and one guy from Oakland, carrying a skateboard and drinking homebrews out of his backpack. Yeah, I’ll be there. I wouldn’t miss the opportunity to glimpse Nagel’s masterpieces in person, even if glimpsing is all I can afford. If, unlike me, you can’t get to San Francisco with a simple train ride under several millions tons of salt water, there are plenty of images of the new show for your eyes to lust over, and even a visual visit to Nagel’s studio in Oakland (why didn’t I know that was only a few blocks from me?). Be there in person or be there in spirit, but there’s no excuse for you to not see these fine works.

Aaron Nagel: Marks
Aaron Nagel Studio Visit

If you’re looking for a way to kill the last few hours of the work day, or the first few hours of the non-work day (for those of you not in PST), then consider them dead and gone because Narwhal Projects has a giant preview of Gary Taxali’s new show, “The Taxali 300,” available for your viewing pleasure. That’s right, 300 paintings/drawings from the prolific and amazing Gary Taxali, the Canadian wonder. You can also buy them, but I don’t want to pressure you into something like that. You haven’t even had dinner yet. Get comfortable, relax, get out of those work clothes, and then maybe we’ll talk about buying some art.

Gary Taxali: The Taxali 300

I don’t even have the right words to describe how much of a kick in the feelings the new Doze Green paintings are. Do yourself a solid and check them all out, and if you’re in New York, see them in person. Maybe send me some pictures of them in giant size. Oh, and buy me a small Doze painting while you’re at it. It’s only my dream come true, so no big deal if you don’t get around to it.

Doze Green @ Jonathan Levine