Over the weekend Roq La Rue opened “Requiarium” with new art from Brian Despain and “Saints and Angels” by John Brophy. This is one of those shows that makes me wish I either lived closer to the gallery, or was able to take a quick trip there. Both artists are exceptionally talented, Brian Despain’s robots are uniquely his own and John Brophy’s portraits and the Flemish style method to his paintings had me hooked from the start.
Ever since I first saw the “Madonna and Horsefly” print at the gallery I have been a big fan of John’s work. His art is a perfect blend of classical and surreal, these new paintings are just another example of why he is an artist to keep a close eye on. It’s hard to pick which one out of the amazing lineup of paintings is my favorite, but “Nessarose” (which happens to be the name of the woman who becomes the wicked witch of the east in Wicked) is the painting that mesmerizes me to the most.

Roq La Rue keep son churning out some of the best shows you can imagine, make sure you stop by the site to see this months offerings. Brian Despain & John Brophy @ Roq La Rue

This July 11th at the Copro Gallery will be “Monster”, a group show curated by Travis Louie and features the work of over 50 artists. I’m a big fan of the work of Mr Louie, and was raised on monster artwork, so this show is right up my alley. Some of the artists that will be at this show are Ron English, Femke Hiemstra, Jessica Joslin, Audrey Kawasaki, Tessar Lo, Martin Wittfooth, Chet Zar, Amanda Visell, Ana Bagayan, Annie Owens, Attaboy, Brandt Peters, Brian Despain, Brom, Chris Ryniak, Dan Quintana, Ekundayo, Dave Chung, Dave DeVries, Davey Wong, Deseo, Dice Tsutsumi, Francesco LoCastro, Fred Harper, Heidi Taillefer, Isabel Samaras, James Zar, Jason D’Aquino, Amy Botello, Kris Kuksi, Kris Lewis, Lola, Mari Inukai, Mark Texiera, Miles Teves, Molly Crabapple, Nouar, Xiaoqing Ding and many more. If you head on over to Erratic Phenomena you can see an interview done with Travis about the show and his stance on the art scene and where it is going. I like how Travis brought up that some of the art we see is short on conception and lacks creativity. My favorite bit is:

A gallery owner (I won’t say who) tried to tell me how great someone’s brushwork was, and he really had no clue about what constitutes “good brushwork.” Folks, there is a significant difference between having a strong style that exaggerates anatomy, and exaggeration because of a lack of anatomical knowledge. I’m not saying I’d like to see all things painted realistically or naturalistically, but I would prefer that the artists know how to draw something, at least. I’ve seen so many artists whose drawing was so bad I can’t believe they got shows.

Not only am I crazy about Art History, but I am also quite big on anatomy and classical ways of painting/drawing. I hope to see more of these disciplines as well. Anway, make sure you head on over to Erratic Phenomena to read the interview and check out the gallery for the full preview of works.

Monster @ Copro Gallery

Here is the rundown of the shows that will be taking place this weekend.

Friday:
Eclectix Gallery will open “All Gurlz” show featuring more than thirty female artists

Halogen Gallery previously Suite 100, has a show featuring new work by Kendra Binney, Rudy Fig and Jeremiah Ketner

Thinkspace Gallery will open “…Away From The Things Of Man” by Kathleen Lolley, “A Brief History” by Allison Sommers and in the project room “Inner Myth Pt. 1″ by João Ruas

Roq la rue will open “Lush Life”, a group show featuring work by Joe Sorren, Chris Berens, Chris Conn Askew, Mia Araujo,, Melissa Forman, Travis Louie, Madeline Von Foerster, Martin Wittfooth, Kukula, Ryan Heshka, John Brophy, Tin, Brian Despain, Glenn Barr, Dan Quintana, Femke Hiemstra, Laurie Hogin, Lisa Petrucci
& Andrew Arconti.

Hyaena Gallery has a one night event, Albrecht Durer and his ” “The Monstrous Sow
of Landser (1496)” engraving for sale. There will also be work by Chris “The Creep” Densmore, Clint Carney, Dan Harding, Alex Pardee, Erick De La Vega, .W. Frydendall, Delphia, Chuck Hodi and many more. The show is only night and is online, so check it out now.

Saturday:
Congregation Gallery is opening “Voodoo, Hoodoo, and Santeria: The Art of Conjure Black Carpet Arrivals” with new work from D. W. Frydendall, Christopher Ulrich, Munk One, Evil Paul, Eli Livingston, 13:11, Cate Rangel, Shawn Du Val Humiston, Glenda Rolie, Lloyd Mattews, Gene Guynn, Patrick Segui, David Cook, Sarah Hestal, Tiffany Garcia, Elizabeth Caffey, George De La Santos, Cam Rackam, Erick De La Vega, Skullmaster, Kevin Klemm, Steve Rodgers, Nicholas Caesar, Tatomir, Jim Parchen, RT Vegas, Dean Karr, Alina Stempa, Dave Rose, Romesh Mccullough, Tom Zimmerman, Renato Ruiz, Skip Crank, Jeremy Cross Voodoo Tarot Readings Cuban Cigar Roller Personal Voodoo Doll Maker

The Parlour Gallery at Halloween Town will open the Edgar Allan Poe group art show, with some work from Dan Harding, Eric Pigors, Gris Grimly, Zombienose and more.

Last Rites Gallery will open “Southern” a duo show with new work from Brian Viveros and Matthew Bone.

Lebasse Projects will open “Hello and Goodbye” by Yoskay Yamamoto and “Wild Fields” by Melissa Haslam

Shooting Gallery SF will open “Into The Woodz” a new solo show from Isabel Samaras. Then at the Gallery Three “Fantastic in the Sack” New Works By Dustin Olson

Copro Gallery will have “Strange Grooming Habits” by Travis Louie and “Sentimental” by Kathie Olivas

Gelaskins is having a sale on all of the Bamboo Fine Art Prints, 20% off which brings them down to $24 a pop. Thats a great deal and really helps out if your like me and want multiple prints from many of the artists they feature.

Gelaskins Fine Art Prints

A Paper Tiger has just released a new limited edition print, this new one is from Brian Despain. The print is 12″ x 14.5″ signed and numbered in an edition of only 25.
The site gave a little description of what the piece is all about: “The Exiles represents honor and dignity in the face of adversity. An unlikely royal couple stands proud but alone under a tumultuous sky, their crowns, a symbol of their former state, lift from their brows to hover like ghostly halos while dead leaves dance about them on winds of change.”

It’s a great print, from an amazing artist. That little gnome is too cool.
Head on over and check em out Brian Despain @ A Paper Tiger

This week features prints by Amy Sol, Vincent Castiglia, Brian Despain, Mike Dringenberg and Apricot Mantle. Check it out Here

Here is the rundown of shows that will be opening this weekend.

Saturday:

Roq La Rue has relaunched their website and has an opening tonight with art by Victor Castillo and Brian Despain. Both artists are outstanding, this is a killer show. The show is online to view and it looks like a majority of the work has sold out. Roqlarue.com

Wayne Martin Belger has a show opening up at the Device Gallery in L.A. Check it out here: DeviceGallery.com

“Murky Menagerie” a new show featuring works by Angie Mason opens up at the Rabbit Hole Gallery in Atlanta. The reception is from 7-11pm. Rabbitholegallery.com

“Duality of Humanity” is a new solo show at the White Walls Gallery in SF with new works by Shepard Fairey. There is a huge amount of work at the show and it is all online to view. Whitewallssf.com

Finally, the show that I am very excited to see (online that is) is “Figures and Grounds”. A group show at the Gallery Nucleus featuring work by Sean Cheetham, Kevin Chen, Mari Inukai, Chi-Kit Kwong, Patrick Leger, Christian Rex Van Minnen, Andrew Robinson, Edwin Ushiro & John Watkiss. The show looks like it will be amazing, this is one impressive list of artists. Wait for it to pop up here: Gallerynucleus.com