The Lowbrow Tarot Project, guest curated by Aunia Kahn, won’t open until October 1st but the images are on the website now to check out and there is some pretty amazing work to be seen. 23 artists were given the opportunity to recreate the 22 cards (+back card) of the Tarot deck. The list of artists is quite impressive; Chet Zar, Christopher Ulrich, Edith Lebeau, Chris Mars, Carrie Anne Baade, Cate Rangel, Kris Kuksi, Brain Viveros, Molly Crabapple, Heather Watts, Laurie Lipton, David Stoupakis, Scott G Brooks, Daniel Martin Diaz, Danni Shinya Luo, and more. Check out the preview images below, and then over to the gallery site for the full show.

The Lowbrow Tarot Project @ La Luz de Jesus

Chet Zar has just added a new special edition print to his online shop. “It’s in the Trunk” is an 11″ x 14″ with an image area of 9″ x 12″ on velvet fine art paper, signed and numbered in an edition of 100.

Get it here: Chet Zar Online Shop

This past Saturday, July 10th, two amazing shows opened at the Last Rites Gallery in New York. First a solo show of new works by Jason D’Aquino, and then a drawing group show called “Lead Poisoning”. Just a few of the artists that participated in the group show are: Esao Andrews, Carrie Anne Baade, Glenn Barr, Dave MacDowell, Scott G Brooks, Daniel Martin Diaz, Ron English, Chris Mars, Chet Zar, David Stoupakis, Eric White, Tara McPherson, and many more.

Jason D’Aquino’s show was a perfect blend of his smaller matchbook pieces, and some larger works done on various types of antiqued paper. There is also two prints available: “Plague” which is 8″ x 18″ limited to 50, and “Antique Flash Poster” at 18″ x 24″ for $40. Jason has such an amazing style. The way he draws, his characters, and the found paper that he uses really helps to create a unique and nostalgic feel. I especially like the piece “Don Post (Masks)” (shown), it reminds me of being a kid and wanting to collect every mask Don Post ever created.

The group show Crazy 4 Cult is now back again for the fourth installment. The full title “Crazy 4 Cult 4: The Case of the Redundant Number”, will feature work inspired by cult movies from a wide range of amazing artists. Just a few of those participating are: Allison Sommers, Anne-Julie Aubrey, Apricot Mantle, Casey Weldon, Chet Zar, Chris Murray, Dan May, Dave MacDowell, Ewelina Ferruso, Gene Guynn, Joe Scarano, Ken Garduno, Ken Keirns, N.C. Winter, Rich Pellegrino, Scott Campbell, Stella Im Hultberg, Tom Haubrick, and many more. Some are veterans of the group show, and many are new. The past three shows seemed to have been dominated by just a handful of movies, Donnie Darko, The Big Lebowski, Edward Scissorhands, and Willy Wonka. There are so many amazing cult movies, I do hope some of them are given the same treatment some of the repeat titles have. Here is a short preview of some of the works that have been posted around the web, or graciously shared with the Creep Machine. Hit the jump-link to see the full preview.

Breakfast Fight Club by Dave MacDowell

This is the Last Time I Saw You by Ken Keirns

Chet Zar just added a new print to his online shop. “The Longing” is a 13″ x 19″ giclee print on velvet fine art paper, signed and numbered in an edition of 100 for $100 each. This new print comes from a painting that was in Chet’s solo show “Lilith” that took place at the Copro Gallery lasy October 2009. It’s an amazing image, and I know the print quality of Chet’s work is top notch.

Get it here: Chet Zar Online Shop

Rue Morgue Magazine is always a must have for any horror fan, and now the 100th issue looks as though it will be a great collectible for art fans as well. Creep Machine was given an exclusive preview of the art that will be found in this milestone issue. I’m sure you will recognize most of the names that are participating in this feature, and will make your way to the local bookstore to pick up a copy. Here is an image of the cover, and the press release, make sure you click the link for the art.

To celebrate their milestone 100th issue, Rue Morgue commissioned sixteen of the best dark artists, established and up and coming, to each create an original piece that exemplifies a personal nightmare, and tell us why the work haunts them. The results will scare you too. Curated by Gary Pullin, The Nightmare Gallery is their biggest art feature to date and features new works by Chet Zar, Travis Louie, Bob Tyrrell, William Basso, Jason D’Aquino, Simon Marsden, Jason Edmiston, Joshua Hoffine, Nat Jones, Chad Michael Ward, Dan Harding and Kris Kuksi. The Rue Morgue house artists, Ghoulish Gary, Justin Erickson, Vincent Marcone and James Fisher, also contributed their personal nightmare. Rue Morgue’s Black 100 special edition cover features a spot varnish design on a black matte cover. Look for it on stands now.

Coming this Saturday April 10th to the Last Rites Gallery is the latest solo show of Chet Zar. Entitled “Endarkenment”, the show features 10 new paintings from Chet, each one with a custom and hand sculpted embellishments added to each one (see here). This is yet another amazing show by Chet, he just keeps on creating inspiring work show after show. Take a look at the preview images, and then if you around the gallery this coming Saturday stop by, or keep an eye on the website for the full show to be online.

Last Rites Gallery

This past March 13th, the Copro Galley opened the 5th Anniversary Exhibition for Hi Fructose. Along with this amazing group show, Eric Fortune and Michael Page also had solo shows up as well. The group show featured some inspiring work by KMNDZ, Scott Hove, Martin Wittfooth, Lori Earley, Eric Fortune, Craola, Chet Zar, Amy Sol, Kris Kuksi, Jonathan Viner, Chris Mars and many more. The Eric Fortune works are not up on the site as of yet, but the Michael Page solo show is. His latest works have been more abstract, and less figurative than earlier pieces. These paintings still hold the same narrative feel that his older works had, and are even more mysterious than ever. The colors are breathtaking, and I like the idea that he decided to change his work up a bit. Take a look at the preview images from the shows, and then head on over and see all of the works.

Copro Gallery

Chet Zar has added some sculptural collectibles to his online shop. One of which is the custom made Planchette that was given to the VIP guests at his 2007 “Stranger” show at the Strychnin Gallery in Berlin. It’s made out of hand cast urethane resin, and if it is anything like a normal planchette the size is around 6″ x 4″, but don’t take my work for that. Each planchette is also signed on the bottom. This is quite a unique collectible that can be had for only $20 each.

Get em here: Talking Board Planchette by Chet Zar

Thinkspace Gallery will open “A Cry For Help” benefit show this coming Friday, January 8th. The show is presented by Born Free USA, whom along with the Animal Protection Institute helped Thinkspace with the “Fight For Flight” exhibition back in 2008. The theme for this years show is animals, endangered as well as thriving species, and supporting the ethical treatment of animals and making sure current and future generations understand about habitat loss and how important animals are for all of us.

20% of the proceeds of the sales will go to Born Free and A.P.I, as well as 100% of the proceeds from the limited editions that will be released the night of the reception. A great cause with some amazing art. What a perfect way to start out 2010. The list of participating artists is nothing short of spectacular. Paintings from such artists as Allison Sommers, Amy Sol, Andrew Hem, Andy Kehoe, Buff Monster, Catherine Brooks (Featured), Charlie Immer, Chet Zar (Interviewed, 2), Dan May, David MacDowell, Fred Harper, Heiko Müller, Jennybird Alcantara, Joao Ruas, Kelly Vivanco (Interviewed), Luke Kopycinski (Featured), Martin Wittfooth, Nimit Malavia, Rory Kurtz, Sarah Joncas (Interviewed), Scott G. Brooks, Tran Nguyen, Travis Louie, Van Arno and many more will be on view. If you are in the area there is no reason to miss this show, there is just too much good work to pass up seeing it all in person. Here is a small preview of works, keep your eyes open for the full list of art to show up on the galleries site.

Thinkspace Gallery