Opening tonight, July 24th at the Congregation Gallery in Hollywood, CA is a group show entitled “The Black Plague Art Show”. Curated by Cam Rackam, this show has a very impressive lineup with new works from: Jason Soles, Buddy Nestor, Cam Rackam, Chris Peters, Christopher Conte, Dan Harding, Ian Ward, Sean Chappell, Terry Wolfinger, Vincent Castiglia, Lacey Bryant, Karl Persson, Nikko Hurtado, Larkin, and many more. Of course we all know the Black Plague to be one of the deadliest pandemics in human history, but one of the elements you will see in many of these works is the outfits the plague doctors would wear. It consisted of a wide brimmed hat (a signifier of being a doctor), a long black overcoat (to minimize exposure), a cane for examining and ushering people around, and most notable the bird’s beak shaped mask. This mask worked similar to a gas mask, as impure air was thought to spread the disease. The mask had red eyepieces, thought to block the doctor from evil, and the beak would be filled with herbs or spices that would reduce the smell and again block impure air.

It’s an outstanding show, and had me surprised quite a few times. Dan Harding’s new piece “La Bella Morte Nera” (or The Beautiful Back Death), is so amazing, his work just keeps getting better. I also liked Jason Soles “Bell Jar Baby” and various masks. Lacey Bryant also has some great, illustrative pieces that really take the idea of the Black Plague as inspiration. “A Surprise for Mum” has the rats that helped spread the plague, and “Pocketful of Posies” is pretty creepy as well. Take a look at the preview images here, and then head over for the full show.

Black Plague Art Show @ Congregation Gallery

March 6th at the Last Rites Gallery two solo shows opened, one from Chris Peters and the other from David R. Choquette. Long time readers of the site might recognize David’s work from not only being a featured artist (here) but also having an amazing ‘Killer Klowns’ inspired painting in the ‘Attack of the B Movie Show‘. David has an great style, dark and surreal. The work for his solo show at Last Rites is now up on the site, along with Chris Peters’ new paintings. Here are a few from the show that I especially liked, make sure you head on over to the gallery to see the rest.

David Choquette @ Last Rites Gallery

Virtu Gallery has released a couple of new editions by Chris Peters. Both of these new editions are giclee on varnished canvas, signed and numbered in editions of 40, “Clear Blue Water” is 12.5″ x 14.75″ and “Leaving the Shame Behind” is 13.25″ x 12.5″. I was also able to send Chris a handful of questions for a mini interview regarding these new prints and art making in general. After the images, click the more link to read the interview.

Get the prints here: Chris Peters @ Virtu Gallery

Congregation Arts, the folks that have been put on the Forgotten Saints, Voodoo and Metal inspired shows now have a full fledged website. Images from their last show “The Second Annual METAL Art Show” are now up to view. Paintings by Cam De Leon, Vincent Castiglia, Chris Peters, Fred Harper, Vince Locke, Cate Rangel and the always amazing Dan Harding are still available. The painting by Dan used for the flyer “Threshold” (shown) and another “Apocalyptic Self” were in the show. I really dig “Threshold”, the colors are great and the pose he has that figure in is really dynamic. If you have never seen a Dan Harding painting in person you are truly missing out. The details he achieves with oils is nuts. His work is starting to sell out faster as the shows go by, I am honestly surprised these two are not sold yet. Especially for the price they are set at.

Check out the full show: Congregation Gallery

Copro Nason Gallery will be opening three exhibits this Saturday, December 12. “IO Saturnalia” a group show featuring work by Yoko d’Holdbachie, Naoto Hattori, Rachel Bess, Mari Inukai, Mark Covell, Erik Alos, Alex Garcia, Michael Page, Leslie Ditto, XNO, Kieth Weesner and more. Then in gallery 2 will be “Gold Dust” by Tiffany Liu and gallery 3 will have “Reflections” with new works from Chris Peters. The previews for all three shows is now up on the site, so after you see these images go and check out the rest.

Copro Nason Gallery

ART THAT CREEPS: Gothic Fantasies and the Macabre in Contemporary Art is a new book released by Korero Books and put together by Yasha Young, owner of Strychnin Gallery. The book is 192 pages, hardcover and is filled with “Neo-gothic visual energy and inspiration from the worlds of lowbrow and neo-surrealism. Featuring artists from all corners of the globe working in oil, digital, sculpture, engraving, porcelain, taxidermy and photography.” Some of the artists that can be found in this collection are Chet Zar (cover), Michael Ryan, Scott Holloway, Natalie Shau, Naoto Hattori, Nicoletta Ceccoli, David Stoupakis, Richard A. Kirk, Jason Shawn Alexander, Leslie Ditto, Melissa Forman, Chris Peters, Michael Page and more.

The book can be found in a variety of online shops, but it looks to be ready for purchase now @ Korero Books

Just this Saturday, August 1st at the Last Rites Gallery in New York the group show “New Breed” opened. The features work by 10, emerging artists that have never been shown at Last Rites before. The list of participating artist is: David R. Choquette (shown), Shay Davis, Mickey M Edtinger, Paul Gerrard, Charlie Immer, Sara Antoinette Martin, Richard Meyer, Reuben Negrón, Chris Peters & Kurt Wiscombe.

If you have been a reader of the Creep Machine for a while now, you will know David R. Choquette from the “Attack of the B Movie Show”. He entered an amazing Killer Klown painting. He has three in this show, each one looks outstanding. I’m glad he has had the opportunity to show at such a great gallery. Another familiar name is Paul Gerrard, having been featured on the site three times so far. I love his work, and am happy people are seeing how exciting digital art can be. I was also happy to see Charlie Immer (shown). He has been putting out some paintings that are just a blast to look at. Some of these painting have been in a few galleries already, quite possibly due to the price of his working getting too high too fast maybe? The card also shows a painting by Reuben Negron, and while he is in the show that specific piece does not seem to be. He is a very talented painter, one that I have been watching for a while now. He works primarily in watercolors, a medium I have great respect for and seems to be gaining more popularity.

Anyway, make sure you head over to the site and give the full show a look. New Breed @ Last Rites

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

Friday:
Grass Hut Corp will be opening “The Squirrels Made Me Do It”, a group show featuring work by Anna Chambers, Joe Ledbetter, Michelle Valigura & Amanda Visell.

T&P Fine Arts is opening the group show “The Kids Are Alright”. This show is curated by Beau Basse and will feature work by Nimit Malavia, Yuta Onoda, Danni Shinya Luo, Jeremy Lynch, Eric Davison and many more.

Ad Hoc Art will be hosting new works from Ekundayo and Joshua Clay in the main room, and TheDirtyFabulous in the project room.

Saturday:
Rivet Art will be showing new works from Annie Owens ans Laurie Lipton.

Gallery 1988 SF will open a dual show of Dan McCarthy and Daniel Danger. There will be some prints released at the reception.

Copro Gallery will have three killer shows opening up. First Hi-Fructose brings us “Overdose” with work from Alex Pardee, Andrew Hem, Bob Dob, Anthony Ausgang, Brandi Milne, Brandt Peters, Brendan Danielsson, Chris Owens, Chris Peters, Chet Zar, Chris Berens, Craola, Dan May, Dan Quintana, Ekundayo, Erik Fortune, Femke Hiemstra, Glenn Barr, Gris Grimly, Jason D’Aquino, Joe Vaux, Josh Keyes, Kathie Olivas, KMNDZ, Kris Kuksi, Kukula, Lola, Luke Chueh, Mars-1, Martin Wittfooth, McBess, Mia, Michael Page, Naoto Hattori, Nathan Spoor, Robert Hardgrave, Scott Musgrove, Shag, Skot Olsen, Thomas Han, Tin, Tom Haubrick, Travis Louie, Viktor Safonkin, Vince Cacciotti, Yoskay Yamamoto, Yosuke Ueno, Yoko D’holbachie and more.
Then there will also be “Nightlight” by Kieth Weesner in gallery 2 and “The Herrings Hairdo” by Femke Hiemstra in gallery 3.

How is that for a group show?

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

Friday:
The Alternative Cafe is hosting “This is the End”. Curated by the Creep Machine and featuring work by 25 artists from all over the world. It’s going to be a truly exciting show. Check the work out, it is now online to view. If you can make it the reception is from 7-9pm.

Gallery 1988 SF will open “Sweet Surrender”, a group show featuring work by Krista Huot, Camilla d’Errico, Jennifer Tong and Allison Torneros. The show will be online at noon this Friday.

Definition Gallery has “Melancholy”, featuring new works by Bethany Marchman, Nicholas Harper and Brandon Maldonado

Joshua Liner Gallery has a solo exhibition from Tomokazu Matsuyama entitled “Glancing at the Twin Peak”. The work is online and looks great.

La Luz de Jesus opens “Everything But The Kitschen Sync” 12h annual group show. Some of the artists in this show are: Dave MacDowell, Apricot Mantle, Bob Dob, Nathan Ota, Chris Peters, Sean Stepanoff, Heather Watts, Paul Torres and many more.

Saturday:
Copro Gallery has two shows opening: “Natural Beauties”, Lola’s solo show and “SuperSchool” featuring work by Scott Musgrove, Travis Louie, Gary Baseman, Sas Christian, Chet Zar, Heiko Mueller, Dan May, Martin Wittfooth, Chris Ryniak, Nathan Spoor, Kris Lewis, Carrie Ann Baade, Michael Page, Ana Bagayan, Kevin Peterson, Naoto Hattori, Amy Sol, Francesco LoCastro, Reinier Gamboa, Mia, Brian Viveros, Dan Quintana , Tin and more. Much of the work is online to view, both shows are very strong.

Gallery Nucleus is opening “Home Slice”, a new solo show of Scott Campbell. He has such an amazing style, I can’t wait to see the new works, all of which should be up this weekend.

Here comes another weekend filled with killer show. Wish I could see them all.

Friday:
Roq La Rue Gallery: Stella Im Hultberg and Andrew Hem have all new works on display. The reception starts at 7pm. The show is online to view and all of the works look amazing, this is one exciting show.

Thinkspace Gallery: Amy Crehore’s “DREAMGIRLS & UKES”, and Anthony Clarkson’s “THE SILENT TREATMENT” opens at 7pm until 11pm.

Outre Gallery: in Australia has an exhibition featuring prints and one new original from Audrey Kawasaki.

“Forgotten Saints” presented by Art Core opens up this Friday as well. The show features new work by Cate Rangel, Arabella Proffer, Cam Rackam, Vince Locke, Gris Grimly and many other. no website to view work, but if you around you can see the show at the Congregation of the Forgotten Saints 7569 Melrose Ave. Los Angeles Ca. 90046.

Saturday:
Distinction Gallery: “Plastic Prophets of Vinyl Redemption” featuring new works by John Purlia. There will also be limited edition custom flipbooks at the reception.

POVevolving Gallery: “Movers and Shakers” is a group show featuring work by Michael Page, Dylan Sisson, Ben Kehoe, Chet Zar, Brandi Milne, Chris Peters, Ana Bagayan, Chris Ryniak, Cave Cooper, Amy Sol, Ekundayo, Eric Fortune, Mari Inukai, Kelly Vivanco, Jeff Soto, Mia, Naoto Hattori, Scott Radke and many more. This is quite an amazing show. There is also a box set of prints, each set features prints that are 8.5″ x11″ or smaller, limited to 50.

Bunny Gunner Gallery: has the group show “All you can Eat” opening. The show features work by KMDZ, Germs, Dean McDowell and many more.

Billy Shire Fine Arts: Has two solo shows opening, new works by Bob Dob and Francisco Rodriguez Maruca. The shows are online now to view.