Stranger Factory, the newest gallery from the Circus Posterus Collective, opened a group show last weekend, October 7th, entitled Bewitching. This is the first installment of an invitational annual group art show that takes inspiration from the vintage esthetic of Halloween. Growing up I was always mesmerized with the various decorations that would spring up during Halloween. In recent years the decorations are cheap, lazy looking, and lack any kind of uniqueness, so it’s great to see a show that harkens back to the hand-made, and often “outsider” feel the vintage designs had. The show features work by Andrew Bell, Colin Christian, Sas Christian, Doktor A, Travis Lampe, Leecifer, Travis Louie, Jon MacNair, Irene Mendonis, Kathie Olivas, Brandt Peters, Rhode Montijo, Chris Ryniak, Scott Tolleson, and many more. The show runs until November 12th, and if you aren’t able to make the show in person all of the work is now online to view. Love those paintings by Emily Trovillion (shown last).
Review: The Blab! Show @ Roq La Rue Gallery
On August 12th Roq La Rue in Seattle, WA opened the latest Blab! Show group invitational, with a specific theme of the Krampus as inspiration. For those not familiar with the Krampus, he is a pre-christian demon like creature that accompanied St Nick during Christmas and punished the bad children. The exhibition features work by Ryan Heshka, Nicoletta Ceccoli, Erik Mark Sandberg, Yoko d’Holbachie, Travis Louie, Travis Lampe, Martin Wittfooth, Ana Bagayan, Owen Smith, Chris Buzelli, Shag, Brian Despain, Mark Garro, Marc Burkhardt, Laurie Hogin, Andy Kehoe, Derek Nobbs, Alex Kuno, Andrew S. Arconi, Julianna Swaney, Jason Holley, and Fred Stonehouse. The folks over at Loved To Death, made their way from San Francisco to Seattle to check out the show. Brennan was nice enough to write a review for the Creep and share some photos as well. Take it away Brennan, after the jump.

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“Idol Hours” @ London Miles Gallery
On November 13th, the London Miles Gallery opened a group show entitled “The Idol Hours”, which is a reflective study of great historical master paintings by new contemporary artists. The show features work by some amazing artists such as Dave MacDowell, Stella Im Hultberg, Tom Bagshaw, Matthew Bone, Travis Lampe, Zoe Lacchei, Bob Dob, Carrie Ann Baade, Carles Gomila, Nom Kinnear King, Chris B Murray, Ken Keirns, and many more. I was very excited, being an art history geek, to hear of this exhibition and see what some of these artists would come up with when taking classical works for inspiration. Ken Keirns did an outstanding re-interpretaion of Da Vinci’s “Lady with an Ermine”, and even Dave MacDowell chose to reimagibe Da Vinci’s work. Tom Bagshaw, Chris Murray, and Carrie Ann Baade made some stand-out paintings. I loved looking through the works and attaching them to the classical pieces the artists worked from. I do feel that Joe Ledbetter could have created something so much better, instead of painting a small area on a print. of the original work.
Check out the full show: Idol Hours @ London Miles Gallery



Halloween prints by Travis Lampe
I don’t think there is enough time to get these new prints before Halloween starts, but if you want to prepare for next year or like hanging “spooky” art all year long, then check out these new prints by Travis Lampe. Entitled “Cat” and Witch”, both prints are 14″ x 18″ 4 color screen-prints on 90lb. black Stonehenge paper, signed and numbered in editions of 22.
Get em here: Travis Lampe Shop


Travis Lampe’s “Wee Epic Masterpiece Theatre” @ Rotofugi Gallery
This past weekend at the Rotofugi Gallery, two solo shows opened up. “Wee Epic Masterpiece Theatre” by Travis Lampe and “Beneath the Noise” by Dan May. Both are amazing exhibitions, but for this post I am going to focus on Travis’ show. All of the works in this show, save for the two prints, are all inspired by classical works of art. For an art historian (in progress) like myself, this show is filled with all sorts of eye candy. Classical works of art such as: Géricault’s “The Raft of the Medusa”, Jaques-Louis David’s “The Death of Marat”, Sandro Boticelli’s “The Return of Judith”, and Caravaggio’s “Medusa” have all been re-imagined by Travis with his signature characters and vivid color scheme.
While classical works may be boring to some, the content is often filled with exciting stories, allegories and fables. All of which are worthy of being retold. It is these stories, the inner meaning of art that holds onto us and allows the art to function as much more than just something pretty to look at.
Head on over and take a look at the full show. This is such an amazing show. I also like that Travis created a silkscreened frame that would be used for multiple works.



Books: EdgyCute: From Neo-Pop to Low Brow and Back Again
Mark Batty Publisher has just releases a new art book, “EdgyCute: From Neo-Pop to Low Brow and Back Again”. The book is compiled by Orbit Gallery owner Harry Saylor along with Carolyn Frisch. The book features work from 47 artists such as, Ana Bagayan, Gary Baseman, Becca, Nicoletta Ceccoli, Chris Crites. Greg Gossell, Ryan Heshka, Angelique Houtkamp, Jeremiah Ketner, Travis Lampe, Angie Mason, Elizabeth McGrath, Brandi Milne, Mitch O’Connell, Kathie Olivas, Brandt Peters, Lisa Petrucci, Joe Scarano, Shag, Gary Taxali, Brian Taylor, Chris Uminga, Brian Viveros, Keith Weesner and more.
The book is 10″ x 12″, casebound with 176 pages for $45.
Get em here: EdgyCute @ Mark Batty Publisher


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The Brush Project 2
About 2 years ago, the very first Brush Project was started. The idea was that artists would send in used brushes, sign them and then the fans could score a great collectible while helping out a charity. It’s now time for Bush Project 2, this time hosted by Rotofugi, the charity is Gigi’s Playhouse, a Down syndrome awareness center. The auction is now in full swing, and will go until this Thursday, October 6th. The brushes will be on display until October 11th and then shipped to the new owner.
There is a great list of artists participating this year, Tara McPherson (shown), Bob, Dob, Chris Mars, Dan May, Jeff Soto, Jason Limon, Jeremiah Ketner, Lori Early, Travis Lampe and many more. For the full list, and to bid head on over to the online auctions.
Brush Project 2 Auctions

Shows this weekend: Josh Keyes, Bob Dob & The Blab! Show
Here is the rundown of art shows that will be opening up this weekend.
Friday:
Swarm Gallery will host an exhibition of new works by Josh Keyes.
Perihilion Arts will open “Black Eyed Mouseketeers”, a new series of paintings by Bob Dob. The show is online and looks great.
Cave Gallery will open “Outside my Window”, a group show featuring art by Liz Brizzi, Adam Flores, Max Kauffman and more.
La Luz de Jesus is opening its four shows, as mentioned in an earlier post, with new art from Scott Holloway, Jessica Dalva, Misato Otake & Jasmine Worth.
Varnish Art will be having its last show at the current location, and will end it all with a new solo show entitled “ThankYouGoodbye” with works from Michael Page.
Strychnin Gallery will host “The Red Thread”, which features work by Jennybird Alcantra, Bethany Marchman and Edith Lebeau, who was a featured artist on the Creep Machine. Congrats Edith!
Saturday:
Copro Gallery will open “The Blab! Show” featuring new paintings by Joe Sorren, Andy Kehoe, Alex Gross, Jeff Soto, Femke Hiemstra, Shag, Kris Kuksi, Ryan Heshka, Martin Wittfooth, XNO, Travis Lampe, Owen Smith, Kathleen Lolley, Natalia Fabia, Andrew Brandou, Gary Taxali and more
Disctinction Art will open “Scientific Evolution”, with new artwork from Dan Lyderson, Sean Christopher, Jasmine Worth, Gene Guynn, Christian Van Minnen, Dave MacDowell and more. 10% of proceeds to benefit stem cell research.
Preview: Travis Lampe and Chris Crites @ Roq la Rue
Coming to Roq la Rue gallery this Friday, June 12th is “Best Loved Tales of Misery and Woe” by Travis Lampe and “About:Face” by Chris Crites. This is Travis’ debut show with the gallery and from the preview images, it looks like its going to be a hit. I am really into cartoon/vintage animation so Lampe’s is always a blast to see. Not only does he have new paintings in the show, but prints and 3d work as well. Vimby has a great interview with him as well, check it out here. I am liking the new work by Chris Crites as well, the paintings while colorful and dynamic, remind me a lot of old cabinet photos. If you can’t wait for the show to be online, make sure you get on the preview list.
Travis Lampe and Chris Crites @ Roq la Rue


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