Creep Machine Magazine – Contemporary Art & Culture

Category: featured

  • Review: Jonathan Darby @ White Walls SF

    During the weekend that I visited the Shooting Gallery to check out the latest solo show from Aaron Nagel (reviewed), I also stopped by White Walls Gallery right next door to see what they had going on. The front portion of the gallery featured new works by Adam Caldwell, and while these works were worth checking out the installations and mixed media paintings from Jonathan Darby stole the show. Click the jump link to read the rest of the review and a video of the installation.

    The entire back of the White Walls gallery had been transformed into a Favela, otherwise known as a shanty town in Brazil. Darby has shown his Favela inspired works in previous galleries such as the Signal Gallery. As you step inside the massive installation, the gallery is literally transformed into a slum that many of the children featured in the paintings live in day by day. I was reminded that the ground was still a nice gallery floor, and the room was still conditioned, but I made an effort to really be immersed and understand that the children living this way have it harsher than most people could ever imagine. (more…)

  • Review: “A Thin Line” – Aaron Nagel @ Shooting Gallery

    One June 11th, The Shooting Gallery in San Francisco opened the latest solo show, “The Thin Line”, from Oakland based painter Aaron Nagel. This is the second solo exhibition the artist has had at the gallery, the first being “Marks” (reviewed) that took place March 2010. Since that time he has had a few paintings in group shows, but aside from the few that took place in the Bay Area I rarely got to see any new work in person.

    I was very excited to see this new show, but didn’t make it to the gallery until this past weekend, which doesn’t bother me since I can take some good photos and new video. I really like the idea of taking videos of these shows from here on out, and have gotten a good response from fans across the globe that can’t see the works in person. While I try to do the best I can with the videos, getting in close and trying to capture all the detail I can, there is no replacement for seeing these works in person. Especially when you see how exquisite Aaron’s brushwork is. It really is hard to believe that he is self-taught, and is a testament to hard work and achieving your goals no matter what. Click the read more link for the rest of the review and a video.


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  • Photos: “Under the Gun” group show @ Articulated Gallery

    It has been while since I have been asked to curate a show, and is something I would like to do more often. Articulated Gallery needed a show for the month of June and they asked me to whip together a quick group show, and since time was limited “Under the Gun” was born. The show features work by Chet Zar, Dan Harding, Jessica Ward, Apricot Mantle, Patrick Deignan, John Cebollero, Godmachine, Megan Frauenhoffer, Larkin, Jon Macnair, Jessica Stewart, and Cate Rangel. I am very happy with the show, and was also happy to have some new talent such as Jessica Stewart (featured) and Megan Frauenhoffer (featured) in the show. The show will be up until July 1st, so if you haven’t had a chance to stop by yet, make sure you do. Otherwise I took some photos and made a new video of the exhibition. Hit the link for the video and the rest of the photos.

    Articulated Gallery

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  • Introducing Paper Devil Press & Exit 11 by John Cebollero

    I am happy to introduce the latest project from the Creep Machine. Paper Devil Press is a new print shop that will feature exclusive limited edition prints, original works of art, and in the future open edition prints and zines. The goal of Paper Devil is to bring amazing artwork to the fans at prices that allow everyone to collect great art. It is also my goal to make mush of the art and prints you see at the shop unique, and unlike many art shops online.

    The very first Exclusive limited edition print is by John Cebollero and is entitled “Exit 11”. This print is from a painting that was seen in the “This is the End” group show, and was also the image used for the subscriber edition of Juxtapoz Magazine in 2009. The print is 8 1/4″ x 10″ giclee on 100% cotton rag paper, signed and numbered in an edition of 20 + 5 Artist Proofs. The detail and colors on this print are intense. I will be giving away one of these artists proofs this week over at the Paper Devil Facebook group, so make sure you “like” the new group for a chance to win. Otherwise head on over to the new print site and see what is there. Originals by Dan Harding, and prints by Chris Peters and Martin Wittfooth.

    Paper Devil Press

  • Review: “Of Melancholy & Monkey Business” – Jackie Gallagher @ Articulated Gallery

    On Saturday May 7th, I made my way to the Articulated Gallery on Haight Street in San Francisco to check out a very exciting show. I rarely visit this street anymore, and have never been to this gallery, but it was the reception for the first solo show of Jackie Gallagher, an artist I have been raving about since 2008. I was lucky enough to have a painting of hers in the “This is the End” exhibition and have watched her art become more and more intense throughout the years. This solo exhibition entitled “Of Melancholy and Monkey Business” features 16 paintings by Jacqueline, in one of the most unique galleries I have visited. read the full article for more images, a video and the full review.

    Audra of Loved to Death and Jackie Gallagher

    The Articulated Gallery is connected to a shop called “Loved To Death“, created by Audra & Brennan Dance. When you first walk into the store you are greeted with taxidermy, momento mori jewelry, art books, and a whole host of art curiosities. It’s one of those shops that you really need to set aside an entire afternoon to peruse. Knowing what kind of art Jackie creates, the Articulated Gallery located in the back of the shop, was the perfect place to have a solo show. The walls of the gallery are painted a nice neutral gray, and allowed the colors of Jackie’s work to do their magic and invade your eyeballs. The gallery space is a medium size, but easily allowed the 16 paintings, large and small, to fit on the walls without looking cluttered at all.
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  • Featured Artist for May, Kelly Durette

    It’s been a while since the site has had a featured artist. Some contests and other projects took time away from this section. Well, it’s back and to kick it off again is Toronto based artist Kelly Durette. Along with a gallery of her work, there is also a short interview with Kelly. So head on over and check out the first featured artist for 2011.

    Kelly Durette Interview + Feature

  • Preview: Rod Luff – “Moleskine Project” @ Spoke Art

    Spoke Art, the force behind the Bad Dads and Quentin Vs Coen group shows, are opening a San Francisco based gallery this Thursday May 5th. To kick off the very first reception of this new space, Rod Luff, who recently showed at the Phone Booth Gallery, will be showing some new works. The Moleskine Project features framed pages from an entire sketchbook the artist filled with oil paintings, sketches, studies, and more. The gallery also made the great decision of having the works framed in a way so that you can turn it around and still see what was on the other side of the pages, so no work by this exciting artist has been lost. The reception opens @ 5pm and the show will be up until May 28th. I’ll be stopping by to check out the work, take some photos, and even a video. Prepare for a more in depth review soon.

    Spoke Art


  • Preview: Dave MacDowell’s “Lowbrow Love Letter” @ Thinkspace Gallery

    Opening this Saturday, April 30th is the latest solo exhibition from acrylic mastermind Dave MacDowell. Entitled “Lowbrow Love Letter”, this show will feature 11 works with a few of them inspired directly from contemporary artists such as Chet Zar (shown last), Mark Ryden, Luke Chueh, and even Michael Hussar..? Dave’s unique spin on pop culture and movies will also make an appearance with paintings featuring “The Dude” (Big Lebowski), Charlie Sheen, Antoine Dodson, zombies, and an absolutely freaky looking Stay Puft Marshmallow Man. While Lowbrow art might have tamed down a bit, or what Robert Williams called “chronically cute and politically correct” (source), Dave is still making art that not only looks amazing but continues the tradition of a scene that was once seen as subversive, one look at “Beating The Meat Market” (second) shows that. Take a look at the preview images, and then over to the site for the full show. Dave will be in attendance at the reception, and we will hopefully have a video interview up on the site a few days afterward.

    Thinkspace Gallery