Friday, April 18, 2008

MOIRA HAHN- PART 1


The vivid watercolor paintings of Moira Hahn have caught our attention recently. The bold colors and patterns endow the artworks with vibrant, pulsating energy. Despite their otherworldly and fantastical veneer, the intense compositions seem to have deep roots in the earthly plane. Animals figure predominantly in many of the pieces, most likely as a totemic connection representing humankind's psyche.



Some of Moira's paintings are influenced by eastern techniques and themes, Ukiyo-e Japanese woodcut styles for example are "remixed". The resulting works are beautiful, intriguing, and saturated with visual narrative and symbolism.
We'll be featuring more about Moira Hahn and her artwork, as well as her upcoming show at Roq La Rue Gallery later this year.

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

HOLE' MOLE'

If there is anything we absolutely miss about living in Long Beach it's the potato tacos from Hole' Mole', a locally based chain of taquerias. Yes, potato tacos! They also serve breakfast burritos from open to close, and you don't feel like crap after eating them. Of course we miss our friends, but Hole Mole was the last place we ate in the LBC before moving to Seattle. Here is a review written by our friend Jim Hall.

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

BONKERS!

BONKERS!, Seattle's biweekly arena for fresh hot braindance, moves to Thursday nights beginning April 3rd. Bonkers! features mostly local electronic-based music in an unpretentious environment. Artists featured typically pull from an eclectic cache of musical genres, often blending improvisational qualities via DIY techniques. The resulting mix blurs the lines dividing people of different musical backgrounds, enticing everyone into the dance floor frenzy.

SPECIAL GUESTS-

CARO (Founder of ORAC Records)

RED PONY


BONKERS! RESIDENT TECHNICIANS-

Erictronic

Mr. Zillion

The Naturebot

10pm-2am @ RE-BAR

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

COLETTE CALASCIONE


The riveting oil paintings of Colette Calascione are easily some of our favorites as of late. Colette uses classical techniques to create works that reconcile a renaissance feel with a modern look. A number of her works are dreamlike, surreal, and narrative. These tend to feature vibrant colors and enigmatic figures.



Others draw from classical sources, some depicting a central character who seems enraptured in their environment and many who gaze directly into the eyes of the viewer. These pieces abound with luxurious textures and luminous skintones.



Perhaps an integral part of many of Calascione's paintings is a sometimes overt sometimes subtle sense of humor. All of these elements combine for artwork we find seriously stunning.

Sunday, March 23, 2008

MIRANDA JULY


We heart Miranda July. Sometime last year we found ourselves watching Me and You and Everyone We Know, a film she wrote, directed, and starred in. Miranda July is funny in all senses of the word. Here she is in a short film titled "HOW TO MAKE A BUTTON".

Friday, March 21, 2008

ROBERT POKORNY


Our friend Robert Pokorny (aka RIP) sent us a peek of his latest artwork to be featured in his show next month at M Modern Gallery in Palm Springs. Building from his extensive background and experience in illustration and poster art, Pokorny ventured into the realm of fine art and sold virtually every painting in his solo exhibitions last year. Having mastered the mediums of watercolor and gouache, Robert is now crafting strikingly edgy works in cel vinyl acrylic on wood panel. The exhibition is titled TRANSITIONS , opening night is April 19, 2008 from 7-10pm.


Sunday, January 6, 2008

RIGHT SOME GOOD

Kirsten Anderson, owner of Roq La Rue Gallery here in Seattle, and also editor/compiler of the book "Pop Surrealism: The Rise of Underground Art", has launched a new art blog. In Right Some Good, Anderson, a catalytic force in the "'lowbrow'/contemporary underground pop art movement" features images of some of her favorite art of past and present as well as engaging the reader with stories and discussions surrounding the works. Right Some Good is definitely the prescription for our feverish cravings for tasty art.

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

BONKERS! @ RE-BAR 12/19/2007

Last week we went to check out Bonkers!, a biweekly showcase of Seattle based electronic music and other talent held at Re-bar in Belltown. We arrived, greeted some friends, and grabbed a couple of Elysian drafts. Our friend and resident technician, Mr. Zillion was priming the crowd with some fresh hot braindance while people mingled and drank. Beers were cheap and the mood was light and unpretentious. By the time Kris Moon began dropping beats, the dance floor was crowded leaving virtually every chair empty and all booties in the house shaking.

Next Bonkers! night is Wednesday January 9th, 2008 from 10pm to 2am featuring Tyler Potts(Dragon's Eye), Cephalopod Appreciation Society, DJ TJ Gorton(Beat Freeze) and resident technicians The Naturebot, Mr. Zillion, & Erictronic.

Friday, December 14, 2007

SHAG @ ROQ LA RUE GALLERY 12/14/2007

Seattle's own Roq La Rue Gallery, mecca of pop surrealism & lowbrow art hosted an exhibition this evening featuring original paintings and prints by artist Shag, entitled Motorino. I drove to Belltown to meet some friends & hang out. Gallery director Celeste kept the Cosmopolitans and local beer from Manny's flowing while gallery owner Kirsten answered questions about available artwork. Shag partied with fans & friends to local music talent via DJ Vodka Twist & live surf tunes by The Mercury Four.



Monday, December 10, 2007

THE TOM PRICE DESERT CLASSIC @ FANTAGRAPHICS 12/8/2007

Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery in Georgetown hosted their first anniversary party Saturday night. It was an event not to be missed as we quaffed PBR's, chatted with hosts Jim Woodring and Jim Blanchard about jazz and art, then scored an out of print Robt. Williams book for 20% off from Fantagraphics guru Larry Reid who relayed an amusing anecdote about Williams. Equally eventful was the debut performance of The Tom Price Desert Classic comprised of members of Gas Huffer, The Monkeywrench, and The Derelicts. Tom and co. blazed through their set leaving a child unconscious and the rest of the crowd wanting more.
Later we walked down the street to Stellar Pizza and Ale for the best pie we've found in Seattle, and a pitcher of local draft. Another host of the Fantagraphics party, artist Ellen Forney arrived shortly after we did showing she's not only talented but has exquisite taste.


THE TOM PRICE DESERT CLASSIC


Sunday, May 20, 2007

A BEER WITH BUKOWSKI



Before moving from Long Beach to Seattle, we decided to go in search of one of our favorite authors, the late Charles Bukowski. We first drove from Long Beach over the Vincent Thomas Bridge into San Pedro to the house where Bukowski lived for more than a decade, and where many of the interviews from the documentary Bukowski:Born Into This were filmed. Upon locating the house it became apparent to Megan and I that before going any further we needed a vital ingredient, some booze.
We visited a nearby liquor store, it's weathered brick exterior reminiscent of Hank
himself...surely he had procured a bottle here once or twice. As we walked through the doorway and to the back of the store where the refrigerators were located, we were confronted with a most important question. WWBD? What would Bukowski drink? We decided on Heineken as he was often seen drinking them in interviews, so we grabbed a couple of tall bottles and headed back out.
Returning to the house we found it very mysterious, shrouded in tall trees and other shrubbery, with only a long driveway leading to a garage on one side. At the end of the driveway a couple of cars, and a gray cat were visible. Hearing voices coming from within the foliage, and no sign of a door to knock on, we decided not to intrude and to be satisfied with a picture of the driveway and what may have been Bukowski's cat. Next we drove to the nearby Green Hills Memorial Park in Rancho Palos Verde to visit Bukowski's grave. It took a few minutes for us to locate Bukowski's gravestone. We sat down and opened the two beers, one for us, and one for Hank. We set his beer in a plastic holder usually used for flowers, and drank ours. Cheers!

Sunday, May 13, 2007

ROBERT POKORNY/LOLA @ M MODERN





Saturday night I trekked out to M Modern gallery in Palm Springs with Megan and our friend Liz. It was the opening night of two exhibitions, Robert Pokorny's "The Blue Dox", and Lola's "Pocket Full of Posies". The Nailor's (Jay & MiShell) M Modern makes a comfortable oasis for viewing lots of art, imbibing your drink of choice and listening to a hip variety of tunes by the in house DJ. Regardless of the fact that every one of Lola's eerily cute paintings was sold before the doors opened, she made the trip to the gallery to meet fans of her work. Robert Pokorny was also present, showcasing whimsical, narrative paintings involving his current muse, the dachshund. The intense detail involved in the works composing "The Blue Dox" kept viewers rapt, revealing minute brushwork only seen upon close inspection.

Check out M Modern @ www.mmodern.com
Lola @ www.lolastrangeart.com
Robert Pokorny @ www.ripgallery.com

SPOTLIT MAGAZINE @ ACRES OF BOOKS



Friday night we headed out with friends Katie & Liz to Long Beach historical landmark Bertrand Smith's Acres of Books, for a reading by writers featured in the inaugural issue of Spot Literary Magazine. SpotLit is a new magazine edited by California native, Susan Hansell who MC'd the reading, consisting of works by writers from various areas of the U.S.. Familiar images of Southern California were depicted in humorous, yet serious style in Suzanne Allen's poem "Milk" which referenced the "nuclear Double D's", and in Joshua Peralta's short story featuring the 'entirely fictious' Long Beach establishment, "Le Chambre Rouge".